Do you want to travel to the old continent but don’t know where to go? One of the great wonders of Europe is the vast number of cities and towns that date back to ancient times. And the Middle Ages is one of the most loved periods by many tourists and connoisseurs. If you are an adventurer who wants to visit beautiful places full of history, impressive architectural monuments, and traditions of past eras, then stick with us! Today we’ll be visiting 18 Most Beautiful Medieval Towns of Europe.
Kazimierz Dolny, Poland
Kazimierz Dolny is a town rich in beautiful scenery. It has attracted tourists and artists for more than a century, thanks to its medieval charm, There is much to see, such as the stone castle that still stands in the city, a relic of past times dating back to King Casimir III in the Middle Ages If you are an architecture fan, you cannot miss a visit to the houses of Saint Nicholas and Saint Cristobal. Renaissance-style buildings that were built in 1615 and decorated mainly with the saints’ effigies they owe their name.
Gniew, Poland
Gniew, Poland Considered one of the oldest cities in Poland, Gniew still preserves many traces of medieval times since its creation in 1297. One of its main tourist attractions is undoubtedly the Gniew Castle, considered in ancient times as the most imposing fortress of the Teutonic Knights. Within its facilities operates the archaeological museum of Gdansk where you can see exhibitions, tournaments that make historical reference to the knights, and collections of medieval traditions, customary in those times.
Besalú, Catalonia, Spain
Besalú is one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Europe, and today receives a lot of tourism for that reason. When you walk through Besalú, everything reminds you of medieval times. You can see large stone arches between the streets of the village and houses built in solid rock with beautiful designs. One of the biggest attractions here is its colossal bridge, originally built to cross the river Fluvia. At each end, it has two massive walled gates that guard the passage.
It is one of the best-preserved bridges and will make you feel like you’re right in the Dark Ages. While in Besalú, you can’t miss a visit to the old town, where imposing monuments such as the Church of Sant Pere stand still. Initially built in the tenth century this church is today an architectural jewel of Catalan Romanesque art.
Hervas, Spain
Hervas, Spain One of the best secrets Spain keeps to itself is Hervás, a small town located in the valley of Ambroz With narrow stone streets, and a peaceful, quiet life is how the inhabitants of Hervás spend their days. Beautiful cobbled houses where they run tapas bars and restaurants with an offer as varied as possible. One of the must-visits is the Jewish quarter. The beautiful decoration of the houses goes hand in hand with the surrounding vegetation in this neighborhood. And they even run a tourist office where you can learn everything about Airbus!
Cochem, Germany
Cochem is a beautiful medieval village located in the Moselle valley. Extensive vineyards surround this village, and beautifully colored houses complement the charm that emanates from the landscape. One of the main attractions is Richburg Castle, a vast building located on a hill above the city. The construction dates from the 11th century. It has a charming gothic design, and inside, all the rooms have rich decorations from the time.
The Cochem Historic Center is another emblematic place that you cannot miss. It stands out for the large wooden houses, all colorful and slate roofs in the purest German style From here, you can visit the church of St. Martin, or the market square, famous for the stalls selling local food and fruits.
Dinant, Belgium
Dinant is a beautiful Belgian town located in the region of Wallonia some of the important though tragic episodes in the history of the city, Dinant still retains that medieval charm of times past, guarded by the Meuse River. A monument worth seeing is the Collegiate Church of Notre Dame. It has a beautiful Gothic style dating from the sixteenth century, which owes its current appearance to its last renovation in 1924.
Carcassonne, France
If you want to feel like you are in another era, visit Carcassonne in France. A citadel that is currently considered the best-preserved fortress in Europe. Completely walled and with massive towers guarding its walls, Carcassonne dates from the third and fourth centuries. Thanks to this antiquity and its untouched beauty, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.
The city itself is lovely; you can enjoy the views from the old bridge, stroll through the ancient streets that run through the citadel Learn about the city’s history within the walls of the Condal Castle, and admire the beautiful architecture of the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire. Or the Hotel de la Cite, which served as lodging for famous people of contemporary history. Carcassonne has several festivities celebrated throughout the year.
Hallstatt, Austria
A beautiful village on the shores of Lake Hallstättersee, it looks like something out of a fairy tale. Thanks to its medieval charm and the beauty of the surrounding nature, it is considered the most beautiful village in Austria. In consequence, the only possible way to preserve it was to declare it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And oh boy has it worked! The place is amazing!
Visiting the Skywalk viewpoint will leave you breathless while watching at the foot of a vast cliff over 300 meters high. It offers spectacular views of the Swiss Alps, as well as the lake in its entire splendor. Another tourist attraction would be the Rudolf Tower, which was built in 1282 with a height of approximately 855 meters. It offers spectacular views of the entire valley and is a top-rated tourist attraction.
