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Travelling to Europe? Whether you’re traveling for a European Summer or a European Winter I have you covered on what to look for when choosing the best walking shoes for Europe. These are all tried and tested tips that I have collected over my last few adventures.

Happy reading and happy travelling! 

What Makes the Best Walking Shoes For Travel in Europe?

1. Look into their Sole. Best walking shoes for Cobblestone Roads 

Something to keep in mind when exploring Europe: cobblestone roads are everywhere. Picture narrow, winding streets on a steep hill (and I mean tiny—at one point in Spain, the car I was in got stuck and had to reverse with barely an inch of clearance on each side—absolutely terrifying).

Cobblestones are a signature part of Europe’s charm, but they can be tricky to walk on if you don’t have the right shoes.

A good walking shoe should have a comfortable sole with solid traction to keep you from slipping. Trust me, your feet will thank you!

2. Choose shoes that are functional 

You’ll also want to make sure you’re wearing the right size shoe. If you can’t try them on in person, always check the sizing chart when ordering online! A proper fit is essential to keep your feet secure and prevent slipping. Also if your shoes fit they will be so much more comfortable! The last thing you want is to be walking while the back of your heel is uncomfortably rubbing against the back of your shoe. If this is something you tend to have an issue with, check out my blog on how to stop your shoes from rubbing your heel, you don’t want to be walking around Europe with a bandaid as one of your essentials (I mean you can pop it in your Womads crossbody bag, but there are better things to put in there) 

When I designed Womads, I created them as the perfect traveling shoe (as long as you’re not travelling to the Arctic). It was important to me that every feature supported the foot—like the side strap, which isn’t just functional but also complements the overall design. So when choosing a shoe, look for features that offer both support and convenience.

3. Comfort is key. Be ready to walk… everywhere

In many European cities, walking is often more practical than taking a car, and public transport is very easy to use. 

Last summer, I visited Brussels, which is where I grew up. While I was there I took a trip to Antwerp for the first time. Antwerp is known for its stunning architecture, art, diamonds, and fashion boutiques, among other things. We wandered through the city, shopping, visiting beautiful plazas, and taking pictures with famous buildings. 

For a lot of walking and exploring, I’d recommend soft, high-quality leather shoes because they’re breathable and lightweight. You don’t want shoes that make walking uncomfortable, especially when walking and admiring Europe. You also don’t want to be carrying any extra weight around!

I also recently took a trip to Granada and Seville and brought my Womads, as I was doing a lot of walking through the stunning streets and I knew my Womads would be reliable to take with me. 

As I walked, I stumbled upon breathtaking views of the valley and found little city squares where locals played guitars and enjoyed tapas or coffee. There’s so much to see when you explore on foot. I’ve always loved experiencing different ways of life, which you don’t get from a car ride. Oh, and their nightlife is always buzzing. I spent a day exploring Alhambra’s indoor palaces and outdoor gardens.

At night, I sipped mint tea and nibbled on baklava while reading in one of Granada's many Moroccan tea houses or “teterias”—there’s a whole street of them, open late. I wish all cities had places like that!

So basically if you’re traveling to Europe grab the right pair of shoes to get the most out of your trip, don’t bank on taking Ubers everywhere, you’ll miss out on a lot. 

4. Choose Stylish Walking Shoes for Europe

And don’t forget about shoes that photograph well. Europe is packed with breathtaking gems at every corner, and you’ll likely take tons of pictures, so choose a pair that you love and that go well with your outfit. 

I designed my line with vivid and neutral colors so no matter your style or your outfit there is something to choose from. Regardless if you pick up a Neutral or a Tiger Orange all the colors are rich so they look great in photos. 

And yes lots of people travel and walk around Europe so don’t be afraid to just take as many photos as you want. You’ll never see the people walking by again so just take the outfit picture and have fun! 

Why WOMADS for your European Summer? 

Our Peep Toe Flats are the best walking sandals because they are designed for it. Our Oxfords are the perfect closed toe shoe to wear in Europe. They both have everything you need to enjoy your European summer vacation.

Our rubber soles are not only sustainable but also flexible and have great traction especially for those cobblestone roads. Made from tree sap the rubber soles play a huge part in ensuring the shoe is good for walking around the European streets. For more about our rubber soles, check out our blog post where we talk about them in depth. 

Remember when we talked about how you'll be taking lots of pictures and you need stylish walking shoes. Womads come in over sixteen vivid colors to choose from. And the best part? You can grab a couple pairs because these shoes are a traveler's best friend. They are lightweight, flexible and thin and can easily slide into your bag without taking up too much space. 

I also brought my Oxfords with me which I'm glad I did because the week we were in Seville it was raining most of the time, so we did a lot of moving from coffee shops, to tapas bars, to churches and historical buildings. 

If you’re heading to Seville, the food there is out of this world and unreasonably cheap and my shoes were perfect for getting us wherever we needed to go. Just like the peep toes, the Oxfords are easy to slip on and off, perfect for adventuring. 

Why WOMADS for your European Winter 

This winter I went to Brussels for about a month, then I did a 5 day yoga retreat in the south of Spain, two days in Granada alone, then a week in Seville with a friend. It was such an incredible experience.

What I love about the Womads Crossbody bag is how slim it is so you can easily keep it under your coat when it gets a bit colder and when you’re walking outside. I basically had my crossbody safely under my jacket all the time! You’ll have all your essentials, like chapsticks and mitts in an easy to carry bag. And of course because I LOVE color, you can mix and match the straps of the crossbody bags and the interior is a bright vivid color!  If you need more advice on what to bring with you when traveling Europe, check out my travel essentials blog. 

I spent part of my trip in Brussels, wearing my Oxfords and carrying my crossbody while walking to coffee shops to work from and hanging out with my sister at art galleries—until it started snowing… then I switched to boots. That’s another important thing to consider: if you need multiple pairs of shoes, make sure they’re easy to pack.

Womads are a great travel companion because they’re super lightweight and easy to slip on and off. Plus, since I was in Europe for Christmas with my brother and sister, I had to make room in my suitcase for all the gifts I was bringing for my family!

My Life, My Adventure, My Trip to Europe 

I have been to Europe a few times at different times in the year. There are so many amazing things to see at any time of the year, but one thing is certain, you’ll be walking and exploring. 

Pick the right shoes so that your trip is one you’ll remember for the views and not the blisters. 

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