• The most beautiful ancient cities in Europe. Ancient names of medieval cities: list, history and interesting facts

    25.11.2023

    Would you like to visit the most beautiful cities in Europe?

    But to visit them, you first need to get to know them a little. We present to your attention a selection of the 10 most beautiful cities in Europe that everyone would love to visit at least once in their life!
    Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities in Europe:

    Paris. France

    “Being Parisian does not mean being born in Paris. This means being born again there."

    Sacha Guitry (French writer)

    Prague. Czech

    Saint Petersburg. Russia

    Petersburg- city of white nights. Not many European capitals and simply beautiful cities can boast of this. Over its relatively short 310-year history, the city has grown to impressive sizes and has nurtured countless historical monuments of architecture and beyond.

    Saint Petersburg- our northern capital. The calling card of the city is its drawbridges, attracting tourists from all over the world!

    Foggy city on Neve as if it is intended to combine two opposite sides of urban formats: the modern fast pace of life, the never-ending hum of wide avenues with the comfort and miniature streets of past centuries, framed by old houses and parks.

    Walking through the streets and squares St. Petersburg Every now and then, architectural monuments of indescribable beauty emerge before your eyes, as if out of the fog: Winter Palace, with the current state museum Hermitage, Alexandria pillar, Saint Isaac's Cathedral, Admiralty, Peter-Pavel's Fortress...Yes, truly, it is too much to list the beauties St. Petersburg it can take a very long time.

    Helsinki. Finland

    Budapest. Hungary

    One of the most beautiful cities not only Europe, but also Mira. It stands on the second longest European river - Danube and is called pearl of the Danube.

    The most picturesque panorama of the city overlooking Danube And Houses of Parliament - symbol Budapest , listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    On the map Budapest appeared relatively recently, in 1873, with the merger of three neighboring towns Buda, Obuda And Pest. But the place itself is ancient; people settled there 2 thousand years ago.

    Modern city abounds museums, exhibitions, art galleries and many historical And architectural monuments.

    The most beautiful cities in Europe are of interest to all tourists who are going to see something new, enjoy a pleasant holiday and just good impressions.

    It’s not every day that you get to travel to Europe, so you need to know the top 10 amazing cities that are worth visiting.

    If you decide to live in a beautiful place for some time or go for permanent residence, we still recommend paying attention to the very beautiful and quite cozy cities from our rating.

    The top 10 most beautiful cities in Europe are revealed by two cities in Italy. Rome is in the first position, but Venice is not far behind, its place is in second.

    1 place


    Rome is considered the Eternal City; it unites centuries-old history, culture and modernity. Probably the first thing every tourist in Rome will rush to see:

    1. Coliseum. Indeed, this place has become a real symbol of the city and the most famous archaeological site of Rome.
    2. The Roman Forum and the Palatine are considered the center of public life in Ancient Rome. Here were the most important buildings of the city, which now attract many tourists with their picturesqueness. The Roman Forum is simply mesmerizing when viewed during sunset.
    3. Piazza Venezia is considered the most important intersection of the Italian capital; there are always a lot of travelers here, and the main attraction is the impressive Vittoriano monument.
    4. You can see the grandeur of the Christian building dedicated to the pagan Gods if you visit the Pantheon temple. The dome of the structure is considered the largest in the world, in addition, it gives an amazing lighting effect. The Pantheon houses the tombs of famous people, for example, there is the tomb of the world famous artist Raphael.

    On a note! The Colosseum is the name of the ancient Roman amphitheater, which at one time saw gladiator fights.

    By the way, those who want to return to Rome again should definitely look at the Trevi Fountain and throw a coin into it. The size of the fountain is surprising; it is considered one of the examples of Roman Baroque.

    2nd place


    Venice is not just a pleasant city, but a whole country of love, romance and kisses. You only need to come here with your significant other to plunge into this atmosphere. The fact that the city is located on the water already makes it special, unlike any other. In addition, there is also something to see and enjoy here.

    You should carefully examine San Marco, the main square of Venice. All the buildings on it are unique, so if you have time, you should try to examine this place as carefully as possible and record it not only in your memory, but also in photographs.

    St. Mark's Cathedral captivates with its charm and grace - it is simply impossible to take your eyes off it. It is a place of pilgrimage and a Christian shrine.

