Europe’s ‘prettiest’ medieval market town where a pint of beer costs less than £1 | Europe | Travel
There are plenty of medieval towns across Europe that claim to be the prettiest. Some are packed with tourists and souvenir shops, while others feel more like open-air museums. But there is one remarkably well-preserved market town that many travellers say is prettier than all the others.
It has completely intact defensive walls, a huge cobbled square and colourful gabled houses that look almost too perfect to be real. And despite its beauty and UNESCO status, you can still find a pint of beer there for less than £1. That town is Bardejov.
Located in the Prešov Region of north-eastern Slovakia, near the Polish border, Bardejov is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its exceptional preservation.
Unlike many European towns that were modernised or damaged during wars, its late medieval layout has remained virtually unchanged since the 15th century.
At the heart of the town is Radničné námestie, a huge rectangular market square paved with river stones.
It is flanked on three sides by 46 colourful burghers’ houses, each with its own pastel façade and decorative portal.
One TripAdvisor review said: “Entering the town square feels like walking onto a film set, but it’s all real. It is arguably the most beautiful and complete medieval square in Central Europe.
“The colorful burghers’ houses are perfectly preserved and the cobblestones give it such an authentic vibe. It might be the prettiest medieval town in all of Europe.”
The square is dominated by the Basilica of St Giles, a Gothic church famous for its 11 original Gothic winged altars from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Visitors can climb its 76-metre tower for panoramic views over the rooftops and surrounding countryside.
In the middle of the square stands the Old Town Hall, the first Renaissance building in Slovakia. It now houses a historical exhibition of the Šariš region museum.
Bardejov is also famous for its defensive fortifications, which are among the best preserved in Central Europe.
The system includes several bastions, such as the Monastery Bastion and the Červená bašta.
Another visitor wrote: “I’ve travelled all over Europe and I am shocked Bardejov isn’t more famous. It is a UNESCO gem that puts more popular medieval towns to shame because it isn’t overrun by souvenir shops. It’s quiet and stunning.”
Just three miles north of the town is Bardejov Spa, one of the oldest and most beautiful spas in Slovakia. It also features an open-air museum of traditional wooden architecture.
And when it comes to costs, Bardejov remains extremely affordable. While prices on the main square are typically around €1.50 to €2 for a large beer, local pubs just a few streets away frequently serve a 0.5L draught for around €1 to €1.20, which is currently less than £1.
One reviewer said: “Slovakia is already affordable, but Bardejov is a different level. We sat in a side-street pub just off the Radničné námestie and paid barely a Euro for a large, cold beer. You can have a full three-course lunch for the price of a sandwich in London.”
The nearest international airport with direct UK flights is Košice International Airport, around 45 miles away. From there, Bardejov can be reached by bus or train in roughly one to two hours.
