If you’re planning a trip to Italy, here’s one thing you should prepare for: you will walk a lot. Between wandering cobblestone streets, exploring museums, climbing viewpoints, and stopping at cafés along the way, it’s easy to hit 15,000+ steps a day while traveling in Europe.

Before my trip, I spent hours watching travel creators and reading blogs about the best shoes for walking in Italy. Everyone had different recommendations—chunky walking shoes with memory foam, hiking sneakers, and so on. But in the end, I decided to go with what I knew worked best for my slightly high-arched feet.

After weeks of walking across Italy, Scotland, France, and Switzerland, these are the shoes that truly got me through my time living abroad.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are true and honest.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

My Everyday Walking Shoe: Adidas Sambas

Shop here: Adidas Sambas

After researching endlessly, I ultimately chose Adidas Sambas, and they became my most worn shoe in Italy. I packed two different colors (white and a leopard print, which is sadly sold out) so I could easily style them with multiple outfits while traveling.

Why they worked so well for long travel days:

• Comfortable for 15,000+ steps
• Great for high arches
• Lightweight compared to bulky running sneakers
• Stylish enough for dresses, trousers, and jeans

One of the biggest travel mistakes people make is bringing brand-new shoes. These were already broken in, which made a huge difference. If you’re looking for comfortable sneakers for walking in Europe that still look stylish in photos, these are a great option.

Dressier Travel Shoe: Mary Jane Ballet Flats

Shop here: Prada Mary Jane Ballet Flats

For evenings out, nicer restaurants, or museum visits, I wanted something more polished than sneakers. I packed a pair of Prada Mary Jane ballet flats, which instantly made outfits feel a little dressier. However, there’s one tip that made them much more comfortable: I added a small heel insert.

Do I recommend these? No, save your money. This was one of those treat yourself, splurge moments that I kind of regretted later. Are they beautiful? Yes. Worth the money? No. They’re lambskin, and you have to be very careful not to get them wet or scratched- it can be a headache, to be honest. Don’t do it, girl. Instead, splurge on a trench coat.

Shop similar style for less: Mary Jane Flats

That extra support made them wearable for:

• Dinner nights
• Museum days with less walking
• Dressier outfits

If you’re planning outfits for Europe, a chic flat is essential—just don’t expect it to replace your walking sneakers.

Casual Café Shoe: Zara Scrunchy Patent Loafers

Shop similar loafers: Black Patent Loafers

One of my unexpected favorites was a pair of scrunchy patent loafers I picked up from Zara. (I loved shopping in European Zara stores- they’re so much better!)

The reason they worked so well?
They had memory flex foam inside, which made them incredibly comfortable for casual walking.

These were perfect for:

• Morning coffee runs
• Neighborhood exploring
• Light sightseeing days

They were also incredibly easy to style with jeans and trousers.

If you want something more elevated than sneakers but still comfortable, a cushioned loafer is a great addition to your travel wardrobe.

Cold Weather Option: Block Heel Boots

Shop similar boots: Block Heel Boots

When temperatures dropped, I picked up a pair of 2-inch block heel boots with memory foam cushioning. They were perfect to pair with tights and skirts or jeans.

These worked surprisingly well for travel because:

• Block heels provide more stability
• Cushioned insoles help absorb impact
• They pair easily with winter outfits

If you’re traveling to Europe in late fall or winter, comfortable boots are a must.

The Best Budget Travel Shoe: H&M Chelsea Boots

Shop similar Chelsea boots: Chelsea Boots

One of the most surprising shoes from my trip was also the most affordable and most worn on colder days.

I found a pair of Chelsea boots for under €40 at H&M, and they ended up carrying me through thousands of steps across multiple countries. Keep in mind that they are a little heavy for packing, so you’ll want to wear them on the plane instead of packing them in your bag. Other than that, these are 100000000% worth it.

They held up through:

• Italy
• Scotland
• France
• Switzerland

Chelsea boots are one of the best travel shoes for Europe because they’re:

• Easy to slip on and off
• Comfortable for walking
• Simple to style with almost anything

And when you’re traveling for weeks, having affordable shoes that perform well is a huge win.

My Biggest Tips for Choosing Shoes for Europe

After weeks of travel and hundreds of thousands of steps, here are the biggest lessons I learned.

1. Choose what works for your feet

The most recommended shoe online may not be the best for your arch type or walking style. Try shoes on, wear them in before your trip, and buy some inserts for extra comfort.

2. Rotate your shoes

Switching between sneakers, flats, and boots helped prevent foot fatigue.

3. Cushioning matters

Memory foam insoles or inserts can make a huge difference during long walking days.

4. Style and comfort can coexist

You don’t have to sacrifice style to find comfortable travel shoes. I read a lot of blogs insisting on some really ugly hiking shoes that would have definitely stood out in Europe and in a bad way. Unless your sole purpose of traveling to Europe is to go hiking, don’t do it.

Final Thoughts: The Best Shoes for Walking in Italy

Walking through Europe is one of the best parts of traveling—but the wrong shoes can ruin your trip fast.

For me, the perfect combination ended up being:

• Comfortable sneakers for long walking days
• Stylish flats for evenings
• Loafers for casual outings
• Boots for colder weather

Now, these are the best shoes that worked for me (as someone with slightly high arches). But my best advice…

Do what works for your feet.
The most popular shoes online might not be the best ones for you. But once you find the right pair, you’ll be able to wander Europe for 15,000+ steps a day without thinking twice about your feet.

Happy travels!