Planning to explore Europe’s best medieval towns? Unlike busy tourist cities, these remarkable small towns have kept their medieval charm perfectly intact.

From dramatic hilltop fortresses to riverside trading posts, each offers travelers an authentic journey into the past.
Here are 20 beautifully preserved medieval towns where you can experience genuine medieval Europe.
20 Best Medieval Towns in Europe to Visit
Discover 20 of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns where history comes alive around every corner.
1. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
One of the best medieval towns in Europe, Rothenburg ob der Tauber showcases remarkable medieval architecture, carefully preserved and restored after WWII.
The complete medieval wall circuit encompasses remarkable half-timbered buildings and cobblestone streets.
The Market Square features the 13th-century Town Hall, while St. Jakob’s Church houses the remarkable Holy Blood Altar.
Visitors can explore the Medieval Crime Museum and walk the covered rampart walkways that offer views across red-tiled roofs.
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2. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
This medieval Europe town centers around a 13th-century castle perched above the Vltava River.
The castle complex features an exceptional Baroque theater and elaborate gardens.
The UNESCO-protected center preserves its medieval urban layout, with cobbled streets winding between Gothic and Renaissance houses.
The Church of St. Vitus showcases the town’s architectural heritage, while the castle tower provides panoramic views.
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3. San Gimignano, Italy
Among the oldest towns in Europe, San Gimignano’s distinctive medieval towers dominate the Tuscan landscape.
Of the original 72 tower houses, 14 remain, standing as testament to the town’s medieval prosperity.
The historic center centers around Piazza della Cisterna, while the Collegiate Church houses important 14th-century frescoes.
The medieval walls offer sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside.
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4. Óbidos, Portugal
This white-washed medieval town, encircled by 13th-century walls, sits atop a hill in central Portugal.
The castle, converted into a luxury pousada, dates from the Moorish period.
Traditional houses line the main street, Rua Direita, their walls decorated with bougainvillea.
The Church of Santa Maria, with its 17th-century tiles and painted ceiling, occupies the main square.
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5. Eguisheim, France
One of the best old towns in Europe, Eguisheim’s unique circular layout reflects its origins as a medieval village built around a central castle.
The town’s concentric streets follow the original protective walls, while well-preserved half-timbered houses showcase traditional Alsatian architecture.
The remains of the 8th-century castle, birthplace of Pope Leo IX, stand at the village center.
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6. Rye, England
Once positioned directly on the English Channel, this former medieval port town sits proudly on a hill in East Sussex.
Mermaid Street, with its steep cobbles and half-timbered houses, remains virtually unchanged since medieval times.
The 12th-century St. Mary’s Church tower offers views across Romney Marsh, while the Ypres Tower, built in 1249, housed defenses against French raids.
7. Dinan, France
Protected by impressive ramparts stretching nearly 3 kilometers, Dinan showcases medieval Brittany at its finest.
The town’s port quarter connects to the hilltop via the steep Rue du Jerzual, lined with artisan workshops.
Half-timbered houses lean over narrow streets, while the 40-meter Tour de l’Horloge provides views across ancient rooftops and the River Rance.
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8. Santillana del Mar, Spain
Often called “the town of three lies” (neither holy, flat, nor by the sea), this medieval gem preserves its Romanesque character perfectly.
The Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana forms the town’s heart, surrounded by noble houses with coat-of-arms emblazoned facades.
The medieval cobbled streets remain as they were during the town’s heyday.
9. Monpazier, France
Founded in 1284, this bastide town represents one of the best-preserved medieval planned communities.
Its perfect grid layout centers around a magnificent central square with original market arcades.
The town maintains 32 of its original stone houses and unique architectural elements like medieval measuring tables used by merchants.
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10. Korčula, Croatia
Built on a small peninsula, Korčula Town showcases Venetian-era architecture within medieval walls.
The town’s streets form a herringbone pattern, designed to provide natural cooling while protecting from strong winds.
The supposed birthplace of Marco Polo contains a 14th-century Gothic-Renaissance cathedral and numerous medieval palaces.
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11. Sighișoara, Romania
The medieval citadel of Sighișoara stands as the last inhabited medieval citadel in Europe.
Its iconic Clock Tower, built in the 14th century, still marks time as it did centuries ago.
The town preserves nine medieval towers, colorful burgher houses, and the house where Vlad the Impaler was born in 1431.
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12. Trogir, Croatia
Set on a small island, Trogir’s medieval core contains a remarkable collection of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
The 13th-century Cathedral of St. Lawrence features the magnificent Portal of Radovan, while the Kamerlengo Fortress guards the harbor.
Narrow medieval streets wind between preserved palaces of ancient noble families.
13. Beilstein, Germany
Known as the ‘Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle,’ Beilstein has remained largely untouched since the 17th century.
The ruins of Castle Metternich overlook the small town, while medieval wine cellars tunnel beneath the streets.
The town’s position, squeezed between the Moselle River and steep vineyard slopes, has preserved its medieval character.
14. Bacharach, Germany
Surrounded by medieval fortifications and vineyards, Bacharach exemplifies a Rhine River medieval town.
The ruins of Stahleck Castle overlook timber-framed houses and the Gothic ruins of the Werner Chapel.
The town’s medieval wine trade heritage lives on in historic taverns and the 15th-century market house.
15. Riquewihr, France
Nestled among Alsatian vineyards, Riquewihr appears frozen in the 16th century.
The town’s fortified walls enclose streets of perfectly preserved colored timber-framed houses.
The Dolder, a 13th-century defensive tower, still guards the entrance, while the Thieves’ Tower contains a medieval torture chamber.
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16. Gruyères, Switzerland
Perched high above Alpine meadows, Gruyères seamlessly blends medieval architecture with living traditions.
The commanding 13th-century castle crowns the hilltop, while a single cobbled street winds through the heart of town.
In medieval buildings beneath the castle walls, artisans continue centuries-old cheese-making traditions, and restaurants serve the town’s namesake fondue.
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17. Locronan, France
Named after a 10th-century Irish hermit, Locronan prospered from sail-making in medieval times.
Renaissance merchants’ houses built of local granite line the central square, while the 15th-century church contains remarkable period woodwork.
18. Rocamadour, France
Built vertically against a cliff face, Rocamadour has drawn pilgrims since medieval times.
The town rises in three levels: the medieval village at the base, religious sanctuaries in the middle, and a castle crowning the complex.
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19. Meersburg, Germany
Cascading down to the shores of Lake Constance, Meersburg unfolds across two distinct levels, each telling its own story.
The Upper Town is crowned by Germany’s oldest inhabited fortress – a 7th-century castle that dominates the skyline.
The Lower Town features a mix of medieval and baroque buildings.
20. Monemvasia, Greece
Connected to mainland Greece by a single causeway, this Byzantine fortress town sits on a massive rock rising from the sea.
The Lower Town contains the main settlement with narrow paths winding between stone houses, while the Upper Town holds ruins of Byzantine churches and fortifications.
Final Thoughts on the Best Old Towns in Europe
These medieval towns offer travelers a genuine glimpse into Europe’s past, where history isn’t just preserved in museums but lives on in ancient streets, time-worn stones, and continuing traditions.
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