Granada, Spain
The walled city of Granada is one of the best places in southern Spain to find evidence of the region’s Arabic influence. Granada’s architecture is home to the famous Alhambra palace and fortress complex, strategically placed on a hill overlooking the city, and a defensive position against Christian invaders from the 8th century to the 15th century.
Saint-Malo, France
The city of Saint-Malo was officially founded centuries later when a Welsh monk named Malo fled to Brittany in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. The city was then christened under the name of Saint-Malo, but it took several centuries to fortify it with its famous walls.
Rothenburg, Germany
It’s hard to visit Rothenburg without being enchanted by its ancient city, which was one of Germany’s largest settlements in the Middle Ages. With its colorful architecture and bright flower boxes, the town is also a big draw for tourists who want to stay in a fairytale town.
Assisi, Italy
Birthplace and burial place of Saint Francis, patron saint of animals and ecology, Assisi is a city with a religious center. It is home to the stunning San Francesco Cathedral. The original fortifications of Assisi held the city’s inhabitants for centuries, but a population boom in the 13th century prompted the construction of more ramparts to stem the city’s growth.
York, England
York is the best-preserved walled city in England, since the Roman occupation. Originally founded as a military settlement by the Romans in the 1st century, York built walls around the fort and surrounding villages to keep out invaders.
Carcassonne, France
Parts of Carcassonne date back to the 5th century BC. The fortified towns and castles are considered some of Europe’s most impressive medieval ruins. The castle has also played an important role in European history, including the Hundred Years’ War and the medieval Inquisition.
Toledo, Spain
A day trip from Madrid, Spain’s former capital, today’s capital, is a great display of Spain’s cultural history. The Alcantara bridge outside the city walls is a must-see. The old Roman bridge was once the gateway to the city of pilgrims.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is probably one of the most famous walled cities in all of Europe. With a length of 2 km and a maximum height of 25 m, the impressive city walls surround Dubrovnik’s entire Old Town. In the 9th century, the siege of Ragusa lasted 15 months and the ramparts withstood the attack.
Ávila, Spain
From the outside, Avila looks like something straight out of an Arthurian legend. This medieval city is surrounded by stone walls, crenelated towers, turrets, and several gates. The reason for these fortifications has a lot to do with the location of the city in the Middle Ages.
Tallinn, Estonia
Set within its city walls, Tallinn is a vibrant capital with ornate architecture, colorful gates, and a busy main square. Visitors can walk a short section connecting his three adjacent towers (out of a total of 26) and climb 157 steps to the Patkli platform for stunning views of Tallinn’s red roofs.
