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For every ParisRomeand Londonthere are hundreds of small European towns that capture the spirit of their particular nation. From an itty-bitty Icelandic outpost surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery to an ancient seaside settlement on the Black Sea, here are 17 small towns in Europe to add to your travel list. Zell am See most beautiful small towns in europe quite simply one of Europe's most lovely small towns. For that last one, the narrow-gauge train puts you within easy reach of the Krimml Waterfalls.
Gangi is Sicilian small-town magic, with a hilltop castle, medieval and baroque churches, and golden-brown-from-the-sun houses. Looming high over it all is massive Mount Etna. For a macabre detour from all the warm Mediterranean charm, go down to the underground tomb of Chiesa Madre Gangi, where mummified priests line the crypt walls. Picturesque Bled looks like a mythical scene dreamed up by a Grimm brother. Its most prominent most beautiful small towns in europe is an ethereal 17th-century church perched on a tear-shaped island in Lake Bled, which you can get to by boat.
Most beautiful small towns in europe town of Bled and its surrounds offer outdoor activities year-round, from hiking mountain trails most beautiful small towns in europe rowing on the lake to most beautiful small towns in europe tobogganing down Straza Hill, with amazing views of the water below. Even in the land southern Germany of ridiculous medieval charm, Rothenburg ob der Tauber stands out.
It pulls out all the romantic Bavarian stops, with turrets, stone archways, clock towers, taverns, and timber-framed buildings.
Go figure, it was the inspiration for the village in "Pinocchio" and a filming location for Harry Potter. After ambling through the knot of cobbled alleyways, walk the one-and-a-half-mile stone rampart to see the picture-perfect town and its bucolic surroundings. Stationed on the far reaches of eastern Icelandbeeautiful tiny village of Seydisfjordur is practically hidden at the very end toens a dramatic fjord.
Each week, its harbor greets a ferry connecting Iceland источник статьи Denmark and the Faroe Islands. It's a great option for visitors most beautiful small towns in europe Europe with the hearty sea legs of a Scandinavian raider.
Though its population clocks in at underthe town boasts a healthy arts scene and more than its fair share of guesthouses, breweries, and restaurants including what's regularly declared the best sushi restaurant in Iceland.
Admire the postcard town from eurkpe of the many hiking trails, sunbathe on the small and sunny beaches, and hire a barca for a day of exploring the nearby cobalt bays most beautiful small towns in europe feel like a secret. This перейти на страницу town on a slender peninsula is a maze of cobblestone streets and pretty red-roofed houses overlooking the turquoise sea.
Add in excellent sandy beaches, a picturesque fishing port lined with boats, delicious Balkan and Mediterranean cuisine, and a great cultural scene the late-summer Apollonia Arts Festival is a showcase of Bulgarian and global performersand you've got a seaside town that's perfectly suited for laid-back exploration.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz retains its Basque Country fishing-village feel, with half-timbered buildings in the lovely old quarter, boats bobbing in the sheltered port, and quaint architecture and golden sand framing the scenic beach walk. The beach town swells with visitors in the summer, though surfers flock here any time of year for the classic surf break Plage de Lafitenia and big waves surf spot Belharra.
Surrounded by forests, lakes, hills, and valleys, this tiny town is renowned for its scenic natural beauty. Come winter, the town balloons with skiers, snowboarders, and other snow-loving sports enthusiasts — perhaps even Olympic medalists deep in training. It's worth the or-so-minute drive to Sangaste, a red-brick Gothic Revival manor modeled after Windsor Castle.
This Puglian port town on the sun-soaked outer heel of Italy's boot has miles of glorious beaches with sparkling, shallow water stretching way, beaitiful out. Between afternoons of swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, wander the historic center dipping inside the town's medieval cathedral to see floor skall dating back to the 12th century and take a day trip to gorgeous Lecce, the "Florence of the South. Approaching Zermatt on the train, it's impossible wurope to be awed by the sheer beauty of the Matterhorn rising above its fellow Alps.
