Travelling Back In Time: Exploring Historic European Cities

It’s almost quicker to list the parts of Barcelona that aren’t worth wandering. Make sure you set aside time to walk through the Gothic Quarter, which contains some truly stunning architecture to take in.

Volterra

Another Italian city, Volterra has a history that dates all the way back to 725 BCE, when it was settled by the Etruscans.

• Following this, Volterra became a hub for Etruscan commerce and trade.
• When the Romans took over, it became less important for the empire as a whole.

However, this breathtakingly beautiful walled city is still well worth your time today. As one of Europe’s oldest cities, it has a lot of stories to tell, and it’s almost impossible to stand anywhere in Volterra and not get a great view.

Yerevan

The history of the Armenian people is one of twin joy and tragedy.

• Like any people beset by horrific circumstances, Armenians have endured despite tragic events.
• The Armenian genocide, perpetrated by the Ottomans in the early 20th century, caused over a million Armenian deaths.

Yet, Yerevan is still a bustling, vibrant hub of culture, commerce, and tourism today. Make sure to wander the streets of Yerevan if you’re planning to explore European cities, and take some time to contemplate the history of Armenia as you do so.

Amsterdam

Like many other cities in Europe, Amsterdam has an incredible amount of history, along with an endearing offbeat construction style.

• Massive skyscrapers rub shoulders with rickety older buildings.
• The canals are legendary, and you can find tiny pancake restaurants offering incredible food at decent prices.

Make sure to hire a bike or take one with you to explore Amsterdam; you won’t regret it given the city’s cycle-friendly layout.

Bruges

Belgium’s Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which should tell you everything you need to know about its historicity.

• Bruges dates back to prehistoric times, but its golden age occurred between the 12th and 15th centuries when it became a hub for commerce.
• Some believe that Bruges hosted the opening of the world’s very first stock market in the form of the Bourse.

Although Bruges dipped in favor until the mid-20th century, it’s a bustling town today that’s well worth exploring.

London

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include the capital of England, London.

• Although this city is constantly being modernized and gentrified, you’re still likely to find plenty of older relics from its past.
• There’s lots to see here if you go off the beaten path a little and explore away from the central areas.

Even in central London, you’ll still find plenty to love if you don’t stick to tourist attractions. London as we know it today is a Roman city; its original name was Londinium, and it was sacked by Queen Boudica and the Iceni in 61 CE.

Berlin

Germany is a country stuffed with so much history that it’s hard to believe it only became an official unified country in 1871.

• Berlin, in particular, is a storied place; you can walk its streets and feel the history coming off every building and every street sign.
• Much of Berlin’s history is also given over to more somber contemplation due to the reign of the Nazis during World War II.

However, the fact that Berlin became the multicultural hub that it is today speaks volumes about the resilience of its people and culture.