Abu Dhabi has been named the most walkable city in the world for 2025, based on a global survey by the Time Out Index. According to the ranking, 91% of residents in the UAE capital agreed that it’s easy to get around the city on foot, surpassing other major metropolises known for pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
The list highlights urban areas where locals feel they can access daily amenities, parks, and key attractions with ease and safety—without relying heavily on vehicles.
Top-ranking cities for 2025 walkability include:
Abu Dhabi, UAE – 91%
Boston, US – 89%
Brighton, UK – 88%
New York, US – 87%
Bilbao, Spain – 86%
= Chicago, US – 86%
Edinburgh, UK – 85%
= Marrakech, Morocco – 85%
San Francisco, US – 83%
Cardiff, UK – 82%
= Shanghai, China – 82%
= Hong Kong – 82%
= Paris, France – 82%
Abu Dhabi’s leading spot comes as no surprise to urban development experts. The city has invested heavily in pedestrian zones, shaded walkways, climate-responsive architecture, and mixed-use developments, making it easier for people to walk between residential, commercial, and recreational zones. Initiatives such as the Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan emphasize walkability as a core goal to enhance quality of life and reduce car dependency.
Other cities on the list also owe their walkability to thoughtful urban planning. Boston and New York offer compact, grid-style layouts, while European cities like Edinburgh and Paris blend historical pedestrian pathways with modern mobility infrastructure.