    The Doge's Palace will surprise you with its unrealism and grandeur, and the Church of Santa Maria del Rosario will enchant you with the splendor of its facades. The Bridge of Sighs is considered the place where you can see all lovers; there is even a legend that says that a couple who kissed here will be together until the end of their days.

    Beautiful Athens and magical Amsterdam

    Places 3 and 4 in the top 10 beautiful European cities belong to Athens and Amsterdam.

    3rd place


    Most travelers come to Athens solely for the sea, but there is a lot to see here. The first thing that will attract the attention of guests of this wonderful city is the Acropolis. This architectural monument is known all over the world; moreover, all of Greece is proud of this historical complex.

    An interesting place is the ancient market, which is located at the foot of the Acropolis; it once existed not only as a place of trade, but also as the cultural heart of the city.

    Fans of historical sights will be surprised by Keramikos (an ancient city), as well as the archaeological museum and the port of Piraeus, which welcomed merchant ships for more than 2,000 years.

    Those who love panoramic views will love the beauty of Philopappou Hill, and those who like something original should visit the Monastiraki market. This is where you can buy amazing souvenirs and gifts for your family.

    4th place


    To enjoy the beauty of Amsterdam, you must first see the flower market. Just for this place you can fall in love with the city, because here you can find different flowers, the existence of which is difficult to even imagine in your head.

    There are other attractions thanks to which Amsterdam attracts tourists. We are talking about Dame Square, where the Royal Palace is located, considered the most famous building in the city.

    It’s hard to imagine Amsterdam without a walk through the Red Light District and a tour of the Van Gogh Museum.

    Stylish Prague, incomparable Warsaw and Hallstatt

    The middle of the top 10 beautiful cities in Europe is Prague, followed by Warsaw and Hallstatt.

    5th place

    Prague is truly a very beautiful city, it has a lot of incomparable architecture, interesting places and attractions.

    You can fall in love with Prague at first sight, regardless of the weather and time of year. Its Old Town Square will convey the atmosphere of medieval architecture and allow you to travel back in time for several hours.

    The Old Town Hall will attract special attention. You can enjoy the beauty of the old town with the Charles Bridge, which is considered the most romantic place in Prague. If you make a wish while on this bridge, it will definitely come true. Picturesque views open here in the evening.

    6th place

    The beauty of Warsaw opens from Palace Square, next to which is the beautiful St. John's Cathedral, and if you look at the ancient streets, you can feel the flavor of the old city, feel the atmosphere and spirit of the history of Warsaw.

    Every tourist will be enchanted by the Market Square, where there are a lot of museums. You can just take a walk and see the outskirts of Warsaw in the Royal Lazienki Park, there are many castles, pavilions and interesting landscape compositions.

    7th place

    7th place in our TOP 10 belongs to Hallstatt, although this city is not very advertised by travel companies, but it will give real beauty.

    This small town is considered a piece of paradise, because its nature will not leave anyone indifferent. There are beautiful views from the lake here; Hallstatt combines amazing architecture, mountain nature and the stunning beauty of the lake.

    Strict Madrid, charming Geneva and Helsinki

    8th place

    Madrid is eighth in the top 10. The beauty of this city lies in a large number of amazing places that are not found anywhere else. There are a huge number of museums here that present paintings by world artists.

    The Royal Palace of Madrid, the Cibeles Fountain, as well as a large number of theaters and parks will surprise you with their pomp. You can truly “get imbued” with the spirit of this city at a bullfight.

    9th place

    The ninth line belongs to Geneva, the calling card of which is considered to be the Jet Deaux fountain.

    You can explore the surroundings of Geneva by walking along the embankment, visiting the historical center of the city, admiring the flower clock, and also enjoying the beauty of St. Peter's Cathedral.

    10th place

    The last place in the top 10 is occupied by Helsinki. Modernity and lightness are combined here; each street surprises with its elegance, memorable buildings and museums.

    Incomparable views open up at Senate Square in the capital of Finland, in Esplanade Park, at the Old Market and Trade Square. The ensemble of copper pipes located near the monument to the composer Sibelius will also charm tourists.

    Each city from the TOP 10 will attract and surprise tourists with something of its own, and will be able to give extraordinary emotions and a sea of ​​impressions.

