Small but beautiful: These are the 12 most beautiful small towns in Europe

Charming and full of tradition, with enchanted squares, winding alleys and the perfect mix of closeness to nature and small-town flair: We introduce you to picturesque towns that invite you to dream.

The idyllic holiday resort is part of the Cinque Terre National Park, which impresses with its impressive landscape, the untouched nature all around and the rare Mediterranean flora and fauna.

You can take strolls along the beaches and enjoy the sprawling olive groves and picturesque Ligurian hills. The view of the emerald-blue Gulf of Genoa is unique.

The house facades in the harbor tower beautifully up against the cliffs – the famous tower houses in red, yellow, orange and purple stand close together and paint the typical picture of a Ligurian town.

The view of Riomaggiore – one of the five towns of Cinque Terre.

Source: IMAGO/Zoonar

Life revolves primarily around the main street leading uphill. Here, you'll find small shops and cafés, as well as charming restaurants and trattorias. It's worth stopping by to enjoy wine and local specialties.

Nestled amidst vineyards, the pretty town of Riquewihr, with its intact 16th-century townscape, rests at an altitude of 300 meters directly on the Alsace Wine Route. Adorned with flowers year-round, this medieval wine-growing town is a colorful mix of narrow cobbled streets and vine-covered courtyards.

The picture-book village of Riquewihr will transport you into a riot of color as you pass through the town gate.

Source: imago images/Pond5 Images

With its half-timbered houses and Renaissance buildings, its defensive towers, and the completely intact old city wall, it almost seems like a unique open-air museum to tourists. You should take your time strolling through the narrow streets, as there's much to discover. Numerous winegrowers invite you to taste their wines and tour their cellars.

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Even from afar, Ronda radiates awe at visitors: It sits radiantly white on a mighty rocky plateau above a vast gorge. The town's incomparable atmosphere has captivated visitors for centuries. The alleys are often so narrow that you can touch the walls of the houses on either side.

The best way to explore the city is on foot. But since Ronda is the most popular tourist destination in Andalusia, along with the Alhambra in Granada, it's best not to do this in July and August. In the off-season, it's not only quieter but also less hot. Then stroll across the "New Bridge," which connects the old and new towns and crosses the deep El Tajo gorge. You'll also have a fabulous view of the Sierra de Grazalema mountains.

The Puente Nuevo connects the old town of Ronda with the younger district of El Mercadillo.

Source: IMAGO/blickwinkel

Other highlights of the city include the Palace of Mondragon, an impressive building from the Islamic period, the Plaza de Torro bullring, considered the oldest arena of its kind in Spain, and the Arab baths, which date back to the 13th century and are a fascinating testament to Islamic bathing culture.

The postcard idyll is real, because Gruyères really does look like it came straight out of an advertising brochure: a 13th-century castle with an impressive knights' hall and towers, thick fortress walls and a magnificently landscaped garden, plus a stunning mountain panorama and a traffic-free town with cobblestone streets and many pretty fountains.

The traditional restaurants serve legendary specialties from the Fribourg Prealps and the best fondue in the country. Master cheesemakers will introduce you to the fine art of fondue preparation. And those with a sweet tooth won't be disappointed: the entire world of chocolate is revealed at the nearby Maison Cailler.

Cobblestones and Alpine views – the cheese-making town of Gruyères is a true Swiss fairytale.

Source: imago images/Westend61

You could almost call this fairytale town in the Belgian province of West Flanders kitsch, were it not for the sheer amount of charm it takes your breath away. It's not for nothing that it's on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which, however, also means you should definitely avoid the high season.

But it's simply too beautiful to stroll along the canals, from the Rozenhoedkaai and the Market Square, across the Lake of Love, to the Beguinage and the Foundation Houses, from the Burg Square with its Town Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, through the Hanseatic Quarter, to the Belfry and the Concertgebouw. Bruges by night is especially beautiful, as an evening stroll reveals Bruges bathed in golden light: wonderful!

Bruges enchants with its canals and gables.

Source: IMAGO/Panthermedia

Whether young or old, Delft delights everyone. It's a true gem, right on our doorstep. However, you won't find the typical orange color here; the Delft of South Holland is blue and white. This is thanks to its world-famous ceramics, which can be seen on every corner of the city. Although only one of the 33 factories that once existed remains, Delft Blue continues to enjoy immense popularity.

