7 BEST Walking Sandals For Europe (2026 Guide For Women)

TL;DR: The best summer walking sandals for Europe are the Naot Kayla for its molded cork footbed and versatile style, and the Camper Dana if you want something with a more modern, minimalist European look and are okay compromising on support. 

Every summer I’ve spent in Europe, I’ve practically lived in sandals. From studying abroad in Florence to a month-long backpacking trip through multiple countries, sandals have been my go-to warm-weather footwear for over a decade of exploring the continent.

My best friend and I once backpacked through Europe for two weeks as a full-on Teva crew (she wore Hurricanes, I wore Originals the whole trip), and I’ve gone the strappy leather Greek sandal route plenty of times too.

Over the years and many cobblestone miles, I’ve learned what actually matters in a walking sandal for Europe, and it goes beyond just looking good with a sundress (although that’s important too!). 

Arch support, cushioning, adjustable straps, and whether a sandal can handle a 20,000-step day without wrecking your feet all make a huge difference.

This guide breaks down the best walking sandals for Europe this summer, with picks for every type of traveler and style.

What to Look for in Walking Sandals for Europe

I brought both my Tevas (left) and a pair of cute but non-supportive sandals from Lulus (right) for this trip to Europe. In summer, I often bring a pair of supportive sandals that I basically live in during long sightseeing days, and then a nicer strappy pair for when I feel like dressing up or for evenings when I don’t plan to walk much.

The biggest mistake most people make is grabbing a cute pair of sandals without thinking about support. European cities mean long days on your feet, often on uneven cobblestones, and a flat sandal with zero cushioning won’t feel great by the end of the day.

The most important things to look for are arch support (especially if you’re prone to foot pain like me), a cushioned footbed that feels supportive for hours and gives you a buffer from feeling the cobblestones underneath your feet, and adjustable straps so you can fine-tune the fit when your feet swell in the heat. 

You’ll also want something versatile enough to work with your whole travel wardrobe since style matters too when you’re traveling through Europe. At least I still like looking cute, even if support matters to me too.

#1 Naot Kayla

Best Overall Walking Sandals For Europe

The Naot Kayla has been around for years, and for good reason. It has a cork and latex footbed that molds to your foot over time, so it literally gets more comfortable the longer you wear it (kind of the opposite of most sandals). These are basically the more supportive version of Birkenstocks.

The three-strap design with an adjustable hook-and-loop closure keeps your foot secure without digging in, and the slight 1.5″ wedge heel gives it a more polished look than most comfort sandals. In other words, you won’t feel like you’re wearing orthopedic shoes with your sundress.

These can handle full days of walking through European cities without wrecking your feet, and I consider them, overall, some of the most comfortable sandals for walking in Europe. They’re also APMA-accepted, so if you deal with plantar fasciitis or general foot pain, these are a great pick.

They do run narrow to medium, so if you’re between sizes or have wider feet, go up a size.

#2 Taos Trulie

Best For All-Day Cobblestones

If you’re going to spend an entire day walking through cobblestone streets (and in Europe, you will), the Taos Trulie is built for exactly that. 

They have a cork-polyurethane footbed lined in suede that absorbs shock without flattening out, and the 1¾” cork wedge heel adds just enough lift to take pressure off your arches without feeling like you’re in a platform. 

The woven leather straps adjust with hook-and-loop closures at both the toe and instep, which is super nice when your feet swell in the heat halfway through the day. They’re also made in Spain with genuine leather, so they look and feel more like a real sandal than a comfort shoe in disguise. 

The fit leans narrow, and the darker colors (especially navy) can transfer dye onto your feet, so keep that in mind when picking a color.

#3 Camper Dana

Most Stylish (That You Can Actually Walk In)

The Camper Dana is the sandal you reach for when you want to look like you put thought into your outfit but also need to survive a 15,000-step day. 

Camper is a Spanish brand that’s huge in Europe (you’ll see them in storefronts all over Barcelona and Madrid), and the Dana has that clean, minimalist look that fits right in on European streets. 

These are ridiculously lightweight thanks to the XL EXTRALIGHT outsole, and the OrthoLite footbed adds cushioning without making it bulky. Plus, the leather is soft right out of the box, so there’s basically no break-in period. 

Where it falls short compared to something like the Naot or Taos is in arch support, so if that’s a priority for you, this probably isn’t your pick. But if you want a sandal that actually looks stylish and can still hold its own on a full day of walking, the Dana is a quality pick.

#4 Vionic Cypress

Best for Plantar Fasciitis and Arch Support

If you deal with plantar fasciitis or any kind of foot pain, you already know how much a bad shoe can ruin a trip. The Vionic Cypress is designed specifically with that in mind. 

This style has Vionic’s VIO MOTION Technology footbed with a deep heel cup and contoured arch support that works to keep your foot aligned and reduce stress on your arches, ankles, and knees. 

The three adjustable straps (with hook-and-loop closures and stretch goring) let you dial in the fit, and the 1.5″ heel with a .75″ platform gives you a little lift without feeling unstable. 

