Travel experts reveal eight of Europe’s most walkable cities, from England’s south coast to a Spanish spot with streets too narrow for cars

Sightseeing on holiday always sounds fun on paper, but in reality it can often be a hassle and expensive affair, such as renting a car or navigating the inscrutable public transport network.

Instead, sign up for a vacation in a city that is good for walking, so you can get your 10,000 steps a day right away.

Need some inspiration? European travel experts have shared their favourite hiking destinations with MailOnline Travel.

All these cities have something unique to offer and are also easily explored on foot.

Read on to learn about a Spanish town with streets too narrow for cars, an English seaside town with 150 parks, a walkable French city with a “very impressive river,” and much more…

Seville, Spain

Seville has winding streets that are ‘so narrow’ they ‘hold up most traffic’

“Seville is a city built for walking,” says the team at Lonely Planet.

In fact, the ‘winding streets’ in the ‘historic core’ of the city are ‘so narrow’ that they ‘hold back most traffic’.

The team adds: ‘The car-free cobbled streets, riverside promenades, parks and squares ensure there are plenty of reference points so you don’t get lost.’

Stockholm, Sweden

‘Stockholm’s architecture, food scene, museums and galleries are all worth exploring,’ says Justin from Responsible Travel. Pictured here is Stockholm’s Old Town

Justin Francis, Founder of Responsible travelloves exploring cities on foot because that’s where you ‘find the living culture and character of a place’.

He recommends Stockholm as a destination worth exploring: ‘It’s a city with lots of greenery and culture, and fantastic to explore on foot or by bike.’

The Swedish capital is ‘particularly suitable for walking tours during the long summer days’, while in December you can ‘stroll through cosy, atmospheric Christmas markets’.

The expert adds: ‘Stockholm’s architecture, culinary scene, museums and galleries are all worth exploring.’

Oxford, UK

Oxford’s top tourist attractions are all within easy walking distance, notes a travel expert

Oxford’s ‘compact layout and well-maintained footpaths’ make it an ideal place for a city break with walking opportunities, says Gareth Mills, Country Manager UK at AllTrails.

He adds: ‘The city’s main tourist attractions, including its historic universities, charming streets and cultural landmarks, are all within easy walking distance.

‘Oxford’s pedestrianised zones and rich heritage also create an ideal environment for keen walkers.’

AllTrails has 60 recommended walking routes in Oxford, including the popular Oxford Tourwhich takes in some of the city’s top sights, including the historic Bear Inn.

Bordeaux, France

‘Bordeaux is quite flat, with most of the sights centrally located on streets that rise from an impressive river,’ says Clare from Travel Counsellors

Clare Payne from Travel advisorsshe says the port city of Bordeaux, in the wine region of western France, is one of her favorite cities for walking.

The expert says: ‘The city is quite flat and most of the sights are centrally located on streets that originate from an impressive river.

‘Make sure you visit Miroir d’eau (Water Mirror). It’s a beautiful spot in the city, right by the river, and great fun for kids too.’

On the website you will find suggestions for walking routes. Bordeaux Tourism websiteincluding an 8 km (4.9 mi) walk past all the city’s major sights.

Bruges, Belgium

Rozenhoedkaai [pictured above]also known as Rozenkranskaai, is one of the top attractions in ‘compact’ Bruges

Bruges, in northwestern Belgium, is an “extremely walkable city,” says Clare Payne.

She tells MailOnline: ‘The city is quite compact so you can easily reach all the main sights on foot.

‘The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is full of beautiful cobbled streets. Don’t miss Rozenhoedkaai, also known as Rosary Quay, for that perfect social media photo.’

Athens, Greece

‘Wherever you walk in Greece’s legendary capital, the ancients have already walked there,’ says Lonely Planet

Greece’s capital is ‘easily explored on foot’, says the expert travel team at Lonely Planet.

They say: ‘A walk through neighborhoods like the old town of Plaka, the famous Monastiraki flea market and trendy Pangrati are highlights.’

For history buffs, there’s an added bonus: “wherever you walk in Greece’s legendary capital, antiquity has already walked there,” according to Lonely Planet.

Brighton, UK

Brighton’s compact layout means visitors can easily walk between ‘diverse attractions’

Gareth from AllTrails says: ‘Brighton is renowned for its walkability, thanks to its vibrant, pedestrian-friendly town centre and famous 8-mile seafront promenades and clifftop walks. [eight miles] of off-road trails.

‘The city’s compact layout allows visitors to easily walk between its diverse attractions, including eclectic shops, cafes and cultural landmarks.’

Gareth loves the city’s 150 parks, which ensure visitors to the city are ‘never far from nature’.

However, he adds: ‘Brighton beach is not suitable for long distance walking as the stones make it a serious challenge.’ Tourists are better off sticking to the cobbled promenade, where there are enough cafes, bars and ice cream stalls to ‘reward any walker’.

Koblenz, Germany

Walkable Koblenz, Germany is ‘in a prime location at the junction of two of Europe’s great rivers – the Rhine and the Moselle [above]’

The team of Side roadA company that offers flightless flights advises tourists to choose a small town if they are looking for a destination where they can easily walk.

They love Koblenz in Germany, which is ‘in a fantastic location, at the junction of two of Europe’s largest rivers: the Rhine and the Moselle’.

Koblenz, they note, is a “beautiful old town” with “nice walks along the river.”

The Koblenz tourist office recommends exploring the old town to ‘discover hidden gems’ and ‘experience traditional half-timbered architecture up close’.

Byway adds that the city is also a “fantastic base” for excursions to other places in the region.