12. Edinburgh, Scotland

A city rich in history, offers delightful strolls and an inherent incline towards the main city centre, thanks to its hilly terrain.

Edinburgh is widely regarded as one of the top cities to reside in.

Exploring the city on foot will leave you with a satisfying workout, toning your glutes and legs, almost like a day at the gym.

The restaurants and nightlife are great, the tap water is so fresh (random memory), the lifestyle all around is seemingly healthy and there’s always a choice of nice gyms to sign up to once the walks become less of a challenge. Or you could just end up going a little further north to the next place on the list.

However, it's not the cheapest of cities and will get very cold in the winter. For those who need milder weather, this list has more options.

11. Fort Williams, Scotland (Ben Nevis)

Ah, the highlands of Scotland.

You won't encounter a milder winter than in Edinburgh, but I still hold cherished memories of Fort William. Mainly due to the fact that it's where Ben Nevis sits looking proudly over the UK as the highest peak. So there are definitely good hiking and camping spots.

There are also amazing lakes (or lochs) for some world-class fishing, great hotels, and apartments, not to mention skiing in the winter!

Check out my hike up Ben Nevis in the post here - Scotland - A beginner's climb up Ben Nevis.

10. Moab, Utah, USA

Ok, so Moab doesn't have as diverse a terrain as perhaps other cities on this list but it offers an abundance of natural beauty you really can't find anywhere else. The 'hotels' are actually mostly motels and rarely offer gyms.

But the vibrant town offers so much more.

The canyons nearby, the hiking trails, the rivers, the biking (motor and pedal), and quad biking opportunities in the area are simply amazing experiences.

Sure most of its beauty lies inside the national parks but Utah State is something unbelievably stunning and worth just driving through to get a sense of something really special.  

A hike that can take you to a view like this needs to be on the list...

Related: Moab, Utah: National Parks, Where to Stay and Things to Do - Ultimate Guide on a Few Days in Moab.

6. Bergamo, Italy

So maybe I'm a little biased with this because it's my home town BUT there is so much to do in this Lombardy region of Italy for the active traveller.

Hiking trails galore, biking fanatics welcome, great walks and trails, amazing food, and many gyms to choose from.

More importantly the nearby and not so nearby (Lake Garda) stunning lakes and the historical city centre called Citta Alta (High City) – a city surrounded by Venetian walls which, by the way, the steep gradient is not a walk for the faint-hearted.

Check out my comprehensive guide to staying in Bergamo, Italy: Your Ultimate Travel Guide.

5. Split, Croatia (and Omis)

Not only is Split a beautiful city, but it also has many active things to do.

The coast offers a place to bathe in the balmy summer sunshine, and there is a beautiful hill, in the city, to hike up whenever you need a strenuous walk. There are ample gyms, vibrant nightlife, great history, great weather, good Wi-Fi, amazing food, and great walks and biking along the promenade and beyond.

I've also cheated a little on this one as I've added Omis which is a nearby town where Split's itinerary extends to white water rafting and amazing hiking trails in the mountains.

The gym I found was actually on the beach and made out of wood! Check out my beach gym sessions in Split and my white water rafting adventures in Omis.

4. Chang Mai, Thailand

A hub for digital nomads. A place full of adventure, waterfalls, hiking, some history with truly stunning temples, great food, great Wi-Fi, and the cost of living is what sets this city so high on my list and makes this particular area in Thailand a great place to live.

3. Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Colorado is a great state to live in for so many reasons.

The weather is diverse, freezing cold snowy temperatures in the winter, and scorching hot summers with chances of tornados sprinkled in between. But still maintaining 300 days of sun a year. The weather itself is an adventure!

The wildlife is phenomenal, you can expect to see a huge range of insects, birds of prey, and big animals roaming free here, including bears, elk, and moose.

In touching distance to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, hiking trails and waterfalls are abundant.

A biking and gym culture is seemingly ingrained here.

The nearby (relatively speaking) areas of Boulder, Aspen – world-renowned ski resort, Telluride, the national parks and Colorado Springs, and the many, many lakes, make the entire state an amazing place to visit and live.

It makes sense why so many people are moving here. Add good Wi-Fi (in most urban areas) and you really have something here.

Colorado in general is not cheap, it's not the most expensive place on this list but if it was more along the Thailand or north Cyprus levels of affordability then it would surely have been higher on this list.  

Related: 15 Fun and Exciting Things to Do in Colorado.

2. Machu Picchu, Peru (and Cuzco)

The Inca Trail is infamous worldwide.

There is a wide range of options when it comes to Machu Picchu hiking tours, allowing you to embark on the trail for various durations based on your expertise and available time.

The trail alone is an adventurer's dream. Then seeing Machu Picchu in all its splendour is an amazing end to an exhausting hike.  

I was also surprised to see that Machu Picchu has a vibrant little town and although it's a commercial area (so the prices are hiked), you could stay here for a week without feeling like you have to leave. Maybe accommodation on the outskirts is better though.

If that seems a little too busy and not accessible enough then Cuzco (where most people stay before embarking on this journey) is a great alternative that is bursting with culture, good food, history, and all the good stuff we so appreciate.

Remember, Cuzco is located at altitude so you may notice some of the effects associated if you choose to stay here indefinitely.  

Check out more info for tours here, or if you want to book a Machu Picchu hiking tour, find some great options on Tripadvisor.

Related: Peru Travel Guide: 13 Best Places to Visit.

1. Rome, Italy

The eternal city that really does have it all.

The hustle and bustle of a major city but it's more than just that. It's also more than the ridiculous amount of history.

Outside of the main city are so many great areas to visit and spend time in. Whether you are looking for adventure or hiking trails, waterfalls, or the beach, this city has been second to none in my opinion.

If you were to do a checklist of where to live that has everything then the outskirts of Rome is ideal.

Yes, any major city is expensive to live in and Rome is no different but you can still find great deals for long stays if you just stay slightly further out.

The transport links, especially the trains, in and out of the city are great. The high-speed trains can link you up and down the backbone of the country. My journey from Milan to Rome highlights this perfectly.  

The beautiful gardens of Tivoli just a 45-minute train ride in the Lazio region is a place you really shouldn't miss either – If you've never heard of this hidden gem, check it out on the link above.

Rome also has the nearby beach resort of Ostia and that whole coast, as well as some of the best food in Europe. Find your perfect stay in Rome with booking.com.

Certainly, when considering a digital nomad lifestyle, it's essential to take into account factors such as visas and sanitary conditions. To assist you in preparing for becoming a digital nomad, I have compiled a thorough guide highlighting key aspects you should consider - The Realities of Digital Nomadism.

Final Thoughts on the Best Cities for Active & Adventure Travel

Cities can change so drastically in each country, America is a perfect example of this.

These days I'd rather know your best cities than your favourite countries – although I'm not discouraging that discussion either.

With each city providing a degree of something different than the previous, it's no wonder that lists like this are so popular.

With active travelling becoming ever more popular, lists like these are becoming ever more necessary.

For me, some places do not have everything but they have something that makes them stand apart, things that you would only realise once you have travelled through them and immersed yourself in the beauty of it all.

Having an active and adventurous spirit certainly helps determine which cities will stand out for you as they have done for me.

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