The most beautiful small towns in Europe
Too many travellers overlook small towns in Europe. When it comes to European holidays, big culture-driven cities like Rome and Paris tend to get all the attention. But between all the landmarks and selfie-taking tourists, you’ll find some of the prettiest places in Europe with populations smaller than the line for the Eiffel Tower. And despite their petite size, they still offer the same great architecture and beautiful natural surroundings as their metropolitan counterparts.
Whether it's a lakeside hamlet in Austria or a hauntingly beautiful village in Romania, these storybook towns are the stuff European dreams are made of. Often, it's these small towns that capture our imaginations. They're not typically the stuff of bucket lists – big-hitting attractions are usually the stuff of capital cities – but they can ignite the same, if not higher, levels of wanderlust. It's the storied cobbled backstreets, the smiley, grateful faces found in bakeries and tiny boutiques, and selfie-stick-free views that have us zooming in on our smartphone maps in search of the next off-the-beaten-track adventure.
GettyGuimarães, Portugal
Population: 152,309
The northern town of Guimarães is often referred to as Portugal’s “cradle city,” as the country’s first king, Afonso Henriques, was born here in the early 1100s. Lean into that sense of history in the UNESCO-listed city centre, filled with excellent examples of Portuguese architecture (those tiles!) dating back 600 years. And while Guimarães may be a bit larger than the other entries on this list, its charming plazas and family-owned shops provide the same storybook feel that you’ll find in some of Portugal’s tiniest villages.
GettyČeský Krumlov, Czech Republic
Population: 13,056
Do you love the look of Prague but hate the crowds? Enter Český Krumlov, an incredibly picturesque town in South Bohemia. Here you’ll find red-roofed houses, plazas with fountains, and a Gothic castle overlooking the Vltava River. Think of it as a small-scale Prague you can walk across in under 30 minutes.
GettyLauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Population: 2,452
The Alpine town of Lauterbrunnen is pretty in its own right, with chalet-style houses and small village churches. But its natural surroundings are what really steal the show: think towering rock faces, mountain peaks, flowery meadows, and some of the tallest free-flowing waterfalls in Europe. Fun fact: J.R.R. Tolkien used Lauterbrunnen as inspiration for the fictional valley of Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings.
GettyEguisheim, France
Population: 1,734
If you close your eyes and picture the perfect French village, it probably looks exactly like Eguisheim. The Alsace town has it all: half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, medieval churches, and even a Christmas market come December. Be sure to stop by the Chapelle Saint-Léon IX, a pretty chapel with painted vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows depicting the Saints of Alsace.
GettyBled, Slovenia
Population: 8,171
There’s a reason Lake Bled is one of Slovenia's most popular sites. With its emerald waters, church-dotted islet, views of the Julien Alps, and 12th-century castle on a hill, you won’t be short on picture-perfect views. The surrounding town of Bled is just as charming, with candlelit restaurants and traditional wooden rowboats just waiting for visitors.
Mauro_RepossiniMdina, Malta
Population: 243
Malta’s capital city of Valletta isn’t exactly huge, with a population under 6,000 and an area smaller than Central Park. But if you want to go even smaller, head to the fortified city of Mdina in the centre of the island nation. Malta’s old capital has extraordinary examples of Medieval and Baroque architecture, with churches, catacombs, and palaces open for visitors to explore. The city boasts a bit of pop culture fame as well: It served as the filming location for the entrance to King’s Landing in the first season of Game of Thrones.
GettyRonda, Spain
Population: 33,978
One of the highlights of travelling around Andalusia is the seemingly endless supply of pueblos blancos (white towns) named for the uniform colour of the houses. While there are many that exhibit the Moorish architecture and labyrinthine streets that define the region, there’s something extra special about Ronda – namely, its location. Set high in the mountains on the edge of a 400-foot cliff, the views of the valley below are stunning, and the three bridges that span the canyon are mind-boggling feats of engineering.
AlamyRibe, Denmark
Population: 8,365
Dating back more than 1,300 years, Ribe is the oldest town in Denmark – and, in fact, in all of Scandinavia. The city was established in the early eighth century, and while you can’t find any structures that date back to that time still standing today, the picturesque cathedrals and half-timbered houses on cobblestoned streets are well worth a visit.
GettyPortree, Scotland
Population: 2,310
The Isle of Skye is known for its sublime natural beauty, but it also happens to house one of the UK’s most charming little towns. Situated on the edge of Loch Portree, the capital city has rows of pastel-coloured homes and pubs, with a flotilla of bright fishing and lobster boats stirring peacefully in the harbour outside.
GettyPraiano, Italy
Population: 2,026
The town of Praiano (close to Positano) lies along the iconic Amalfi Coast, packed with beautiful beaches like Marina di Praia and Gavitella, and culture to boot. Come here for stunning ancient churches, towers, and sacred sculptures. The San Gennaro Church is a notable standout, with intricate tile floors and a ceramic dome that can be seen from almost anywhere in town.
GettyDinant, Belgium
Population: 13,544
Nestled snugly in a cliff face on the Meuse River in Belgium’s Wallonia region, the tiny town of Dinant looks like the setting of a Disney movie – complete with skyline-defining Gothic cathedral and 16th-century castle (hedge maze included). Fun fact: Dinant also happens to be the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the – you guessed it – saxophone.
GettyGiethoorn, Netherlands
Population: 2,795
Affectionately referred to as the “Venice of the Netherlands,” this village has no roads – just bike lanes and canals. Explore Giethoorn’s roof farmhouses and wooden arch bridges by boat or by ice skating on the canals during the frozen winter months.
