Most of us love big cities, but that doesn’t mean small destinations can’t be alluring or amazing. There are lots of villages in the world giving a remarkably beautiful experience. It is true that the cities attract people with tall skyscrapers, expensive malls, and luxurious atmospheres, but the best way to experience the fundamental culture of a region is to travel around the smaller villages far from the big cities. Check out the below list and know about the most beautiful villages of the world.
1. Popeye Village, Malta
In an interesting twist, one of the most beautiful villages around the world is a vamped up ’80s movie set. Abandoned not long after the filming of the 1980 musical Popeye which featured the late comedian Robin Williams, Popeye Village is now home to quaint, colorful clusters of wooden buildings, a company of actors and an array of fun activities to do. Watch shows, go on boat rides, explore the village, visit museums or go wine tasting while the kids romp at the playhouses.
2. Hallstatt, Austria
Nestled between Hallstätter See and the Dachstein mountains is Hallstatt, Austria’s oldest and perhaps its most photographed village. This stunning European town features beautiful old churches, a subterranean salt lake, a museum with 7,000 year old artifacts and a glass-like lake set against the breath-taking backdrop of soaring mountains.
3. Simiane La Rotonde, France
Located in the stunning south of France and surrounded by olive groves and lavender fields, this hilltop village is one of the most beautiful towns in the world. Explore the charming village, pass along narrow cobblestone streets and stone houses, admire the centuries old architecture, attend talks on aromatherapy, tour the medieval castle and enjoy the scents and colors from the numerous flowers in the nearby Abbey of Valsaintes garden.
4. Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre means ‘Five Lands’ in English and is the collective name given to five different fishing villages that each boast stunning coastal and mountain trails as well as beautiful, classic architecture. Cinque Terre offers timeless appeal and a feel of authentic Italy with its rugged coastlines and romantic town area.
5. Ortahisar, Turkey
Despite its central location Ortahisar has managed to remain largely traditional and mostly slow-paced. Even as surrounding towns increasingly become more and more touristic, Ortahisar remains rustic and charming. Have a drink and a meal in an underground cave bar, marvel at Ortahisar’s looming 78 meter high castle carved from stone and learn more about the underground cave storage where citrus fruits are stashed until they ripen.
6. Oia, Greece
Oia is a traditional village with beautiful blue domed churches, sun-bathed verandas, a number of art galleries, and maze of small shops, almost all with panoramic views of the port Ammoudi and of the Santorini volcano. Oia is without a doubt one of the most beautiful towns in the world.
7. Wagrain, Austria
Wagrain, Austria – Alps view from the ski resort above the Grafenberg Cable Car lift
GETTY
Wagrain, also in Austria is one of those little towns seen in Christmas cards offering tourists the best winter experiences.
In mid-2022, Wagrain was also the first and only destination in Austria to be awarded the Global Sustainable Tourism Council accredited Green Destinations certification.
8. Mestia, Georgia
Medieval Svan Tower in the Town of Mestia, Georgia, with snowcapped Caucasus Mountain in the … [+]
GETTY
At an elevation of 1,500 metres, the village of Mestia is listed tenth amongst the Best Tourism Villages selected by the UNWTO.
It has a population of only 1,973 residents, and it is known as a centre of mountaineering tourism. In this village, you can visit the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, which is home to some of the most important historical artefacts both from the region and the rest of the country.
From there, you can hike the glaciers or the nearby lakes.
9. Sauris-Zahre, Italy
Crocus meadow at Sauris, in the Carnic Alps, Italy in spring
GETTY
The Italian village of Sauris, immersed in the nature of the Carnic Alps is located at a height ranging between 1,000 and 1,400 metres above sea level.
The village has been semi-isolated for centuries, preserving its culture and architecture. Maybe the most unique thing about this village is that the ancient language spoken in the Friuli area is still spoken in Sauris.
10. Castelo Novo, Portugal
Main square with former city hall and bell tower in Castelo Novo, a historic village around the … [+]
GETTY
Built 800 years ago, Portugal’s Castelo Novo is home to one of the most important archaeological sites in this region – the Roman baths of Quinta do Ervedal and a remarkable fortified settlement from the Bronze Age.
It is also the first location in Portugal with 100 per cent sustainable mobility, free of carbon dioxide and noise emissions, which offers five electric vehicles available for free use in addition to serving as a transfer service to the train stations.
11. Rasinari, Romania
Rasinari Village in Sibiu, Transylvania Romania.
GETTY
Rasinari, a picturesque village in Romaniamhas many tourist sites as the Andrei Șaguna monument, “St. Parascheva” Church, Octavian Goga memorial house, and the ruins of the medieval fortress of Cetățuia Citadel.
12. Bohinj, Slovenia
A picturesque view on Lake Bohinj and the church in Ribčev Laz, Slovenia
GETTY
The village of Bohinj in Slovenia has 65% of it within Slovenia’s only national park – the Triglav National Park.
The village stands on Lake Bohinj, Triglav, the Savica waterfall, and the Church of St. John the Baptist and is also home to protected architectural sites.
13. Rupit, Alquézar and Guadalupe in Spain
Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe, province of Caceres, Spain
GETTY
Three Spanish villages have been selected among the best world tourism villages by UNWTO: Rupit, Alquézar and Guadalupe.
The village of Rupit is of medieval origin and is considered to be one of the jewels of Catalonia in Spain. It preserves baroque buildings from the 17ᵗʰ century and is surrounded by the Rupit stream, lush forests, caves, prehistoric tombs, waterfalls, and miles of cliffs.
Alquézar in Spain, built on ridge, with deep canyons as natural barrier is a World Heritage site by … [+]
GETTY
Alquézar, on the other hand, is a historic-artistic site since 1980 and has the status of a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Its name originates from the Arabic words al qaçr, meaning “for fort”.
And last, but no less, is the village of Guadalupe, which can be accessed only through mountainous roads. It has several recognised cultural sites as the Royal Monastery of Guadalupe, Villuercas Ibores Geopark Jara or The Pilgrimage Paths to Guadeloupe, The Well of the Snow of Guadalupe, Los Molinos, Aceñas, etc.
In 2017, Guadalupe received the award the “Most Beautiful Christmas Town in Spain” from Ferrero Rocher.
14. Murten and Andermatt, Switzerland
Andermatt village in swiss Alps mountains, snow covered in winter in blue evening light, Uri, … [+]
GETTY
While Andermatt is home to a great variety of wildlife, mountain lakes, brooks, springs, and untouched mountainous area, Murten is a lakeside medieval town consisting of various objects from the New Stone Age, Bronze age, Roman and Medieval age.
15. NUUK, GREENLAND
Nuuk, Greenland, pretty much my top dream travel destination. So much so that we even wrote a post all about it even though we have yet to go there! I couldn’t help myself – Greenland is just incredibly fascinating to me.
