Education Abroad's Most Walkable Cities

Studying abroad in a big city usually means an equally big commute to match. Want to avoid the long commute between your housing and classes and live somewhere you can walk to class and walk to all the restaurants, bars, shops, grocery stores etc. for your day-to-day life? Below is a list of locations we recommend checking out!

Some these places are small to mid-size cities that are easy to cover entirely on foot while also providing more than enough to do that at the end of a semester, you'll still wish you had more time! Others on this list are large cities where the location of student housing and classes are close together and also put you in really walkable neighborhoods; you might have to use public transit to explore other parts of the city on the weekend, but everything you need for your daily life is within walking distance of your housing and campus.

FRANCE, Aix-en-Provence - by Jacy Baber, 'Stroll through the mall

Aix-en-Provence, France

Live up the Mediterranean lifestyle in this beautiful southern French city, home to five universities and known for its great food, cosmopolitan vibe, and landscape that has inspired painters throughout history. 30 minutes from Marseille's international airport, it makes a convenient home base for your European travels - that is, if you ever want to leave!

NEW ZEALAND, Dunedin - by Mathias Gruber 'Checking the Surf at St.Clair

Dunedin, New Zealand 

Dunedin is a vibrant college with a walkable, colorful city center full of cafes, restaurants, bars, boutiques, shopping centers, and entertainment venues that cater specifically to the college-aged community. Further, the city sits along the Otago Peninsula, which boasts heaps of beautiful beaches, rolling hills, and some of the country’s best hiking, camping, skiing, and surfing – so adventure is right outside your front door!

JAPAN, Kyoto - Dalton Waldock, 'Inari Shrine

Kyoto, Japan

Once the capital of Japan before Tokyo, Kyoto remains very much the cultural capital. This city has it all, from meditative zen temples and teahouses to world-class game leaders like Nintendo and Q-Games. Studying abroad in Kyoto creates a unique experience for students in a picturesque city nestled in a valley with hiker-friendly hills dotted with World Heritage sites. 

COSTA RICA, Monte Verde - by Kathryn McConnell, 'Lloviendo'

Monteverde, Costa Rica 

Located in the beautiful town of San Luis, Monteverde is a top destination for ecotourism and is famous for the Cloud Forest that surrounds it - which is home to more than 2,000 species of plants, 400 species of birds, and 100 different species of mammals within its 26,000 acres. This is a great program for students looking for a one-of-a-kind adventure!

ITALY, Perugia - by Kelsey Chabolla, 'Stairway to Heaven'

Perugia, Italy 

At first, Perugia resembles many of the medieval hilltop towns in central Italy, but it's nickname the "University City" gives you a sense for its thriving student scene. Enjoy picturesque cobblestone streets and breathtaking views (seriously, just google it and enjoy the photos) while you walk to one of the many restaurants, cafes, pubs, museums, and art exhibits that fill this college town.  

CZECH REPUBLIC, Prague - by Maegan Loose, 'Sunset'

Prague, Czech Republic

Study in a city known for its winding cobblestone streets, diverse architecture, striking castles, and lively nightlife. With easy access to many parks and hiking in addition to a wide range of museums and concerts, there's something for everyone here. Centrally located in Europe, Prague provides an affordable venue to enjoy all the perks of a European city with fewer tourists.

SPAIN, Salamanca, By Ava Schroeder, 'Exploring'

Salamanca, Spain

Salamanca is home to the oldest university in Spain and is a gorgeous medieval city that is also a UNESCO world-heritage site. It's large student population give this city a vibrant college-town vibe and it's glowing sandstone buildings have earned it the nickname "La Ciudad Dorada” (The Golden City).

SOUTH KOREA, Seoul by Timothy Ries on Unsplash

Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is by far the biggest city on this list - and in fact, one of the largest cities in the world. That being said, we felt it deserved a spot on this list because the neighborhoods around both Yonsei University and Korea University (students live on or near campus) are vibrant student neighborhoods, with restaurants, shops, and more all within an easy walk. And with Seoul's great public transit system, you can easily zip across the city to catch that Friday night concert.

SWEDEN, Uppsala - Zack Mulder, 'Arurora in Lapland'

Uppsala, Sweden 

Fully immerse yourself in Swedish university life in this lively and picturesque college town. Roughly the size of Boulder and located only 20 minutes from the Stockholm airport, students never run out of things to do! Join a student nation, have fika in one of the many cozy cafes around town, or enjoy Sweden's "Allemansrätten" - aka the right to roam and enjoy Sweden's nature.