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

TL;DR: My current favorite walking shoes for Europe are the New Balance 327 and the Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker. The 327 is my top pick if you want a retro sneaker with a sporty, fashion-forward look that’s still comfortable for all-day city walking. The Time Off is the better choice if you’re on a budget or want a cleaner, more minimal white sneaker with a bit more support.

I’ve walked through over 15 European countries in every season, and my feet have strong opinions at this point.

After studying abroad in Florence, spending a month in Crete, and living in Lisbon for a summer, I’ve learned that packing comfortable shoes is one of the most important things to get right for a trip to Europe. You’re going to walk a lot. 20,000 steps a day is normal when you’re sightseeing, and that’s on uneven cobblestones, not smooth sidewalks.

The good news is you don’t need to choose between comfort and style. The days of clunky “travel shoes” that make you immediately look like a dorky American tourist are over. There are plenty of walking shoes that handle long days on European streets and still look good with a sundress or linen pants at dinner.

Here are the best walking shoes for Europe for women, no matter your travel style.

Disclosure: I was gifted the Taos Plim Soul Lux for testing purposes, but I bought all other shoes in this article myself.

–> Looking for sandal options for Europe as well? I have a detailed guide on the best walking sandals for Europe.

Short on time? Here’s a quick look at the most comfortable walking shoes for Europe this summer

• Best Stylish Walking Shoes – New Balance 327
• Best White Leather Sneakers For Walking – Taos Plim Soul Lux
• Best Budget Walking Shoes – Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker
• Best Hybrid Walking Shoes – HOKA Transport 2
• Best Walking Shoes for Hot Weather – OluKai Kaulele Mesh
• Best Cute Sneakers with Arch Support – Vionic City Walk Sneaker
• Best Trendy Sporty Walking Shoes – Salomon XT-Whisper

#1 New Balance 327

Best Stylish Walking Shoes For Europe

The New Balance 327 is a great pick for Europe because it’s cute and stylish but still comfortable enough for a long day of sightseeing.

The retro 70s design is sleek enough to wear with a midi skirt or linen pants without looking like you’re heading to the gym, and the oversized N logo gives it a fashion-forward edge that looks intentional rather than athletic.

These are comfortable enough for 10,000+ step days right out of the box with no break-in needed. The platform sole has surprisingly good shock absorption for a lifestyle sneaker, so hours on hard pavement and cobblestones won’t leave your feet aching, and the mesh upper keeps things breathable for summer travel.

The one honest caveat is that the cushioning, while good, isn’t quite at the level of an athletic shoe. But for travelers who want one pair of sneakers that look great in photos and can still handle a full day of walking, the 327 hits that sweet spot.

These fit true to size but run a bit narrow, so if you have wider feet, look elsewhere.

–> Read my New Balance shoes review for travel

#2 Taos Plim Soul Lux

Best White Leather Sneakers For Walking in Europe

I’ve been testing the Taos Plim Soul Lux all summer, and I’m excited to have finally found a comfortable white leather sneaker with decent arch support. That combination is hard to find!

The footbed has both arch and metatarsal support, which you’d never guess from looking at the shoe until you pull the insert out. The heel collar is cushioned too, and the footbed comes out entirely if you’d rather use your own orthotics.

Like most leather shoes, these were stiff the first time I wore them. The leather relaxed after a few wears, and I never got a blister while breaking them in, which is more than I can say for the last pair of leather sneakers I tried.

They fit true to size at my usual 10.5, and the width works well for my regular-width feet, though they are on the narrower side. Taos makes them in a wide too. The leather and stitching are good quality, and the branding is subtle, with a slight platform that adds a little height but still feels stable.

The main downsides to these are that they’re not the most breathable since they’re leather, and they’re expensive.

–> Read my Taos shoes review

#3 Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker

Best Budget Walking Shoes For Europe

The Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker is the budget pick that actually looks and feels good.

This shoe went viral on TikTok for a reason. It has a clean white sneaker design with a slight platform that looks more like a fashionable sneaker than a comfort shoe, and it comes in at about half the price of most other options on this list.

The cushioned insole with built-in arch support is surprisingly good for a budget shoe and comfortable enough for 15,000+ step days without issue. The faux leather upper wipes clean easily and resists light moisture, which is a nice perk for a white sneaker.

The downside is durability. Some wearers have mentioned the sole separating or the material cracking after a few months of regular wear, so that’s worth knowing before purchasing. The fit also runs narrow, so if you have wider feet, size up or look at the wide option if it’s available.

