The Best Walking Sandals for Europe Travel

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by Maggie Turansky


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Are you planning to visit Europe in the summer and are searching for the best walking sandals that will keep your feet both cool and comfortable? Well, look no further than right here!

Finding comfortable and stylish travel sandals for Europe can seem like a daunting task, especially as you’re going to likely want to keep your feet from aching as you traipse all over the cobbled streets of countless European cities.

With European cities known for their fashion-forwardness, finding the right cute pair of sandals can be a bit of a task. Luckily, there are a number of great sandals for both men and women that are perfect for walking around Europe in the summer!

Travel Sandals for Europe Comparison

Sandals Description Prices
Birkenstock Arizona
Birkenstock Unisex Arizona Sandal,Black Birko-Flor,37 M EU
Type: Slide
Sex: Unisex
Material: Leather
Check on Amazon

Check on Zappos
Birkenstock Yara
Birkenstock Women's Yara Leather Ankle-Strap Sandal,Habana,36 EU/5 M US
Type: Ankle Strap
Sex: Female
Material: Leather
Check on Amazon
Ecco Corksphere Sandal
ECCO Women's Corksphere Ankle Sandal, Limestone, 7-7. 5
Type: Ankle Strap
Sex: Female
Material: Leather
Check on Amazon
Clarks Brinkley
Clarks Women's Brinkley Jazz Flip Flop, Black Synthetic, 6
Type: Slide
Sex: Female
Material: Leather
Check on Amazon
Birkenstock Milano
Birkenstock Milano Sandal,Habana,40 M EU (US Womens 9, US Mens 7)
Type: Ankle Strap
Sex: Male
Material: Leather
Check on Amazon

Check on Zappos
Ecco X-Trinsic
ECCO mens X-trinsic Textile Strap Sport Sandal, Black/Cayote Textile, 11-11.5 US
Type: Ankle Strap
Sex: Male
Material: Textile
Check on Amazon
Clarks Un Trek
Clarks Men's Un Trek Part Sling Back Sandals, Brown Dark Tan Leather, 10.5 UK
Type: Ankle Strap
Sex: Male
Material: Leather
Check on Amazon


What to Look For in Travel Sandals

Choosing sandals can be tricky as most of the time, they don’t give your feet enough support to sustain walking for hours each day and the ones that do tend not to look super stylish.

That is changing, however, and there are actually a lot of cute travel sandals that are also comfortable, functional and prevent sore feet!

So many sandals are simply flat with minimal support. This is terrible for your feet and will leave you in pain after just a few minutes of walking. Sandals like this may be cute to wear on the beach or simply out for dinner, but they’re not going to withstand hours of walking each day.

Basically, you’re going to want to make sure that there is some sort of sturdy arch support in your sandals if you want to be comfortable during your summer European adventure.

And the other thing that you need to look out for is how sturdy the sole of the shoe is. Again, a lot of cheaper more “fashionable” sandals have very flimsy soles that won’t hold up on cobblestones, uneven pavement or hilly streets.

So you’re going to want to look for a sandal that has a decent, sturdy sole that can grip slippery, cobbled streets when necessary.

Walking Sandals on European streets
You’ll want comfortable sandals on Europe’s streets

Best Women’s Walking Sandals

Birkenstock Arizona

When it comes to writing about the most comfortable sandals to wear in Europe, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Birkenstock Arizona (also available from Zappos here).

As one of the most classic Birkenstock styles, this sandal has been making a comeback over the past few years and it is now very much in vogue. Let me tell you, this can only be good news.

This sandal comes in numerous different colours and styles, however, all are fundamentally the same. It’s a slide-style sandal with two large straps over the feet that can be adjusted with a buckle. The greatest thing by far about these sandals, though, is the footbed.

Birkenstocks are known for their innovative cork footbed that conforms to the shape of your foot over time, making these just about the most comfortable shoes you will ever own in your life. The support offered is second-to-none and they will last you for YEARS.

The only downside of them (and any Birkenstocks, for that matter) is that they do require a break-in period. Because of this, it’s best to purchase them at least a month in advance of your trip in order to ensure that you’re in peak comfort when you’re travelling.

Birkenstock Unisex Arizona Sandal,Black Birko-Flor,37 M EU

Birkenstock Yara

Still in my favourite Birkenstock brand comes a slightly more trendy style of sandal, the Birkenstock Yara. Because of their dainty straps but robust nature, these inarguably make some of the best sandals for women.

These sandals use the fundamental technology of the ergonomic cork footbed that conforms to your feet, which means that you can walk and stand for hours in the sandals without getting sore.