    Also, before visiting the cities, we recommend watching video blogs about the first two Italian cities in a rather interesting, funny, but no less educational format, which were made by bloggers Ruslan Usachev and Mikhail Kshishtovsky in their program “It’s time to get out!”:

    From the same guys you can watch another fun video with an overview of the standard and not so attractions of Venice:

    But here is a more serious video, filmed for television, about number 3 from our ranking - Athens:

    Paris, London, Rome, Madrid - these cities are famous throughout the world and attract millions of tourists every year. At the same time, in Europe there are no less beautiful and wonderful cities that, although not as famous, do not lose their attractiveness for travel. That is why the American website BudgetTravel has compiled a list of the ten most beautiful small towns in Europe. Today we will introduce you to the first five that are included in this list.

    Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic


    One of the oldest towns in the Czech Republic, Český Krumlov is located in Southern Bohemia, south of the Blanske Forest on a bend in the Vltava River. The main attraction of this medieval town is the ancient Krumlov Castle, the first mention of which is found in a knight's ballad dating back to the 13th century. The narrow cobblestone streets of the city resemble an intricate labyrinth, which stretches along quaint houses typical of the Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance periods. In order not to get lost in this labyrinth, the tall tower of the Castle can serve as a landmark. The town is filled with art galleries, cozy cafes and guesthouses offering overnight accommodation. This is a city of lovers and newlyweds with a unique romantic atmosphere.

    One of the best ways to see Český Krumlov is to ride down the Vltava on a wooden raft (450 CZK or €17.80; en.ceskykrumlov-info.cz).




    Palmanova, Italy


    The fortified city of Palmanova is located in the province of Udine, close to the Slovenian border and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city and fortress were created in 1593 in honor of the victory of the Venetians over the Turks. The architects specifically planned to design Palmanova so that it would have the shape of a regular nine-pointed star. If you look at the city from above, its structure and pronounced contours of straight streets create a distinct image of a snowflake. Nearby, vineyard valleys stretching down to the Adriatic Sea provide the area with high-quality Chardonnay, while local waters supply the town with mullet, sea bass and other tasty fish. When planning to visit one of Palmanova's restaurants, pay attention to the presence of a green branch of ivy or Frasca near the entrance - a guarantee that here you can taste traditional regional dishes (for example, Venetian baccalà, made from dry salted cod).

    This city is especially beautiful at night, under the lights.

    How to get there: Palmanova is located 115 km northeast of Venice and 50 km northwest of Trieste. The city can be reached by car via the A4, A23 and highway 352, or by train from Trieste with a direct flight ($8.00), and from Venice from Santa Lucia station with a change at Cervignano-Aquileia-Grado station ($15) (italiarail.com).




    Bibury, UK


    Bibury is located on the River Colne in the hilly, limestone Cotswolds of west-central England. The English writer and artist William Morris called it the most beautiful village in England, which is famous for its unique views for watercolor landscapes. Located on Arlington Row, the honey-colored cottages, built in the 14th century from local oolite shell rock, are Bibury's must-see relics. Among the main attractions are the Saxon church of St. Mary, mentioned in chronicles since the 12th century, as well as a fishing farm, founded in 1902, which still operates today.

    How to get there: The nearest railway station is 20 km from Bibury in Kemble. Trains leave from Paddington Station in London every day. Journey time: 80 minutes (nationalrail.co.uk; return from £29).

    An alternative is to travel from London by bus to Cirencester, 10 kilometers away (nationalexpress.com; from £24 return).

    There are no public transport connections from Biburi, but taxis operate here, and local hotels often organize transfers for their visitors.




    Binn, Switzerland


    Many years ago, the residents of this small town of 145 people decided to stop all construction there, preserving the surrounding area as a park. Now, instead of the luxurious ski resorts and high-speed highways typical of southwestern Switzerland, thanks to Binn, you can be transported to a wonderful alpine corner where time has stood still. Gravel lanes meander between well-kept pine chalets with flowerpots of geraniums placed in the windows, and an ancient 16th-century bridge where residents walk or use goats instead of cars are clear indicators of easy village life.

