9 BEST Walking Shoes For Europe: Stylish Picks For 2026

TL;DR: All of these are good picks for different reasons, but if I had to choose my two favorites that are the best mix of built-in support for all-day walking and stylish enough for Europe, the Vionic Uptown Sneaker and Taos Plim Soul Lux would be it.

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 that strike that perfect balance between stylish and comfortable.

Disclosure: I was gifted the Taos Plim Soul Lux, Vionic Uptown Sneaker, and Kizik Vegas 2 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 That Are Still Stylish

Note about my feet and this list: I have flat feet, overpronation, a bunion, and a history of posterior tibial tendonitis, so I need more support than most people, especially through the arch. That’s surprisingly hard to find in a shoe that’s still stylish. The first five picks below—the Vionic Uptown, Taos Plim Soul Lux, Bared Stork, Reef Neptune, and HOKA Transport 2—are all comfortable enough for me to wear as they are without having to change out the insert. For the rest, I looked for shoes with good bones: a comfortable base, Europe-friendly features, and a removable insole. However, I would add my own orthotics before wearing those for long walking days in Europe. People with fewer foot issues would probably find them comfortable enough without added support, I just need a lot more support than most people. I tested all of these shoes for at least 10,000 steps each to make sure they could handle long walking days.

#1 Vionic Uptown Sneakers

Best Cute Sneakers With Arch Support For Europe

The Vionic Uptown Sneakers have the casual leather-sneaker look I like for travel, with built-in arch support that’s actually good enough for my very flat feet. I have them in ivory with tan suede accents and a silver heel, and they look cute with linen pants, jeans, and dresses.

I wore these all summer for errands, stroller walks, and longer days on my feet. The soft leather and cushioned heel were comfortable right away, with no break-in period or blisters. But the arch support is what makes them stand out to me—and why I’d pack them for a Europe trip with plenty of walking.

They come in a few different colors and in medium and wide widths. They do run narrow, although the upper loosens up after a few wears. I have regular-width feet and a bunion on my left foot, and the medium width fits me well. My exact size wasn’t available, so I went down half a size, which worked great for me.

My main gripe is that the suede portions pick up dirt easily. The soles and perforated tongue also give them a slightly more orthotic-shoe look, but those details aren’t as noticeable once you’re wearing them.

–> Read my detailed Vionic shoes review

#2 Taos Plim Soul Lux

Best White Leather Sneakers For Walking in Europe

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

The footbed has both arch and metatarsal support tucked into a surprisingly understated shoe. The branding is subtle, the leather and stitching are good quality, and there’s cushioning around the heel collar. You can also remove the footbed entirely if you prefer your own orthotics.

The leather was stiff the first time I wore them, but it relaxed after a few wears. 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 and work well for my regular-width feet, though they’re on the narrower side. Taos makes them in a wide width too.

The main trade-off is that the full leather upper isn’t the most breathable, and you don’t get as much cushioning as you would with a thicker platform sole. Still, I like how stable they feel while walking in them. They sit low to the ground, which is especially nice for uneven cobblestones.

–> Read my Taos shoes review

#3 Bared Footwear Stork Sneakers

Best Premium Sneakers With Adjustable Support

The Bared Footwear Stork is the premium pick on this list, combining a polished design with serious support. It’s the most expensive shoe here, but Bared puts a lot of thought into both support and fit. The brand was founded by a podiatrist, and that attention to comfort goes beyond a cushioned sole.

The contoured footbed cradles the heel, and the support is spread out rather than concentrated in one strongly raised arch. The shoes also come with Bared’s Fit Kit: you can swap in thinner footbeds for more room or add padding beneath the front of the footbed if they feel too roomy. That’s especially helpful if one foot fits a little differently from the other, though getting the size and inserts just right can take a little experimenting.

The neutral color I own looks good with dresses, trousers, and jeans, so I’d happily wear these for sightseeing and keep them on for a nicer dinner. The rubber sole is also slip-tested.

The main downsides are the price and warmth: the leather-and-suede upper runs a little warm, so these wouldn’t be my first choice for the hottest part of summer.

#4 Reef Neptune

Best Walking Shoes for Hot Weather in Europe

For hot summer days in Europe, you can’t go wrong with the Reef Neptune. The stretch-knit and suede design looks relaxed and summery, and the breathable knit upper lets in more air than a leather sneaker. There’s decent arch support for such a lightweight shoe, along with a soft memory-foam insole for cushioning.

