Walkable cities with must-see sites 

Emerald Cruises has compiled a list of cities where travellers can visit the highest number of top-rated attractions in a short span of time. 

Agents should recommend the below cities which have walkable layouts, meaning tourists can experience a lot of what a destination has to offer, even on a short visit.

The top-rated stopover destinations 

The top attractions per destination 

Barcelona 

1. Basílica de la Sagrada Família: designed by the famed Catalonian architect Antoni Gaudí, it’s the world’s largest unfinished Catholic church, recognised with UNESCO World Heritage Status. 

2. Placa de Gaudi: originally created as the Sagrada Familia’s garden, this picturesque square surrounded by lush greenery offers views of the basilica. 

3. Montjuïc Castle: former military fortress built in 1640, offering a historical dive into the city’s rich past and wonderful panoramic views of the city. 

Istanbul 

1. Basilica Cistern: the largest of the many ancient underground cisterns hidden beneath the Turkish capital’s streets, offering a fascinating glimpse into the world of Byzantine Constantinople. 

2. Beyazit Square: officially named ‘Freedom square’, the square brings visitors into the heart of Istanbul’s history, with the grand Bayezid II Mosque standing at its perimeter. 

3. The Boulder: a dog, known by the name of “The Boulder”, has become the top-rated tourist attraction in Istanbul. 

Seville 

1. Casa de Pilatos: One of Seville’s biggest private residences, the palace is one of the city’s best-preserved buildings, characterised by a blend of Gothic Mudejar and Renaissance styles.

2. Parque de Maria Luisa: As Seville’s largest and most visited park, it is a peaceful urban oasis with must- see attractions such as Plaza de España, the Museo Arqueológico and the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares. 

Venice 

1. Doge’s Palace: One of Venice’s main landmarks, the building is a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture. Inside the palace, visitors can explore historic rooms, appreciate iconic artworks, and walk through intriguing dungeons, crossing the famous Bridge of Sighs. 

2. Piazza San Marco: Called by Napoleon the ‘world’s most beautiful drawing room’, the city’s main public square is the heart of Venice, with iconic buildings such as the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Basilica and the Correre museum. 

Valencia 

1. Museo de Bellas Artes de Valencia: Spain’s second largest art museum, it showcases works from the 15^th to 19th centuries, including medieval paintings, sculptures, archaeological artifacts and showpieces by masters like Velázquez, El Greco, and Murillo. 

2. Gulliver park: Located in the east part of the Turia Gardens, it is one of the most popular parks in the city, featuring a large-scale Gulliver sculpture, inspired by Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, and slides, ropes, and tunnels, offering an interactive experience for children and families. 

Dublin 

1. Dublin Castle: Built in the early 13th century on the grounds of a Viking settlement, for centuries the castle acted as the centre of English and British governance in Ireland. Currently employed by the Irish Government for official occasions, it is a popular tourist attraction. 

2. Iveagh Gardens: Designed by Ninian Niven in 1865 as part of the Dublin Exhibition Palace, the gardens are one of the city’s most beautiful yet lesser-known parks, with unique features such as rustic grottos, sunken lawns, woodlands, a maze, a rose garden and archery grounds. 

3. Dublinia: The museum explores Viking and Medieval Dublin, offering a deep dive into Dublin’s fascinating history.   

Naples 

1. Piazza del Plebiscito: The largest square in Naples, its architectural beauty makes it one of the city’s most elegant locations, serving as the venue for several events and celebrations. 

2. Napoli Sotterannea: Located beneath the historic center of the city, this extensive network of ancient streets and squares, partly built by the Romans and Greeks, takes visitors on a journey through history. 

3. Catacombs of San Gennaro: Representing the history of Naple’s protector, San Gennaro, visitors can appreciate the city’s evolution over time and marvel at the ancient frescoes, intricate tombs, and final resting places of numeroussaints and bishops. 

Belfast 

1. The Tropical Ravine: A listed building in Belfast’s Botanical Gardens, reopened to the public in 2018 after a £3.8 million renovation. Behind its unique Victorian design, are rare plant species and a stunning waterfall. 

2. Titanic Belfast: Recognised as World’s Leading Tourist Attraction, the museum presents the story of the famed ship, from its creation and building to its debut voyage and mark in history. 

3. Museum of Orange Heritage: Located in Schomberg house museum, the museum explores the origins of the Orange Institution, its evolution over time and current role in British, Irish and global society. 

Porto 

1. Dom Luis Bridge: Porto’s most famous bridge, it is built on two levels, with the top one crossed by the metro and offering pedestrians views of the river Douro.

2. Miradouro da Vitória: One of Porto’s best-known viewpoints, it offers visitors a free panoramic of the city’s most iconic landmarks, like the Dom Luis bridge and the Ribeira district. 

3. Carmo Church: Built for the Carmelite order, the Church is one of the city’s oldest buildings, fascinating visitors with hand-painted azulejos and a striking organ with horizontal horns.  

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