Which European city boasts the most fascinating historic centre? The answer was given by Tourlane, a German platform specializing in tailor-made travel, with a study that analyzed 25 European historic centers, evaluating them according to precise criteria: the age of the city (20%), the average cost of guided tours (20%), popularity on Instagram (10%) and, above all, the ease of exploration on foot, a parameter that accounted for 50% of the final score.
The podium
At the top of the European ranking we find Krakow, in Poland, awarded for the exceptional concentration of monuments and the pedestrian liveability of its ancient centre.
Immediately behind, in second place overall, is Naples, whose historic center – among the largest in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 – won over the jury for the authenticity of the urban experience, the mix of sacred art, street cuisine and local craftsmanship that can be found while walking along Spaccanapoli.
The third step of the podium goes to Regensburg, Germany, one of the best preserved medieval cities on the continent.
The other Italians and the rest of the ranking
The European top 25 also includes Rome (13th place) and Florence (14th place), confirming the weight that the architectural heritage of the Bel Paese continues to have in international comparison.
This is the complete ranking:
- Krakow – 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 – Türkiye
- Tallinn – Estonia
- Prague – Czech Republic
- Bruges – Belgium
- Edinburgh – Scotland
- Dubrovnik – Croatia
- Lisbon – Portugal
- Vienna – Austria
- Bergen – Norway
- Bern – Switzerland
