From the Alps to the Mediterranean, these frozen-in-time European villages will make you appreciate the beauty of taking it slow.
The notion of postcard-perfect villages steeped in old-world charm has inspired centuries of travelers to fan out across Europe, seeking its secluded hamlets.
As a result, the continent’s scenic spots rarely remain hidden for long. It doesn’t take much to make a charming village feel uncomfortably popular. Consider the five fishing villages that make up Italy’s Cinque Terre, where an evening summertime stroll often feels like shuffling through a packed amusement park, complete with overpriced restaurants and souvenir shops.
But just a few miles down the coast from those crowds is Tellaro, another beautiful seaside village that is less accessible and thus blissfully unspoiled. A similar sense of discovery is the major draw in overlooked regions that house pint-size gems like the Alsatian village of Colmar, France, where bakeries sell both croissants and kugel Hopf.
The first requirement of a beautiful village is a scenic location, whether among the Norwegian fjords or the sun-splashed Greek Isles. But the finest also have distinctive features like the plaza ringed with high gabled pastel façades in Telč, Czech Republic, or the unforgettable Victorian castle rising above the thatched roofs of Cong, Ireland.
Reaching some of these European beauties requires extra effort, yet the rewards are dazzling. Your eyes will thank you.
Tellaro, Italy
Snaking cliff-top roads and a minuscule harbor have protected Tellaro from the wave of tourism that has swallowed other Ligurian seaside towns like Vernazza and Portofino. A jumble of pastel buildings clings vertiginously to the sheer cliffs of Tellaro, which occupies the easternmost tip of the Golfo dei Poeti. It’s named for the poets and literary icons like Lord Byron and D. H. Lawrence who have sought inspiration in this Mediterranean haven.
Bibury, England
The hilly Cotswold region is a designated “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” in southwestern England, and one of its loveliest villages is Bibury, where verdant meadows abut ancient stone cottages with steep pitched roofs. The River Coln, which bisects the village, teems with trout, but the most scenic area is Arlington Row, a lane of sepia-hued cottages built in the 17th century to house weavers from the nearby Arlington Mill.
Hallstatt, Austria
The storybook town of Hallstatt in central Austria enjoys a gorgeous setting on the bank of the Hallstätter See, between the pristine lake and a lush mountain that rises dramatically from the water’s edge. A history of salt mining dating back thousands of years has translated into enduring prosperity for the town, which is most evident in the beautiful square ringed with ivy-covered buildings.
Folegandros, Greece
Santorini’s streets sag with admirers, but on Folegandros, a nearby island in the Cyclades, you’ll find similar architecture—streets paved in slate, whitewashed buildings decorated with colorful flowers, the occasional Greek Orthodox church with a bright blue dome—without the crowds. For a secluded swim, trek to Kate go, a sheltered stretch of beach where gentle, emerald-blue waves lap the pebbly shore.
Colmar, France
French and German influences commingle in this well-preserved Alsatian village, where local bakeries sell both croissants and kugel Hopf, and restaurants specialize in foie gras and sauerkraut (or choucroute). A range of architectural styles, from German Gothic to French Neo-Baroque, can be spotted in the old town, which was spared destruction during World War II—thanks in part to the historical beauty of its cobblestoned lanes, quiet canals, and half-timbered houses.
Reine, Norway
North of the Arctic Circle, Reine is a pretty fishing village in the Lofoten archipelago, an area of starkly beautiful Nordic wilderness, where sapphire bays punctuate fjords and mountains. Many of the bright red fishermen’s cabins (called robber) have been converted into comfortable cottages for visitors that offer direct access to the Norwegian Sea. Settle in for a front-row view of the night sky and its mesmerizing entertainment, from summer’s midnight sun to winter’s northern lights.
Telč, Czech Republic
Residents of Telč, a small town in South Moravia, were once quite competitive about the beauty of their homes, as is evident today on the elongated main square, where one building is lovelier than the next. The Baroque- and Renaissance-style façades, featuring high gables painted in pale pastels, now support small shops and cafés. A grand Renaissance-era château and large fish-filled ponds surround the square.
Albarracín, Spain
A sliver of medieval Spain has been preserved within the fortified walls of this village, which is surrounded by the barren hills of the central Aragon region. Down Albarracín’s narrow alleys and winding lanes await ancient stone towers and ocher-hued castles and chapels. Towering above it all is a cathedral built in the region’s typical Mudéjar style with ornamental detailing rooted in Islamic art.
Cong, Ireland
Encircled by streams, the picturesque village of Cong straddles the border between County Mayo and Galway—a region of lakes and vibrantly green meadows dotted with grazing sheep. Cong counts numerous stone bridges, the ruins of a medieval abbey, the occasional thatched-roof cottage, and Ashford Castle, a grand Victorian estate that has been converted into a romantic luxury hotel.
Gruyères, Switzerland
Gruyères is famous for its namesake cheese, whose mild, nutty flavor melts so well in fondue. But few are familiar with the town itself, a medieval hamlet in the upper valley of the Saane River in western Switzerland. A wide, stone-paved street leads up to the magnificent 13th-century Gruyères Castle, with its imposing fortifications and expansive views of the surrounding Alpine foothills.