These are APMA-accepted, come in both medium and wide widths, and look way more like a normal strappy sandal than most orthotic footwear. 

Fair warning, though, these run large, so you might want to size down. There’s also a short break-in period when it comes to your feet adjusting to the arch support.

#5 Teva Hurricane XLT3

Best Sport Sandal For Europe

I have a soft spot for Tevas (my best friend and I both wore ours as our main sandals for a backpacking trip through Croatia and Italy), and the Teva Hurricane XLT3 is the upgraded version of the sandal that’s been a backpacker staple for years. 

It has more cushioning than previous versions so your feet don’t feel beat up after a full day, three adjustable straps so you can tighten things up when terrain gets uneven, and quick-dry straps that are perfect for days when you’re going from cobblestones to the beach. 

This is the sandal you want for island hopping, beach towns, and any trip where versatility matters more than looking polished at dinner. The sole does run wide, so it can look a little bulky on narrower feet. 

If you go with Tevas as your main walking shoes, I’d recommend bringing a second pair of nicer sandals, so you have something for dinners and dressier outings.

If you want something slimmer and more budget-friendly, the Teva Original Universal has been another go-to travel sandal of mine for years. It’s lighter and more versatile, just with less cushioning.

My friend Kelsey and I wearing our Tevas in Istria, Croatia (left), and Kelsey in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy on that same trip while rocking a sundress with her Teva Hurricanes (right).

#6 Chaco Z/Cloud

Best Arch Support for High-Mileage Days

If you’re the type of traveler who regularly hits 20K steps and doesn’t slow down until dinner, the Chaco Z/Cloud is built for that kind of day. 

The LUVSEAT footbed is podiatrist-certified and has a seriously pronounced arch that keeps your feet from fatiguing even after hours of walking on uneven terrain. There’s also a layer of soft polyurethane cushioning on top that makes it noticeably more comfortable than Chaco’s classic models. 

The ChacoGrip rubber outsole has deep lugs that grip well on wet surfaces, so these pull double duty for beach days and rocky trails too. The strap system threads through the footbed for a fully customizable fit, though it takes a little patience to get it right the first time. 

These are chunkier and sportier than most of the other picks on this list, so they won’t be your go-to for a nice dinner. They also only come in whole sizes, so getting the right fit can take some trial and error.

#7 KEEN Elle Backstrap

Most Versatile Sandal For Europe

The KEEN Elle Backstrap is the shoe for people who don’t want to pack two pairs of different sandals. It’s sporty enough to handle a short trail or a beach day, but it has a cleaner, more streamlined look than most outdoor sandals, so it doesn’t feel out of place with a dress at dinner. 

As a bonus, the elastic straps are made from recycled polyester and slip on and off easily, which is great for airports and beach towns. The downside to that convenience is that these aren’t as adjustable as the other picks on this list.

The EVA footbed has solid arch support and enough cushioning to handle long days without your feet feeling sore by the end of it. These are also incredibly lightweight at under 8 oz per shoe, so they barely take up space in a carry-on. 

Some people also find that the backstrap makes a slapping noise while walking, which is something to keep in mind and test for yourself when you first try them on.

Walking Sandals I Don’t Recommend for Europe

• Birkenstocks (classic styles): I know this might be controversial because Birkenstocks are a go-to summer sandal for a lot of people. The cork footbed is comfortable and they look great with casual outfits. But the classic Arizona and similar styles don’t have a backstrap, which means your foot isn’t secured on uneven cobblestones or when you’re picking up the pace to catch a train. They also have minimal traction on wet or slippery surfaces. 
• Nisolo Go-To Flatform Sandal: This one was huge on Instagram a couple of summers ago, and the aesthetic is great. But for all-day walking in Europe, it falls short. They’re uncomfortable on longer walking days, and the soles tend to separate from the shoes after relatively light use. For a $130+ sandal, that’s a dealbreaker. Cute for brunch, but not built for 15K-step days on cobblestones.
• Flip-flops of any kind: This should go without saying, but flip-flops have zero strap security and usually zero traction. Your feet will be aching within an hour on cobblestones. Plus, they don’t fit into European style at all. Leave them for the hotel pool or beach days.

Conclusion: My Pick For the Best Walking Sandals For Europe

If you only take one recommendation from this list, make it the Naot Kayla. 

The cork footbed that molds to your foot, the adjustable straps, and the polished-enough look to wear with basically anything in your suitcase make it the most well-rounded walking sandal for a Europe trip. It’s the kind of sandal that handles a full day of sightseeing in Rome and still looks good at a restaurant that evening.

If you want something with a more modern, minimalist look, the Camper Dana is a great alternative and one of the more stylish sandals for walking in Europe. 

It won’t give you the same level of arch support as the Naot, but it’s ridiculously lightweight, requires no break-in, and has that effortless European style that blends right in on the streets of Barcelona or Lisbon. For travelers who prioritize style and don’t need heavy-duty foot support, it’s hard to beat.

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