Exploring a city on foot allows you to see the sights and burn some calories at the same time. Business Traveller suggests five places to stretch your legs

STOCKHOLM

The picturesque Swedish capital is built on 14 islands and the most central walking routes are around Kungsholmen, Ostermalm, Gamla Stan (Old Town), Sodermalm and Djurgarden. For a city walk, begin at the Royal Palace and lose yourself among the narrow, labyrinthine streets of Gamla Stan. Cross the bridge by the Sheraton Stockholm hotel on Tegelbacken to the red-brick tower of the city hall, and dip into its pretty courtyard. From here, follow the water’s edge along Norr Malarstrand, a popular leafy route, taking in views across Lake Malaren.

To escape city life altogether, head for Djurgarden, an island almost entirely dedicated to parkland. Djurgarden’s quiet walks can be reached by boat or on foot along the elite Strandvagen boulevard and over Djurgardsbron bridge. You could explore this island for hours, but a great option is to start at Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, a former royal residence, and follow the waterside pathway. It’s a good spot for watching the numerous cruise ships, and there are a few good cafés along the way. Walk as far as you wish into the rural wilderness, then take the historic tram back to central Stockholm.

SYDNEY

There are few better cities to walk in than shiny happy Sydney, and in this case the most obvious route really is the best. Sydney Harbour is handily located just north of the central business district, so when you get a break from your meetings, walk up George Street in the direction of Circular Quay and take in the spectacular vista ahead of you. From here, you can either walk left towards the historical Rocks area – a fascinating place to explore on foot, although the cobblestones will slow you down – or head right towards the Opera House and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Amble through the tranquil gardens to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair – the spectacular view from here of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge is the one you see on postcards. For another panorama that screams Sydney, head to Bondi Beach and take the two-hour clifftop walk from there to Coogee Bay. You’ll pass the laid-back Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly beaches, as well as Waverley Cemetery, which faces out to sea from the top of the Bronte cliffs – the finest resting place you could hope for, unless you’re phased by posthumous erosion.

BOSTON

The sedate Massachusetts capital is one of the most walkable of US cities, and its civilised feel means your blood will slow even when the streets are busy. If you’re staying in the Back Bay area, where many of the top hotels are located, begin by making your way eastward along the grand, tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue, taking in the traditional brownstone houses and statues of American heroes as you go. At the top, continue through Boston Public Garden and Boston Common, both popular with locals for a stroll. From here, you can pick up the city’s most famous walking route, the Freedom Trail – follow the well-worn pavement markings past Boston’s famous Revolutionary-era sights.

The streets around here are quite dense and busy, so if you find it a bit too much, cut through downtown towards the harbour. This area has undergone huge development in recent years, and a visitor-friendly walkway has now been completed from Charlestown in the North End to Boston Design Centre in the South – walk along the numerous wharves and enjoy the bustling atmosphere. Visit www.bostonharborwalk.com for iPod walking tours and maps.

BERLIN

This once-divided city is sufficiently compact for discovering on foot and reminders of the past merge with the present, giving Berlin an edgy, modern atmosphere. To understand its geography, head to the top of the soaring Fernsehturm TV tower (E10/US$15) by Alexanderplatz and you’ll get a good view of the part-Gothic Marienkirche below and, nearby, the red-brick Rathaus and the lie of the River Spree.

Back down on the ground, from Berliner Dom cathedral, head across to the Unesco World Heritage Site, Museum Island, and then along Unter den Linden – a boulevard lined with linden trees. From here, cross to the Staatsoper in Bebelplatz, scene of Nazi book-burning, and on to the old French quarter, Gendarmenmarkt. Head south for Checkpoint Charlie’s iconic photographs of tanks and barbed wire, and then trace the line of the Wall, where you’ll come across preserved sections with some thought-provoking graffiti, until you reach ultra-modern Potsdamer Platz. Lastly, walk north to the Brandenburg Gate and finish at Norman Foster’s spiralling glass Reichstag. Visit www.berlinwalks.com for guided tours in English.

GLASGOW

Begin in the centre of the city at one of his creations, now a museum, the Lighthouse. Climb his spiral staircase to the tower for one of the best views of the city. From here, head north to the Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchiehall Street, and take a breather on one of Mackintosh’s oversized chairs (it feels as if you have been shrunk like a character in Alice in Wonderland).

From here, it is only a short stroll to the Glasgow School of Art, which is celebrating the centenary of its completion this year. His character really shines here, and it’s worth timing your visit to coincide with a guided tour by one of the students, who can explain the ideas behind the building’s great design and decoration with passion.