August 20th 2024.
Tourists often describe the city of Lisbon, Portugal as "very hilly." If you're planning a European vacation, be sure to pack comfortable shoes in addition to your fancy ones. While many European cities are perfect for leisurely strolls down charming cobbled streets and through historic old towns, some places are a bit steeper. In fact, cities like Hamburg and Oslo have recently been revealed as some of the least walkable in Europe, making a day of sightseeing feel more like an intense workout. But the worst offender of them all? Lisbon, the coastal capital city of Portugal known as the "City of Seven Hills."
As you might have guessed, Lisbon is named after its seven notable hills: São Jorge, São Roque, São Vicente, Santo André, Santa Catarina, Sant'Ana, and Chagas. These streets may be pretty, but they are also quite steep. In fact, Preply, an online language tutor platform, named Lisbon the worst city in Europe for walking. They even calculated that the top five tourist attractions in Lisbon require a total of 31,500 steps to visit, which is equivalent to 15 hilly miles. No wonder tourists have claimed that their "backsides are screaming" after exploring this city.
It seems that many others agree with Preply's assessment. Numerous reviews on websites like Tripadvisor mention the city's hilly terrain. One reviewer, known as Fisherman's Wife, even said that her "backside was screaming for a stop for coffee or wine every half hour" while exploring Lisbon. Another reviewer joked that even Chuck Norris would avoid walking in this city. But despite the steep hills, many still find Lisbon to be a beautiful and charming destination, with affordable public transport options like taxis, trams, funiculars, lifts, metro, and buses.
But Lisbon isn't the only city in Europe with challenging terrain. Other cities like Zagreb, Croatia and Munich, Germany were also named as some of the hardest to explore on foot. On the other hand, Seville, Spain was deemed the most walkable city, with five of its biggest tourist attractions located within a short walking distance. Other highly walkable cities include Venice, Porto, Florence, and Athens. It seems that travelers are increasingly seeking out quieter and less crowded destinations, with a notable increase in interest for places like Macedonia, The Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, and Latvia.
Speaking of Macedonia, this landlocked country bordering Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, and Serbia has seen a rise in tourism in recent years. With its rich history and natural beauty, it offers a peaceful and relaxing escape from the crowds of other popular destinations. Visitors have raved about the quiet and authentic experiences they've had in this country, with many predicting that it will become a major holiday destination in the near future. So if you're looking for a unique and tranquil vacation spot, consider adding Macedonia to your list.
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