S. Hansche/GettyHallstatt, Austria
Population: 779
There’s something special about Hallstatt, easily one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe. This fact is made evident when you pull up by ferry across the glassy lake, with mist rolling down from the towering Dachstein mountains. Within the UNESCO World Heritage town are churches that date to the 12th century, a buzzing market square, and plenty of cosy, candlelit restaurants. Bonus: Hallstatt is only an hour’s drive from Salzburg and three from Vienna, making it a relatively easy day trip from Austria’s larger and more touristic cities.
GettyCastle Combe, England
Population: 344
Castle Combe is a quintessentially English village located in the southwest county of Wiltshire. No new houses have been built here since the 1600s, so the town is a well-preserved stretch of Cotswold stone cottages and old pubs and churches. For a real taste of the town, stop in for afternoon tea at the Old Rectory Pop-Up Tearoom.
GettyAssos, Greece
Population: 88
The charming, bloom-filled village of Assos on Kefalonia is one of the most compelling reasons to visit the Greek Islands. The tiny hamlet sits at the bottom of a hill, surrounded by the strikingly blue Mediterranean Sea on three sides. Spend some time on the village’s pebble beach before loading up on Greek food in one of the traditional restaurants lining the marina. Seriously, do vacations get any better than that?
GettyKotor, Montenegro
Population: 13,510
At turns reminiscent of Norwegian fjords and Lake Como, the Bay of Kotor is lined with ancient, picturesque towns – including its namesake. Backed by steep limestone cliffs, Kotor’s UNESCO-protected Old Town draws visitors for its scenic location, but also for its history. Getting lost here is not only encouraged, but expected: Centuries ago, Old Kotor was built like a maze to confuse invaders.
GettyÍsafjörður, Iceland
Population: 2,736
Located in Iceland’s unbelievably gorgeous Westfjords peninsula, the tiny town of Ísafjörður is nearly swallowed by the towering mountains surrounding it. With winter temperatures dipping down to the 20 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures rarely reaching above the mid-50s, Ísafjörður is pretty much the opposite of your go-to Italian and Greek resort towns – and therein lies its appeal, especially if you prefer your vacations more rugged than ritzy.
GettyTórshavn, Faroe Islands
Population: 13,083
Tucked between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean (and technically part of Denmark), the Faroe Islands have enough puffins and grass-roofed houses to keep travellers happy for days. The capital of Tórshavn is also the largest city on the archipelago, settled behind a busy harbour on the east coast of Streymoy Island. Within the 66.8-square-mile city are 18th-century churches, a handful of museums, a tiny Old Town, and rows of houses painted black and red.
GettyKorcula, Croatia
Population: 5,663
One of the Croatia’s most popular islands, Korcula is renowned for its white wine and dense forests. Its biggest town, the eponymous Korcula, is known as “Little Dubrovnik” for its fortified medieval walls and narrow streets. Local legend says explorer Marco Polo was born here, and the site of his alleged birth is open to visitors.
GettyCobh, Ireland
Population: 12,800
Cobh redefines charming with its rows of candy-coloured homes along the water and towering cathedral standing sentry over the harbour. This town is particularly popular with cruise-lovers – about 60 ships stop there every year. In fact, Cobh was the final port of call for the RMS Titanic, and a commemorative museum stands in the city today.
GettyReine, Lofoten Islands
Population: 314
The beauty of the Lofoten Islands, just off Norway’s northwestern coast, is truly unparalleled: think majestic fjords, frozen beaches dotted with surfers, and colourful fishing villages. Reine on the island of Moskenesøya is one such village, located above the Arctic Circle about 190 miles southwest of Tromsø. The town’s yellow, stilted buildings surrounded by jagged mountains and icy waters is about as picturesque as it gets.
GettyKastraki, Greece
Population: 560
The idyllic, red-roofed town of Kastraki has one of the best backdrops imaginable: the famous Meteora monasteries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by the wildflower-filled countryside of mainland Greece. It’s hard to imagine a more impressive view than opening your blinds to see medieval buildings on pillars of rock that stretch a thousand feet into the sky.
GettySighișoara, Romania
Population: 23,927
If you like your Eastern European towns to come with a fear factor, then the Transylvanian city of Sighișoara is for you. The historic town is the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the vicious Prince of Wallachia who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. For the best thrills, you can tour his childhood home (which includes a tiny torture museum) or brave Holy Trinity Church’s eerie and creaky stairwell after dark. Not a fan of the macabre? Sighișoara’s UNESCO-protected historic centre and streets lined with colourful houses provide a nice fairytale vibe – minus the bad guys.
GettyCastelluccio, Italy
Population: <150
Located atop a steep hill 5,000 feet above sea level, Castellucio is the highest village in the Appenine Mountain Range – and arguably the most beautiful. On one side, the village is backed by snow-capped mountains, and on the other, lush, fertile plains that blossom with red poppies, violets, and rapeseed in the spring (time your visit to their flowering, from late May to early June). Sadly, a 2016 earthquake rendered the village virtually uninhabitable, but some remaining residents have re-opened shops and restaurants that visitors can pop into.
GettyRothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Population: 10,930
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, known for its preserved medieval Old Town, draws millions of tourists each year with its made-for-Instagram multicoloured facades. If you can swing it, plan your visit for December when the town transforms into a winter wonderland with snow-dusted rooftops, glowing storefronts, and cosy taverns. And don't forget about the Reiterlesmarkt, one of the best Christmas markets in the entire country.
GettyFlåm, Norway
Population: 350
Undoubtedly one of Europe’s most beautiful cruise ports, the tiny village of Flåm welcomes ships passing through western Norway’s vast Sognefjord. The town is scattered with boldly coloured houses and surrounded by unblemished green hills, but it’s perhaps best known for housing Flamsbana – the world’s steepest railway. Hop on the train in Flåm, which will take you past waterfalls and snow-capped peaks to the summit of Myrdal Mountain.