Europe is a treasure box of history. One of the richest layers of that treasure is the Roman Empire, which once stretched across much of the continent. Today, many popular cities in Europe still bear the marks of Roman rule—in their streets, walls, ruins, and even in their names. For travelers looking to blend history, culture, and modern life, these cities are fantastic choices among European travel destinations. In this article, we’ll take you through several famous European cities that were once controlled by Rome, and show you what still remains of that past.
Why the Roman Empire matters to modern Europe
Before diving into specific cities, it helps to remember how massive the Roman Empire was. At its height, Rome controlled territories from what is now Britain in the north to North Africa in the south, from the Atlantic coast in the west to the Middle East in the east. That means many modern countries were once Roman provinces. The empire built roads, aqueducts, walls, amphitheaters, public baths, forums, and more. As time went on, many of the cities the Romans occupied kept growing, long after the Roman Empire fell in the west (officially in AD 476). Because of that, many European cities today still show Roman foundations, ruins hidden under newer construction, and street layouts influenced by Roman planning.
Also, note that when you see tour posters, event listings, or guides for concerts in European cities, sometimes the venue might be partly a Roman ruin (like amphitheaters that are now used for performances). These living ruins remind us that ancient and modern worlds sometimes overlap.
1. Rome, Italy
It’s impossible to talk about the Roman Empire without starting at its capital. Rome is where the empire began (at least in legend) and where the emperors resided. It was the heart of politics, culture, religion, and power for centuries. The city became enormous, with public buildings like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, and many baths and palaces.
Today, visitors to Rome can walk through ruins of the Roman Forum, climb the Palatine Hill, visit the Colosseum, and see how modern city streets run beside ancient stones. Rome is a living museum—and also a modern, vibrant city with food, art, neighborhoods, and events. In many ways, Rome is both ancient and modern at once.
2. Lyon, France
Lyon (ancient Lugdunum) was one of the most important Roman cities in Gaul. It was founded in the late Republic period, around 43 BC, and became the capital of the Roman province of Gallia Lugdunensis.
Lyon was well located at the meeting of the Rhône and Saône rivers, making it a trade and communications hub. Under Roman rule, the city had theaters, temples, baths, and a forum. Some of these ruins are still visible: for example, Roman theaters on Fourvière Hill and sections of the ancient city ramparts.
Today Lyon is one of France’s major cities, known for its cuisine, culture, and rich history. When you stroll through older parts of Lyon, you might notice that the city’s layout partly follows ancient Roman patterns.
3. Trier, Germany
Trier is often called the oldest city in Germany. It was a major Roman city and, in late antiquity, it even served as a residence for Roman emperors. The imperial baths, amphitheater, and city gates are among the best preserved Roman ruins north of the Alps.
One striking Roman landmark in Trier is the Porta Nigra, a large Roman city gate that still stands. The Roman baths are also impressive: huge vaulted halls, chambers, hot water systems—all that remain of once-grand public bathing complexes. Walking around Trier gives a sense of how Romans brought their urban ideals well into what is now Germany.
4. Pula, Croatia
On the Istrian peninsula, Pula (ancient Polensium) was a Roman outpost and port city. It is famous today for its remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheater, known as the Pula Arena, which dates to the 1st century CE.
Unlike many ruins which are only partial walls, the Pula Arena is largely intact—and still used today, especially in summer, for concerts and performances. The mix of seaside charm and old stones makes Pula a special stop for people exploring Roman heritage along the Adriatic coast.
5. Arles, France
Arles was a Roman city in Provence (southern France). Under Roman control, it boasted a large amphitheater, a theater, baths, a circus (for chariot races), and aqueducts. The city’s Roman monuments are integrated within its modern center, so you can walk among medieval buildings and Roman ruins in the same block.
The Arles amphitheater is still used today for events, including bullfights and light shows. The Roman theater and cryptoporticus (underground galleries) are also attractions. Because Arles was on Roman roads and near the Rhône river, it was a strategic and prosperous city during Roman times.
6. Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey (European side)
When Emperor Constantine decided to establish a new capital in the 4th century, he re-founded the city of Byzantium as Constantinople (the “New Rome”). It became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire (sometimes called the Byzantine Empire).
Though much of modern Istanbul spans both Europe and Asia, many of the Roman (and later Byzantine) remains are on the European side. You can still find city walls, parts of the old Hippodrome, foundations of the original city, and layered ruins beneath the streets of modern Istanbul.
Istanbul today is a huge, living metropolis and a bridge between continents. Its Roman and Byzantine past contributes deeply to its character. Travelers who approach it as both a modern city and an archaeological tapestry will find surprises.
7. Thessaloniki, Greece
Thessaloniki has a long history, but during Roman rule it rose in importance as a trade hub along the Via Egnatia (a major Roman road connecting the Adriatic to the Bosporus). It was declared a Roman city and later became the capital of one of the districts (provinces) of Roman Macedonia.
In Thessaloniki, you can see remnants of Roman walls, a Roman forum, and ancient paved streets. The city’s layered past (Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman) is visible in its architecture and urban layout. It’s a vibrant port city with museums that showcase Roman-era artifacts.
8. Mérida, Spain
Mérida (ancient Emerita Augusta) was founded in 25 BC as a colony for retired Roman soldiers. Over centuries, it became one of the most important Roman cities on the Iberian Peninsula. Archaeological remains are abundant: a large Roman theater, amphitheater, aqueducts (such as the Alcántara Bridge), and well-preserved city walls.
Walking through Mérida feels like stepping back in time: you can cross bridges built by Romans, view the theater at dusk, and imagine how important the city was in Roman Spain. Today, Mérida is a quieter city, but for history lovers it’s a gem.
Why visit these cities today?
Beyond just seeing old stones, these cities offer a mix of the ancient and the modern:
Cultural life: Many ancient ruins are repurposed for modern use—amphitheaters for performances, plazas for markets, and museums built on top of Roman foundations.
Walkable history: In many cities, Roman remains are integrated into everyday streets, so you don’t have to go off the beaten path to find them.
Architectural layering: You often see Roman structures, medieval walls, Renaissance buildings, and modern developments all in one view.
Education and inspiration: Visiting these places helps us understand how Rome shaped Europe—government, roads, cities, and laws all drew on Roman models.
Events & performances: As mentioned, venues like ancient amphitheaters sometimes host modern concerts, giving a once-in-a-lifetime chance to hear music amid ruins.
If you plan a trip through Europe focusing on Roman heritage, you’ll find that each city has its own flavor—some grand, some intimate—but all connected by a common thread: the legacy of one of history’s greatest empires.
Tips for visiting Roman-ruled cities
Check opening hours and seasons — some ruins are outdoors and may close in winter or during rain.
Use audio guides or tours — they help you spot details like foundations beneath streets or hidden tunnels.
Wear good walking shoes — uneven stones and cobbled streets are common.
Combine with other history eras — many of these cities also have medieval, Renaissance, or Ottoman layers to explore.
Plan ahead for performances — if you want to see a show in an amphitheater, check the city’s event calendar in advance.
Rome’s influence spread far and wide. The Roman Empire shaped urban life, law, language, roads, and architecture across the continent. Today, when you wander through Lyon, Trier, Pula, Arles, Istanbul, Thessaloniki, Mérida—or of course, Rome itself—you are walking through the echoes of ancient power. And when you see an announcement for concerts in a Roman amphitheater, you realize how alive those ruins still are.
These cities aren’t just museums — they are living places where people eat, live, celebrate, and remember. They illustrate that history is not something locked in time, but something that continues to shape our world. For anyone interested in mixing exploration with learning, Roman-ruled cities in Europe are among the most compelling European travel destinations you can choose.
