5 Most Beautiful Villages in Europe

If you are tired of big cities and have already seen most of the iconic places in Europe, then it’s time to get off the beaten tourist paths. Perhaps, a little deeper into the country, you will find a truly stunning place. Today we will talk about small towns and villages across Europe. They are not as popular with tourists as Milan, Rome, or Paris, but most of them are definitely worth visiting.

Hallstatt, Austria

Hallstatt is a small village in the Austrian Alps. Since ancient times, it has been famous for its salt mines, and currently for its toy-like houses and postcard-perfect views. You can get to the village by train from Vienna, which takes about 4 hours. There is no train station in the village itself; it is located on the other side of the lake, and all arrivals are transported by boat.

From the town, a cable car goes to the observation deck of the Dachstein mountain range. It is remarkable not only for its breathtaking views but also for a large number of caves that tourists can also visit. Hallstatt village itself and the Dachstein massif are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Manarola, Italy

Manarola is a small town on the Ligurian coast, the oldest of the five Italian Riviera villages known as Cinque Terre, which includes five small settlements connected by a walking path: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Most tourists who visit Cinque Terre stay in the neighboring town of Riomaggiore, as it has a train station and a small beach. Manarola can be reached on foot.

Bibury, Great Britain

In the heart of England lies a small fairytale village, Bibury. Everything in it seems frozen in time, and the neat little houses are covered with moss. Bibury was a weaving center; now no one practices this craft here, but the weavers’ cottages have remained untouched. It is noteworthy that all houses in the village are made of one type of stone, including the roofs. Modern building materials have not taken root here.

The village can be reached by bus.

Colmar, France

Colmar is one of the most beautiful towns in Alsace. Old streets and cobblestones, half-timbered houses decorated with flowers, ancient stone buildings—all of this creates an indelible impression. In addition, Colmar is the capital of Alsatian wines, it is no wonder it is the center of the Route du Vin — the Wine Route.

The most convenient way to get to Colmar is by train from Strasbourg.

Èze-Village, France

The tiny village of Èze is located between Nice and Monaco, on a hilltop with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Èze has only a few hotels, a popular Michelin-starred restaurant, and many shops and workshops of local artists.

Èze-Village can be reached on foot, via the famous Nietzsche Path, or by bus from the coastal part of Èze village.