For a trip where you want a cute white sneaker that won’t break your heart (or your bank account) if it gets scuffed on cobblestones, this is a solid pick.

#4 HOKA Transport 2

Best Hybrid Walking Shoes For Europe

I’ve been wearing the HOKA Transport for about six months now, and they’ve quickly become one of my go-to walking shoes. They’re light, comfortable from the first step, and built to handle both city streets and trails, which is what makes them such a versatile travel shoe.

What makes them so good for cobblestones is the Vibram outsole. It grips slick, uneven pavement without slipping, which is nice given how slippery some of those European stones can be on hills (I’m looking at you, Lisbon). The cushioning and how lightweight these are make longer walking days feel like a breeze.

I wore my Transports for a week in Antigua, Guatemala, which has some of the most intensely uneven cobblestone streets I’ve walked on, and even climbed a volcano in them on a hard hike. My feet felt great the entire trip.

These come with quick-toggle laces, which I didn’t love, but they also include regular laces in the box. I cut the toggle laces off mine and re-laced them the traditional way.

The upper is also water-repellent and runs a little warm, so keep that in mind for peak summer heat in Southern Europe. These were still okay for me in Antigua’s humid, hot weather. They come in regular and wide sizes.

–> Read my thoughts on the best HOKA shoes for travel

Wearing my HOKA Transports on the streets of Antigua, Guatemala, with the most uneven cobblestones I’ve ever come across (left) and hiking Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala with the same shoes (right).

#5 OluKai Kaulele Mesh

Best Walking Shoes for Hot Weather in Europe

If you’re visiting Europe in the summer, the heat can catch you off guard, especially somewhere like Italy, Spain, or Greece, where you’re walking for hours and air conditioning isn’t a given.

The OluKai Kaulele Mesh is built for exactly that. The open-mesh upper lets air flow, so your feet stay cool and less swollen throughout a long day of sightseeing.

It’s also lightweight with a cushioned, supportive footbed, so it holds up to miles of walking, and the grippy rubber sole handles cobblestones and uneven streets without slipping. The footbed is removable and washable too, which his always a nice plus.

In terms of style, it’s a cute retro sneaker with suede details and neutral colors that don’t look out of place in a European city the way a chunky athletic shoe might. It looks relaxed and everyday rather than dressy, but that’s what you want in a warm-weather walking shoe.

–> Read my OluKai Shoes review

#6 Vionic City Walk Sneakers

Best Cute Shoes With Arch Support For Europe

Most cute retro sneakers are flat and offer almost no support, so your feet end up aching after sightseeing all day. The Vionic City Walk is a great alternative to the Adidas Samba or Vejas in terms of looks, but it has actual support.

It’s a clean white leather shoe with a gum sole and a sporty stripe that looks right at home in a European city, but with podiatrist-designed arch support and a deep heel cup built into the footbed.

That built-in support is what makes these so good for Europe, specifically. Long days on cobblestones and hard city streets are exactly what tire your feet out, and the City Walk keeps your arches supported through 20,000-step days. It’s a popular pick for anyone who deals with plantar fasciitis or just wants more structure than a fashion sneaker offers.

It comes in leather or suede in medium and wide widths, plus a second set of laces to switch up the look.

A couple of things to know. The sole is on the stiff side without much flexibility, which some people love for the stability, and others find a little rigid at first. The toe box also runs narrow, so go with the wide width if you need it.

–> Read my detailed Vionic shoes review

#7 Salomon XT-Whisper

Best Trendy Sporty Walking Shoes For Europe

If you’ve been on Instagram or walked through any stylish European city lately, you’ve probably seen these shoes. The Salomon XT-Whisper is the gorpcore sneaker having a real fashion moment right now, with that techy trail-shoe look that somehow goes with everything from jeans to a sundress. It’s the pick for anyone who wants a walking shoe that actually looks cool rather than orthopedic.

What makes it more than just a trend is that it’s actually a good walking shoe. It was originally designed as a women’s trail-running shoe before being rebranded as a lifestyle sneaker, so the grip and stability are already built in.

The grippy sole handles cobblestones and uneven streets well, the quick-lace system cinches in one pull, and there’s enough cushioning and support for long days on your feet. It’s also lighter and more breathable than the better-known XT-6, which makes it a more versatile walking shoe for multiple seasons.

A few things to know. Salomon runs narrow, so if you have wider feet, this may not be your shoe. The synthetic upper is also stiff out of the box and takes a week or two to soften up, so break them in before a trip.

If you love the sporty look but want more cushioning and a less narrow fit, the Asics GEL-1130 is a great alternative. It’s another retro runner having a trend moment, but with soft GEL cushioning in the heel and no break-in needed.

