The most incredible walled cities in the world

Across the globe, cities proudly display their ancient defensive walls, bastions against past sieges and incursions. Many have retained these relics, turning their locales into enchanting destinations. Let's explore some of the most incredible walled cities you can visit today…

Carcassonne is renowned for its formidable walled citadel, a medieval architectural marvel declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. In the 19th century, Eugène Viollet-le-Duc undertook the task of restoring this majestic citadel. Enclosed within approximately 1.9 miles (3 kilometers) of double-wall fortification, the inner sanctuary of Carcassonne is a remarkable medieval spectacle.

Visiting the ancient city of Pingyao is like taking a trip back in time to 14th-century China, the time of Marco Polo, when it was founded. It has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 and stands out for its wall that is 6 kilometers long and 12 meters high, with six gates and about seventy watchtowers.

Considered a "fortress city," York, the capital of Yorkshire in northern England, was founded in the year 71 and holds a rich history for the country, from the Romans to the present day, including a golden medieval era. From that time, a significant part of its walls remains, which can be toured by visitors.

Ávila was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and its impressive Romanesque wall, one of the best-preserved in the world, played a significant role in that. Of military nature, it has a perimeter of 2,515 meters, 2,500 battlements, 87 towers, and 9 access gates, covering an area of 33 hectares, where the city's old town is located.

This coastal city in Croatia, located in the Dalmatia region, is a true heritage gem and has been the setting for tons of films and series. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994, among its monuments, its walls and fortifications stand out, built in the 14th and 15th centuries (and expanded in the 17th century).

Inside the city of Khiva, in Uzbekistan, is Itchan Kala, a walled town protected by tall adobe walls around 12 meters high that are a clear example of Central Asian Muslim architecture. It measures 600 meters in length, with four gates and an enclosure of 1.2 hectares.

This Moroccan city is located in the south of the country, in the Sus River valley. It's referred to as 'The grandmother of Marrakech' due to its striking resemblance to the city, although it's much smaller. It's notable for its walled enclosure that encompasses its entire urban area and has a perimeter of 6 kilometers (approximately 3.73 miles) with bastions and nine gates that have remained intact over time.

World-renowned because the terracotta warriors were found near it, Xi'an is surrounded by the best-preserved urban defensive wall in the country. Built between 1374 and 1378, it is 14 kilometers (approximately 8.7 miles) long, 12 meters (approximately 39.4 feet) high, and its width varies between 15 and 18 meters (approximately 49.2 to 59 feet).

Located on a hill in the center of Malta, Mdina is a walled city that served as the country's capital until 1570. Known as 'The Silent City,' it has an impressive history and is surrounded by a series of defensive walls from various eras, including Punic-Roman and medieval walls, and Byzantine and Arab styles.

Óbidos is a small Portuguese town with just over 3,000 residents, but it's also one of the country's most beautiful destinations. One of its main attractions is its wall, built during the Muslim occupation and which has been restored in subsequent centuries. It is 1.5 kilometers (approximately 0.93 miles) long.

The historic center of this touristy Colombian city, known as the 'Walled City,' was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Its walls were erected over almost two centuries, until 1796, with the aim of defending the city from the constant pirate attacks it suffered. These are 11 kilometers (6.84 miles) of walls complemented by fortifications and bulwarks.

In terms of area, it is the third-largest city in Morocco and the capital of Islam in the North African country. It's also one of the four imperial Moroccan cities and has a complex circuit of walls and gates that delimit the old area, composed of Fès el-Bali and Fès el-Jdid. These walls have transformed over the centuries.

Located in the well-known Portuguese region of Alentejo, it houses the largest collection of bulwark fortifications in the world, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 along with its historic center. The defensive enclosure consists of seven bulwarks, three half-bulwarks, two round ones, eight half-moons, and three counter-guards, as well as curtains.

The capital of Estonia currently preserves nearly two kilometers (1.24 miles) of its original walls, reinforced by circular watchtowers that protected the city. The wall was built in different phases between the 13th and 16th centuries and was originally fortified with 35 towers, of which 25 remain.

The city of three cultures, claimed as its capital by both Israelis and Palestinians, retains its walls that surround the old city. They were built between 1535 and 1538 when it was part of the Ottoman Empire and are 4,018 meters (2.5 miles) long with an average height of 12 meters (39.4 feet). It also features 34 towers and 8 gates.

Capital of the canton of Ticino in Switzerland, Bellinzona also boasts a wall that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the year 2000. This wall complements a significant monumental complex alongside the Castelgrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro castles. The walled enclosure began construction at the beginning of the 15th century and was completed around 1480.

The city of Lugo, located in Galicia, has a magnificent example of well-preserved Roman architecture. Its wall is 2,266 meters (1.41 miles) in length and is crowned with 85 towers, protecting its entire historic center. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the year 2000.

Nördlingen, situated in the Bavarian countryside, was built upon a crater 25 kilometers (15.53 miles) in diameter, caused by a meteorite that fell around 15 million years ago. While this may be a noteworthy feature, the city is also recognized for the wall that encircles it, which can be walked in its entirety.

Capital of the eponymous Canadian province, Quebec City was founded in 1608, and its historic center (Vieux-Québec) is located within an 18th-century French-style walled enclosure. However, only a part of it is preserved. These are the only fortified walls found in North America and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

Kumbhalgarh is a medieval Mewar fort located in India, boasting the second-longest wall on the planet, only surpassed by the Great Wall of China, stretching 36 kilometers (22.37 miles). Even though it's open to visitors, no one has lived there since the 19th century. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

Mystras was a fortified Byzantine city located about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from Sparta. Only remnants of its walls remain today as a memory. It is one of the significant monuments of medieval Greece. ust like Kumbhalgarh, while it can be visited, no residents live there anymore.