Which Are The Best Cities In The World For Accessible Travel?

A study has been run to find which cities in the world are the best for accessible travel. Of interest to note, most in the top ten are in Europe where Florence and Venice in Italy tie as number one. Next in line is Antalya, Türkiye. Read more to find out which cities come up in the top 10 for travelers with accessibility needs, making a vacation great for the whole family.

Best cities in the world for accessible travel

A study was run by Compare the Market Australia, which ranked 56 cities around the world to establish which is best for those travelers with accessibility needs.

1. Florence and Venice in Italy

Florence and Venice share the number one spot with total index scores of 9.91. Moreover, they both earned the top spot for two of the study’s categories. It might be surprising that historic cities with mostly cobblestoned streets rank so high on the list. However, both cities have made great efforts to make the streets and attractions accessible to all.

Moreover, it is particularly impressive that Venice comes out tops due to the residents’ and visitors’ reliance on narrow alleys and high bridges. However, Venice made its main mode of transport the vaporetto, with wheelchair-friendly boarding ramps. This mode of transport takes visitors and disabled folks across the city. Venice also boasts the highest number of hotels with wheelchair access and facilities for disabled guests helping it tie in first place with Florence.

Meanwhile, Florence comes out tops for 153.2 disabled-friendly activities per 100,000 people, while Venice only had 66.7 per 100,000. Moreover, it ranked tops for restaurants with wheelchair access, at a rate of 293.7 per 100,000.

2. Antalya, Türkiye

Antalya is the tourism capital of Türkiye and is renowned for its beautiful coastlines, lavish resorts and ancient architecture. However, it is also accommodating and accessible for those with accessibility needs.

The city comes in fourth place for wheelchair accessible activities and hotels with facilities for disabled guests, while it also comes seventh for wheelchair accessible restaurants. Moreover, it also scores for smooth walking streets and accessible trams and buses, while the wheelchair accessible Konyaalti Beach is ideal for those with accessibility needs to enjoy the Mediterranean.

3. Rome, Italy

Rome is Italy’s third entry on the list and with its many historic landmarks, is a popular travel destination for any traveler. Meanwhile, the city has ensured that those with accessibility needs can also enjoy all the attractions

When it comes to wheelchair-accessible activities, Rome ranks fifth, while hotels come in third place and fourth for wheelchair-accessible restaurants. Meanwhile, the city has a vast selection of guided tours to accommodate those with accessibility needs. Among these are the iconic Colosseum and the Pantheon, both of which are wheelchair accessible.

4. Darwin, Australia

Heading down under, Australia’s northernmost capital, Darwin comes in fourth place with its tropical climate and wheelchair-accessible options. Moreover, it comes up in the top five for wheelchair-accessible hotels and hotels with facilities for disabled guests. On top of this, the city’s centralized design and small size make it a pleasure for those with mobility issues.

Meanwhile, due to Darwin’s cultural and touristic significance, the city has focused on guided, multi-day tours of the surroundings, suitable for those with accessibility needs.

5. Milan, Italy

Milan is similar to the other Italian cities in the list and is known for several historic sites including the Duomo di Milan and Sforzesco Castle, both of which are accessible for the disabled. Meanwhile, its biggest strength in the list is its wheelchair-friendly restaurants. Moreover, while founded with cobblestone streets, Milan’s city center is paved with flat roads, allowing for easy accessibility between landmarks.

6. Prague, Czechia

Prague in Czechia features sixth in the list and is another historical European city with cobblestone streets. However, the city has an excellent public transport system that is accommodating for those with accessibility issues, including low-floor trams and city buses with wheelchair ramps. Moreover, despite being a large city, accessible transport options allow anyone to explore this beautiful city and its attractions, including Prague Castle, the largest castle complex in the world.

7. Hobart, Australia

Coming in seventh place, Hobart is a well-known destination for food tourism. For this reason, it is no surprise that this Australian city is ranked at five for wheelchair-accessible restaurants. Moreover, its compact layout offers frequent buses that can cater to accessibility needs for easy travel across the city.

Meanwhile, the wilderness that surrounds Hobart offers a range of accessible activities including scenic lookouts, and historic landmarks like the 19th-century penal settlement Port Arthur and its gardens.

8. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai has earned its position at number eight on the list as the United Arab Emirates has historically had a forward-thinking approach to those with disabilities, referring to them as people of determination. Of interest to note, Dubai is working with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Studies to become a Certified Autism Destination.

Due to this, the city’s design, with the Dubai Metro fitted with wheelchair and lift access across each station throughout the city. However, the majority of the surrounding desert remains difficult for those with limited abilities, and the attractions in the city itself are mostly accommodating for those with accessibility needs.

Moreover, Dubai’s city parks are often equipped with complimentary wheelchairs and staff trained in sign language. Also, those with disabilities are often eligible for discounted or free tickets to many of the city’s attractions, including theme parks and water parks.

9. Amsterdam, the Netherlands

The Netherlands as a whole is remarkably flat and this also extends to Amsterdam allowing for easier access for those with accessibility issues. Moreover, the city’s famous canals are easily navigated by those with accessibility needs. The boats also provide tourists with a unique view and experience of the city, offering access to some of its unique attractions, like the Bloemenmarkt, the only floating flower market in the world.

10. Cancún, Mexico

Sitting at number 10, Cancun in Mexico is one of the country’s main tourism hotspots and for good reason. The city is surrounded by ancient Mayan ruins, which can be accessed through tours. Moreover, Cancun features idyllic beaches, some of which offer wheelchair and accessibility options, as well as accessible hotels to allow all tourists to fully enjoy their time in this beautiful city on the Mayan Riviera.

The importance of travel insurance

Adrian Taylor, Executive General Manager of General Insurance at Compare the Market Australia, notes the importance of understanding travel insurance covers, saying:

Whether it’s Darwin or Dubai, planning a vacation can be an exciting experience, but understanding what your travel insurance covers you for will ensure your vacation remains stress-free. This is especially true when traveling with disabilities or any pre-existing medical conditions.

There are a lot of different factors to consider, and each disability or pre-existing medical condition will have different priorities and requirements to consider. It is important to compare travel insurance plans to find the best deal that covers you for your specific requirements and vacation.

Readers can view the full results of the study here.