© Shutterstock

La Paz, Bolivia -

It's not that La Paz lacks an interesting collection of visitor attractions, including some truly amazing museums. It's rather the fact that as the highest capital city in the world, exploring this lofty destination on foot is simply exhausting. And with the air so thin, navigating its inclines can be especially challenging.

© Shutterstock

Quito, Ecuador -

Fascinating Quito, the world's second-highest capital city, also has some pretty steep streets and gradients, again making prolonged walking a difficult endeavor.

© Shutterstock

Bogotá, Colombia -

As the world's third-highest capital city, Bogotá can leave less mobile visitors feeling breathless. The good thing is that much of the city center is flat.

© Shutterstock

Cusco, Peru -

Cusco, a city in southeastern Peru and once the capital of the mighty Inca Empire, is another destination perched in the clouds. Pacing yourself while sightseeing will help you acclimatize.

© Getty Images

Medellín, Colombia -

Still in South America and back in Colombia, Medellín is certainly worth checking out, but go with caution. The city has cleaned up its act considerably, but be careful where you walk and resist the temptation to wander off the beaten track.

© Shutterstock

Kathmandu, Nepal -

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, engages all the senses. But as the country's most populous city, it can be rather overwhelming, especially if exploring on foot. Roads are narrow and sidewalks are almost non-existent, while traffic rarely takes any prisoners.

© Getty Images

Guilin, China -

Everywhere in China is busy, but Guilin, one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, simply bursts at the seams. While walking is the best way to immerse yourself in the local culture, Guilin's problem with pollution may stop you in your tracks. The air is moderately polluted, but it's the filthy Li River that's causing the greatest concern.

© Shutterstock

Amman, Jordan -

You'll need a stout pair of legs to explore Amman. The Jordanian capital is built across seven hills—Qusur, Jufa, Taj, Nazha, Nasser, Natheef, and al-Akhdar—each a challenge for less abled bodies, especially in the heat.

© Shutterstock

Dallas, USA -

Dallas is not very foot friendly. It's a city that has always championed a car-centric culture and, as such, the destination does not prioritize biking and walking trails.

© Shutterstock

Manila, Philippines -

Manila was never built for the pedestrian. One of the world's most densely populated cities, the Philippine capital boasts just a handful of designated walking trails. High rainfall puts many off venturing out on foot, and, with a poor public transport system in operation, a car is the only realistic way of exploring Manila.

© Shutterstock

Bangkok, Thailand -

While Bangkok does boast two very  walkable neighborhoods in Sukhumvit and Phra Nakhon, this vast and engrossing city is notorious for streets bereft of proper sidewalks. Anything remotely resembling a pavement is usually narrow and far too overcrowded.

© Shutterstock

Mumbai, India -

Taking a walk in Mumbai means dodging traffic and the odd cow, breathing in some of the most polluted air in the world, and shouting over the odds to make yourself heard. Other than that, it's a memorable, if somewhat unnerving, experience.

© Shutterstock

Johannesburg, South Africa -

Johannesburg has a global reputation for being a hotbed for crime. In 2023, the city recorded 3,084 homicides, reason enough not to step out onto the streets. Joburg is certainly worth exploring, but for a more immersive experience and, your safety, get a car.

© Shutterstock

Dhaka, Bangladesh -

Walking in Dhaka is definitely a challenge. A megacity crammed with over 23 million souls, the capital of Bangladesh is a city congested with chaos. Air quality is poor and the level of sanitation leaves a lot to be desired. Even a stroll round the block can be stressful.

© Shutterstock

Los Angeles, USA -

Los Angeles is quite simply an urban sprawl. Another US city where the motor vehicle is always one step ahead of the pedestrian, LA is difficult for tourists and locals to get around without one. And you always need to watch your step in the "City of Angels." You may find yourself joining them sooner rather than later!

© Shutterstock

Patras, Greece -

Patras is Greece's third-largest city and has its fair share of historic attractions, including the Roman Odeon and medieval Patras Castle. The problem is the city lacks a network of walking trails that would facilitate exploration of these ancient wonders.

