5 Best Walking Shoes for Europe: Comfortable and Stylish!

Looking for the best walking shoes for Europe?  I’ve got you covered!  If you’re trying to figure out how to pack light and fashionable for Europe, you’re probably trying to find shoes and flats to wear while walking in Europe.  At the same time, you want your shoes for Europe to be stylish!  As someone who travels to Europe very frequently, I know exactly what to look for in terms of the best flats for walking in Europe.  I put together this guide with everything you need to think about when you’re on the hunt for stylish walking shoes for Europe, along with my top five picks!

If you’re packing for Europe, you’re in the right place.  It’s a good idea to put some thought into the shoes you’ll bring on your trip, because in Europe, you’ll find yourself walking quite a bit.

In this guide, I’ll walk through all of the important things to consider when trying to find cute walking shoes for Europe.  I’m also sharing my top picks in terms of the best women’s walking shoes for Europe, including the EXACT shoes that I always pack, so read on for all of the details!

Why You Need Comfortable Walking Shoes for Europe

Between public transportation and sightseeing, any shoes that you bring with you to Europe had better be comfortable!  If it’s your first time traveling to Europe, you may not be familiar with the best way to get around Europe, but it is often by public transportation.  And that means lots of walking!

Don’t be surprised if you end up walking five miles a day while you’re in Europe.  

And the last thing you want on your trip to Europe is to be sidelined with blisters, foot pain, or worse – permanent damage to your feet.  So make sure to find shoes that you can wear for lots of walking.

How do you find the right shoes to travel in Europe? Here’s what to look for.

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What to Look for in Walking Shoes for Europe

There are a ton of choices out there for women’s footwear.  Here’s a few things to keep in mind in general when trying to find stylish walking shoes for Europe.

Keep these factors in mind, and it will make your shoe shopping that much easier!

Find Walking Shoes for Europe that are Versatile in Style

As you look for shoes to bring to Europe, it’s important to find a pair that are versatile, and that will go with everything in your Europe capsule wardrobe.

Ideally, a shoe for walking in Europe will be able to be worn with a casual or dressier outfit.  Most of the options I’ve included in this guide can be dressed up or dressed down.

All of these choices for walking flats for Europe should be able to take you from sightseeing to dinner, without any pain or blisters!

Look for Cute Walking Shoes for Europe that Have a Neutral Color 

When you’re looking for flats for walking in Europe, start by thinking about what color will go with the rest of the outfits you plan to pack.  

The most versatile shoes for travel are ones that are either neutral or metallic.  Think black & white, blush, or gold.  These colors will go with nearly any color palette you select for your clothes.

Shoes for Travel in Europe Should Go with Any Outfit

Next, consider the style of shoe, and find ones that will go with multiple outfits.  For example, ballet flats will go with both dresses, shorts, jeans, and dressy outfits.  

On the other hand, styles like gladiator sandals look better with skirts and dresses than pants.

The Best Walking Flats for Europe are Lightweight

Finally, look for a walking shoe that is lightweight.  The last thing you want is to weigh your suitcase down unnecessarily!  

There’s plenty of shoe options out there that are so light, you’ll barely notice them in your suitcase.

Stylish Walking Shoes for Europe: My Top Picks!

The last thing you want during a trip to Europe is for your shoes to slow you down.  Here’s my top picks for stylish shoes for walking in Europe.

The shoes that are ALWAYS in my suitcase: my absolute favorite shoes! They’re lightweight, SUPER comfy, and I wear them with jeans, dresses, leggings and skirts. A definite go to!

1. Tieks Ballet Flats: Foldable Flats for Walking that are Easy to Pack

If you’ve read this blog for a while, you know that I love to pack a pair of ballet flats with me when I travel.  I try to abide by my own rule of bringing only two pairs of shoes on any trip I take.  Often, ballet flats are one of the two pairs, because they simply go with everything.

If you’ve never heard of Tieks, get to their website now!  Tieks has designed the Cadillac of women’s ballet flats, and they’re perfect shoes for travel.  

They are specially designed for comfort and style, and they come in about a million colors. Whe n I got my first pair, I couldn’t believe how well-made they were, and the level of quality in such a stylish shoe.

