The saying that the best things in life are free is often true when it comes to travel. Being able to explore a city on foot, instead of spending precious time trying to navigate confusing public transport systems or money on renting a car, at no extra cost to your trip, is one of the best ways to get to know your new surroundings. Free walking tours are often recommended by savvy travellers as an enjoyable way to get familiar with a new city and learn about some local history.
There are plenty of historic cities in Europe where you can wander between landmarks in a matter of minutes, including Cordoba in Spain, and the historic Old Town here is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Being able to simply wander over to a World Heritage Site is a novelty that’s easy to take for granted, but not something you come by every day. However, when it comes to taking in your surroundings on foot, one European city that’s been described as an “open-air museum” trumps the rest for the most walkable destination.
A new study from GuruWalk, the largest global platform for free walking tours, has revealed that Rome is the world’s most walkable destination for “travellers fascinated by ancient history” based on the preferences of more than four million travellers who used the platform.
The historic centre boasts no shortage of sights, and the surrounding streets and narrow cobblestone alleys are often too tricky for traffic to pass through, making it a worthwhile excursion on foot.
Many of Rome’s most famous landmarks, including The Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain are no more than 20 minutes walking distance from each other, and there’s plenty of Baroque squares to stop in too.
The oldest standing building in Rome, the current version of the Pantheon, which originally served as a temple for Roman gods, was completed in 126 AD and is surrounded by three of Rome’s most beloved plazas—Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna, and Campo de Fiori.
Speaking of taking in the monumental site, one Tripadvisor user said: “We didn’t get to go in so this review is only in regards to the outside. I thought it was so cool to see. You’re walking through a city and suddenly walk right next to this beautiful ancient structure. There’s so much history to it!”.
In fact, there’s no better way to get a feel for Ancient Rome than by simply walking through the historic city. A trip to the Vatican, the centre of the Roman Catholic Church and home to one of the largest churches in the world, St Peter’s Basilica, isn’t complete without a stop at the nearby Pizzarium either.
The Roman institution that serves pizza by the slice is loved by locals and visitors alike, and there’s plenty more to explore while wandering around — from creamy gelatos, steaming bowls of pasta and a refreshing Aperol Spritz to finish.
If you get tired from all that walking, there’s no shortage of coffee bars either, but be warned that milky coffees are only considered acceptable before 11am, and custom dictates it’s best to stick to ordering an espresso afterwards.