At its foot lies the town — part glitzy ski resort, part snowy emall for a fairy tale. Zermatt's miles of ski runs are the major appeal, yes, but there's plenty to do off the slopes: exploring the car-free town center, warm-weather hiking, and gliding up to the highest mountain station in Europe Trockener Steg via cable car.
In the summer and fall, brave Gorner Gorge's wooden paths clinging to the cliff over an ancient glacial river. For centuries, this beautiful little gem was presented as a wedding gift to Portuguese queens. The walled hill town still exudes the same charisma that caught Queen Isabel's eye beaautiful the 13th century thus prompting her husband to just gift it to her. Everywhere you go, steep stone lanes wind between whitewashed houses dripping in sun-loving bougainvillea and topped with terra-cotta tiles.
Brightly painted buildings, twisting streets, and a baroque hilltop church clustered together on a small peninsula make the ancient fishing port of Rovinj a highlight of Croatia's Istrian coast.
Sample just-hauled-in-from-the-Adriatic sardines, modt local truffles, and wine from indigenous Istrian grapes. It's worth the minute drive to family-run Stancija Collis to taste delicious Malvasia, as well as olive oil and goat cheese.
Lovely Castelsardo, with its meandering streets, knockout beaches, and Bronze Age ruins, makes a picture-perfect seaside base for exploring the northern coast of Sardinia. The medieval hilltop town has plentiful accommodation options and charming seafood spots and wine bars serving local swordfish and crisp Sardinian whites, plus good roads leading to iconic Towms Caccia, Spiaggia Rena Bianca, and Costa Smeralda in under two hours.
A village green, cozy pubs, and non-chain shops give a sense of local culture while the 17th-century Bridge House, built over the small river, offers a glimpse into the читать статью past.
Most beautiful small towns in europe Loughrigg Fell is a popular way to see what is mt pleasant sc known for Lake Windermere from above, while ambitious nature walkers can circle the lake on the most beautiful small towns in europe Windermere Way.
Grizedale Forest provides more opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and even zip lining through the treetops — keep an eye out for the outdoor art sculptures set throughout most beautiful small towns in europe woods. Pyrgi's claim to fame is the incredible xysta — /12948.txt geometric designs — covering its buildings, arches, balconies, and bell towers. Set on gorgeous Chios, Pyrgi is one of most beautiful small towns in europe Aegean island's two dozen mastikahoria : villages involved in the cultivation of mastic, historically used to make liqueurs, drinks, foods, and chewing gum.
But the intricate decorative motifs are unique to Pyrgi and an influence from Genoese control over the island in the Middle Ages — they're essentially medieval Italian graffiti.
The Czech Republic has many tiny towns that look like they've sprung from a folk tale. Anchored by a Renaissance castle, the triangular main square stuns with candy-colored stone houses connected by a nonstop line of delicate arches.
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19 Most Charming Towns in Europe | PlanetWare.
Volterra, Italy. It's hard to choose between Tuscany's medieval hilltop towns , and most tourists plan to visit more than one. But Volterra is not visited as often as San Gimignano and some of the others, so it's a better place to savor local life and enjoy its top things to do without lines.
Along with the atmospheric old stone streets and companionable little squares, you'll find the whole range of Tuscan sights: significant Etruscan and Roman remains ; 12th- and 13th-century medieval tower houses ; Renaissance art; and a 19th-century palace resplendent in carved alabaster, the local artisan specialty.