Bled, Slovenia
This small Alpine town in northwestern Slovenia rings the shore of Lake Bled, whose glacial blue waters surround a tiny island and its small Baroque church. After a two-hour stroll around the lake, hike to the medieval hilltop castle for panoramic views or recharge with a slice of the local specialty: kremšnita, a sugar-topped pastry filled with cream and custard that has been served for decades at the Hotel Park.
Óbidos, Portugal
A slice of medieval Iberia has been preserved within the crenelated walls of Óbidos on a hilltop near Portugal’s western coast. Since enchanting Queen Isabel in the 13th century (the town was a gift from her husband King Dinis), Óbidos has continued to impress visitors who pass through its formidable fortifications. Inside the ramparts is a warren of whitewashed villas draped with bougainvillea, plus cobblestoned walkways and plenty of bars serving ginjinha, a local liquor made with sour cherries.
A winding mountain road leads to the remote Alpine village of Guarda in the Lower Engadine, a rugged region in eastern Switzerland that has none of the flash found in neighboring Upper Engadine (known for exclusive ski resorts like St. Moritz). Amid mountain peaks and verdant meadows, this enclave stands out for its quaint architecture, with many handsome houses adorned with traditional paintings, etched windows, and ancient inscriptions called graffiti. While wandering the quiet lanes, listen for locals speaking Romansh, a language that survives only in this isolated region.
Marsaxlokk, Malta
On the southeastern coast of Malta, Marsaxlokk is an ancient fishing village whose harbor brims with old-fashioned fishing boats called luzzus. Painted with eyes on the bows, these colorful boats reel in much of the tuna, swordfish, and local lampuki (mahimahi) that’s served at Harborside seafood restaurants and sold at the Sunday fish market. A short walk down the coast is St. Peter’s Pool, a hidden cove ringed with smooth limestone ledges from which locals dive into the crystal-clear sea.
Giethoorn, Netherlands
Those seeking a reprieve from city life will find the serenity of simpler times in Giethoorn. Instead of roads, the car-free village has miles of canals, so the primary means of transport is by boat. Float down the narrow canals, past thatched-roof farmhouses and cottages encircled by blooming gardens, and beneath dozens of wooden bridges that connect each grassy plot of land. Or return in the winter, when ice skaters glide on the frozen canals.
Banksa Stiavnica, Slovakia
In the center of a vast caldera, this well-preserved medieval town in southern Slovakia—an easy day-trip from Budapest—is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area, rich with silver ore, fueled the village’s prosperity, which today is still visible in the Romanesque and Renaissance castles, Gothic and Neoclassical churches, grand palaces, and elegant squares that make up the historic center. Although excavation operations ceased a century ago, the ancient silver and gold mines have been transformed into an open-air museum.
Cochem, Germany
On the banks of the winding Moselle River, Cochem is a sleepy German village with traditional half-timbered houses ringing the central square and cute cottages lining the cobblestone lanes. A stroll along the lovely riverside promenade affords views of the town’s castle atop a nearby hill. And the surrounding vineyards of the misty Moselle Valley—where terraced vines cling to impossibly steep slopes—offer ample opportunity to sample the region’s flowery white wines.
Kazimierz Dolny, Poland
Artists have long flocked to this well-preserved hamlet near the Vistula River in central Poland. The untouched nature surrounding Kazimierz Dolny—including gorges and otherworldly tunnels created from intertwined tree roots—has provided inspiration for painters. But the town itself, with its stone-paved market square and Renaissance-era monuments, is also packed with art. For proof, tour the many galleries of Polish art tucked away on side streets.
Rättvik, Sweden
Beautiful in a classically Swedish way, Rättvik is found between acres of forest and the clear water of Lake Siljan in Dalarna, the central region many consider to be the authentic heart of Sweden. Around town, historic wooden buildings are painted Falu Rödfärg—the deep red color born in the copper mine of nearby Falun. Local shops are filled with handmade crafts like decorative Dala horses, a symbol of Sweden that originated in the region. And during holidays and festivals, the streets fill with locals showing off their finest folk dress.
Dinant, Belgium
On a slim stretch of land between steep cliffs and the Meuse River sits Dinant, a historic town in Belgium’s French-speaking Wallonia region. Beer connoisseurs may know of Dinant as the birthplace of Leffe, one of the best-known Belgian beers, which was named after Notre-Dame de Leffe, the local abbey where monks began brewing in the 13th century. It also offers marvelous bird’s-eye views from the cliff-top Citadel fortress that overlooks the compact town’s Gothic-style cathedral and pear-shaped bell tower.
Pučiśća, Croatia
The buses and cruises that stop along Croatia’s sunny Dalmatian coast unleash tourists eager to experience the charms of Dubrovnik and the ancient island village of Hvar. Fewer visitors find their way to Pučiśća on the island of Brač. The reward is a seaside village with outsize appeal: white-stone villas with terracotta roofs, narrow cobblestoned alleys, and a stone-paved square. Bask in its relative solitude and the many prime spots for swimming in the turquoise Adriatic Sea.
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