Top 10 Most Medieval Towns & Cities In the World (5 of 6)

Hallstatt, Austria

Do not adjust the color setting on your screen, that’s just how Hallstatt looks in real life. Colorful houses leaning over the water, church spires piercing the sky, and mountains rising dramatically in the backdrop—this just might be the most breathtaking town in all of Europe.

Despite being tiny, Hallstatt is packed with history. They got painted skulls in the bone chapel, old wooden grave markers, and a salt mine that’s been operating for thousands of years up the hill. And with a beautiful lake like that at your disposal, it would be a shame not to utilize it for chill boat rides. This is the epitome of medieval perfection, accompanied by breathtaking scenery.

Istanbul, Turkey

If any city screams “epic historical crossover,” it’s Istanbul, or as people used to call it, Constantinople. It literally bridges Europe and Asia and carries layers of multiple cultures, including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history.

Massive monuments such as the Hagia Sophia, with its giant dome and jaw-dropping interiors, the Blue Mosque, with its iconic minarets, and the Topkapi Palace, where sultans once ruled, can be found in the city center. But the real melting pot of cultures is the Grand Bazaar—one of the world’s oldest covered markets. As a bonus, they love cats here, so you’ll never be bored!