There are countless historical cities in Europe. Many of them have been quite well preserved and give us many clues as to what human life was like centuries ago. Countless tourists who come to these cities, which have survived for centuries, to see the beauty of historical buildings, bridges, walls, and cathedrals, both add color to these cities and make a great contribution to the cities' living a prosperous life.

Although it is really difficult to choose the best of these cities, we will try to introduce you to the 5 most beautiful ones. Let's take a look at these must-see cities that people who love to live in historical places and smell history will love.

1. Prague, Czechia

Prague, which was known by many nicknames such as "City with 100 Towers", "Roof of Europe", "Heart of Europe", "Golden City" and "Mother of Cities", is not only the capital and largest city of the country but also with its historical structure, attracts a lot of attention.

The capital of Czechia takes its visitors on a journey through time with its image reminiscent of a painting.

Prague, also called the Heart of Europe or the Fairytale City, was once the holy residence of the Roman Empire, and many Baroque buildings were built in the city. The structures, which were not damaged much even during the war periods, managed to survive until today by being preserved.

With its history dating back to the 9th century, when the Duke of Bohemia Bořivoj I had a Christian chapel built on the Vltava River, this city would not be wrong to say that this city is an invaluable jewel for those interested in history and historical architecture.

2. Toledo, Spain

Toledo is a city that opens layer by layer, like a matryoshka doll, with its magnificent palaces, holy places belonging to three religions and the stories whispered by its narrow streets where the history of thousands of years of civilizations has accumulated.

Also known as the place where the novel Don Quixote took place in the 17th century, the former capital of the Castilla La Mancha region is waiting to take you on an epic journey into the past with its beautifully preserved historical texture.

Toledo is a very mystical medieval city that has an important place in European history. The most important feature of the city is the heterogeneous texture created by the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities that have lived here throughout history, the urban structures of these different civilizations reflecting their own cultural identities and the preservation of these structures until the 21st century.

3.York, England

York is an ancient city of cathedrals dating back to the Romans. The city of York is located in the Yorkshire region of the north of England and is one of the best-preserved historical buildings in Europe. According to various studies, York is generally the British city that attracts the most tourists after London.

The city center, surrounded by historical buildings, castle walls, and rivers, is one of the must-see places. The city of York was named one of the best-preserved cities in Europe in 2007. In addition, it was ranked first in the list of the most livable cities in England by The Sunday Times in 2018. 

Surrounded by the city walls, York was located at the confluence of the Ouse and Foss rivers. With its rich historical heritage and two thousand years of history, it has been one of the most important cities in British history. The city of York is one of the most popular cities in England with its sports and cultural activities, as well as hosting many historical attractions. It is a city that gave its name to New York and where Vikings lived at the time, smelling history all over the place.

4. Regensburg, Germany

Regensburg, one of the oldest towns in the country, was founded by the Romans about 2000 years ago. The city owes much of its charm to the medieval-smelling city center with its historic cathedral and stone bridge, as well as the Gothic buildings in the old quarter. The historical center of Regensburg has also reserved its place among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The city was founded at the confluence of the Regen River with the Danube River. The camp next to the Regen River was a Roman military base used after 179 AD.

Regensburg has a temperate climate, with the hottest month being July and the coldest month being January. The best time to go to this city, where the winter months are very cold and the summer months are too hot, is in the spring months when the warm weather prevails.

5. Bruges, Belgium

Bruges, the tiny Belgian city of postcard beauty, is beautiful and romantic in every season. In this city full of history, you can encounter another beauty at every step you take.

This fascinating city, sometimes referred to as the "Venice of the North", gained its independence in 1128. Today, the historical center of this city is among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is another of the cities that were saved from the German bombings in the Second World War with the least damage. 

At the heart of this historic center is a beautiful bazaar and the 83-meter-tall Belfort Tower. Local beers and unique chocolates are just two of the things that will make you want to visit Bruges.

When you come here, you will be greeted by colorful roofs, magnificent structures, and churches. Located in Bruges, Saint John’s Hospital (Sint-Janshospitaal) was built in the 11th century. Europe's oldest hospital includes Europe's oldest pharmacy and the Hans Memling Museum. Minnewater is another must-see place. This is a canal lake and is home to swans, the symbol of the city.