Top 10 Most Medieval Towns & Cities In the World (4 of 6)

Carcassonne, France

Does that name ring a bell? Maybe that’s because it’s one of the biggest tabletop games ever. Anyway, it may look like Carcassonne is basically a giant castle, but it’s much more than that—it’s an entire fortified town. Double walls, dozens of towers, and a web of narrow streets will transport you straight to the olden days of knights and wizards.

Originally fortified by the Romans and later built up by medieval lords, Carcassonne once guarded major trade routes. Today you can stroll along the ramparts, explore the stone gatehouses, and look out over the countryside like a 14th-century lord.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is the underrated medieval gem of the Baltic. While tourists flock to bigger capitals, its Old Town quietly shows off perfect storybook charm with its thick stone walls, red-roofed towers, crooked streets, and pastel houses wrapped around Town Hall Square.

Once known as Reval, Tallinn was a wealthy trading city, and it still feels like a walkable stage set. Climb up to the viewpoints over the Old Town, look down at the towers and church spires, and you’ll understand why it feels more like a fantasy RPG hub than a modern European capital.