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 arch support and cushioned cork footbed that keeps your feet comfortable on long sightseeing days, 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.

Short on Time? Here’s a Quick Look at My Recommendations

• Best Birkenstock Alternative For Europe – Naot Kayla
• Most Stylish (That You Can Actually Walk In) – Camper Dana
• Most Versatile Sandal For Europe – KEEN Elle Backstrap
• Best Arch Support for High-Mileage Days – Taos Trulie
• Best Minimalist Sandal For Europe – Margaux The Flat Sandal
• Best Sport Sandal For Europe – Teva Hurricane XLT3
• Best Walking Sandal For Beach and Island Destinations – Reef Water Vista

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 Birkenstock Alternative 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 Velcro 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.

#2 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.

#3 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.

#4 Taos Trulie

Best Arch Support for High-Mileage Days

If foot support is your top priority, the Taos Trulie is my number one pick for Europe. The arch support is excellent, and the footbed is the softest I’ve come across in a sandal, cozy but still breathable so your feet don’t overheat.

These have a cork-polyurethane footbed lined in suede that absorbs shock without flattening out, and the 1¾” cork wedge takes pressure off your arches.

The woven leather straps have a fun gladiator look that fits right into Europe and hides scuffs and stains well. They adjust with Velcro across the toes and ankles, so you can get the perfect fit. The higher platform isn’t what you might think to wear for cobblestones, but it’s not over the top, and my feet still feel stable on uneven ground in these.

One thing to note is that the leather needs a little breaking in, so wear them for a few longer walks before your trip so they mold to your foot properly.

–> Read my detailed Taos shoes review here.

#5 Margaux The Flat Sandal

Best Minimalist Walking Sandal For Europe

Not every day in Europe is a 20,000-step day. For the evenings when you’re headed to dinner or just wandering a bit, the Margaux The Flat Sandal is the pretty, packable pair I’d bring.

It’s handmade in Spain with Italian nappa leather, and unlike most minimalist flats, it has a memory-foam footbed with a little padding underneath, so it’s more comfortable than it looks.

The straps are well-designed and actually hold your foot in place, which is more than I can say for a lot of strappy sandals, and it comes in narrow, medium, and wide, so it’s easy to get a good fit. It’s pricey, but the leather is high-quality, and a classic, timeless pair you’ll wear for years, not just one summer.

I wouldn’t make this your only pair for a trip full of long walking days, since it doesn’t have the same level of arch support or cushioning, but as the nicer sandal you slip on for evenings out or light walking days, it’s a great pick.

#6 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).

#7 Reef Water Vista

Best Walking Sandal For Beach and Island Destinations

If your Europe trip involves Greek islands, the Amalfi Coast, or anywhere where you’ll go from a beach to a seaside town in the same afternoon, the Reef Water Vista is the sandal I’d pack. It’s water-friendly and dries fast, so you can wear it straight out of the sea, but it’s cushioned enough to walk miles in, which most beach sandals can’t say.

Even with just one small Velcro strap at the back, my feet feel secure in them, and the soft footbed has a bit of a platform that dresses them up more than a flip-flop. I’ve worn them with sundresses and casual travel outfits alike, and the light Vintage Oasis color goes with everything. At around $65, they’re the best value on this list, plus they’re PVC-free and vegan-friendly.

The one thing to watch out for is that the thick top strap runs along the pinky-toe area, and I got some rubbing there on longer walks while breaking them in, so make sure to wear them a few times before your trip.

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. If you love the Birkenstock look, the Taos On The Double is the closest alternative I’ve found that’s still supportive, and it has a back strap.
• 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

The biggest thing I’ve learned over years of walking across Europe is that comfort has to come first. A cute sandal with no support translates to a painful vacation, especially since European travel days are long and often spent walking long distances on uneven ground.

Look for real arch support if your feet need it, a footbed with enough cushion to buffer the cobblestones, and adjustable straps so you can loosen or tighten the fit as needed so your feet always feel secure.

Whatever you choose, give any pair a few wears before your trip so they’re broken in and comfortable as soon as you land. Beyond that, the right pick comes down to your feet, your style, and how you like to travel. Pick one or two to try and go with your favorite. Your feet will thank you all summer.

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