European old buildings are so special! There is something very alluring about them. Is it because many are so unique and one of the kind? Or maybe, because there is nothing like them is built any longer?

A row of medieval houses in Sicily on a beach & a custom sign: 'Old buildings in Europe'

Historical Old buildings in Europe: So Authentic and Unique!

Hello, I’m Tatiana. I’m hopelessly in love with cute urban scenes and finding best places in Europe (& beyond) to go.

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A busy medieval square with outdoor café in front of colorful old houses in Barcelona, Europe

What is the best part of Europe?

While Europe has everything for everyone, I am the most fascinated with its beautiful older historical buildings and castles, oozing rich history and European charm.

A narrow old alley with a row of old beautiful houses and cobblestone pavement in Europe

Old architectures and architectural styles of buildings in Europe

Some European buildings can be categorized by certain architectural styles. Keep in mind, I am only talking about old architectures and older buildings here, as I am not really interested in modern architecture.

The hall of Ambassadors in Royal Alcazar built in the Mudéjar style

The hall of Ambassadors in Royal Alcazar in Seville built in Mudéjar style.

a staircase with colorful azulejos used in old Mudejar architecture in Europe

Architectural use of azulejos in Spain. Picture of the Royal Alcazar de Sevilla, Spain.

A row of old houses on a cobbled narrow alley in Girona, Catalonia, Spain

A busy medieval square with outdoor café in front of colorful old houses in Barcelona, Europe

Historic buildings in Europe

Some buildings are recognized as historic buildings of Europe. Like this one - the Colosseum in Rome.

The Colosseum - a famous historical building in Rome

The Colosseum - a famous historic building in Rome, one of the best European destinations! I loved visiting the Colosseum at night, when it's illuminated and pretty.

Below is a short video I made about my visit of the Colosseum and fun facts about it.

Sometimes you see the marvels that stand out even among the finest European buildings! And you know they are the marvels and epic with all certainty when you look at them!

Like this ancient marvel of the ancient Roman architecture!

Round tall arches of Teatro Marcello in Rome is an example of architectural marvel in Europe

This is the Teatro Marcello, an ancient open-air theater in Rome, Italy, built in the late Roman Republic era. Commissioned by Julius Caesar and completed by Augustus in 13 BC, it was named after Augustus's nephew, Marcus Claudius Marcellus. The theater could originally seat up to 20,000 spectators and was used for various performances and entertainment.

Today, the Teatro Marcello remains a remarkable example of ancient Roman architecture. Its facade features three tiers of arches in the classic Roman style, which later influenced the design of the Colosseum.

The upper levels of the structure have been converted into luxury apartments, while the ground level occasionally hosts summer concerts, blending ancient history with modern use.

Some old buildings haven't been officially recognized as historic buildings yet, but you can’t help but feel a connection to history and the way generation upon of generations of people lived their lives in that house before you!

Look at this incredible ancient house in Napoli and many additions in different architectural styles that were built over the centuries. And yet it's still standing and makes people happy!

Well, at least it definitely makes me happy each time I'm in Naples. It's my "secret" house, as it's not on a main street, you get get there through an archway off one main street.

Would you like to know where it is?:) You can ask me on social media.

Ancient building with many addition all in different architectural styles in Napoli, Europa

A clothing line in front of corral and gray old buildings of an undefined shape in Italy

And some houses are just cute while, technically, not in the best shape paint-wise!:), like this blue house on Burano, Venice, Italy.

Cute bright blue old building with pilled painting on Burano island in Venice

A house on Burano, Venice, Italy

And some older houses in Europe cannot be described by any architectural style, or even a certain shape. And yet they make my heart beat faster and fill me with such excitement!

Burano is a small island in the Venetian Lagoon, about 7 kilometers from Venice, Italy. It's famous for its brightly colored cute houses, that create a picturesque and vibrant townscape. The tradition of painting houses in vivid colors dates back centuries and served a practical purpose for the island's fishing community.