The suede heel can be worn upright like a regular sneaker or folded down when you want to slip them on quickly. That’s a handy feature for airport security, popping out of your hotel room, or giving your heels a little freedom after a day of walking. They’re light and easy to pack, and the simple design works with most summer outfits without looking like a technical walking shoe.

The fit is roomy, so I followed Reef’s recommendation and sized down half a size. The main downside is that the knit can stain easily, especially on my white pair. There isn’t a ton of traction on the soles, either.

With their laid-back look, these would be an especially good summer pick for coastal towns and island hopping in Europe.

#5 HOKA Transport 2

Best Hybrid Walking Shoes For Europe

I’ve been wearing the HOKA Transport for almost a year, and they’re actually my overall favorite travel shoe right now. They were comfortable right away, and they’re versatile enough for a trip that includes both city sightseeing and hiking.

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

The grippy Vibram outsole is a big reason I like these for cobblestones, especially on hills where the pavement can get slippery. I’m looking at you, Lisbon. There’s plenty of cushioning for longer walking days, too, without the shoes feeling heavy.

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

The water-repellent upper can run a little warm, so keep that in mind for peak summer heat in Southern Europe. Still, these were fine for me in Antigua’s hot, humid weather. They come in regular and wide widths.

They’re probably the least stylish shoes on this list, but for me, the comfort is worth the trade-off, especially on trips with a lot of walking and some hiking, too.

–> 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).

#6 Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker

Best Budget Walking Shoes For Europe

The Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker is a good reminder that a comfortable travel shoe doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The clean design and slight platform give it the look of a fashionable sneaker, with a price that’s easier to justify for an occasional trip.

The cushioned insole has built-in arch support, and the faux leather upper wipes clean easily and resists light moisture. That’s especially handy if, like me, you’re drawn to white sneakers but want to keep them looking reasonably clean while traveling.

Durability is the main trade-off. The sole can separate, and the upper can crack with lots of wear, so these wouldn’t be my first choice if you’re looking for a shoe to wear heavily for years. The fit is also on the narrow side, making the wide option worth considering if you need more room. And if you’re between sizes, I’d recommend sizing up.

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.

–> For more about my experience with these shoes, check out my Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker review

#7 Cole Haan GrandPrø Topspin

Best Cushioned Leather Sneakers For Europe

For a city trip where you’ll be wearing skirts and dresses as often as jeans, the Cole Haan GrandPrø Topspin is a nice, dressier sneaker option. The classic leather design and slight platform look are polished enough to wear beyond a day of sightseeing.

The cushioning is the best part about these shoes. It feels especially soft under the heel and forefoot, and the leather is more flexible than I expected. There isn’t much built-in arch support, though the insole is removable if you prefer to use your own.

They have an almond-shaped toe and brown border that give them a more distinctive look. That style won’t be for everyone, so this is one I’d try on in person to see how you feel about the shape. They almost reminded me of a Converse look, but in dressier sneaker form.

As with any full leather shoes, they run warm, so I wouldn’t choose them for the hottest summer trips.

–> Read my Cole Haan shoes review

#8 Kizik Vegas 2

Best Hands-Free Walking Shoes For Europe

The Kizik Vegas 2 looks like a classic leather sneaker, but you can put it on without bending down or using your hands. I thought the hands-free design might be more of a marketing gimmick, but once I tried it for myself, I was impressed with how easy it was to get these shoes on.

That hands-free design is very convenient whether you’re going through airport security or trying to get out the door with a toddler. And the structured heel stays upright and secure while you’re walking while still being comfortable.

The shoes are lightweight, with a little bounce in the heel, and the white leather version looks polished enough to wear with jeans, dresses, and nicer travel outfits.

The main trade-off is that the arch support and cushioning under the forefoot are both fairly light. The insole is removable if you want to add more support (I use a more supportive one for travel). They fit true to size, and Kizik also makes them in a wide.

Use my code THEATLASHEART10 for 10% off.

–> Read my Kizik shoes review

#9 New Balance 327

Best Retro Sporty Walking Shoes For Europe

If you’re looking for a statement sneaker, the New Balance 327 is probably the boldest pick on this list. The retro ’70s design and oversized N logo give it plenty of personality, but the look isn’t for everyone. I polled my Instagram Stories, and people were pretty divided on whether these were cute or “ugly cute.” They’re definitely more angular in person.

Style aside, they were comfortable right out of the box, with no break-in needed, including for my usual 10,000+ step test. The cushioning helps soften each step on hard cobblestones. They also have fantastic traction on the soles.