Honorable Mentions

These shoes didn’t quite make the main list, but they’re worth a look depending on what you’re after.

• Gola Elan – A cute, retro sneaker with a surprisingly cushioned footbed. It’s a great alternative to the Adidas Samba, with a roomier fit, and it holds up to long walking days better than most fashion sneakers.
• Cole Haan GrandPrø Topspin – A clean, leather court sneaker that looks nice with most outfits while still being comfortable for city walking. Just size up half a size, since it runs a little small.
• Kizik Vegas 2 – A hands-free slip-on you can step into without bending down, which is handy at airport security and for the general on-the-go needs of travel. The leather looks nicer than most slip-ons, though it takes a few wears to soften up.

Shoes I Wouldn’t Recommend as Good Walking Shoes For Europe

• Ecco Soft 7 – I really wanted to like these shoes since I see them recommended everywhere for Europe. However, I only made it 0.9 miles before a nasty blister from the stiff heels forced me to stop. They’re extremely narrow and cramped even for my regular-width feet, and there’s no real arch support or flex in the sole. It seems like the older version of this shoe was much better, but the latest version is not a good pick for a comfortable walking shoe.
• Adidas Samba – They look great, but were originally designed as a casual athletic shoe, not a walking shoe. Minimal cushioning, no arch support, a narrow toe box, and the sole is slippery on smooth stone and cobblestones. If you love the look, the Vionic City Walk Sneakers offer a similar clean look with actual support.
• Veja Campo (or really any Vejas) – Popular with travelers and you’ll see them all over Europe, but the arch support is minimal, the leather is stiff out of the box, and it’s not uncommon to feel foot pain after just a few hours of walking. They look amazing but aren’t built for 10+ mile days on cobblestones.
• Converse Chuck Taylors – Same issues as the Sambas, but worse. Essentially zero cushioning, zero arch support, and the thin sole mean you feel every cobblestone. Fine for casual days at home, but not as your primary walking shoe for a trip.
• Puma Speedcat Ballet – This is the shoe leading the whole ballet-sneaker trend, and it’s weirdly cute, but it’s built for looks, not miles. The flat, thin sole has almost no cushioning or arch support, and it runs narrow, so it tends to leave your feet sore pretty quickly. Save it for dinner, but it’s not one I would wear sightseeing all day.

What to Look For in Women’s Walking Shoes For Europe

The right walking shoes for Europe travel come down to a few things that most shoe roundups don’t talk about.

• Cobblestone comfort is different from sidewalk comfort – Most European cities have uneven cobblestone streets, and shoes that feel great on flat pavement can feel terrible after a few hours on stone. You want a flexible sole that moves with the ground rather than fighting it, plus enough cushioning to absorb the impact of thousands of uneven steps.
• Style counts for more here than in a lot of other destinations – In cities like Paris, Rome, and Madrid, people tend to dress well from the ground up, so a clunky athletic shoe stands out. You don’t have to sacrifice comfort, but a cleaner, neutral design helps you blend in. Plus, it’ll go with more things in your suitcase, so you don’t have to pack as many shoes.
• Breathability matters in summer – Europe can get HOT in the summer. Your feet swell in the heat, and a shoe that feels perfect at home can feel tight and suffocating after a few hours in 85°F weather. Mesh uppers, knit materials, and lightweight construction all help keep your feet cool during long sightseeing days.
• Lighter shoes are easier on your feet – When you’re walking so many miles a day, the weight of your shoes adds up. A lighter shoe takes less effort with every step, so your feet and legs stay fresher deep into a long sightseeing day. Most of the shoes on this list are on the lighter side for exactly that reason.

Conclusion

There’s no single perfect walking shoe for Europe. It depends on how much you prioritize comfort versus style, and what kind of walking days you’re planning.

If you want a quick recommendation, the New Balance 327 or the Taos Plim Soul Lux are the pairs I’d point most people to. They’re comfortable for long days, look right at home in a European city, and go with just about everything you’d pack. For a more budget-friendly option with extra support, the Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker is another solid option for a trip to Europe.

With that said, all the shoes on this list have been hand-chosen specifically for a trip to Europe and would be a good option, depending on what you’re looking for.

Whatever you choose, the most important thing is that your shoes are comfortable enough to keep you exploring instead of cutting your days short. Find a pair that works for your feet, break them in before you go, and you’ll be set.

–> Planning what to pack for your Europe trip? Check out my Europe packing list for summer and best walking sandals for Europe articles as well.

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