There are 44 countries in Europe with lots of beautiful cities, and nearly all have cities with an “old town” section; in fact, many countries have several such cities. Exploring and staying in the old towns in Europe is usually my preferred agenda item. They offer a quintessential peek into centuries gone by, complete with candy-colored structures, clock towers, red-tiled roofs, ancient churches, fascinating monasteries, and more.

Gothic, medieval, Baroque, Renaissance, and more, there’s nothing better than strolling along the narrow cobblestone streets to admire the architecture or having a coffee in one of the expansive town plazas to chat or people-watch.

Narrowing down to ten was a formidable task, and at best, subjective. In fact, if you ask me next month, some of the old towns on this list could very possibly change position.

Here was the criterion for my selection of the best old towns in Europe:

• Old but not medieval architecture per se
• At least one town square
• Restaurants and boutique shops
• Goldilocks – not too small like fortress cities such as Carcassonne or Mont Saint Michel, and not too spread out so it’s not walkable
• Only one country for this list

I also did not include some cities that are known to have gorgeous old towns such as Tallinn and Amsterdam because I have not seen them in person.

Best Time to Visit

Summer in Europe is overrun with tourists. Unless you like being jostled and elbowed, I would recommend visiting Europe during the shoulder season. May and September are ideal – fewer crowds, not as hot, and prices can be less than high season.

I realize sometimes high season cannot be avoided; I once visited Europe in August on a Mediterranean cruise that was to celebrate my fiancée’s birthday. If that’s the only time you can go, by all means, don’t miss the chance to explore the unique old towns in Europe.

INSIDER TIP: Ready to try a road trip abroad? It’s easy! This International Driver’s License covers 150 countries! Get it in 8 minutes!

Without further ado, here are my favorite old towns in Europe:

10 Krakow, Poland

In the south of Poland near the Czech border, UNESCO World Heritage city Krakow tops many lists as the oldest and most beautiful city in Poland.  It’s a picturesque city with an Old Town brimming with historic architecture and Gothic spires, and a massive, eclectic castle, all centered around the Vistula River.

Krakow was rebuilt in the 13^th century, after being ransacked by the Mongols. It reached its height of power in the 14^th century under Casimir III the Great. Unlike much of Poland, which was destroyed during World War II, Krakow today looks much the same as it did back then.

Read: Best Places to Visit in Poland

9 Lucerne, Switzerland

Lucerne is a picturesque city in Switzerland known for its pristine medieval architecture. The city sits on Lake Lucerne with snowcapped mountains on the horizon. Its colorful Altstadt (Old Town) is bordered on the north by the Musegg Wall, a 14-century rampart.

The highlight of Lucerne is the covered Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge), built in 1333. Tragically, the original bridge which links the Aldstadt to the Reuss River’s right bank burned down on August 18, 1993. As luck would have it, I did have the opportunity to see the original bridge the year before. The destroyed bridge was quickly restored in April 1994.

8 Nafplion, Greece

Nafplion, a two-hour drive from Athens, is a small harbor town with a backdrop of a beautiful hilltop castle. Located on Greece’s Peloponnese Peninsula, Nafplio is drenched in beauty and history. The picturesque Venetian old town has squares and cobbled side streets that are full of tavernas and bars, some with sea views.

We stayed in an apartment directly overlooking the old town. While we had to climb 137 every time we wanted to explore or eat in the picture-perfect town, it was worth it. Not to mention the sunrise over the town with the blue harbor behind was stunning.

You can easily spend two or more days in Nafplion as it’s a great base for spending time at the adjacent beach or exploring nearby ancient sites like Mycenae and Mystras.

7 Lviv, Ukraine

Just 40 miles from the Polish border, the vibe of the Ukrainian city of Lviv is decidedly un-Soviet, not even typical Ukrainian, more like Prague or Budapest, but without the elbow-to-elbow crowds or the high prices.

Vibrantly-painted examples of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture rise up from all sides of Rynok Square, the heart of Lviv’s UNESCO old town. For centuries Lviv was on a major trade route, attracting the best architects from all over Europe.

The best view of Lviv is from the bell tower in the City Hall building. The tall turret is old, and the 220 dizzying spiral steps to the top are foot-worn and uneven. Visitors on their way back down squeeze by each other in the tight shaft space. But if you persist, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular 360° panorama of the colorful old town.

Extra tip: Lviv has the most delicious and FUN food culture of any European country I’ve visited!

Read: Lviv’s Outrageous “Emotional” Restaurants

Read: Tour Ukraine: Ultimate Guide to Kyiv, Lviv, and Odessa

6 Sibiu, Romania

Built in the 12th century by German settlers known as Transylvanian Saxons, Sibiu’s pristine old town has retained its grandeur and is not just one of the prettiest towns in Romania, but in all Europe. It’s a pedestrian city, with an imposing medieval wall, well-preserved towers, narrow streets, gabled 17th-century buildings, the infamous Liar’s Bridge, and two church-dominated squares – Great Square and Little Square which are considered to be among the most beautiful European squares. FITS, Sibiu International Theater Festival complete with parades, live music and performances, fireworks, and free prosecco is hosted by Sibiu every June.