© Shutterstock

Orlando, USA -

According to a study carried out by Preply, Orlando in Florida is the least-walkable city in America. The results were based on the distance, walking time, and step count between each of the city's main attractions.

© Shutterstock

Cape Town, South Africa -

The beauty that is Cape Town belies its reputation as another one of South Africa's most violent cities. In 2023, 3,072 murders took place here, making even the most walkable parts of town, places like Greenmarket Square, St Georges Mall, and V&A Waterfront, vulnerable to criminal activity.

© Shutterstock

Houston, USA -

Houston is another Texas city where the car is king. Exploring this destination on foot is to negotiate a road infrastructure rarely geared towards accommodating the pedestrian. High traffic volumes also make walking a less than rewarding experience.

© Shutterstock

Lisbon, Portugal -

The Portuguese capital is one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. It's also one of the most challenging to explore on foot. The historic center unfolds over a series of hills and, while served by tram, your stamina will be tested if you opt to explore it on two feet.

© Shutterstock

Birmingham, England -

Birmingham, the UK's second city, has a fairly compact center dominated by a huge shopping mall complex. But while this central zone is easy to tread, exploring further afield will likely require a vehicle, though the city is served by a decent tram network.

© Shutterstock

Granada, Spain -

Most of Granada's downtown is walkable, and a pleasure to do so. The going gets tough when you make for its most famous visitor attraction, the Alhambra. Perched on Sabika Hill, an outcrop of the Sierra Nevada, this famous palace and fortress complex is worth the effort to reach on foot to absorb the magical atmosphere the upward hike exudes.

© Shutterstock

Ahmedabad, India -

Ahmedabad is the most populous city in the Indian state of Gujarat and, frankly, a nightmare to explore on foot. An estimated 8.6 million people live here, and sometimes it feels like they're all using the same street. Do as many locals do and take a tuk tuk.

© Shutterstock

San Francisco, USA -

San Francisco famously rolls over 35 hills, which lends the city its unique roller coaster character. Unfortunately, it's often voted as one of America's least walkable cities as a result. Share the load by treading a block or two and then jumping  on a tram.

© Shutterstock

Sheffield, England -

Sheffield city center is actually rather hilly. In fact, if you arrive by train, the walk into town can leave some out of breath. Generally, though, Sheffield is kind on the feet. Actually, seasoned hikers tend not to hang around for long, instead preferring to head out into the surrounding hills for which this part of northern England is famous.

© Shutterstock

Memphis, USA -

Memphis in Tennessee has the dubious honor of being the United States' most dangerous city for pedestrians, according to a 2024 study conducted by The Texas Law Dog. Lack of infrastructure, like sidewalks or crosswalks, in high-traffic areas, makes Memphis very unfriendly under foot.

© Shutterstock

Marseille, France -

Marseille is often cited as the least pedestrian-friendly city in France, with a total distance of nearly 12 miles (20 km) between its five most popular attractions. That's about 25,000 steps on average.

© Shutterstock

Hamilton, Canada -

To explore Hamilton on foot, a visitor would have to follow a total route of almost 37 miles (60 km) between its five most popular attractions. That translates as a walk averaging 75,000 steps. These statistics make this Ontario destination the country's least walkable city.

© Shutterstock

Canberra, Australia -

Visitors looking to explore Canberra on foot can expect a hard slog. The Australian capital is small but mushrooms out considerably, with its major tourist attractions spread across quite a distance. In fact, it takes around two and a half hours to get to all of them by walking.

© Shutterstock

Tijuana, Mexico -

Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, a vibrant arts and entertainment scene drawing scores of visitors from the United States, Tijuana is a hotbed of crime, especially violent crime related to gang violence. Exploring this city on foot is not a good idea, as there are several areas in the city designated non-tourist areas. To accidently stray into these neighborhoods could cost you dear.

Sources: (Travel + Leisure) (AllClear Travel Insurance) (Time Out) (BusinessTech) (Statista) (The Guardian) (Explore) (Preply)

See also: The world's most dangerous cities to live in

© Shutterstock