The most beautiful towns in Europe are the first choice for you. Whether you are an international student who wants to take advantage of studying abroad to travel around Europe, a travel enthusiast who sees Europe as a dream destination, or you have been allowed to take a holiday and want to find a place as beautiful as a fairyland. The charm of this place comes from nature and history; although the town is small, you can feel the tranquility and relaxation here. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, return to the life of the countryside.
1.Hallstatt,Austira
Hallstatt is situated on the shores of Lake Hallstatt in western Austria and is a charming fairytale town—a special one in so many towns in Europe. It is globally renowned for its beautiful scenery and was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1997. The town is home to the Lutheran Church with its Gothic spire, surrounded by a complex of colourful European-style wooden houses and a secluded lake swirling with graceful white swans. The town’s streets are lined with colourful plants, are elegant and beautiful, and have different views in all seasons, as enchanting as a paradise.
However, the beauty of Hallstatt also attracts a large number of tourists and travelling vehicles, which causes disruption to residents. To protect the town’s landscape, the Austrian government has put in place measures. Since 2020, all tour buses entering the town must purchase a city entry ticket. The number of daily tickets is limited, and the number of buses that can enter the town has been restricted to less than 13,000 per year. These measures will effectively curb the number of tourists to ensure the tranquillity and beauty of the town.
How to get to:
From Vienna’s Wien Westbahnhof railway station or Wien Hauptbahnhof station, take the OBB (Austria’s largest mobility services provider) or Westbahn, change trains at Attnang-Puchheim to Hallstatt Bahnhof, then walk a few steps to the pier and take a boat to Hallstatt Markt. For a more cost-effective way to get there, we recommend taking the bus from Attnang-Puchheim to Obertraun and catching bus no. 543.
2.Český Krumlov,Czech Republic
In the small town of Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic. In Germany, Krumau means “uneven grassland”. It is located in South Bohemia, a town on the upper reaches of the Vltava River, which flourished in the 13th century due to its location on an important trade route. Most buildings were built between the 14th and 17th centuries and included Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The old town is surrounded by the Vltava River, which flows through the town, and the famous castle was built on the other side of the river. You can say it is one of the Top 10 small towns in Europe.
The old town of Kulunov has retained its medieval architectural features and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. It is also an important cultural centre in the Czech Republic and hosts various festivals and commemorative events throughout the year. The most famous of these is the Five-Petalled Rose Festival, which takes place every year on the weekend of the summer solstice.
Travel Tips
The entire town is listed as a World Heritage Site, so it is essential to maintain the medieval architectural features, which cannot be altered or built upon at will. The town has retained its beautiful medieval style, which is unique and different from that of a large city. The most distinctive part of the town is the Old Town, which is located on the right bank of the river and is also known as the “Inner Town” because the river’s curve surrounds it and is the living place of ordinary people. In addition to the Old Town, the Painted Towers, the Castle District, and the Capitol Bridge are worth visiting.
3.Positano,Italy
Positano is a colourful dream town built along the Amalfi coastline along the coastal cliffs. As one of the prettiest small towns in Europe, its Amalfi coastline has been named by National Geographic as one of the 50 places you must visit in a lifetime and one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Legend has it that Positano was built by Poseidon, the god of the sea, for his beloved goddess.
The town is famous for its colourful and dreamlike beauty and is where the hero and heroine met in the film Under the Tuscan Sun. Here, the old mountain road winds down to the sea, and the view of the blue sea and blue sky combined with the colourful houses on the cliffs makes for an unforgettable picture of beauty.
You must have imagined falling in love with the scenery of a particular place and then setting your study or work destination there, and Italy may be such a place. Italy’s polytechnic and art schools are amongst the best in the world, and we offer great rentals in Rome and Florence.
How to get to
You can also visit Amalfi and Ravello on the way from Naples to Positano on the Amalfi Coast. First, take the private railway Circumvesuviana from Naples Central Station to Sorrento Station (we recommend you buy a 1-day ticket for the SITA bus), walk out of the station, and then see where the SITA buses are boarding to go there.
4.Interlaken,Switzerland
Switzerland’s most beautiful town, Interlaken, is known for its famous Jungfrau, the “backbone of Europe”. Located between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, it is renowned as one of the best small towns in Europe.
With its turquoise lakes, green meadows, soaring peaks, and beautiful tiled houses on the lake shores, Interlaken is a perfect holiday destination throughout the seasons. In summer, the mountains are in full bloom, and in winter, it becomes one of the best ski towns in Europe. Interlaken is a beautiful town full of lakes, mountains, and relaxation!
