Europe has countless stunning, well-preserved old towns, but only a handful stand out from all the others.
Here are 12 historical towns that we visited in the past 3 years that are pristine and timeless must-see beauties.
Most are located in rural areas, and you can visit them as part of a guided day trip from another major town or hire a car and explore the European countryside.
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Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Rothenburg is the classic fairytale town, and it definitely doesn't disappoint. Lanes of half-timbered colorful houses stand surrounded by a well-preserved medieval wall on a plateau overlooking a valley.
Here you will find the quintessential Grimm-brother tale atmosphere, and Rothenburg is located on the scenic Romantic road in Germany.
Plan a road trip or a day trip from the wine city of Würzburg, or the German gingerbread capital of Germany, Nuremberg.
Český Krumlov, Czechia
We stumbled upon Český Krumlov after having stopped in another fantastic city, Budweis, in Czechia.
Think mysterious Czech vibes with Lord of the Rings, and that's Český Krumlov in a nutshell.
The century-old multi-arched bridge and the Vltava River add a special atmosphere to this town, and I highly recommend adding this well-preserved town to your itinerary this autumn.
Sighișoara, Romania
Sighișoara, and 4 other Transylvanian towns, came highly recommended by a Romanian friend. Every step that you take in this medieval town takes you back 800 years into the past.
Located in the historical region of Transylvania in Romania, Sighișoara was built by German-Saxon settlers.
The architecture and cobbled streets give you a peek into the world of these highly skilled people and their culture.
Additionally, Vlad the Impaler, who inspired the author of Dracula, was born in Sighișoara.
Sterzing (Vipiteno), Italy
Sterzing is a little gem that not many know about. Once upon a time, this town and the region, South Tyrol, were part of Austria, together with the northern brother Tyrol.
Italy annexed South Tyrol in 1920, and since then, the people of the region have been part of Italy, yet they completely retained their culture and language.
The layout of Sterzing mirrors this tragic story. Here you will encounter typical pastel colored houses in the Tyrolean medieval architectural genre and the authentic Tyrolean soul.
Gerberoy, France
Gerberoy is one of the most beautiful villages in France, and it's not located near any of the other famous French towns.
Rouen is the nearest city to Gerberoy and you can plan a day trip there. Rouen, by the way, survived the bombing of the alleys during WWII and retained its charming appearance as well.
Henri Le Sidaner, a famed painter, made the flowering village of Gerberoy his home, and a stunning garden in his namesake is another must-see when in Gerberoy.
Alpbach, Austria
Alpbach is a village in the Austrian Alps, tucked away in a valley away from the hustle and bustle. The village is known for two things.
First, Alpbach is one of the most beautiful villages in Europe, and the honor was also given to Hallstatt. The local administration started to enforce a rule in the 1950s that every building needed to follow the old Tyrolean wooden farmhouse architecture style.
Second, Alpbach is the European Forum Alpbach which takes place every year in Alpbach. The forum brings together leaders and bright minds to cultivate ideas for a democratic Europe.
Ptuj, Slovenia
Ptuj is the oldest city in Slovenia. It was built by the Romans over 2000 years ago, who used the town as a strategic defense against their barbaric neighbors.
During the medieval period, Ptuj started to develop as a trading town. As a history buff, you will love exploring the Roman ruins, the old town, the medieval castle hill, and two traditional monasteries.
Vibrant rows of houses, cobbled streets, and the mud-red roofs will spark your imagination!
Rust, Austria
Rust is an understated place in eastern Austria. It is known as a free city and as one of the smallest cities, just like Rattenberg.
Wine has an age-old tradition in Rust. Set on the Neusiedler Lake, an important bird nature reserve in Europe, the wineries produce a unique sweet wine thanks to the environment, location, and technique.
The town is a wonderfully vivid and charming place to be. Storks nest on the rooftops, and the people are sincere, jolly, and trusting human beings.
Sibiu, Romania
Sibiu was one of my favorite cities in Eastern Europe so far.
Two large squares and medieval defensive walls, with super vivid houses in the typical Transylvanian style, make this town a great must-see discovery.
One of the largest outdoor museums in Europe, showcasing the various farmhouse architectures of the region, can be visited in Sibiu.
This town is truly underrated. You will get a great ambiance and tasty food at a fraction of the usual European vacation price. The best part is that you can just fly into Sibiu on one of the budget European airlines.
Bellagio, Italy
Bellagio is probably the most well-known town on Lake Como, and it's one of the best 5 lake como towns.
Strategically well-connected, Bellagio is the base for every traveler who wishes to cross the Lake Como triangle with a ferry boat to Menaggio or Varenna.
Unfortunately, due to that and its Insta-famous image, Bellagio has turned a bit into one of the most crowded Tourist towns in Europe. That said, you can time your visit and go to Bellagio in winter to avoid all the crowds.
That way, you will have this incredibly stunning town all to yourself!
Colmar, France
Colmar is often described as one of the towns that inspired Walt Disney's Beauty and the Beast.
Similar to Rothenburg, you will encounter timeless half-timbered building facades, but the difference here is the “Little Venice,” the canals and former fishermen's quarters of the city.
Get mesmerized on a canal boat ride or try some local Alsatian food delicacies. Colmar never disappoints in this regard!
Bergamo, Italy
The Romans built Bergamo on a hill in Lombardy, and the town flourished into an important medieval trade center.
In contemporary times, you will encounter a unique, completely walled city, which is accessible by an iconic funicular. At the top awaits you one of the most stunning Italian towns, a world of its own.
We were infatuated by Bergamo and its timeless beauty. Picture yourself walking down the narrow, car-free lanes eating some of the best Italian food in Northern Italy. It's a priceless experience in my opinion.
Add Bergamo to your Milan day trip itinerary!
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