Medieval Walled Towns in Europe We Visited and Loved

Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Germany)

Rothenburg ob der Tauber has probably one of the best-preserved old town walls that we have ever come across on our travels.

The fortified walls completely encircle the historic town, and you can walk along all the wall tops any time of the day.

Some sections are really great for private photoshoots, and we ended up spending a lot of time walking around, exploring the tower sections, keep, and wall areas.

Due to its fairytale elements, I recommend visiting in spring and autumn if you are aiming for specific photographs along the different wall sections.

Keep in mind Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a very popular tourist destination all year long, especially during the Christmas market period. The walls, however, tend to be less visited, simply because visitors don't know that they are open to the public.

Alba Iulia (Romania)

Alba Iulia is a town within a star-shaped fortress. We stumbled upon this fantastic place on our road trip across Romania, and it's one of our favorite walled towns for a good reason!

The town can be accessed from two major fortification entry gates in the south and north, which come with drawbridge aesthetics.

Not only the walls but also the moats are still very much visible. The earliest fortifications may have been built by the Romans, and a medieval fortress was built after that.

During the 18th century it was extended and modified by the Austrian-Hungarian leadership into a star-shaped citadel.

One of our highlights was a restaurant called Pub13, located within the old barracks in the citadel walls. It's a bit hidden, the decor is on point, and the Romanian food there was some of the best we had.

Dinkelsbühl (Germany)

Dinkelsbühl is situated near Rothenburg along the Romantic Road in Southern Germany, but it's not as well known by tourists.

Yet, this walled town is exceptional due to its setting and the way they have been holding to their traditions and architectural appearance.

Here you will encounter cobbled streets, charming houses, countless streets, and a complete walled town. I dare say, this is the best-preserved walled town we have encountered on our travels.

Every building has to adhere to a strict style and code. Businesses cannot advertise their shops and boutiques with out-of-place signboards.

Instead, everyone has the business name painted on the building or over the shop entrance.

The theme is compelling and definitely leaves an impression!

Piran (Slovenia)

Piran is an ancient town on the coast of Slovenia, near the Croatian border. The Romans had established the first strategic trading ports here. Later on, the historical town was completely fortified in the 7th century.

We recently got to visit Piran and we fell in love instantly.

If you look straight out into the Mediterranean Sea from the fortified walls, you can see the Venetian, Italian coast.

On the left is Croatia, and on the right is the famed Italian town of Trieste.

Piran should be on your list if you are looking for a warmer escape. Don't skip visiting Piran if you are in the region, especially if you are touring the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana.

Orvieto (Italy)

When we first arrived in Orvieto, the massive walls rising from the rock were impossible to miss.

You pass through the gate, and it feels like stepping into another time. As you wander the narrow streets, the walls appear again and again at the city's edge.

And when you finally stand on them, you'll pause too because the views over the Umbrian hills are unforgettable. I highly recommend it!

You'll also find a cathedral with black and white stripes that's incomparable to other religious buildings in the region.

But the true secret lies below the town. A maze of intricate underground pathways, partially connected to the fortification, can be explored as a visitor.

Nördlingen (Germany)

Nördlingen is just a stone's throw away from Dinkelsbühl and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The town is surrounded by the original medieval wall structure and its tower entry points.

The city isn't as touristy, and it's truly an outlier. Yet we felt that most visitors interested in medieval architecture should not skip Nördlingen, because you might not have this gem of a place to yourself once the masses discover it in a few years.

Interestingly, Nördlingen was erected within a 15 million-year-old meteorite impact crater.

The indent is known as the Nördlingen Ries, and you can learn more about it at the Rieskrater museum in Nördlingen.

Pitigliano (Italy)

Pitigliano, set in southern Tuscany, is probably one of the most fascinating sights in central Italy.

Built upon a former Etruscan foundation, the old town was fortified with sections integrated into the naturally formed carved rock structures.

The cliffs literally merge with the walls, and the town looks like it grows out of the rocks.

It's a dramatic sight, especially if you face it coming down with your car on those winding streets.

We visited in April, and spring is by far the best time, before the hordes of tour buses get there during the summer months.

Besides, the Tuscan hills surrounding the town come to life in the greenest of greens in spring.

Bergamo (Italy)

Bergamo is a lesser-known town in northern Italy, just a 30-minute Day trip drive away from the glitz and glories of Milan.

Located on the hill, the old town is completely surrounded by a Venetian fortification. Four entry gates can be accessed, and to get to the old town, you have the option to jump into a fun funicular ride.

The town walls never saw a battle, as Bergamo was never attacked (a rare case, if you ask me), and therefore, the afterworld inherited pristine walls.

In Bergamo, you get to enjoy the panoramic view, but we were much more smitten by the narrow alleyways and typical buildings of the region.

Here you can shop to your heart's content for local bites and Italian food souvenirs/gifts.