One of the most exciting promises of virtual reality is the ability to travel instantly. For users with a headset like the Meta Quest 3 and an omnidirectional treadmill, the world is quite literally at their feet. The experience is no longer limited to playing games; it extends to genuine, physical exploration. So, what cities can you virtually walk in VR, and what gear do you need to start your global trek?

The Two Main Ways to Walk the World in VR

The cities you can explore depend entirely on the type of VR content you are using. Generally, virtual travel falls into two categories:

Photorealistic Global Mapping: This method uses real-world geographic data, often sourced from satellite imagery and high-resolution street view captures (like Google Street View). Apps like Wander (available on the Meta Quest platform) allow users to drop into almost any city street that has been mapped.

Pro: Access to millions of real-world locations—from New York City to a small village in Norway.

Con: The fidelity is often limited to 360-degree flat images, not fully rendered 3D environments, though the sense of place is strong.

Fully Rendered Virtual Cities: These environments are built from the ground up by developers. They are often replicas of real cities (e.g., Paris in a flight simulator) or fantastical cities heavily inspired by real locations.

Pro: Full 3D environment, allowing for true spatial immersion and interaction.

Con: Limited to the locations chosen and built by the game developers.

 

Key Cities and Locales You Can Explore

While it’s impossible to list every street you can visit, the most accessible and impressive virtual explorations include:

Major Global Hubs: Virtually every major city with established road systems is available in photorealistic apps. You can stand in Times Square (New York), stroll along the Seine (Paris), wander through Shibuya Crossing (Tokyo), or visit the historical centers of Rome and London.

Historical Sites: Travel is not limited to modern cities. VR allows you to physically walk through places like the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Great Wall of China.

Natural Wonders: While not strictly "cities," many apps allow you to hike the Grand Canyon, walk through dense jungles, or explore the icy plains of Antarctica, all while getting a real workout.

Enhancing Exploration with Physical Movement

Just viewing a 360-degree photo is passive. To truly walk in these virtual cities, you need a locomotion solution. Pairing your headset with an omnidirectional treadmill like the katvr c2 transforms the travel experience.

The katvr c2 allows you to physically walk in place, and that movement is translated directly into the virtual map. Walking down a street in virtual London requires you to physically walk forward, making the experience far more engaging than using a controller stick.

For maximum comfort during these extended virtual treks, users often benefit from Meta Quest 3 holder accessories, which secure the headset firmly, reducing slippage and minimizing potential discomfort often associated with meta quest motion sickness during continuous movement.

"The sense of scale and presence achieved by physically walking through a virtual city is unparalleled. When I step off my treadmill after a 'hike' through Kyoto, I feel the fatigue of the journey, not just the simulation."

Software and Platform Requirements

To begin your global walking tour, you need the right tools:

Headset: Any current Meta Quest model (Quest 2, Quest 3).

Locomotion Hardware: An omnidirectional treadmill (like the katvr c2) for walking, or at least a large, clear play space for room-scale movement.

Key Apps & Platforms:

Wander / Google Earth VR: For photorealistic, map-based travel.

Dedicated Fitness Apps: Some apps are specifically designed to sync real-world routes (e.g., a marathon course) with your treadmill, offering a virtual guide.

Game Worlds: Many games on the meta quest plus games list have open-world cities, which can be used for fitness exploration, though movement may be constrained by game mechanics.

It is worth noting that continuous movement in VR, especially when using an omnidirectional treadmill, requires the system to maintain high performance to prevent meta quest motion sickness. The stable tracking and performance of the Meta Quest headsets are key to a comfortable virtual journey.

Conclusion

The cities you can virtually walk in VR are practically limitless, thanks to photorealistic mapping applications and the growing number of fully rendered game environments. By combining a Meta Quest 3 headset with an omnidirectional treadmill like the katvr c2, you transform passive viewing into active physical exploration. This setup is not just about gaming; it’s a powerful tool for fitness and cultural enrichment, allowing users to experience the world's most famous locations one step at a time.