Top 10 Most Medieval Towns & Cities In the World (3 of 6)

Sighișoara, Romania

Sighișoara is a colorful, cute town and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the real-life Dracula. If that doesn’t evoke a sense of the medieval era, what else could?

The citadel is full of painted houses, cobbled alleys, and defensive towers, and Vlad’s supposed birthplace sits right on the main square. There are more castles and ruins nearby, which tie into the region’s “Dracula trail,” but even without the vampire marketing, Sighișoara would still be one of Europe’s most atmospheric tourist magnets.

Siena, Italy

Siena resembles one of those paintings from Super Mario 64 that you can leap into. Right in the center is Piazza del Campo, a shell-shaped square from the 1300s where tourists like to sunbathe, snack, and people-watch. Twice a year, the calm explodes into the Palio, a chaotic bareback horse race between Siena’s rival neighborhoods. The surrounding mansions, the fresco-covered Palazzo Pubblico, and its towering Torre del Mangia all add to the charm.

Just a few streets away, you’ve got the striped Siena Cathedral with its wild interiors, mosaics, and art by Renaissance legends. Oh, and of course, there are castles and wineries here too. It wouldn’t be Italy without some delicious wine.