It's easy to see why it's invariably listed as one of the best old towns in Europe. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Volterra. Honfleur, France. The bustle of boats in its fishing harbor and the random mix of stone, half-timbered, and pastel stucco house fronts just add to the happy-go-lucky air of this Normandy seaport. Stop in to admire the ceiling of the Late Gothic Church of Sainte-Catherine , built by local shipwrights, then linger for ice cream and enjoy the scene.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Honfleur. Almost hidden beneath the steeply gabled roofs is a maze of narrow stone-paved streets surrounding the 13th-century castle. Like the town itself, this medieval complex shows styles from the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque eras. After visiting the castle, the Church of St. Vitus, and the Minorite Monastery , stroll through the old streets, and view the town from the river, on a boat ride. City Bridge over the River Itchen in Winchester.
The unspoiled cathedral town of Winchester rings with history. It was the capital of England from Anglo-Saxon times until the 13th century and the seat of Alfred the Great. You can see his tomb in the 11th-century Winchester Cathedral , where William the Conqueror was crowned. The cathedral is filled with architectural and artistic highlights – late-Gothic fan vaulting, the magnificent 11th-century wrought iron Pilgrim's Gate , 12th- and 13th-century wall paintings, and 16th-century murals in the Lady Chapel.
There are ruins of the royal castle, the bishop's palace, and the gardens of an abbey founded by King Alfred's queen, but take time to savor the town itself, stopping in the tearooms and shops and following the River Itchen past ancient buildings and quiet gardens. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Winchester. Wismar, Germany. This historic Baltic seaport, once part of the powerful Hanseatic League of trading cities, retains so much of its medieval center and harbor that it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved Hansa architecture.
A stroll through its winding streets reveals half-timbered houses; characteristic stair-step gabled facades; the fascinating medieval Church of the Holy Ghost; and a pair of mammoth brick churches – the meter-tall nave of St. Nicholas , built in , is among the tallest of these Gothic giants found along Germany's north coast. Wismar's harbor looks much as it did in Hansa times, and you can often see the single-masted sailing ship Wissemara, a replica of a traditional Hansa kogge.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Wismar. Laguardia, Spain. Rising above the Rioja, south of Bilbao , Laguardia sits at the top of a hill, its tightly packed stone buildings enclosed by massive stone walls.
During its tumultuous medieval past, the rock beneath it was carved into a maze of tunnels for shelter and escape routes when the town was under attack. You can climb the route followed by medieval pilgrims on the Way of St. Look just inside to see the painted stone carvings of the magnificent original portal, one of the finest Gothic portals in Spain. Follow the walls around the church for views of the valley below and the Sierra de Cantabria mountain range behind it.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Laguardia. Arched stone bridge in Bourton-on-the-Water. The River Windrush is only about 35 miles long, but it gives the village of Bourton-on-the-Water both its name and its unbeatable charm. Five arched bridges, made of local Cotswold stones, cross the river and date from as far back as The streets and lanes of this "Venice of the Cotswolds" are lined by honey-colored houses of weathered stone with gabled slate roofs.
And if this idyllic village doesn't inspire enough photos, it is repeated in flawless miniature at the Model Village. This one-ninth-scale replica of the village center and its bridges is eye-tricking, even to the size of the trees along its streets and a tiny working waterwheel. Benches line the banks of the Windrush, and its grassy verges are favorites on summer days, but Bourton-on-the-Water has more things to do besides admire the riverside and bridges.
Along with the Model Village, built by local craftsmen to honor the Coronation of , you can stroll the wildflower meadows at Greystones.
Zermatt also happens to be free from cars, helping to preserve its traditional atmosphere. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Zermatt. The medieval center of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the most iconic and attractive places in all of Europe. The small German town built its city walls in the 14th century, and much of the architecture in the Old Town is similarly aged. Seemingly untouched by time, Rothenburg ob der Tauber boasts medieval palaces, administrative buildings and the traditional Bavarian half-timbered homes.
Walking tours are the best way to see the ancient walls and as much of the picturesque architecture as possible. Close to the Rhine River and the border with Germany is Eguisheim, a French destination unlike any other.
Widely known as one of the top wine producing areas in Europe, Eguisheim is nestled in between green hills and countless vineyards.