Alkmaar, Netherlands
The beautiful city of Alkmaar, located 40 minutes from Amsterdam, is a relatively small city, full of canals and adjoining houses that evoke traditional Dutch architecture. Tourists and locals know Alkmaar as the cheese capital, and it has a beautiful historic center. The historic district contains many monuments and buildings worth visiting. The famous town hall is one
Piran, Slovenia
Travelers know it as the pearl of Slovenia due to its incredible beauty. Piran is one of the most beautiful coastal cities in the whole country. Its birth is thanks to the salt mines, which are still producing and have been the engine in forming this magnificent city. Pass by the Tartini House, home of the composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini. If you want to keep a picture of the whole city, enter the famous bell tower of the Cathedral of St. George, dating from the seventeenth century and built in a beautiful baroque style.
Volterra, Italy
In Italy, we find a very ancient Tuscan city, Volterra, a town that maintains a memorable and picturesque atmosphere. This city is a faithful witness to different architectural trends ranging from the Roman periods to the Renaissance itself. Volterra is rich in history, and one of its oldest and most important monuments is the town hall, better known as the Priori Palace. There you can see beautiful medieval frescoes after their construction in 1239.
Fredrikstad, Norway
Norway is a country full of beautiful cities and history. But there is one place in particular that still retains the medieval beauty of past times. In Northern Europe, no town has stood the test of time better than Fredrikstad since its construction in 1567. An area called the Old City can only be accessed by ferry as it is entirely walled in. However, the military remains of the city are still there.
There are old military buildings, wooden houses, and even a museum. You can learn from the different items that date back more than 300 years… These exhibitions are immovable witnesses of the city’s history!
York, England
York was founded by the Romans in 71 AD and occupied by the Vikings in the ninth century. Although its city’s past was Roman and Viking, the monuments that have survived are from medieval times. This was thanks to the power of The Church and the iconic house of York. A must-see is a visit to the impressive Gothic cathedral, the largest in Northern Europe. You also must take a walk along the medieval wall. If you prefer, you can take a tour through the cobblestone of the old town. Then, visit The Shambles, an alley of half-timbered buildings of the fourteenth century.
Mont Saint-Michel, France
A magical island topped by a gravity-defying medieval monastery, the Mont-Saint-Michel counts among France’s most stunning sights. For centuries one of Europe’s major pilgrimage destinations, this holy island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is its breathtaking bay. Modern-day pilgrims still make the journey here, crossing the Bay of Saint-Michel by foot at low tide.
Known as “The Heavenly Jerusalem” and the “Pyramid of the Seas,” this little rocky islet off the coast of Normandy was built between the 11th and 13th centuries. Today, it is one of the most visited places in France, the Mont Saint-Michel welcomes approximately 2.5 million guests a year. With over one thousand years of history under its belt, who could blame anyone for wanting to experience this iconic island?
Quedlinburg, Germany
When you travel to this city, you will feel like you are traveling back in time. This city can be found north of the Harz Mountains and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the historic part of the city, more than 1300 colorfully painted wooden houses and cobblestone streets are gathered. Quedlinburg is home to the oldest house in Germany, built in the early 14th century.
Florence, Italy
Florence, Italy Bellisima! There is no other word to describe this beautiful Medieval Town. Florence is undoubtedly an open-air museum due to the great architectural gems, sculptures, and paintings throughout the city. Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo left their footprints in this place! In Florence, you can visit beautiful churches, palaces, and squares. The Piazza del Duomo, The Cathedral, The campanile, The battistero, Piazza della Signoria, and Palazzo Vecchio. Places you should not miss on your next visit to Florence.
Vilnius, Lituania
Vilnius, Lituania Once called by Napoleon as “the Jerusalem of the North” Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and its largest city. It is a modern and sophisticated city, where medieval patrimony and modern architecture stand side by side, with lots of attractive and stunning places to visit. Vilnius Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features architectural styles from different times. Hundreds of elegant Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings stand beside stylish restaurants and cozy cafés. In the heart of Old Town, you will find the old campus of Vilnius University which is one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe.
If you want an outstanding example of Gothic architecture don’t miss St. Anne’s Church, and if you want to see a Baroque architectural masterpiece, head to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. probably the most spectacular panoramic view of Vilnius’s top of Gediminas’ Hill. There you will not only find a complete view of beautiful houses and small streets but you will also get to see the Gediminas’ Tower, the remaining part of the upper castle from the 14th -15th centuries.
Mdina, Malta
In the northern region is a fortified settlement. Throughout the Middle Ages, it served as Malta’s capital until the Order of St. John designated Birgu as the administrative center. It’s still a walled city with a population of less than 300 people today. The adjacent town of Rabat houses a further 11,000 outside the city walls. The city was founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC as Maleth and was later renamed Melite by the Romans.
Mdina is now one of Malta’s most popular tourist destinations, One of the reasons for the city’s nickname as the “Silent City” is that it does not allow any cars other than ambulances and those belonging to residents. Explore the city walls, the Roman Catholic St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the French Baroque Palazzo Vilhena at your leisure.
Many of these towns managed to harmoniously combine the great monuments of their past with the promise of tomorrow. So don’t miss the opportunity to visit one of the 18 Most Beautiful Medieval Towns of Europe and give yourself the chance to learn more about the origins of the old continent.
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