I mean, check out how cute the Rose Gold Tieks are:

image via Tieks

Tieks are also are designed to fold in half, which makes them incredibly pack-able.   If you decide to buy Tieks, I recommend sizing up by a half size.

2. ALLBIRDS: Perfect Comfortable and Cute Flats for Travel

Have you heard of Allbirds yet? Allbirds has undoubtedly perfected the comfortable and cute shoe for travel across multiple styles, including sneakers and cute flats.  

The photo I’ve included here doesn’t do justice to how comfortable these shoes are!

Their shoes conform to your foot perfectly, and keep it supported as you walk, so they’re one of the best flats for walking in Europe.

The body of the shoe is also flexible, so it moves with your foot as you walk.  They’re perfect for walking but they’re also some of the best shoes for standing all day. Check out their Pacer style (pictured below), or their best-selling Tree Runners.

Allbirds also makes a very cute ballet flat that’s perfect for travel, if a dressier shoe is what you’re looking for.

What’s even better? Allbirds are made of sustainable materials, so you’ll be doing the environment a favor when you shop at Allbirds.

3. Naot Shoes and Sandals

Have you heard of Naot shoes?   The brand makes some of the most comfortable shoes out there, and they’re perfect comfortable walking shoes for Europe.  

The footbed of Naot shoes is a “negative” impression of the foot, similar to the indentation your foot would make when walking in wet sand.

What Makes Naot A Good Walking Shoe for Europe

The bottoms of Naot shoes are made from cork and latex, and the upper parts made from Italian leather.  The combination makes for incredible comfort on your feet.  

Seriously, these shoes are so comfortable for walking. I wore them ALL AROUND Europe during my last trip and I was completely blister and pain-free.

Naot Makes Sandals, Wedges, and Flats that are Perfect for Walking

Naot shoes come in lots of different styles, including flats, sandals, and even comfortable heels, so even if you want a shoe with a raised heel, you’re bound to find something that works with the clothes you’re planning to bring to Europe.

Personally, I love the Bianca slide sandal, pictured below. I would also recommend something that’s super casual, that could easily be worn with a skirt, shorts, or a dress – like these neutral walking sandals.

Or if you’re looking for a little wedge sandal that is still comfy, check out these.

image via Naot

I bought a pair of Naot metallic sandals with me when I went to Europe by myself a few years ago.  

I wore them constantly for three weeks, while I walked for miles and miles.  They were as comfortable as my running shoes and also super cute.

4. If You Want Cute Walking Shoes for Europe, Check Out Nike Free Sneakers

When it comes to cute walking shoes for Europe, you can’t go wrong with a classic pair of sneakers.   And as far as sneakers that travel well, Nike Frees win every time.

The best Nike Free sneakers for walking in Europe are the Flyknit shoes.

Why Are Nike Free Sneakers such Great Shoes for Travel?

Why are Nike Free sneakers such good shoes for travel in Europe?  A few reasons.  First, they’re incredibly lightweight, so they won’t take up extra weight in your carry on bag.  

Second, unlike most sneakers, Nike Free Flyknit sneakers squish down when packed to be ALMOST FLAT.  

Most sneakers take up a ton of space in your suitcase, but these sneakers squish down to be only about 1.5″ thick, and they hardly weigh anything at all. They’ll keep your bag light and leave you with plenty of room to bring all your other essentials.

image via Nike

They’re also ventilated, so if your’e going to Europe in the summer, you won’t be sweating through your socks.  You’re welcome.

Finally, the clean black-and-white design of the Nike Free shoes truly goes with everything.  They look especially cute with black jeans or leggings.  So if either of those are on your packing list, you can complement them with Nike Free sneakers.

5. Vionic Shoes: Comfort Meets Style

The final contender on my list of the best stylish walking shoes for Europe?   Meet Vionic shoes.  Originally developed by a podiatrist, Vionic shoes are designed to support your feet and body from every angle.

image via Vionic

If you want fashionable walking shoes, Vionics might be your best bet! Vionic shoes come in a ton of cute styles, and any of their sneakers or sandal styles would be perfect for comfortably walking in Europe.  Personally, I love their Galia sneaker and their Adley sandal.

There You Have it – The Best Walking Shoes for Europe!

I hope this post has helped you find some good options for stylish walking shoes for Europe!  If boots are your thing, check out my post on the best travel boots for women!