It was really hard to stick to my directive of just one old town per country; Sighisoara in Romania also is widely considered one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. The impeccably unspoiled 16th-century mix of hilly cobbled streets, turrets, towers, burgher houses (homes of the wealthy bourgeoisie), town squares, and ornate churches has been compared to the magical ambiance of Old Prague or Vienna. Sighisoara is also the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, also known as Dracula, although the two are unrelated as one is a factual historical figure while the other is fiction.

Read: Things to Do in Romania That Will Blow You Away!

5 Rothenburg, Germany

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a storybook German town in northern Bavaria known for its virtually untouched Medieval Altstadt (Old Town) with half-timbered medieval architecture and narrow cobblestone alleys that seem to be frozen in time.

One of the best things to do in Rothenburg is to walk the old town walls – known as the Tower Trail. The town walls include preserved gatehouses, towers, ad a covered walkway. The medieval Town Hall has a tower with panoramic views and the Burggarten is a perfect place for a stroll.

The Plonlein in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the most photographed spots in all of Germany The name Plönlein refers to the triangular plaza where the roads converge. It contains a fountain, the two towers of the old city wall, and the famous yellow tilted, crooked house. The Plönlein is so aesthetically magical it’s been used as a model for video games and movies such as Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio” (1940).

Because of the festive decorations and market, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the best European Christmas destinations.

4 Bruges, Belgium

Known for its rich chocolate, fluffy waffles, and handmade lace, Bruges is one of the most beautifully preserved cities in Europe. Fairytale medieval architecture, cobblestone alleys, and picturesque town squares are traversed by shimmering canals.

In the UNESCO city center, the 14th-century Stadhuis (City Hall) has an ornately carved ceiling. Nearby, Market Square features the Belfry – a 13th-century 47-bell tower with outstanding panoramic views.

Beautiful squares oozing old-world charm, gingerbread houses, flower-strewn parks,  appealing canals, and the possibility of seeing so much in Bruges in one day, make it a favorite destination for romance-seekers. Minnemeer (Lake of Love), was named for the romance between Mina and her warrior sweetheart, Stromberg; folklore ends tragically with Mina’s death. Grieving Stromberg buried her underneath the lake, and legend has it that couples who kiss on the bridge over the lake are promised everlasting love.

3 Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

My first sighting of the castle and idyllic town from the window of our car took my breath away. I’ve traveled throughout all of Europe, and the castle Český Krumlov is one of the most picturesque sights I’ve ever seen. The utterly adorable town of Český Krumlov virtually begs visitors to leisurely stroll its picturesque cobbled streets.

Located about four hours south of Prague, this enchanting town is nestled in the hills and countryside of the South Bohemian region. The Vltava River twists, turns, and bisects the town forming a natural moat around part of the castle.

The old town highlight is the fairytale castle, built in the 13th-century by the Vítkovci family. One of the features of the castle is the vibrantly-colored round tower, originally built to guard the river entries. You can (and should) climb the 162 steps for a panoramic view of the old town and the river at the top.

Full disclosure: I agonized over whether to include Cesky Krumlov or Prague on this list. Prague is also gorgeous, boasting an expansive old town that includes Gothic and Baroque architecture, a medieval Astronomical Clock, and the 1402 pedestrian Charles Bridge lined with statues of Catholic saints.

Read: How to Spend a Weekend at Cesky Krumlov

Read: 12 Unique Things to Do in Prague

2 Colmar, France

Storybook candy-colored half-timbered houses, gleaming canals, and flower boxes dripping with color everywhere make Colmar seem to float on your consciousness like a dream. Cobblestone alleys twist through the Old Town until they spill out onto delightful little squares.

Medieval, early Renaissance and Gothic buildings adorn the old town. The city is on the Alsace Wine Route along the Rhine River, and local vineyards specialize in Riesling and Gewürztraminer wines.

You can’t help but feel like this charismatic pedestrian old town in northeastern France near the border with Germany seems like it’s plucked straight out of a fairytale…and for good reason. Allegedly Colmar was the muse for Disney’s Beauty and the Beast movie.

1 Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, historically known as Ragusa, is called the “pearl of the Adriatic” and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

Perched above the Adriatic Sea in southern Croatia, the old town offers jaw-dropping views over the red-tiled roofs juxtaposed against the brilliant blue sea just beyond. I am not exaggerating when I say that driving down to the old city from the airport was surreal and that first sight remains unforgettable.

The dazzling old town section of Dubrovnik has been exquisitely preserved to maintain its medieval allure. Ancient churches, secluded monasteries, and small cafes tucked into the narrow side streets seduce visitors who will not want to leave. Trust me.

Recently, Dubrovnik has become one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea, enjoying even more massive fame as the Kings Landing filming site for the HBO hit series Game of Thrones. Tours of the Game of Thrones filming sets throughout the old town are very popular.

Read: Dubrovnik Game of Thrones Tour Review

Read: Walking Dubrovnik’s Ancient Wall

Read: Balkans Travel Guide

Click below to PIN so you can find old towns in Europe again:

About the Author

Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.

Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.