Europeans live in shoebox-size apartments but they still manage to have an amazing collection of great shoes.

European women, especially city-dwellers, live in high heels. But beware… these fashionistas have years of practice navigating cobblestone streets and tricky city sidewalks so you might find yourself really struggling if you choose to wear a pair of sexy stilettos. Wedges are also a very popular and a bit more practical option since they offer extra walking surface.

No shoe collection is complete without a few pairs of boots. During the winter you’ll see tall leather boots everywhere but cute ankle boots are a popular choice during the rest of the year.

When the weather gets warm it’s time to break out the lightweight shoes. Strappy leather sandals, flats, loafers, and casual sneakers are all great choices.

If you’re going to be traveling to Europe I suggest leaving the uncomfortable shoes at home. But that doesn’t mean you need to bring ugly running shoes but I suggest a pair of cute sneakers, flat boots and a pair of comfortable sandals. If you do bring a pair of impractical shoes for going out make sure they’re not going to kill your feet. Also remember that a quality set of insoles can make shoes more comfortable.