New York City will have to take this defeat in stride.
For a city that never sleeps, the bustling Big Apple has landed a shockingly low position in the “Best 100 Walking Cities” of 2026 ranking, failing to even make the top 20 cut, according to a new report.
However, while some big steppers across the boroughs may perceive the flop as an embarrassment worthy of the walk of shame, NYC is the only metropolis to represent the US on the global list this year.
Earning the No. 23 spot on the roster, Gotham is slowly but surely inching closer to the top of the chart. It’s even moved up 11 paces from its 34th place ranking in the 2025 roundup.
And that’s a step in the right direction.
Debuting the “definitive guide to the world’s best cities to explore on foot in 2026,” GuruWalk, a virtual walking tour platform, analyzed 467,000 verified reviews from travelers who took 3,600 tours across more than 800 cities to determine which hotspots reign supreme for strolling.
Researchers tallied each city’s “traveler volume” between April 2025 and April 2026. The headcount accounted for 65% of a location’s overall score for in ranking. The investigators also considered “traveler satisfaction ratings,” which made up the additional 35% of the total.
And when it comes to roaming, Rome, Italy, is No. 1, according to the findings.
“Rome has captivated travelers for over 2,700 years thanks to its unparalleled historical legacy,” raved study authors.
“Walking through its cobblestone alleyways reveals one treasure after another,” the experts continued, spotlighting “the Colosseum, where gladiators battled before 50,000 spectators, the Pantheon with its unreinforced concrete dome that remains the largest in the world, and the baroque fountains that spring up at every corner.”
“Every step transports you through empires, popes, and renaissances.”
The vibrant vibes and exuberant energy of Madrid, Spain, earned the voguish vacation destination second place bragging rights.
“From the Prado Museum, home to the most important collection of European painting, to the Retiro with its 125 hectares of historic parks and gardens, Spain’s capital invites patient explorers,” said the ambling authorities. “Travelers on foot will discover that Madrid is both an open-air museum and a vibrant cultural hub.”
Budapest, Hungary ate up the competition as the world’s third-best city for pedestrians.
“Known as the ‘Pearl of the Danube,’ Budapest enchants with its imperial architecture and thermal baths dating back to the Roman Empire,” the insiders gushed. “The majestic Parliament, the Fisherman’s Bastion with its seven towers, and the famous Széchenyi Baths complete a unique experience.”
“Walking along both banks of the river reveals why more than 4 million tourists visit this city every year.”
Check out GuruWalk’s top 100 best, most walkable cities.