They have an ankle-strap design that is a little bit more feminine than the other model and they come in a range of different colours to suit anyone’s taste. It’s worth noting that they’re also going to need a break-in period.

If you’re looking for ankle-strap sandals, then you really cannot go wrong with picking up a pair of these sandals!

Birkenstock Women's Yara Leather Ankle-Strap Sandal,Habana,36 EU/5 M US

Ecco Corksphere Sandal

Moving away from Birkenstocks comes another of my favourite shoe brands and another great sandal option for Europe, the Ecco Corksphere Sandals. These sandals are modern, sleek and stylish and make for the perfect option for your trip to Europe.

They come in an ankle-strap style and are available in a couple of different colours.

They have soft leather straps and a discreet closure that makes them easy to slip on and off. They also have a cork footbed that, like the Birkenstocks, conforms to your foot so they keep getting more comfortable over time.

They are a bit more plush and soft than the other sandals mentioned thus far and likely don’t require the same kind of break-in period, however, it’s always inadvisable to bring absolutely new shoes on a trip so make sure to wear them a bit before you head off to ensure maximum comfort and minimal blisters!

ECCO Women's Corksphere Ankle Sandal, Limestone, 7-7. 5

Clarks Brinkley

Another great slide-style sandal to choose from is the Clarks Brinkley. These sandals are both stylish and practical and make for the perfect choice to add to your suitcase before heading off for a summer in Europe.

These leather sandals come in a number of different colours. They are strappy and feminine and can easily be dressed up or down — a major plus because it’s always nice to easily transition from day to night!

The straps are adjustable meaning that you can get a perfect fit and the sole has a lot of grip, meaning that it can handle cobbled streets well.

They also have a lot of cushioning and arch support available in this sandal, meaning that they should be comfortable to wear for hours on end no matter how much walking you end up doing!

Clarks Women's Brinkley Jazz Flip Flop, Black Synthetic, 6

Best Men’s Walking Sandals

Birkenstock Arizona

The first addition on my list of the best men’s sandals for travel is the same as my women’s the Birkenstock Arizona (also available from Zappos here).

Its unisex design is perfect for both men and women and both can find something to love about this classic shoe.

Birkenstock Men's Arizona Soft Footbed Sandals, Tobacco, Brown, 10.5 Women/8.5 Men

Birkenstock Milano

If you’re looking for an ankle-strap sandal that is still masculine and supportive, then the Birkenstock Milano (also available from Zappos here) may just be the best option for you.

This sandal is very similar to the Arizona, however, it also has a convenient strap around the heel that attaches it more securely to your foot if you’d rather not go for a slide-style sandal.

Like all other Birkenstock sandals, the Milano features the Birko-flor footbed that conforms beautifully to your foot.

Like the others in this list, that does mean that there is going to be a break-in period involved for this sandal, but not to worry. I promise that once these sandals are broken in, you will likely not have to purchase another pair of comfortable walking sandals for travel for a number of years.

These sandals come in a range of colours that will suit all kinds of styles and tastes. So if you’re looking for great men’s sandals, look no further than these!

Birkenstock Milano Sandal,Habana,40 M EU (US Womens 9, US Mens 7)

Ecco X-Trinsic

If you’re looking for a more traditional-looking sandal that doesn’t sacrifice style or comfort, then you’re sure to love the Ecco X-Trinsic sandals.

These textile sandals are cool and trendy while still also still being supportive and lightweight, making them perfect for travel and walking all over a European city.

They come in a number of different colours to suit all kinds of styles and they have a great, supportive footbed and sole that has good grip and arch support that will ensure your comfort for the entirety of the day.

They are also stylish enough to prevent you from looking too dorky while in a European city — just make sure that you don’t wear socks with them!

ECCO mens X-trinsic Textile Strap Sport Sandal, Black/Cayote Textile, 11-11.5 US

Clarks Un Trek

And finally on this list of the best pair of travel sandals comes the Clarks Un Trek, a perfect ankle-strap sandal for men travelling during a European summer.

These leather sandals have a classic look while still remaining stylish.

Their leather straps are fully adjustable and there is a robust sole and footbed that has great grip and arch support ensuring that your feet will remain happy while you’re exploring whichever European country you happen to be visiting.

They come in a range of colours to suit any kind of preference and have a timeless style and durable craftsmanship meaning that you can wear these sandals for years to come.

Clarks Men's Un Trek Part Sling Back Sandals, Brown Dark Tan Leather, 10.5 UK

Finding the perfect stylish, comfortable and cute pair of sandals for Europe doesn’t have to be a daunting task if you know what to look for. Any of the above-mentioned sandals are a great option for any European trip.

Are you searching for some great sandals to wear in Europe? Let us know in the comments!

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Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics.

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