Europe’s most beautiful historic centers, according to the German platform Tourlane

Which European city has the most charming historic center? The answer comes from Tourlane, a German platform specializing in custom travel, which conducted a study of 25 European historic centers, evaluating them according to specific criteria.

And here are those criteria: the city’s age (20%), the average cost of guided tours (20%), popularity on Instagram (10%), and, most importantly, how easy it is to explore on foot—a factor that accounted for 50% of the final score.

The top three

Topping the European rankings is Kraków, Poland, recognized for its exceptional concentration of monuments and the pedestrian-friendly nature of its historic center.

Close behind, in second place overall, is Naples, whose historic center (one of the largest in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995) won over the jury with the authenticity of its urban experience as well as its blend of sacred art, street food, and local crafts that visitors discover while strolling along Spaccanapoli.

Third place goes to Regensburg, Germany, one of the best-preserved medieval cities on the continent.

The rest of the rankings

The European top 25 also includes Rome (13th place) and Florence (14th place), confirming the continued international significance of the Italian peninsula’s architectural heritage.

The complete ranking

• Kraków (Poland)
• Naples (Italy)
• Regensburg – Germany
• Riga – Latvia
• San Marino – San Marino
• Avignon – France
• Vilnius – Lithuania
• Warsaw – Poland
• Salzburg – Austria
• Graz – Austria
• Córdoba – Spain
• Porto – Portugal
• Rome – Italy
• Florence – Italy
• Stralsund – Germany
• Istanbul – Turkey
• Tallinn – Estonia
• Prague – Czech Republic
• Bruges – Belgium
• Edinburgh – Scotland
• Dubrovnik – Croatia
• Lisbon – Portugal
• Vienna – Austria
• Bergen – Norway
• Bern – Switzerland

Source: tourlane.de