Europe’s Most Charming Old Towns

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

The streets of Old Town Amsterdam are filled with popular sights and, the Nine Little Streets along the canals are known for shopping and cafes, and Nieuwmarkt is slowly changing from an open-air market to a bustling Chinatown.

Bruges, Belgium

Cobblestone streets and Gothic architecture define this well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Markt, in the heart of Old Town, is a great place to taste some delicious Belgian chocolate.

Edinburgh, Scotland

For an Old Town overview of this Scottish capital, start at Edinburgh Castle to survey the city atop a dormant volcanic rock and then travel down the “Royal Mile”, past the Scottish Parliament to the current Queen’s home at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Krakow, Poland

This Old Town maintains its UNESCO World Heritage-approved historic atmosphere.

Lucerne, Switzerland

This peaceful lakeside town is filled with photo ops, from the Chapel Bridge and 14th-century water tower to the statue of the Dying Lion of Lucerne, which Mark Twain famously described as “the saddest and most moving piece of rock in the world.”

Marseilles, France

The Old Port of France’s second-largest city dates back to around 600 BC when the Old Town was a just working-class neighborhood.

Prague, Czech Republic

The Old-New Synagogue in Prague’s Jewish Quarter is the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe, and thousands of tourists continue to cross Charles Bridge before climbing the hill to Prague Castle.