This is a quaint, picturesque spot to linger at a charming cafe with a glass or two of the local wine. In contrast is Perast, a small village with just a few hundred residents. Perast is right on the water, and views from its concrete fishing piers and pebbled beaches are magnificent. For thousands of years, people have been drawn to Hallstatt because of its salt mines. Today, however, a major reason to visit is for the scenery.
Mountains jut up directly behind the placid mountain lake, and you can find everything from caves to waterfalls just a short walk from the picturesque, historic city center of Hallstatt. In the northernmost part of Norway are the Lofoten Islands, arguably the most scenic part of the country. There are no major metropolises here, but you will find the small village of Reine. Not only is Reine a prime spot for admiring wildlife in their natural habitats or getting a glimpse of the Northern Lights, it is also breathtakingly beautiful.
The homes are nearly all traditional and painted the same bright red shade. As a result, there are fewer tourists in the evening while the world-class beach views remain. Spend time around the harbor, where most of the accommodation, restaurants and shops are located.
The harbor itself is stunning, but it really comes to life at sunset. Both towns have their own unique charm and are worthy of a visit. Annecy is built around a 14th Century Chateau and is arguably more charming than any other French town you will find.
The town is also surrounded by the French Alps, making it even more picturesque! But there are so many more! Italy is filled with hidden gems to discover — be sure to take your time in this beautiful country. Often overlooked by travellers to Europe, I truly believe Romania is one of the most magical countries I have explored and Brasov would be the crowning jewel. If a picture tells a thousand words, Reine in Norway has a story to tell. This beautiful fishing village has become one of the most sought after destinations in Europe.
However, due to its remote location, many travellers only ever dream of visiting. If you have time on your hands, be sure to add this to your bucket list. If you find yourself here, be sure to visit nearby Blagaj — another charmer! This gorgeous town in the Provence region of France is your gateway to lavender and sunflower fields, incredible food and magnificent wine. Does it get any more French!? Freiburg is home to around , people and is located in the Southwest of Germany.
This is one of the best-kept secrets of Germany. But if you get off the beaten path in Germany, you will find many of these small towns. This is a great way to meet locals and dive into German culture.
Most beautiful small towns in europe.Europe's most beautiful towns
The small towns of Europe are endlessly, impossibly beautiful. Therefore, no one list could do them justice. A variety of themes or regions could be selected, which would help narrow down the options. So often, the magic of a place comes down to the associations, whether from personal experience, a family tale, a movie, or maybe even a "one-day" desktop background.
With that said, here are a variety of handpicked small towns that are hard to argue against. This scenic mountain village lies at the base of some of the most mesmerizing peaks in the Bernese Alps.
Wengen pronounced ven-gen is in the Jungfrau region of central Switzerland and can only be reached from Lauterbrunnen via the Wengernalp railway. This delightful mode of transportation continues on to Kleine Scheidegg, at the base of the infamous North Face of the Eiger. Throughout Wengen, visitors can enjoy the relaxed pace of the car-free village while taking in the sites of the quintessential timber houses and chalets and the sounds of the rattling cowbells and distant waterfalls.
Zermatt is another Swiss mountain village – this time in the Valais region – that cannot be missed. Zermatt lies at the base of the iconic Matterhorn – easily Europe's most famous mountain and known throughout the world for its striking shape and deadly history, and as a catalyst for the imagination and outlet for the human spirit. Like Wengen, Zermatt is a car-free settlement. Therefore, it is also best reached by train, which for anyone who has not experienced the Swiss system, is a destination event in and of itself.
Zermatt is a place for outdoor adventures through the snow-capped mountains and rolling green foothills and for cozying up in old-fashioned pubs and restaurants at the end of the day. It is known for its picturesque harbor, painting-esque village, and the natural beauty of the surrounding seaside cliffs and numerous calanques.
