The Top 10 Historic Old Towns in Europe

Sometimes it's not a specific building or spot that makes a visit memorable, but it's the overall ambience of the city centre itself. These are some of the most beautiful in Europe.

10. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

This Bavarian town is famous for its virtually untouched medieval Altstadt (Old Town), complete with half-timbered architecture and narrow alleyways. It feels genuinely frozen in time, with the iconic Plönlein corner being a favourite photo spot. Usually visited as a day trip from Munich.

Famous Connection: The town's aesthetic heavily inspired the village in the Disney film Pinocchio (1940), and it was used as a setting in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

9. Venice, Italy

Built on more than 100 small islands, Venice's historic centre is unique for its complete lack of roads, relying instead on a network of canals and pedestrian alleyways. The Old Town centres on the grandeur of St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace.

Famous Connection: The explorer Marco Polo was born in the Venetian Republic. The city has starred in countless films, including The Tourist, Casino Royale, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Nestled in a dramatic meander of the Vltava River, this small city is a jewel of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Its Old Town is dominated by the colossal Český Krumlov Castle and offers stunning riverside views. It is often cited as the quintessential medieval European town.

Famous Connection: Often used as a quintessential European "fairy tale" setting. It was a key location in the film Hostel and the 2006 movie The Illusionist.

8. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

7. Colmar, France

Located in the Alsace region, Colmar is known for its colourful half-timbered houses, canals, and traffic-free historic district. Its blend of French and German influences gives it a distinctive, storybook charm. It is a small city with a compact town centre, but breathtakingly beautiful. Typically visited as a day trip from nearby Strasbourg.

Famous Connection: Allegedly the muse for the village setting in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The town is the birthplace of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, sculptor of the Statue of Liberty.

6. Salzburg, Austria

Situated on the banks of the Salzach River with the imposing Hohensalzburg Fortress looming overhead, Salzburg's Old Town is a stunning blend of Baroque architecture. It is internationally renowned as a cultural hub.

Famous Connection: The birthplace of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the primary setting for the classic movie musical The Sound of Music.

5. Krakow, Poland

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Krakow's Old Town is a picturesque area brimming with historic architecture, gothic spires, and a massive medieval Market Square (Rynek Główny), one of the largest in Europe.

Famous Connection: The city was the long-time home of Pope John Paul II (Karol Wojtyła). Nearby sites are famously connected to Oskar Schindler (depicted in Schindler's List).

4. Tallinn, Estonia

The capital's Old Town is an immaculately preserved medieval gem, enclosed by thick defensive walls and towers. Wander its winding, cobbled lanes to discover Gothic spires, merchant houses, and medieval taverns, particularly in the lower town.

Famous Connection: The Old Town's atmosphere is often likened to a storybook setting, making it a popular, though sometimes disguised, filming location.

3. Ljubljana, Slovenia

The charming capital of Slovenia boasts a pedestrian-friendly Old Town nestled between a castle-topped hill and the Ljubljanica River. Its architecture is marked by a blend of Baroque, Renaissance, and Art Nouveau styles, heavily influenced by the work of architect Jože Plečnik.

Famous Connection: The city's famous Triple Bridge and other architectural marvels were designed by Jože Plečnik.

2. Prague, Czech Republic

The Old Town (Staré Město) of Prague is a masterpiece of Gothic and Baroque styles, centred around the historic Old Town Square. Key attractions include the medieval Astronomical Clock and the statues lining the pedestrian Charles Bridge.

Famous Connection: Home to the writers Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera. The city has been a backdrop for numerous films, including Mission: Impossible and Amadeus.

1. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Nicknamed the "Pearl of the Adriatic," this UNESCO-listed city is famous for its imposing medieval walls, which encircle a dazzling Old Town of limestone-paved streets and Baroque architecture. Walking the walls offers incredible views of the red-tiled roofs and the deep blue sea. There is nowhere else that quite offers the same blend of medieval city surrounded by a spectacular ocean view.

Famous Connection: Served as the primary filming location for King's Landing in the hit TV series Game of Thrones.