Many of us already know about Paris, Rome, or London. How about an alternative? Away from the tourist crowds, there are hundreds of small, charming towns in Europe.
These towns are worth visiting, without any doubt. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a tiny town in Iceland that impresses with its magnificent landscape.
It also doesn’t matter if it is an old coastal settlement with quaint fishing boats in the south. We will show you 15 of our favorites for your next vacation.
12 Beautiful Small Towns in Europe
There are many beautiful towns in the great continent of Europe. Many people visit these towns from different parts of the world for beauty.
1. Bled, Slovenia
The small town of Bled in Slovenia has become a real tourist magnet. It is due to the picturesque view of the lake.
A 17th-century church on a teardrop-shaped island stands on the lake center. If you visit the place by boat, you will feel that you are diving into mystical pasts like in Grimm’s fairy tales.
You can also enjoy other outdoor activities on the beautiful lake. A 20-kilometer hill hike around the lake can give you a beautiful feeling.
You can get a panoramic view from many points, without any doubt. Bled in Slovenia is one of the majestic small European towns.
2. Seydisfjordur, Iceland
Hidden at the end of a wild fjord in the extreme east of Iceland is the small town of Seydisfjördur. A ferry that connects Iceland with Denmark and the Faroe Islands passes here every week.
This beauty has fewer than 700 inhabitants. But some charming guest houses, breweries, and restaurants are still available here.
On the outskirts, in Tvísöngur, an impressive concrete sound sculpture awaits visitors. The scenic backdrop is beautiful there.
3. Gangi in Sicily, Italy
Have you ever heard of the impressive city panorama of Gangi in Sicily? It remains beautiful at dusk. The enchanting small town also convinces with an idyllic castle enthroned on a hill.
Baroque, medieval churches and Etna seems to watch over everything high above Gangi. Those who prefer history will find what they look for in the underground tomb.
It is the underground tomb of the Chiesa Madre di Gangi, where mummified priests line the walls of the crypt. Gangi is one of the beautiful small European towns.
4. Zermatt, Switzerland
Many people find a pure winter wonderland. Someone could have come up with this for Zermatt in Switzerland! The beauty of the Matterhorn is awe-inspiring.
And it is not the only peak over 4,000 meters that surrounds Zermatt. The unique small European town of Zermatt is in the Alpes. It is famous to winter sports fans thanks to its ski areas.
There are 200 kilometers of pistes which you can master here – if you like. Otherwise, you can stroll relaxed through the city center – it is car-free.
Or you enjoy one of the many bodies of water. On the one hand, the Mattervispa flows through the town center.
But, the Zermatt mountains with a few lakes lure you in for a hike. It includes the Grünsee, the Riffelsee, the Schwarzsee, or the Stellisee.
It is possible to take a cable car to the top station of the Trockener Steg – the highest station in Europe. Zermatt is one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe.
5. Cadaques, Spain
Whitewashed buildings meet small, charming stone streets in Cadaqués. This place is on Spain’s Costa Brava! The former fishing village near the French border still has a harbor.
The small beaches invite you to swim, sunbathe and explore. You can go to one of the cobalt blue bays from here with a rented Barca.
Cadaqués is a great place to switch off from everyday life. Many artists have already appreciated the peace and seclusion in the past.
Among them were Salvador Dalí, André Breton, Max Ernst and Man Ray. In summer, the place often organizes open-air cinemas and music festivals.
Besides the Gothic church of Santa Maria, the lighthouse at the top of Cap de Creus is also worth seeing. Cadaqués is one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe.
6. Fussen in Bavaria, Germany
Many people visit the fairytale and world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle. The alternative to it is the famous Hohenschwangau Castle.
It is the childhood home of Ludwig II. But Füssen has a lot more to offer! The Museum of the Bavarian Kings also deserves a detour.
You can jump into the Alpsee right next door after the museum visit. In the old town of the highest city in Bavaria, you can not only stroll but also discover Gothic townhouses.
These houses are in the medieval streets. You can fortify yourself in the cozy street cafes before you visit the High Castle. It is one of the majestic small European towns.
7. Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France
Visitors will see a quaint fishing village with half-timbered houses in a picturesque old town. That is what awaits you in Saint-Jean-de-Luz in France.
The town’s beach is the best place to see the typical architecture of Basque culture. The Bay of Biscay is the only port between Arcachon and the Spanish border.
Dams protect the city from the Atlantic waves. These Dams make Saint-Jean-de-Luz a popular seaside resort on the Côte Basque.
8. Pyrgi, Greece
There is a place with Unique architecture, arches, balconies, and bell towers. This beautiful place is Pyrgi on the Greek island of Chios.
The decorations on the walls of the houses are magnificent. Gray and white shapes are visible on the walls with a fork. This style is famous as “Xista” in Greece.
According to legend, the Genoese brought this unique technology to Chios. They did it as early as the Middle Ages.
The narrow, cobbled streets that invite you to stroll are also charming. In the middle of Pyrgi is the village square with a few shops and small cafes.
9. Telč, Czech Republic
The picturesque town of Telč in the Czech Republic looks like something straight out of a folk tale. It lies at the foot of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands on the Telčský Potok river.
A unique eye-catcher is the pastel-colored houses in the Renaissance. Baroque styles on the market square are another attraction.
The entire old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Zacharias von Neuhaus market square is one of the largest squares in the Czech Republic.
It forms an overlong triangle. In the city, travelers can also visit the Telč chateau of the same name. It is a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic.
10. Furnas in Sao Miguel, Portugal
Stroll under magnolias and azaleas during the day and relax in the thermal water in the evening. You can do that in Furnas on the Azores island of São Miguel.
The place has almost 1500 inhabitants and is in the middle of a valley with 23 warm-to-hot mineral springs. Also worth seeing is the beautiful botanical garden Terra Nostra.
Its authority of that time created it in the 18th century. You will see one of the largest camellia collections in the world here.
In Furnas, you can try the Cozido das Furnas, a stew of vegetables, meat, sausages, and rice cooked in a hole in the ground. It takes up to seven hours, but it’s worth the wait.
11. Tobermory, Scotland
The colorful houses of Tobermory lie like little pearls in the dark blue bay. In the background, forested mountains rise high into the sky.
Authority founded the town on the island of Mull on Scotland’s west coast in 1788 as a fishing port. Today this town has 954 inhabitants.
12. Albarracín, Spain
A visit to Spanish Albarracín is like a journey through time. The medieval houses are close together on the mountain.
It is almost as if they were in the eleventh century when the Moors founded the town. Authority preserved the old city wall with the defense towers.
The Guadalaviar River ripples below the village. More than 1,000 residents have a magnificent view from their wooden balconies.
Steep, winding streets lead to the Plaza Mayor, where you can enjoy delicious tapas in the evening. Albarracín is one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe.
13. Wengen, Switzerland
It is quiet up here, in the mountain village of Wengen in the Bernese Oberland. This unique village has no connection to the road network.
It is only reachable from Lauterbrunnen with the Wengenalpbahn. There are now a few hotel-owned e-mobiles in the village, but they are also quiet.
Wengen is sublime on a sun terrace at 1274 meters above sea level, with a view of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Strolling through the village, you can discover beautiful wooden chalets.
You can also discover Art Nouveau hotels with their colorful flower boxes. The village is famous for its colorful flower boxes.
14. Folegandros, Greece
This place is like a picture book. It has a turquoise blue sea, whitewashed houses, red-brown rocks, and a spectacular sunset.
This village’s 500 inhabitants is the most beautiful cliff scenery in the Cyclades. And the most impressive thing is that it lies on a 200-meter-high abyss above the sea.
The town was a fortification in the middle ages. The outer houses were together and had no windows facing the sea. Folegandros is one of the majestic small European towns.
Conclusion
The beauty of the continent of Europe is beyond description. Many hidden wonders on this continent need to explore. If you are a European, you have the chance to start exploring.
There are many beautiful small towns in Europe, without any doubt. Thousands of people visit these towns every year from different places.
If you want to enjoy some good moments with your family and friends, do not hesitate to choose one of these towns. It can give you majestic feelings, without any doubt.