    If you go up the Binna River, you can see a fabulous picture of a real alpine meadow. It would be an ideal place to have a picnic with local wine and raclette cheese while the bells ring from the high mountain pastures. And if you cross the bridge and climb the mountain path, you can come to the Imfeld restaurant, which is a wooden chalet with a cozy living room and a viewing terrace of the Alps. The restaurant is located at an altitude of 4,983 meters. Here it would be a good idea to enjoy fresh trout or the restaurant’s signature dish - raw beef, seasoned with spices and herbs, and left to dry in the cellar for a month and a half.

    How to get there: Due to the remoteness of the town from civilization, traveling to Binn from major cities in Switzerland is difficult. To get here from Zurich, you need to make two transfers on PostBus buses. The travel time will be a little more than three hours (

    December 19, 2012, 21:11

    Hello, gossip girls! Recently I visited my friends in the Carpathians... skied, visited stunningly beautiful and original Western Ukrainian cities, and even visited St. Nicholas. In general, I had great pleasure and was absolutely fascinated by Zapadenschina :-) I would like to introduce you to my favorite places on this earth 1. Yaremcha is a city of regional significance in the Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine.
    This is a small cozy town on the Prut River, in the heart of the Carpathians, on the territory of the Carpathian Natural National Park and Biosphere Reserve. This is the land of the Hutsuls. Ideally clean air and water, which have never known industrial waste, the aroma of endless coniferous forests and healthy natural food can give a heroic experience. In the 19th century it was a favorite holiday destination for wealthy people from Poland and Austria-Hungary.
    2. Mukachevo is a city of regional subordination in the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine. Holidays in Mukachevo attracts tourists primarily due to the abundance of historical and architectural monuments. Particularly popular are the ancient building of the Transcarpathian State Russian Drama Theater, St. Nicholas Convent, the Greek Catholic Monastery of St. Basil the Great, a branch of the Catholic monastery of the Eastern Vicariate of the Dominican Male Order in Ukraine, and Palanok Castle. The atmosphere of the city is steeped in history and encourages leisurely walks along the ancient streets.
    3. Ivano-Frankivsk is the administrative center of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, a significant economic and cultural center in western Ukraine.
    Ivano-Frankivsk is a beautiful ancient city with a long history, located between Nadvirnyanska and Solotvynska Bistritsa, just before the Carpathians. Holidays in Ivano-Frankivsk are mainly chosen by tourists who have already fallen in love with Lviv, Prague and other cities with an aristocratic character and extensive history. Thanks to French and Italian architects, the city has many beautiful buildings in the Renaissance style, medieval castles and temples - representatives of the Baroque.

    4. Lviv is a city of regional subordination in Ukraine, the regional center of the Lviv region
    Lviv is the eternal city of the Ukrainian-Polish borderland, where traditions, cultures and languages ​​have been mixed for centuries. Thus, as a result of mutual borrowing, at the end of the 19th century, “Lviv Govirka” was formed in the urban environment - a dialect formed as a result of mixing Ukrainian and Polish languages ​​interspersed with German and Jewish vocabulary. This is the language that residents of the Lviv region communicate in. Residents of Lviv are considered to be right-wing and the city is a “stronghold of nationalism.” Majestic, unique architecture, narrow medieval streets, original restaurants... There is a lot of different information about Lviv, often contradictory, but one thing is certain: this city is large, ancient and so beautiful that it resembles an open-air architectural museum. Moreover, you don’t need to look for beautiful views here, Lviv is one of those cities where there is interest in every nook and cranny and here’s why: throughout its existence, Lviv was part of several European countries. The memory of those times lives in his houses...





