© iStock

Mont-Saint-Michel, France - Fortified in the 13th century, this monastic island settlement contains three towns. It's a location that is definitely worth a visit for its architecture, history, and unique location.

© iStock

Dubrovnik, Croatia - This walled town is a real gem in the Adriatic. The defensive structure includes 40 towers and five fortresses. This series of fortifications was known as the 'European wall of China.'

© iStock

Dubrovnik, Croatia - Construction on the 7 km long structure began in 1358. It's the second longest wall in Europe, surpassed only by Hadrian's Wall on the border of England and Scotland.

© iStock

Carcassonne, France - This medieval town has a series of walls and one of the most impressive castles in France.

© iStock

Carcassonne, France - Carcassonne is a very well-preserved town, and was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 due to its history and impressive architecture.

© iStock

Siena, Italy - Built atop three hills and encircled by 6 km of 13th century walls, visitors can pass through the Porta Camollia, one of the impressive entrances along the city walls. The ancient city was founded by Emperor Augustus.

© iStock

Ávila, Spain - This Spanish city can boast of having Europe's best-preserved medieval wall. Not only that, Ávila has the oldest gothic church in Spain.

© iStock

Ávila, Spain - Construction began towards the end of the 11th century by order of Alfonso VI of León and Castile. It is one of the highlights of the region due to the architecture, history and impressive conservation.

© iStock 

Ceuta, Spain - The Royal Walls of Ceuta were ordered to be built by Abd-ar-Rahman III, the first Caliph of Córdoba in the 10th century and were completed in 962 during the reign of his son Al-Hakam II.

© iStock

Ceuta, Spain - The walls were expanded after the Conquest of Ceuta by the Portuguese in 1415. Between 1541 and 1549 during the reign of King John III of Portugal the ramparts, moat, and drawbridge were built.

© Shutterstock 

Peniscola, Spain - The medieval fortifications on the south and east side were built between the 13th and 15th century. Up at the Portal Sant Pere you can find the ancient walls and an impeccably preserved medieval castle.

© iStock

Pingyao, China - This town is over 700 km from Beijing and is an incredible example of a traditional Chinese town under the Han dynasty.

© iStock

Pingyao, China - A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pingyao has impressive fortresses and walls, and is one of the most popular locations in China.

© iStock

Campeche, Mexico - This fortified town sits on the Yucatán Peninsula and is famous for being one of the few walled cities in South America, and the only one in Mexico.

© iStock

Campeche, Mexico - The walls are in perfect condition and became a World Heritage Site in 1999.

© Shutterstock 

San Marino - This tiny country is the oldest republic in the world, founded in 301. The city became a center for christian refugees fleeing Roman persecution.

© iStock

San Marino - The urban center was protected by three towers. The first, named Guaita, was built to protect the city and was thought to be impenetrable. When the war continued, two more towers were built, named Cesta and Montale.

© iStock

Luca, Italy - This ancient town in Tuscany has a huge defensive wall which surrounds the city.

© iStock

Luca, Italy - The walls date back to the time of the Romans and are still mostly intact.

© iStock

Saint-Malo, France - Saint-Malo's medieval walls were built around the 12th century by John of the Grating.

© iStock

Saint-Malo, France - Nowadays the city is an important tourist attraction in France, and is fascinating for its conservation and historic monuments.

© iStock

Tallinn, Estonia - The Estonian city is the best-preserved walled town on the Baltic Sea. Of the 66 original towers along the walls during medieval times, only 20 are still standing. Despite that, the architecture of this city is still well preserved.

© iStock 

Valença do Minho, Portugal - Valença do Minho is notable for its walls and the traces of a fortified defensive town. Nowadays the monuments dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries are still well preserved.

© Shutterstock

Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain - Ciudad Rodrigo is one of the many Spanish towns whose old town center is surrounded by city walls. The first stone was laid in the 12th century by order of Ferdinand II of León.

© Shutterstock 

Elvas, Portugal - A fantastic example of a star fort, construction began under King Sancho II, being completed between the 17th and 18th centuries.

© Shutterstock

Elvas, Portugal - The walls contain an impressive 300 hectares of land within, and extend for eight/ten km. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

© iStock

Masada, Israel - An historic fortress atop steep cliffs and rugged terrain. Today only the ruins remain.

© iStock 

Masada, Israel - The remains indicate an ancient construction, historians have still been unable to identify a year of construction. In 2001 it was designated World Heritage Site status.

© iStock

Bourtange, Netherlands - This walled town in the north of the Netherlands was built in 1851. The system of ramparts, walls, towers and moats is looks incredible from above.

© Shutterstock 

El Jadida, Morrocco - This ancient Moroccan city belonged to the Portuguese between the 15th and 18th century, nicknamed Mazagão.

© iStock 

El Jadida, Morrocco - The walls, ramparts and fortifications are well preserved.

© iStock