Walkable Wonders: Explore These Cities on Foot

There’s something magical about discovering a city step by step. You hear the echo of church bells between narrow streets, catch the smell of bread baking before you see the bakery, and notice the way locals greet one another in the market. With Pegasus Airlines’ cheap flight tickets to Türkiye and Europe, you can connect vibrant, walkable cities into one seamless journey. You’re not just sightseeing—you’re immersing yourself in each city’s rhythm.

Istanbul’s Hills, Stairs & Scenic Corners

With Cheap flight to Istanbul deals available all year, your adventure starts in a city that rewards those willing to climb, wander, and get pleasantly lost. Begin in Karaköy, where the air smells of strong Turkish coffee drifting from cafés. As you climb to Galata Tower, the city unfolds beneath you—fishing lines draped over the Galata Bridge, ferries crisscrossing the Bosphorus, the call to prayer floating on the breeze.

From the tower, let Istiklal Avenue pull you forward with the buzz of street musicians, roasting chestnuts, and shop windows lit like little theatres. Eventually, the wide expanse of Taksim Square greets you—a space that feels both monumental and intimate when filled with locals meeting for the evening.

Crossing the Galata Bridge, you’ll pass fishermen pulling in silver flashes of mackerel. On the other side, the winding alleys of Eminönü lead you into a spice-scented maze before the climb to Süleymaniye Mosque, where sunset paints the domes gold. (For more on city itineraries, see Stopover Europe: Where to Go with One Istanbul Ticket.)

Izmir’s Seafront Promenades & Backstreets

Grab cheap flights to Izmir and let the Aegean breeze welcome you at Konak Square. The clock tower stands like a postcard come to life, gulls wheeling above. From here, your walk along the Kordon is a sensory delight—the rhythmic slap of waves against the seawall, the hum of conversation from couples lounging on the grass, and the salty tang in the air.

Turn into Alsancak’s backstreets, where pastel-hued Greek houses hide cool courtyards and cafés serve creamy Turkish coffee in porcelain cups. Passing flower-filled balconies, you’ll hear the clink of raki glasses and the notes of a saz from a tucked-away tavern.

End the walk at the water’s edge, where the sun sinks into the gulf and the city lights start to twinkle. (For wine lovers, see Türkiye’s Best Wine Villages You Haven’t Visited Yet for nearby vineyard escapes.)

Tbilisi on Foot: Old Town to Modern Marvels

Book cheap flights to Tbilisi and start at Metekhi Church, where the view stretches over red-roofed houses to the hills beyond. Cross the Peace Bridge, its glass panels glowing in the sunlight, and step into the labyrinth of the Old Town. Here, laundry sways between carved balconies, and every turn reveals another mural, courtyard, or hidden wine bar.

Climbing to Narikala Fortress, the city spreads below like a painted map—the winding river, church domes, and the sparkle of modern high-rises. The descent into Abanotubani feels like walking into another century, steam curling from sulphur baths, the scent of minerals and eucalyptus in the air.

As the day fades, make your way to Rustaveli Avenue, where the grand opera house stands side-by-side with hip cafés serving Georgian wine and khachapuri warm from the oven. (For more multi-country routes, see Cross-Border Adventures: Türkiye and the Balkans on a Budget.)

Sarajevo’s Ottoman & Austro-Hungarian Mix

Find cheap flights to Sarajevo and begin in Baščaršija, where the wooden Sebilj Fountain sits in the middle of a square alive with pigeons and chatter. The smell of freshly ground coffee fills the air, and brass coffee sets gleam in shop windows.

Walking down the bazaar’s narrow lanes, you’ll pass bakers pulling somun bread from wood-fired ovens. Crossing the Latin Bridge, you step into a different era—the Austro-Hungarian quarter’s grand buildings, pastel-painted and refined, line the riverbanks.

As evening falls, take the gentle uphill walk to the Yellow Fortress, where the entire city stretches beneath you, the call to prayer mingling with church bells in the twilight.

Rome’s Layers of History

With cheap flights to Rome, you can walk straight into the past. Begin at the Colosseum, where you can almost hear the roar of the crowds. Stroll the Via dei Fori Imperiali, flanked by marble ruins, toward the towering monument in Piazza Venezia.

From there, weave through lively markets in Campo de’ Fiori, the scent of herbs and fresh bread drifting over cobblestones, before crossing the Tiber into Trastevere’s warm glow of lantern-lit trattorias. In the evening, walk from Piazza Navona to the Pantheon, where the night air is heavy with history and the hum of late-night diners.

Salzburg’s Storybook Strolls

Book cheap flights to Salzburg and begin at Mirabell Palace, where the gardens burst with blooms against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Cross the Salzach River to climb up to Hohensalzburg Fortress, the path shaded by chestnut trees, the city’s baroque skyline unfolding beneath you.

Descend into Getreidegasse, Mozart’s birthplace, where ornate wrought-iron signs hang over shopfronts and the air smells faintly of fresh pretzels. End at Kapuzinerberg, where the quiet of the forested trail contrasts with the sweep of the city bathed in sunset.

Brussels’ Squares & Chocolatiers

Find cheap flights to Brussels and start at the Grand Place, where gilded facades seem to glow no matter the weather. Wander to the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, letting the scent of melting chocolate pull you into artisan shops for pralines.

Continue uphill to Mont des Arts, where manicured gardens frame the city skyline, then stroll into Parc du Cinquantenaire, the scent of cut grass mixing with the laughter of picnicking locals.

What to Pack for Long Days on Cobblestone

Wear shoes that love you back—cushioned, flexible, and ready for uneven streets. Add a light rain jacket, refillable water bottle, and a crossbody bag. Flying Pegasus? Check the baggage allowance page before you pack to keep your load light and your movement free.

Sunset Strolls, Sunrise Cafés

The real beauty of these cities often happens between landmarks—sipping coffee at dawn when the streets are still empty, or watching a city glow under the first lights of evening. For more inspiration, see What Does Slow Travel Mean and How To Do It?.

The World, One Step at a Time

With airline flights tickets from Pegasus, you can turn a walking route into a travel story worth telling. Whether you’re crossing the Galata Bridge in Istanbul, tracing ancient streets in Rome, or breathing in the alpine air of Salzburg, you’ll feel every heartbeat of the city.

When you next search how to find cheap flights, remember: some journeys are best taken one step at a time.