    5. Uzhgorod is a city in western Ukraine, the administrative center of the Transcarpathian region.
    Uzhgorod is truly a “Window to Europe”: it is rightfully considered one of the most important Ukrainian and European historical centers, known far beyond the Old World. Throughout its more than thousand-year history, Uzhgorod has changed hands more than once, changing its rulers and “masters.” The almost six-hundred-year presence of the Hungarians especially affected the architectural appearance of the city - many streets and alleys of Uzhgorod are very similar to the residential areas of Hungarian Debrecen or Budapest: picturesque houses of two or three floors that have preserved medieval ornaments on their walls. This ancient European city has a linden alley, the longest in Europe, as well as magnificent medieval castles and cathedrals, and many other attractions.
    6. Chernivtsi is a city in western Ukraine, 40 km north of the Romanian border, on the right bank of the Prut River, the administrative center of the Chernivtsi region. Chernivtsi has long been inhabited by different peoples - Ukrainians, Romanians, Austrians, Armenians, Jews. But this only benefited the architectural appearance of the city. For centuries, living nearby, different peoples - over the centuries - forged something that cannot be taken away, taken away or banned. This is the spirit of Chernivtsi, which can only be felt on the streets of this city.
    7. Lutsk is a city in western Ukraine, the administrative center of the Volyn region. One of the oldest cities in Ukraine. The first written mention dates back to 1085. Lutsk is a beautiful historical city, which is already about 925 years old!! This city has an interesting history; many times it was ravaged, destroyed, conquered, and rebuilt. One of the most important buildings, which is already over 800 years old, is the Lutsk castle (also known as Lubart’s castle), located on a hill near the Styr River. Lutsk is an ideal place for those who want to go somewhere for the weekend, have a fun walk, and eat delicious food and feel the atmosphere of antiquity.

    Europe is famous for its abundance of beautiful medieval cities, usually well preserved. Many of them, in particular European capitals, are well known to tourists. However, in the Old World there are also a large number of small ancient towns, less “promoted”, but no less interesting. They may seem especially attractive to tourist photographers, for example, to those who are mastering the art of shooting with quadcopters. A large assortment of high-quality and variously priced drones is presented on the website: https://brrc.ru/catalog/kvadrokoptery/.

    The most famous medieval town in Belgium is undoubtedly Bruges, often called the “Venice of the North” due to its abundance of canals. The history of Bruges dates back to 1128, and today its old center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to exploring local architectural monuments and boating on the canals, tourists have fun tasting a variety of beers and chocolates.

    The small Belgian town of Dinan is less famous, but no less picturesque. In a city with only 14,000 inhabitants, tourists will be interested in medieval architecture, as well as landscapes - the Mosa River embankment and the surrounding cliffs framing the town.

    The city of Bled in Slovenia is one of the most picturesque parts of this country. It is located on the shores of Lake Bled of the same name and is famous for its castles and temples. The best panoramas of the area are obtained when shooting from quadcopters.

    There are many interesting places in Germany that have preserved their medieval architecture. Thus, Regensburg, founded almost two thousand years ago, is one of the oldest cities in the country. The main attraction is the perfectly preserved medieval center with a cathedral, bridge and Gothic-style buildings.

    The German city of Freudenberg, located in North Rhine-Westphalia, is called the real kingdom of half-timbered wood. The old center has many black and white half-timbered houses standing in orderly rows, this view is Freudenberg's calling card.

    Swiss Gruyere is not only the name of one of the most famous varieties of cheese, but also a historical city in the canton of Fribourg. Here you can see remarkable ancient buildings and a medieval castle. Another small Swiss town recommended for visiting by anyone interested in beautiful medieval buildings is Murren in the canton of Bern. It is located at an altitude of 1650 m in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, surrounded by three of the most famous Swiss peaks - Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. There are always a lot of tourists here, the number of which exceeds the number of local residents (450 people) by several times.

    In the UK it is very difficult to single out the most interesting medieval towns, but it is worth mentioning Bibury - “the most beautiful village in England”, sung by the poet William Morris, and famous for its 14th century buildings, as well as the small village of Castle Combe in Wiltshire, named one of the most attractive British settlements by The Times.

    France is also rich in small medieval towns, among which a special place is occupied by Collioure with a picturesque castle, the ancient church of Notre Dame des Anges and an ancient lighthouse, as well as Josselin - a fabulous town in the Brittany region, with an equally impressive castle built in 1008.

    San Gimignano in Tuscany (Italy) is a medieval walled city. Here tourists will be interested in the old center with a cathedral and many ancient towers, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990. The town of Funes in the Italian Tyrol is not spoiled by tourists, so it is suitable for those who are looking for not only beautiful scenery in Europe, but also privacy. Local views will delight even experienced landscape photographers.

    In northern Europe, Reine is worth a visit - a village in Norway, which has more than once occupied the top positions in the rankings of the most beautiful places in this country. Reine, founded in 1793 as a port, is located on the Lofoten Islands, surrounded by picturesque mountains.



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