10 Most Beautiful Small Towns Around The World You Need To Visit

The world is filled with beautiful, hidden places filled with charm and magic. This is especially true for small towns. When traveling we often fall into the trap of visiting only the big cities and well-known tourist spots. However, there is so much more to be discovered. There are a...

Feb 15, 2023 - 15:34
10 Most Beautiful Small Towns Around The World You Need To Visit

The world is filled with beautiful, hidden places filled with charm and magic. This is especially true for small towns. When traveling we often fall into the trap of visiting only the big cities and well-known tourist spots. However, there is so much more to be discovered. There are a ton of gorgeous small towns around the globe that have a picturesque quality and unforgettable presence. From scenic landscapes, to stunning architecture, there is a lot to be discovered. That’s why today we want to show you some of the most beautiful small towns from all around the world.

The world is filled with beautiful, hidden places filled with charm and magic

most beautiful small towns woman walking in a narrow stree

When traveling we often fall into the trap of visiting only the big cities and well-known tourist spots

magnifying glass over spinning globe

Most Beautiful Small Towns Around The World

Big, bustling cities have their charm. They are full of life, bright lights, shops, markets, and so on. However, some lesser-known towns and villages can sometimes be better than the cities.  And while some of these small towns may be a bit under-the-radar, they are worth the trip. Many times it’s like walking into a post card. Once you see how charming they are, you will certainly be adding them to your bucket list, so let’s check them out.

Some lesser-known towns and villages can sometimes be better than the cities

small coastal town on hill

#Shirakawa-go, Japan

This dreamy village is located at the foot of Mt. Haku-san in Japan’s Ōno district. Shirakawa-go ranks among the snowiest places on Earth. On average 400 inches of snow falls each year. This little village is as if straight from a magical, Christmas movie scene. It’s the definition of a winter wonderland. And during the warmer periods it turns into a green, lush fantasy with wildflowers lining the streets. The thatched-roofs are iconic and a delight to see any season.

This dreamy village is located at the foot of Mt. Haku-san in Japan’s Ōno district

shirakawa go japan village in winter

#Guatapé, Colombia

Just two hours east of Medellín, you will find this beautiful, colorful, vibrant Andean resort town. A perfect mix of human and nature-made beauty, you will fall in love with this small town. While it’s not very easy to reach, the colorful facades, small islands, and lake are truly worth the trip. You have to be camera ready when visiting as you will want to capture every inch of this town.

Two hours east of Medellín, you will find this beautiful Andean resort town

guatape colombia beautiful houses street

#Grindelwald, Switzerland

The village of Grindelwald is located in the Bernese Oberland and mirrors a romanticized version of the charming Swiss ski resorts you see on social media and travel magazines. It’s as if straight out of a post card and will dazzle you with its beauty. Once the snow season is over, this village turns into an amazing hiking destination. You will be surrounded by mountains, greenery and adorable little houses.

The village of Grindelwald is located in the Bernese Oberland

grindelwald switzerlandduring the summer

@Dado Daniela/Getty Images

#Ilulissat, Greenland

This snowy little town resembles something you would see in a movie. Surrounded by icebergs and icy water, the multicolored houses create an incredible contrast to the surrounding nature. This place is a real cinematic beauty. When visiting you can get the chance to see the northern lights, meet the locals and enjoy the soothing beauty of it’s surrounding landscapers.

This snowy little town resembles something you would see in a movie

most beautiful small towns ilulissat greenland

@Timothy Allen/Getty Images

#Giethoorn, The Netherlands

The Netherlands very own little Venice. This idyllic Dutch village is lauded for its hand-dug canals. It has around 170 bridges that help connect it to the mainland, alongside foot and bike baths. Whether you decide to cycle, sail or stroll through, you can enjoy seeing plenty of thatched-roof houses, some even dating back to the eighteenth century.

This idyllic Dutch village is lauded for its hand-dug canals

landscape canal giethoorn netherlands

#Byron Bay, Australia

This town is under-the-radar, but that doesn’t make it less inviting. Byron Bay is a coastal enclave on the northeastern coast of New South Whales. This small slice of paradise is adored by many for its rich surf culture, beautiful beaches, and booming tourism industry. Here you can see the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse, as well as plenty of wildlife, including humpback whales swimming through the waters between June and November.

Byron Bay is a coastal enclave on the northeastern coast of New South Whales

byron bay australia coast and beach

@Peter Harrison/Getty Images

#Santa Maddalena, Italy

A tiny village found in the Dolomites. Santa Maddalena is a true alpine dream. It has a handful of hotels, but plenty of restaurants and views you can enjoy if you manage to book a stay. This little village is packed with history and has a mix of cultures, as it was once a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. That’s why you can see a mix of signs in German, Ladin, and Italian. Once winter arrives, Santa Maddalena turns into a skier’s paradise. But if you ain’t into ski’s during summertime it’s perfect for hiking enthusiasts.

Santa Maddalena is a true alpine dream

most beautiful small towns santa maddalena

#Solčava, Slovenia

Another alpine village. Solčava is located just an hour and a half from the country’s capital – Ljubljana. The population is between 200 and 500 people, so don’t expect a variety of restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs. However, the surrounding nature, friendly locals, and homemade food makes visiting this small village worth t. It’;s definitely the place to be if you want to escape life for a moment.

Solčava is located just an hour and a half from the country’s capital – Ljubljana

village of solčava and landscape

#Chefchaouen, Morocco

This town is located in the northern tip of Morocco and is famous for it’s photo-worth blue painted homes. However, the buildings didn’t start out like this. The homes became blue when Jews fled from Spain ended up in Morocco. They brought their tradition of painting building blue with them. The Old Town of Chefchaouen is still in these beautiful blue hues and worth seeing.

This town is located in the northern tip of Morocco

old town of chefchaouen morocco

#Penglipuran, Indonesia

Near Bali, you can find the beautiful Penglipuran. This small villge is famous for it’s stunning gardens and is also known as one of the cleanest places in the world. It was founded as a way to pay homage to the residents’ ancestors. Nowadays, it brings in people for its grounds, garden and historical structures. It’s filled with homes and temples. Penglipuran also has a Bamboo forest that dates back to the eighteenth century!

This small villge is famous for being one of the cleanest places in the world

penglipuran village in indonesia

These were some of the most beautiful small towns around the world that you must add to your travel bucket list. We hope you found this article useful. Now you have some inspiration and ideas, so you can start planning your next trip to these wonderful destinations.

These were some of the most beautiful small towns around the world

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