The world's most charming old towns
The historic city center is the heart and soul of every destination. It’s where stories, legends, and centuries of life come together. Narrow alleys, magnificent facades, and ancient market squares tell the tales of a region's origins – from medieval squares in France to Roman forums in Italy and winding souks in the Middle East. Exploring an old town is like stepping into another era.
Inspired by this fascination, we’ve compiled five exciting rankings of the world’s most beautiful old towns. Alongside each ranking, you’ll find practical details: the average cost of a walking tour, how easily the historic center can be explored on foot, how far back its history goes, and how popular it is as an Instagram photo spot.
We want to both inspire you and guide you in selecting your upcoming trip, showcasing the most beautiful historic city centers as a wonderful added benefit.
Europe's World's Most Charming Old Towns
The historic city center is the heart and soul of every destination. It’s where stories, legends, and centuries of life come together. Narrow alleys, magnificent facades, and ancient market squares tell the tales of a region's origins – from medieval squares in France to Roman forums in Italy and winding souks in the Middle East. Exploring an old town is like stepping into another era.
Inspired by this fascination, we’ve compiled five exciting rankings of the world’s most beautiful old towns. Alongside each ranking, you’ll find practical details: the average cost of a walking tour, how easily the historic center can be explored on foot, how far back its history goes, and how popular it is as an Instagram photo spot.
We want to both inspire you and guide you in selecting your upcoming trip, showcasing the most beautiful historic city centers as a wonderful added benefit.
“Krakow's Old Town is a treasure trove, packing an impressive number of sights into a surprisingly compact area. This makes it easy to explore on foot. From the Main Market Square, with its historic Cloth Hall, it's just a short stroll to St. Mary's Church. Your path up to Wawel Castle will lead you through charming alleyways filled with cafes. Along the way, discover hidden squares, ancient gates, and picturesque courtyards, each step revealing more of the city's unique character.”
1st place Europe
Krakow, Poland
“Naples' Old Town truly reveals its magic when explored on foot. As you stroll along the narrow Spaccanapoli, you're immediately immersed in the city's vibrant heart. A unique panorama unfolds between opulent churches, world-class pizzerias, and traditional artisan workshops. As the aroma of pizza, espresso, and the legendary Amalfi lemon fills the air, it becomes clear just how intimately history, daily life, and a passion for great food have been interwoven here for centuries.”
2nd place Europe
Naples, Italy
“Regensburg, a beautiful Bavarian city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-visit when traveling in Germany. Crossing the historic Stone Bridge over the Danube River leads directly into the captivating Old Town, with its narrow alleys, medieval squares, and Romanesque buildings. In just minutes, visitors can reach the Old Town Hall, an impressive cathedral, and the ancient Porta Praetoria – where the legacies of both Roman and medieval times stand remarkably close together.”
3rd place Europe
Regensburg, Germany
1/3
Latin America's Most Charming Old Towns
Latin America’s historic centers and old towns are defined by colorful facades, grand colonial plazas, and cathedrals often built atop pre-Columbian foundations. Spanish and Portuguese architecture intertwines with indigenous traditions, creating truly unique cityscapes. Lively markets and the sounds of street music make history feel palpable even today.
“Cartagena’s historic Old Town has been encircled by mighty walls since the 16th century, earning it the nickname “Ciudad Amurallada” – the Walled City. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is among Latin America's most vibrant historic districts. Painted facades, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and shady plazas blend colonial heritage with a distinct Caribbean flair, making Cartagena's city center one of the region’s most rewarding destinations.”
1st place Latin America
Cartagena, Colombia
“When traveling to Oaxaca, visitors can explore a beautiful fusion of Zapotec and Mixtec cultural influences with Spanish colonial architecture. Centered around the Zócalo de Oaxaca, impressive cathedrals, baroque churches, and vibrant markets await discovery. The city is particularly famous for its mole, a world-renowned sauce made from chocolate, chili, and spices, served in countless variations at local restaurants, bustling markets, and lively street food stalls. This unique blend of striking architecture and celebrated culinary traditions truly brings Oaxaca’s vibrant culture to life.”
2nd place Latin America
Oaxaca, Mexico
“Pelourinho, the historic heart of Salvador da Bahia, once served as the heart of Brazil’s Portuguese colonial empire. Today, its vibrant atmosphere is shaped largely by Afro-Brazilian culture. Winding streets lined with colorful colonial houses lead to landmarks such as the baroque Igreja de São Francisco, the Catedral Basílica, and the Afro-Brazilian Museum. Religion, dance, and music make this district a cultural cornerstone of Brazil, establishing it as one of South America's most striking and pedestrian-friendly old towns.”
3rd place Latin America
Salvador da Bahia, Brazil
1/3
Most Charming U.S Old Towns
Step back in time in America's most beautiful historic city centers. You'll find traces of the first settlers in the East, the legacy of Spanish missions in the South, and the unique charm of Creole quarters along the Mississippi. Cobblestone streets, picturesque brick buildings, and historic squares reveal the rich tapestry of influences that have shaped American cities over the centuries.
“St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the USA. Founded in 1565 by the Spanish, its streetscape is still defined today by charming colonial houses and the imposing walls of the Castillo de San Marcos. Nestled between the Matanzas and San Sebastian Rivers, the Historic District offers a rare American sight: an old town shaped not by traffic, but by centuries of rich history. ”
1st place USA
St. Augustine, Florida
“Charleston offers visitors the chance to explore one of the USA's most remarkably preserved old towns. Its charm is defined by cobblestone streets, lush gardens, elegant mansions, and colonial-era churches. A particularly renowned and must-see spot is Rainbow Row. This street, lined with 18th-century, pastel-colored townhouses, has become one of America's most photographed locations, beautifully embodying the city's historic flair.”
