{2026} The Best Comfortable Shoes for Walking All Day in Europe

Your favorite Europe travel guide walks you through my round-up of the most comfortable walking shoes for Europe - 20,000/day on cobblestone streets, approved!

My favorite comfortable loafers strolling the streets of Girona

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Looking for the perfect travel shoes for your trip to Europe?

Yours truly in Paris, wearing my trusty Sam Edelman loafers

No item you'll pack for your trip to Europe will matter even half as much as, you guessed it...your shoes. When you travel in Europe, you’ll likely spend entire days walking on cobblestones, uneven streets, and historic city centers. Choosing the right shoes can make or break your trip.

Selecting shoes for a trip to Europe can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be. We'll talk about how to shop for the best type of shoes for your trip/ what you're looking for in an ideal pair, my personal shoe shopping strategy, and finally my suggested best walking shoes for Europe!

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Quick answer->

 I always recommend bringing two pairs of shoes on a Europe trip: a comfortable pair of white leather sneakers and either a pair of loafers or waterproof ankle boots, depending on the season. This combination is comfortable enough for long sightseeing days, versatile enough to wear with almost anything, and on-point style-wise enough that you won't feel out of place walking through Paris, Rome, or Edinburgh.
If it's not comfortable, don't pack it. If you can't wear it everyday, leave it at home. Ok, you can quit reading now ;)

Europe travel shoe
reference chart

Category
Best overall Europe shoe
Best dressier option
Good for rainy weather
Best for summer
Number of pairs to pack

My pick
Whit leather sneakers
Loafers
Waterproof ankle boots
Leather sandals (broken in!!)
2-3 pairs

How I choose my Europe travel shoes before each trip. I ask myself...

• Will it rain?
• Do I need socks for cold?
• Will I be walking 20,000 steps (yes)?
• Do I need shoes for a higher-end event (dinner/theater)?
• Do I have a really broken in pair of shoes that I'd like to wear and then discard at the end of the trip (I do this a lot).

Decision 'tree' for Europe walking shoes:

Your priority
Maximum comfort
Looking posh
Rainy weather
Hot weather
Packing light

My recommendation
Sneaker
Loafer
Waterproof boot
Leather sandal (supportive!)
Waterproof bootie (the only shoe that can do it all)

Off to Rome & Florence?
​Check out The Ultimate Guide: What to Wear in Italy!

Frequently Asked Questions about which shoes to bring to Europe:

What are the best walking shoes for Europe?

The best shoes for Europe travel are comfortable sneakers, loafers, or supportive sandals that can handle long walking days and cobblestones. Most travelers should bring two pairs of shoes: a broken-in pair of sneakers and a second option like loafers, sandals, or ankle boots depending on the season.

How many pairs of shoes should you bring to Europe?

Generally, 2 pairs should be sufficient, unless you're attending a special event for which you need specific shoes. But I found that I often wasn't wearing them all enough to justify the transAtlantic travel.

What shoes should you bring to Europe?

I'd recommend that the majority of Europe travelers should bring two pairs of shoes for Europe: a broken-in pair of comfortable sneakers and a second supportive option like loafers, sandals (NOT BEACH FLIP FLOPS), or ankle boots depending on the season. 

Can I wear running shoes in Europe?

Yes, you can, but I recommend choosing a clean, neutral pair of sneakers, rather than brightly colored athletic running shoes. Leather sneakers tend to look more polished, while still being supportive and comfortable for walking.

Should I bring waterproof shoes to Europe?

Yes. A trip to Europe is an outdoor experience. They don't have to be "waterproof" but "water resistance" or you're just OK walking in them while wet is a must. No matter the weather, you're going to be tooling around. I'll not have you sitting around in a tiny hotel room, bored and wasting time, because you failed the bring the right shoes! Not on my watch!

Rules to Shop by:
How to Find the Best Walking Shoes for Europe

You don't have to break the bank

Price doesn't guarantee durability or comfort. What matters most is that the shoes are comfortable and can support you walking 20,000 steps/day.

Break them in

Don't even think about wasting time in Europe sitting on a bench with terribly sore feet because you broke the cardinal rule and wore new shoes on vacation!

Bring a mix of old and new

While all your shoes should be broken in, I like to also bring a mix of old and new. If you have a comfortable older pair that's reaching the end of its life, consider bringing it and leaving it behind to make room in your suitcase for souvenirs.

My simple Europe shoe shopping strategy

For most Europe trips, I bring two pairs of shoes. A comfortable pair of low-profile sneakers for long walking days and a second pair like loafers, sandals, or ankle boots depending on the season. Europe travel often means walking 20,000 steps a day on uneven streets, so comfort matters more than anything else.

