Step by Step, Our Walking City Guide

In an era where the pace of life seems to accelerate daily, the simple act of walking offers a grounding counterpoint. For families, it’s a way to explore without pressure - to notice what might otherwise be missed: a beautiful view over rooftops or the calm of a sun-dappled path.

Across Europe’s most characterful cities, gentle trails and green spaces invite all ages to wander together.

Edinburgh: Historic streets and wild peaks

In Edinburgh, even the shortest walk is steeped in history. Stepping out from The Balmoral, where the New Town meets the Old, it’s a short walk to the start of the Royal Mile - linking Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Wander at your own rhythm, pausing in Dunbar’s Close Garden, a secret green space tucked away behind stone walls, before detouring down Victoria Street, a colourful curve of shopfronts said to have inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. 

For something wilder, Holyrood Park opens out at the city’s edge. The climb to Arthur’s Seat - an extinct volcano said to be the location of King Arthur’s legendary Camelot - winds past lochs and gorse, its grassy paths rising gently toward the summit. Routes vary, but each offers the same reward: a panoramic view over the city and out to sea.

Rome: Garden paths and ancient roads

Consistently voted one of the world’s best cities to explore on foot, Rome reveals itself best through walking. From Hotel de la Ville, perched atop the Spanish Steps, it’s a short walk into Villa Borghese - a garden world of hidden fountains and sweeping views. Rent a bike or pedal boat, or wander through the Bioparco - Rome’s historic zoo - home to elephants, lemurs and giraffes. Near the southern edge of the park, Hotel de Russie offers another way in, past rows of neoclassical sculptures.

Beyond the centre, the Appian Way unfurls - a straight, ancient path once marched by Roman legions. Today, it’s far more peaceful. Flat and open, it’s lined with worn stones, crumbling aqueducts and tall cypress trees. Imagine yourself a spear-wielding centurion, walking the same route once taken by soldiers, emperors and travellers thousands of years ago.

Munich: City parks and mountain reflections

In Munich, walking weaves together the city’s stately elegance and its love of the outdoors. While The Charles Hotel overlooks the Botanical Garden, the Englischer Garten - just a short walk away - offers something more expansive. One of the largest urban parks in the world, families can watch surfers ride the Eisbach wave, or settle at the Chinese Tower beer garden - a lively, open-air spot popular with both locals and children.

South of Munich, the landscape begins to shift. The trail around Lake Spitzingsee - just over an hour’s drive into the Bavarian Alps - is gentle and circular, hugging the water’s edge with alpine peaks mirrored in the still surface. Along the eastern shore, a small playground near the trail offers a pause for younger walkers, with nearby wooden huts serving warm food. 

Each of these adventures begins at one of our hotels - The Balmoral, Hotel de la Ville and Hotel de Russie, and The Charles Hotel - a reflection of the city and a place to return to after a day well walked.