Tips:
When you visit Switzerland, take a scenic train ride. The GoldenPass Line, one of Switzerland’s most famous and popular scenic trains, offers a breathtaking journey. We recommend a 4-day voucher from the Swiss Travel Pass to make your trip more affordable. This pass saves you money and allows you to enjoy the panoramic route that travels through the best of central Switzerland. Starting from Lucerne, it passes through Interlaken and ends in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. The journey takes you through the Alpine wilderness to the beautiful Jungfrau, passing through 8 lakes of various sizes, three mountain passes, and two major language areas. The total distance is approximately 191 kilometres, and the ride takes about 5 hours, with the scenery changing with the undulating terrain along the way.
5.Giethoorn,Netherlands
Apart from tulips and windmills, there is also the beautiful village of Giethoorn, known as the “Venice of the Netherlands“, which has a history of more than 700 years and is situated in the De Wieden Nature Reserve in the province of Overijssel in the north-west of the Netherlands. It is a typical European village. Compared to the surrounding area, the reserve is low-lying, with poor soil and peat bogs, making it difficult for plants other than reeds to grow. However, the ground is rich in peat, and the local people have been cutting up the land to extract the peat. What started as a narrow ditch was later widened by residents to make it easier for boats to transport, resulting in the unique beauty of today’s intertwining of canal lakes and fairytale cottages reflected in the water.
Nowadays, the village has no big streets and is known as the “Venice of the Netherlands” because of the canals and boats that serve as the primary means of transport. Visitors can take a scenic boat ride, ride a bicycle, or walk among the cottages on its lush green meadows. The surrounding greenery, trees, and plants form a beautiful scene, like a fairytale paradise.
How to get to
To reach Giethoorn from Amsterdam, you can take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Steenwijk station. From there, hop on bus 70 or 270 to Dominee Hylkemaweg station near Giethoorn. The entire journey takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, and the ticket costs approximately 26 to 27 euros. Consider purchasing a one-day voucher for Giethoorn, which includes a train and bus e-ticket from any station in Holland to Giethoorn and back, as well as a one-hour boat trip in Giethoorn.
6.Lake-Bled, The Republic of Slovenia
The small town of Bled is located next to the Slovenian Alps and on the shores of Lake Bled. It has been named one of the most beautiful towns in the world, not to mention it is on the ranking of the Top 10 small towns in Europe and is also Slovenia’s most famous holiday resort. From a distance, this beautiful town looks like a fairyland, and the small island in the centre of the lake looks like an eye set on Lake Bled, hence the name “Eye of Europe“.
The town of Bled has a beautiful lakeside walkway, along which you can take a stroll around the lake, enjoying the stunning views of the lake as if it were a fairytale, or take a tour of the island on a pletna, a traditional wooden boat, and enjoy the view before arriving at the old church of Santa Maria on the island in the centre of the lake. The ringing of the bells is a symbol of the fulfilment of the many legends that have been passed down on the island. On the craggy shores of the lake sits Bled Castle, which visitors can climb to enjoy a fairytale view of the green hills and mountains while overlooking the beautiful town.
How to get to
In addition to driving from Ljubljana to Bled (50 km), you can also take the train near the railway station Lesce-Bled, Bled Jezero. From Ljubljana to Lesce-Bled station, the train frequency is intensive, the journey time is about 1 hour. However, Lesce Bled railway station is still 4 kilometres away from the city centre of Bled, and you have to take a bus or taxi to go to the station. Alternatively, you can take a bus, which is convenient and cheap, the journey takes about 70 minutes, and the Bled bus station is closer to the lake.
7.Santorini,Italy
Among the most beautiful towns in Europe, Santorini could be the most famous one. In fact, Santorini is an island located in the Aegean Sea, 200 kilometres southeast of mainland Greece. The island consists of a group of volcanoes, among which are the ruins of the ancient civilisation of Akrotiri. However, the ruins were buried deep under the sea when the volcano erupted. However, this blue and white island remains a beautiful tourist destination.
The most beautiful town in Santorini is OIA, which is full of fairytale white houses and blue-topped churches. The houses on this island are like the cream on a chocolate cake, attracting people to visit and want to quietly savour the beauty of this enchanting and romantic atmosphere, which is indescribable in words! On a clear day, when the sunlight reflects off the azure sea and the pure white houses of the town, this island looks like a dreamy fairytale town by the sea, so beautiful that it takes your breath away! The best part of the town is the observation deck, which offers a great view of what is known as “the most beautiful sunset in the world”. Coming here before sunset is like watching a perfect show people can’t stop talking about!