My personal Europe shoe packing formula:

Ok, so most people are selecting shoes they already own for a Europe trip. If you aren't in the market for new shoes (or, even if you are), I wanted to be clear about my usual formula.
For most spring and fall trips, I bring:

• One pair of comfortable white leather sneakers
• One pair of loafers

If I'm traveling during colder or wetter months, I swap the loafers for waterproof ankle boots.
That's it.
I've found that two 'workhorse' pairs of shoes are almost always enough for a week, or even ten days in Europe. They take up less room in your suitcase, make it easier to build outfits, and help avoid the temptation to pack "just in case" shoes that never get worn.

Looking for easy shopping recommendations to complete your Europe travel wardrobe? Check out my constantly updated Europe Travel Capsule Wardrobe.

Best shoes for Europe,
​season-by-season

Spring
Spring weather can be unpredictable in Europe, as in the US, so I usually pack comfortable sneakers and something waterproof (generally booties).

Summer
For summer, I go with a combination of sneakers and, in my case, loafers. I have rheumatoid arthritis, so sandals aren't generally a go-to for me, but leather sandals would be appropriate for almost anywhere in Europe in the summer. Ensure they're supportive enough for walking, and avoid pool flip flops unless you're...you guessed it, at the pool.

Fall
Fall is probably my favorite season to visit Europe. Sneakers and loafers work well for most destinations, although I'll often swap loafers for boots later in the season.

Winter
Winter calls for waterproof boots (ankle or regular). You'll appreciate them on wet sidewalks, cobblestones, and chilly mornings. In warmer countries, or if precipitation isn't expected, you'll also get plenty of wear out of those handy sneakers, as well.

Knee-high walking boots in Bath for an April visit

Packing for a trip to the UK? Check out What to Wear in Scotland: 15+ Outfit Tips You Need to Know and What to Wear in London: Outfit Ideas & Packing Guide.

{2026} My Round-Up of the Best Shoes for Europe

The Roman Forum, one of the most stunning, and most difficult to walk around, tourist attractions I've visited (SPC)

Best Casual Loafers for Europe

My secret weapon to looking and feeling good on my trips to Europe is a good pair of loafers. On my first trip to Paris, I broke my cardinal rule and wore this Sam Edelman loafer for the first time on my first full-day exploring Paris. Not a blister in sight. Loafers take you from morning coffee, to lunch time, tourists attractions, and even through dinner and after-dinner cocktails, without running afoul of dress codes.

Best Sneakers for Europe

No matter how comfortable your first pair of walking shoes, be sure to bring a second, to give your feet a change of pace. With the loafer being my go-to, I like to bring a casual sneaker for my "full-on" tourist days (The Tower of London, The Roman Forum, etc.) when you are pretty sure you won't be hitting the fanciest restaurant in town for dinner.

FAQ: Can I wear sneakers in Europe?

Yes, you can wear white sneakers in Europe! While "white sneakers" in Europe has been the "look there goes an American" signal for decades, things have changed. Sneakers are very trendy. If Kate Middleton can wear them so can we. Just make sure they're on-trend, clean, and in good condition.

Waterproof Boots for Rainy Days

On any trip to Europe, unfortunately there will be at least one day that's a complete "wash out," and if you're in the UK, you'll probably have a couple more than one...Be sure to bring some waterproof boots or booties that can handle a rainy slog. If possible, I like to bring an old pair that I can thank for their service and put to rest at the end of the trip. Just make sure they're comfortable enough to walk for miles and miles. Anything from Blondo will do the trick!

​I would strongly recommend against rubber "Wellington" or "rain" boots. They'll kill your feet.

Evening Appropriate Shoes

No matter your evening plans, be sure to bring one pair of shoes that are appropriate for a "smart" hotel, cocktails, or seeing a show. These could be booties, leather boots, loafers but should NOT be sneakers.

Shoes You Should NOT Bring to Europe

• brand new shoes (hello blisters)
• flimsy flip flops (Europeans don't wear them)
• plastic rain boots
• super high heels (you won't wear them)
• athletic running shoes with bright logos (tacky)
• trendy sneakers with unsupportive soles

Which shoes should I pick if I'm traveling...

to Paris
to Italy
to London
to Scotland
in summer
in spring
in winter
in fall

white sneakers + loafers
white sneakers + loafers
white sneakers + black booties
waterproof boots + sneakers
sneakers + sandals
booties + sneakers
boots + sneakers
booties + sneakers

{2026} Shop my Comfortable Walking Shoes for Europe

Thanks for Stopping By!

There's nothing I love more than helping Americans plan their trips to Europe. While you here, I hope you'll explore the many other free resources I've created to help you with every step of your Europe journey - from initial research, to picking hotels, planning outfits, packing, long flight tips, itineraries, and so much more. Bon voyage!

Avoiding a Fashion Faux Pas: What Not to Wear in Paris
 The Ultimate Guide to Packing for 7 Days in Europe
What NOT to Wear in Europe

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