The bright colors helped fishermen identify their homes from a distance when returning from sea, especially during foggy conditions. Each color combination is unique to a family and strictly regulated by the local government. Today, this colorful tradition continues.

The island is also famous for its handmade lace. I took about a million pictures of the houses when I revisited recently, but how can one not to?;)

Speaking of some exciting, though not in the best shape paint-wise buildings... Mediaeval L'Espluga de Francoli has a great number of wonderful odd-shaped historical buildings; here is one of them.

These 2 older houses in Lisbon make walking there very pleasant - one of the best things to do in Lisbon. Check out my post about Lisbon to see a great number of beautiful old houses.

unusually shaped white medieval house in Spain

Medieval house in Spain, Catalonia

2 Out of many cute older houses you can find in Lisbon, Portugal

Palaces and Castles in Europe

There are also many palaces and castles in Europe. They are the most impressive buildings in Europe and I am on a mission to see them all, eventually!

Here is Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal with Yellow and Lilac colored towers. Its architectural style is Romanesque Revival, or Neo-Manueline. It looks great from the outside.

Don't forget to visit the interior of the former Royal Palace, when visiting Sintra!

Neo-Manueline architectural style of Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal

And here is the dramatic-looking Ovo Castle in Naples, France, built in Norman Architectural style.

Can you feel how it oozes history? Can you imagine the battles it has seen?

Dramatic walls of an old Ovo Palace in Napoli, Europe

Picture of Pena Palace in Sintra, Portugal

Picture of one of the castles in Napoli, Italy.

Unusual buildings and structures in Europe

Europe, rich with different old architectural styles, has some very unusual-looking buildings and structures.

Like this multistory masonry spiral staircase structure in Regaleira Palace in Sintra, Portugal, called the Initiation Well. It leads to some underground tunnels.

Round multistory spiral staircase structure in Regaleira Palace

Different architectural styles of churches in Europe

And of course, when I think about different old architectures in Europe, I should also mention churches. They interest me from an architectural point of view, and there are many either magnificent churches, exquisite or one of a kind.

This white old whitewashed church is standing at the end of a narrow alley in Cordoba, Spain. And it felt very special!

Small old whitewashed style of an old church in Cordoba, Europe

Or this beautiful SANTO ILDEFONSO church in Porto, Portugal, that was built in a proto-Baroque style.

beautiful SANTO ILDEFONSO church built in a proto-Baroque style in Porto, Europe

Links to some of my other posts

Tramway 28 Lisbon

Best Way to Get Around Portugal

Museum of Carriages in Portugal

Why Visit Montenegro

Picturesque church in Cordoba, Spain

Baroque church in Porto, Portugal with blue tiles (azulejos) around it facade.

Initiation Well in Sintra town in Portugal

But old buildings in Europe are not just pretty or stunning structures.

They also help us remember important things from the past like how people used to live and build things. These buildings are valuable for the history and culture they represent.

It's important to take care of them so we can keep our European heritage alive and teach future generations about our past. Old buildings are precious and should be passed down for people to enjoy and learn from.

If you would like to discover some other interesting destinations in Europe, check out my other blog.

There are many ways to get to those destinations. You can fly in, or you can take a train, or ride a comfortable bus; here is a review of major European bus companies.

Just be careful whom you are buying your tickets from: some can be tricky! Read my review of kiwi.com, for example.

Do you like old buildings? Let's connect on social media and you can share with me your favorites! The links are below in the footer.

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Alonga Travel the author smiles behind her laptop in her mobile rooftop office in Portugal over

Hi, I am Tatiana—a digital nomad, slow traveling around Europe and beyond. Do you like my rooftop mobile office in front of the beautiful church and a storks' nest on its roof? That was such an awesome experience!:) Follow my travel explorations on Alonga Travel and unique findings to learn of places like this!