I’ve Traveled With My Family To 9 Cities That Were Amazingly Walkable + 6 Where Renting A Car Saved The Trip
Family travel can be magical or miserable depending on how you get around. After exploring dozens of destinations with my kids, I’ve discovered that transportation makes a huge difference in our enjoyment. Some cities are perfect for exploring on foot, while others require wheels to truly experience their beauty.
Here’s what I’ve learned from our adventures around the world!
1. Copenhagen’s Pedestrian Paradise
The Danish capital stole my heart with its incredible network of pedestrian streets. My kids adored the colorful buildings along Nyhavn waterfront while we adults appreciated the lack of car traffic.
Strøget, one of Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping streets, became our daily route. We could walk from our hotel to Tivoli Gardens, the Little Mermaid statue, and countless playgrounds without ever needing public transit.
2. Amsterdam’s Canal-Crossed Charm
Renting bikes would have been authentic, but with young children, walking Amsterdam proved perfect. The canal ring is compact enough that we reached most attractions within 20-30 minutes on foot.
Vondelpark became our morning ritual – the kids burning energy while we sipped coffee. We wandered through the Jordaan neighborhood, stopping at playgrounds tucked between canals.
The absence of hills made walking easy even for little legs!
3. Florence’s Renaissance Wonderland
Cars are actually restricted in Florence’s historic center, creating the perfect walking environment for families. We stayed near the Duomo and reached everything on our itinerary without transportation headaches.
My children still talk about crossing Ponte Vecchio daily, watching artists along the Arno River. The compact city center meant we could return to our apartment for afternoon rests without sacrificing sightseeing time.
4. Kyoto’s Temple-Lined Pathways
Though sprawling in parts, Kyoto’s Higashiyama District became our walking haven. The preserved historic streets connecting temples and shrines created magical family memories as we strolled past traditional wooden buildings.
My children loved the Philosophers Path along the canal – spotting koi fish while we enjoyed cherry blossoms. The walkable neighborhoods around Gion meant we could experience traditional Japan without transportation stress.
5. Lisbon’s Hilly But Rewarding Streets
I won’t lie – Lisbon’s hills challenged our family. But the reward for our efforts? Incredible viewpoints and the satisfaction of conquering those steep climbs together!
We made liberal use of the historic tram 28 when little legs tired. The Alfama district became our favorite walking area, where we discovered hidden plazas and tiny bakeries selling pastéis de nata.
The pedestrianized Baixa district offered flat relief between hill climbs.
6. Barcelona’s Beach-to-Mountain Layout
The brilliant design of Barcelona’s grid system made navigating with children surprisingly easy. We walked from our apartment in the Gothic Quarter to Sagrada Familia, then down Las Ramblas to the beach – all in one day!
Wide sidewalks accommodated our stroller easily. The pedestrianized Gothic Quarter became our evening playground, where the kids chased pigeons in plazas while we enjoyed tapas.
7. Edinburgh’s Compact Medieval Core
When traveling with young explorers, Edinburgh’s Royal Mile provided the perfect walking adventure. The compact Old Town meant we could wander from Edinburgh Castle down to Holyrood Palace without exhausting little legs.
My children were enchanted by the narrow closes (alleyways) branching off the main street. We discovered hidden gardens and playgrounds tucked behind historic buildings.
Even with Scotland’s unpredictable weather, everything was close enough for quick dashes between rain showers!
8. Munich’s Pedestrian-Friendly Center
The heart of Munich surprised us with its pedestrianized zones that made family exploration a breeze. Marienplatz became our central hub, with most attractions within a 15-minute walk.
My children loved running through the English Garden, one of the world’s largest urban parks. The pedestrian shopping areas meant we could window-shop without worrying about traffic.
Even with pretzels in hand, walking Munich was easy and enjoyable!
9. Quebec City’s Walled Wonder
The old walled city of Quebec felt like stepping into a European fairytale – one we could explore entirely on foot! Staying within the walls meant everything was within a 15-minute walk, from charming Petit Champlain to the imposing Château Frontenac.
My kids still talk about walking the city walls and discovering hidden staircases between the Upper and Lower Towns. Though hilly in parts, the compact size meant we never needed transportation.
10. Los Angeles’ Sprawling Challenges
If we hadn’t rented a car in LA, our trip would have been a disaster! The city’s infamous sprawl meant our hotel in Santa Monica, Disneyland in Anaheim, and the Griffith Observatory were all 30+ miles apart.
Public transportation would have eaten precious vacation time. Having our own vehicle allowed spontaneous stops at beaches along Pacific Coast Highway.
The freedom to leave when the kids melted down (rather than waiting for rideshares with crying children) saved our sanity!
11. Orlando’s Theme Park Marathon
When visiting Orlando, having our own wheels proved essential for theme park hopping. The distances between Disney, Universal, and our vacation rental would have made rideshares prohibitively expensive.
Our rental car became a critical rest zone – we could leave parks for mid-day hotel naps and return refreshed for evening fireworks. The ability to pack coolers with snacks and extra clothes saved both money and meltdowns.
12. Auckland’s Spread-Out Attractions
New Zealand’s largest city surprised us with how spread out its family attractions were. Without our rental car, we would have missed the gorgeous beaches of the North Shore and the rainforests of the Waitakere Ranges.
Public transport couldn’t efficiently reach many of Auckland’s natural wonders. Having our own vehicle meant we could chase weather patterns, heading to sunny spots when rain threatened our original plans.
13. Dubrovnik’s Coastal Adventures
While Dubrovnik’s Old Town is perfectly walkable, having a rental car unlocked Croatia’s stunning coastline for our family. We could reach secluded beaches and small fishing villages that tour buses never visit.
The freedom to explore Montenegro on a day trip became a highlight. When the Old Town became overwhelmingly crowded with cruise ship passengers, we escaped to quiet coastal spots only accessible by car.
14. Reykjavík’s Gateway to Natural Wonders
Though Reykjavík itself is walkable, Iceland’s natural attractions demanded a rental car. The Golden Circle, with its geysers and waterfalls, became accessible on our own schedule rather than via expensive tours.
My children still talk about stopping to pet Icelandic horses whenever we spotted them. Having our own transportation meant we could chase the Northern Lights when conditions were right, even at 11pm!
15. Cape Town’s Diverse Landscapes
Cape Town’s central area is walkable, but the region’s incredible diversity required wheels. Our rental car took us from Table Mountain to penguin beaches to Cape Point all in one amazing day.
The wine regions of Stellenbosch, just 45 minutes away, offered family-friendly farms where kids could see animals while parents sampled vintages. Having our own transportation meant we could adapt quickly when the notorious Cape winds closed certain attractions.