You don’t get the same arch support as you would with a dedicated walking shoe, but there’s still plenty to like if style is a priority. And even with the lack of arch support, my arches felt supported enough with the angular design, and I didn’t notice them rolling inward while walking. I’d still probably use my own inserts for more support on long walking days, though.

They fit true to size but run a little narrow, so I’d look elsewhere if you need more room across the forefoot.

–> Read my New Balance shoes review for travel

Honorable Mentions

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

• Adidas Handball Spezial – A low-profile suede sneaker with a softer, roomier fit than I expected. It has almost no built-in arch support and very little cushioning, but I’m currently testing whether a more supportive insert makes it comfortable enough for longer walking days. –> Read my review of these shoes.
• Salomon XT-Whisper – Worth considering if you like the technical trail-shoe look (aka gorpcore). The lugged sole and stable feel appeal for uneven streets, but the style is sportier than what I usually want to wear with my city outfits. If that’s your style, these could be a better fit for you.
• Reef Lay Day Dawn – A clean-looking leather sneaker that’s easy to picture with my Europe travel outfits. The sole felt a little stiffer than I’d like for all-day walking, but I’m still testing these to see whether it becomes more flexible with wear.

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

• Ecco Soft 7 – I really wanted to like these since I see them recommended everywhere for Europe. But I only made it 0.9 miles before a nasty blister from the stiff heel forced me to stop. They felt narrow and cramped even on my regular-width feet, and I wanted more arch support and flexibility in the sole. These weren’t comfortable enough for me to recommend as a walking shoe.
• Converse Chuck Taylors – I like the casual look, but the minimal cushioning and arch support wouldn’t be my choice for hours on hard pavement and cobblestones. Fine for shorter outings, but I’d pack something more supportive as my main walking shoe for a trip.
• Puma Speedcat Ballet – These have that weirdly cute ballet-sneaker look, but the thin sole offers very little cushioning or arch support. The narrow fit is another drawback. I’d save these for dinner rather than a full day of sightseeing.
• I also tested the Vionic City Walk and OluKai Pehuea Li for this article and did not think they were great walking shoes.

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.

• Comfort on uneven streets: A shoe that feels good on a quick walk around the block might feel different after hours on cobblestones. Look for enough cushioning to soften each step and a sole that feels stable and secure. Pay attention to grip, too, especially if your itinerary includes steep streets or steps.
• Style that works for your trip: I like sneakers I can wear with several outfits, especially when I’m trying to pack light. A simple leather sneaker can work for sightseeing and dinner, but if your trip includes hiking, a sportier shoe may be worth the trade-off. My HOKA Transports are a good example.
• Breathability for summer: For hot-weather trips, I’d give breathable knit or mesh uppers more consideration. Leather sneakers can still be a good choice, but several of my favorites run warm. Think about the temperatures you’ll be walking in, and make sure the fit leaves you some room if your feet tend to swell in hot weather.
• Weight, cushioning, and support: Lightweight shoes are nice for walking all day, but I wouldn’t choose a pair on weight alone. Pay attention to how the cushioning and arch support feel on your feet, and whether there’s room for your own inserts if you use them.
• Wear them before you leave: Wear your shoes on several longer walks before your trip. Check for heel rubbing, cramped toes, or pressure around a bunion. If something already bothers you at home, don’t count on it sorting itself out during a full day of sightseeing.

Final Thoughts on the best Walking Shoes For Europe

My goal with this article was to find walking shoes that feel good during long sightseeing days and still work with the clothes I’d pack for Europe. All of these picks work for different reasons, whether that’s supportive cushioning, a dressier look, breathability, or versatility for trips that include some hiking.

With my very flat feet, built-in support makes a big difference. Some of these shoes give me enough support on their own, while others are pairs I’d wear with my own inserts. The best choice for you depends on your feet, the season, and how you’ll spend your days.

Whatever you choose, take them on a few longer walks before you leave, wearing the socks and any inserts you’ll bring. It’s much better to discover an uncomfortable fit close to home than halfway through a sightseeing day.

–> 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.

Mimi started The Atlas Heart in 2013 to write about her travels abroad. 13 years and 45+ countries later, she accidentally became a packing expert. Now she helps women figure out what to pack, what to wear, and which gear is actually worth it. Outside of travel, you’ll find her hiking with her son, reading in her chaise lounge, and winning 3-point contests against her husband.

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