Tips for visiting Santorini
You can take a domestic flight from Athens to Santorini (more expensive) or the Aegean ferry (cheaper but takes about 7-8 hours), but you can feel the Aegean Sea during the ride. There are 2 main towns on the island, Fira and Oia. Fira is more convenient in terms of traffic and living functions, while Oia is better in terms of scenery and flavour. The two towns are about 15 minutes away from each other, so taking a bus is the cheapest way.
8.Eguisheim,France
Located in the Alsace region of France, not far from Strasbourg, Eguisheim is a medieval town founded in 1257. It is also the production area of white wine in eastern France, also known as the “wine country town.” Eguisheim is one of the most beautiful towns in France, with the highest honour of the Ville Fleurie, and is rated as one of the best towns to live in.
The town is small, surrounded by three concentric streets, preserving its medieval appearance. You can stroll through the old stone streets and admire the old chateau, churches, bell towers, and fantastic half-timbered buildings with fairytale colours. Almost every resident plants brightly coloured flowers outside their house, which makes it even more vibrant and romantically beautiful. The number of tourists is relatively low as it is not easy to get around, but this makes it more than possible for you to wander around this beautiful medieval town at your leisure!
How to get to
There is no train station in Eguisheim, but it is only 5.5km from Colma, a 10-minute drive. You can also take bus 440 or 208, which only runs 3-4 times a day, or take a taxi, which saves you waiting for the bus.
9.Hamnoy,Norway
Hamnoy is a stunning fishing village off the northern coast of Norway and one of the three most beautiful small fishing villages on the island of Moskosnes. Its fairytale red fishermen’s huts facing the sea are a relic. The towering and strangely abrupt Lilandstinde mountains rise behind it, while the blue, breathtaking water in front of it creates an out-of-this-world wonderland.
This stunning fishing village is located in the Lofoten Islands, a paradise within the Arctic Circle. The region is known for its exceptional fishing industry, natural beauty and small isolated villages. The Lofoten Islands are recognized as one of the “most beautiful fjord islands in the world”, and the E10 highway through the archipelago is known as “Norway’s most beautiful fjord road“, with magnificent fjord views and red fisherman’s huts forming a fairytale-like The scenery of the fjords and the red fishermen’s huts along the way make for a fairytale experience.
Tips
There are two ways to get to the Lofoten Islands, either by taking a plane or train from Oslo to Bodø and transferring to Leknes or by taking the ferry from Bodø to Moskens, and then consider renting a car as the most efficient and convenient way to get around the beautiful fishing villages in the archipelago! (including the famous villages of Reinebrigen, Reine and Hamnøy).
10.Bibury,England
Suppose you are studying or living in England. In that case, you must visit Bibury, a picturesque village in the Cotswolds region of England, nestled between the valleys of the River Colum, 10.5 kilometers from Cirencester. On a visit to Bibury, William Morris admired it as the most beautiful village in England. The town has a unique architectural and English atmosphere, with an ancient church and many breathtaking historical sites, attracting many visitors worldwide.
The most famous attraction in Bybury is the Arlington Row House, an ancient row house built in the 14th century. It has been restored and is now an attraction and monument. It was initially used to store wool and later turned into a weaver’s workshop and residence. Surrounded by flowers and greenery, lush green trees, and thick lawns, the traditional stone houses present a picture-perfect, jaw-droppingly beautiful scene. This hamlet has been used as a set for movies and television several times and has a high global popularity.
Tips:
Take the National Express from London to Cirencester, then take the 855 bus (you can buy a one-day ticket) to Bibury. You can also rent a car or join a one-day local tour.
Conclusion
Discover the essence of Europe’s charm as you delve into the picturesque streets, rich history, and enchanting landscapes of these most beautiful towns in Europe. Let each cobblestone pathway lead you to moments of serenity and wonder, where the past whispers tales of beauty and the present invites you to create timeless memories. Explore these hidden gems that embody the soul of Europe, each offering a unique blend of culture, architecture, and natural beauty that will captivate your heart and leave you yearning for more. Immerse yourself in the magic of these quaint European towns and let their beauty awaken your senses to a world of endless discovery and joy.
1.Bibury,England. Bibury has the typical British beauty.
2.Eguisheim in France, this town is full of flowers and adorable countryside stuff.
3.Santorini in Italy, which by the Aegean Sea and there are a lot of white and blue churches.
……
Europe has a largely temperate or cold climate. And Europe is not as heavily modernized as the US, and most of their culture and architecture are well-preserved.
Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic; Hamnoy in Norway: The small town of Lake Bled. These towns are less touristy and quieter in comparison.