2nd place USA
Charleston, South Carolina
“New Orleans' French Quarter is arguably the most famous historic district in the USA. It's instantly recognizable by its distinctive wrought-iron balconies, vivid facades, and lively squares, especially Jackson Square with its iconic St. Louis Cathedral. In the cafes, jazz clubs, and small shops of this old town, the city's French and Creole heritage vibrantly lives on – a heritage that's particularly spectacular during the legendary Mardi Gras.”
3rd place USA
New Orleans, Louisiana
1/3
Asia's Most Charming Old Towns
In Asia's most captivating historic districts, travelers can explore the cultural past of religion, commerce, and craftsmanship. Magnificent temple and palace complexes, lively markets, and charming streets lined with traditional wooden houses tell captivating tales of emperors, monks, and folks. Here, Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and colonial influences seamlessly merge, creating dynamic urban spaces where ancient traditions and modern life coexist side-by-side.
“Hoi An’s historic district stands out as one of Southeast Asia's best-preserved historic cities, making it an absolute must-see on any trip to Vietnam. Many of its narrow merchant houses, richly decorated assembly halls, and the famous Japanese Bridge date back to the 17th century, a time when Hoi An flourished as the most important port in the region. Today, visitors can wander the compact heart of this central Vietnamese gem entirely on foot, soaking in centuries of history around every corner.”
1st place Asia
Hoi An, Vietnam
“While most travelers visit Nepal for its majestic mountains and breathtaking landscapes, a stop in the city of Bhaktapur offers a delightful change of pace. Often considered the most beautiful, it's also the smallest city in the Kathmandu Valley. Here, red pagodas, ancient palaces, and ornate temples define the cityscape, forming an impressive historic center. No need for cars or rickshaws here – those who explore on foot will discover a rare urban gem in a country otherwise dominated by vast rural expanses.”
2nd place Asia
Bhaktapur, Nepal
“For those eager to experience ancient Japan, Kyoto is a must-see. The Higashiyama district is especially captivating, featuring narrow streets, traditional wooden houses, charming teahouses, and small shops. Winding alleys here lead to the renowned Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the Yasaka Shrine, two of the city's iconic landmarks. Between bustling souvenir shops and tranquil shrines, Kyoto's Old Town showcases centuries-old traditions, yet remains a thriving part of modern daily life.”
3rd place Asia
Kyoto, Japan
1/3
Most Charming Old Towns in The Middle East and Northern Africa
The historic city centers of the Orient are shaped by winding alleys, bustling plazas, and centuries-old architecture. The souks lead to mosques with ornate domes, to ancient caravanserais, and other palaces that seem to whisper the tales of glorious past empires. Here, Arabic, Berber, Persian, and Ottoman influences blend seamlessly, creating districts that are both bustling marketplaces and profound cultural treasures. Modern life thrives within these ancient walls, which have welcomed merchants and travelers for thousands of years.
“Sousse's Medina, the city’s ancient Old Town, unfolds like a labyrinth of whitewashed walls, archways, and narrow lanes that gently slope towards the Mediterranean Sea. Vendors call out, offering spices, carpets, and ceramics, their voices mingling with the muezzin's call to prayer, which has marked the hours for centuries. Wandering through, visitors quickly become immersed in local daily life, shaped by the rhythm of trade, the nearby sea, and faith.”
1st place North Africa/Middle East
Sousse, Tunisia
“The Medina of Fes gives the impression of a vast bazaar, winding like veins through the city center. Amid ancient tanneries, respected Quranic schools, and vibrant markets, a distinctly oriental atmosphere comes to life. Those who explore Fes on foot will encounter dyers, artisans, and merchants who have preserved their crafts for centuries, experiencing a city where Morocco's rich history unfolds with every step.”
2nd place North Africa/Middle East
Fes, Morocco
“Marrakech's historic city center offers an electrifying experience from the outset. A beautiful blend of colors, scents, and sounds fills the air, echoing through its bustling souks, opulent palaces, and serene hidden gardens. By day, merchants and artisans pack the narrow alleys, while come evening, Djemaa el-Fna transforms into a lively gathering place where locals and tourists alike mingle amidst food stalls, music, and traditional storytellers. Indeed, Marrakech's Medina is a dynamic stage that has dictated the city's pulse for a thousand years.”
3rd place North Africa/Middle East
Marrakech, Morocco
1/3
Methodology
For this ranking, we analyzed a total of 65 cities across five global regions, each distinguished by a noteworthy Old Town. Our selection process involved experienced travel experts, leveraging their extensive background in curating trips, alongside external criteria such as UNESCO designations that highlight an Old Town’s cultural and historical significance.
The evaluation was based on four main indicators:
Age of the Old Town – determined using the earliest verifiable date of continuous settlement or official founding.
Cost of a Walking Tour – collected from widely used online platforms for tours and activities.
Walkability – a central factor. For each city, five key sights were identified and connected along an optimal walking route using a standard route planner. Both total distance and estimated walking time contributed to the score: the more compact the city, the more pedestrian-friendly it is.
Social Media Popularity – measured by the number of Instagram posts using the city’s most relevant hashtag.
All data were collected in August 2025. The weighting reflected their relevance to the travel experience: walkability accounted for the largest share at 50%, followed by age (20%), cost (20%), and Instagram popularity (10%).