Its mixed-terrain beaches, adorable alleys, and finer culinary indulgences make it feel like something out of a movie – probably because many French films have been shot on-location in Cassis. It is no wonder why acclaimed author Virginia Woolf called this French town "little paradise.
The mix of architecture Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque creates an eclectic and charming package that the Vltava River perfectly encompasses. As with many European towns, the best part is slowly walking from end to end. Dutch canals, bicycle tours, good cheese, lake access, and an all round authentic town – what is not to love about Edam? Along with the neighboring fishing village of Volendam, this place forms the municipality of Edam-Volendam, which is in the North Holland Province of the Netherlands.
The best part of this quaint and charming region is that it is only a minute drive from Amsterdam. Sometimes the hidden gems require a nightmare itinerary to get to, but Edam is ready to welcome anyone, mere moments after an international flight. This West Coast, County Kerry town is as cute as its name. The colorful houses and pubs are perfectly contrasted by the verdant Irish countryside and the deep blue waters of Dingle Harbor, which branches off from the North Atlantic Ocean.
Dingle is lovely to visit at any time, but for music fans, you will want to cozy up in St. This humble, year-old site has hosted some of the most talented Irish musicians and other big names throughout the world. Beautiful towns are what England does best. Therefore, it is tough to nail down a single highlight for this country. There is the tourist-magnet Lake District, the plentiful gems peppered throughout Devon, but there is also the rugged and stunning county of Cornwall – the UK's Southwest region.
Port Isaac is a particularly pleasing fishing village on Cornwall's Atlantic Coast. This tucked-away spot not only has rugged natural beauty and a pretty town, but the enchanting traditional sea shanties of the Fisherman's Friends, a cappella group, helped put Port Isaac on the map.
This band of musically inclined fishermen was the subject of the recent film by the same name. By most standards, the island of Sicily is the stuff dreams are made of. Of all the picturesque spots to choose from in this magical Italian region, Taormina makes a great case for the crown. This East Coast hilltop town proudly sits above the Ionian Sea.
With the crystalline waters stretching far to the East, and the snow-capped peak of Mount Etna an active volcano looming to the Southwest, Taormina is perfectly situated for the eye of any beholder.
One of the standout fixtures in town is the ancient Greek Theater, which still operates as a world-class venue today. The walled Old Town of Kotor jumps out of photos and into your heart. All the better in person, as you can stroll the maze-like, cobblestone alleys inside the historic fortress of varied cultural influences.
There is a continued mix of ancient architecture and modern amenities within the town center. At any point, take the stairs to the many lookouts from which one can gaze upon the Bay of Kotor and out to the surrounding gray mountains.
And the fun does not stop outside the walls. Here one can walk along the water and stop for a bite or swim. Montenegro tends to be overlooked in favor of the Game of Thrones sites in Croatia – but all the more reason to visit Kotor instead.
This cozy settlement is a base of operations for Mount Elbrus – Europe's highest mountain and one of the Seven Summits. Interestingly, this is the most elevated cable car, not only in Russia, but in all of Europe. Within Cheget, there are Swiss-style chalets, a cute A-frame coffee shop, and plenty of street vendors to engage with.
Even though the name suggests a different connotation, the town itself is gorgeous. Most notably, Lake Bled is what draws the eye and the visitors from all over. The freshwater, perimeter path, and central islet with one determined church make for a serene afternoon setting. Just behind the lake stands the 12th-century Bled Castle, mysteriously looking down from high on the hill. Beyond that, the Julien Alps radiate proudly.
Bled is all about layers. From West to East and from mountains to seas, the beauty of small European towns shines brightly. There are no wrong answers, only more options to add to the ever-growing continent-wide itinerary. Where is your next dream destination? Wengen, Switzerland Stunning autumn view of picturesque alpine village Wengen with Jungfrau Mountain and Lauterbrunnen Valley on background. Zermatt, Switzerland Aerial view of Zermatt.
Andrew Douglas April 5 in Places.