The Grote Markt in Delft in the light of the sunset.

Source: IMAGO/Shotshop

But that's not all: Delft captivates with its pretty canals and churches, old mansions and charming courtyards, markets, pubs, and museums. One of the city's most famous sons is Johannes Vermeer, who spent his entire life here from 1632 to 1675 and remains omnipresent to this day. His paintings, especially those of young women like "Girl with a Pearl Earring," continue to inspire people today. A visit to the Mauritshuis and the Rijksmuseum is a must, even for those who don't like museums.

The charming little town, known in German as Krumau, is located in southern Bohemia at the border triangle of Germany , Austria , andthe Czech Republic , in a valley surrounded by the green hills of the Bohemian Forest. Krumlov, too, looks like a picture-book setting. Yet, there's plenty of life here, where the Vltava River makes a tight loop.

Anyone who wanders crisscrossing the city, constantly looking up, is almost doing everything right, because the house facades, their gables, and roofs are all worth admiring. Those who then stroll through the courtyards and visit the City Museum, visit the castle, and take an early morning stroll along the Vltava River will quickly become enchanted by this charming city.

Český Krumlov Castle towers majestically above the old town.

Source: IMAGO/Pond5 Images

Quedlinburg is over 1,000 years old, yet has remained young. Despite the impressive testimonies to its past, such as the many Romanesque buildings, the more than 2,000 half-timbered houses, and the stunning villas of the Wilhelminian and Art Nouveau periods, Quedlinburg enjoys a vibrant, young art scene.

A visit to this small town on the northeastern edge of the Harz Mountains is therefore a must-see, including a tour of the Renaissance castle, which includes the Collegiate Church of St. Servatius with its famous cathedral treasury, as well as the Wiperti Church and the remains of the Marienkloster monastery. A tour of the historic old town, with its buildings spanning eight centuries and spread over 90 hectares, is one of Germany's largest monuments.

The town hall and the market square in the heart of Quedlinburg.

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Art, culture, and music fans will also find examples of modernism in Quedlinburg. Over 200 artists have settled here, drawing inspiration from the town's unique flair. Open workshops, numerous small galleries, and exhibition spaces invite visitors to explore.

Old wooden houses reflected in Lake Hallstatt and the imposing mountain backdrop – yes, Hallstatt in Austria is a truly picture-perfect place: the houses picturesquely nestled into the mountain, the small streets dreamy and winding, centuries-old buildings in the historic town center surrounding a colorful market square.

You don't need a long vacation to visit the small town itself with its many historic buildings, but there is still plenty to see: white gold has been mined in mighty salt chambers for over 4,000 years, and Celtic graves are worth visiting, as are the churches, the cemetery, and the ossuary.

A Chinese architect liked the World Heritage site of Hallstadt so much that he had it rebuilt in the People's Republic.

Source: imago images/Imaginechina-Tuchong

Above all, Hallstatt is a fantastic starting point for hikes into the breathtaking natural surroundings. The Salzkammergut mountains are a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts.

Burford in Oxfordshire has a population of barely 1,100, but they can count themselves lucky, as according to a survey by Forbes magazine, they live in one of the ten most livable cities in the world. It's also simply beautiful in the Cotswolds, a region consisting of six counties and often referred to as the heart of England . The Cotswold Hills are bordered by the River Avon to the north, the Thames to the south, the university city of Oxford to the east, and Cheltenham to the west.

Everything that is considered "typically English" can be found here: lush green hills, enchantingly beautiful flower gardens and ancient castles, imposing manor houses, and those dreamy villages like Burford with their quaint pubs and friendly people. A distinctive and unmistakable feature is the honey-colored limestone used to build the many terraced houses and bridges.

Burford is located in the Cotswolds 18 miles west of Oxford.

Source: imago images/Sebastian Wasek

Portree is the capital of the Isle of Skye, just a stone's throw from Scotland's west coast. And although it is indeed an island, there are ferry connections and a road that leads across. And if you've ever been looking for a landscape that looks like something out of a fairytale, you'll find it here. The Isle of Skye, part of the Inner Hebrides, combines all the characteristics of the Highlands: rolling hills, bizarre mountain ranges, bays, beaches, lochs, and the sea.

Portree's harbor on the Isle of Skye welcomes you with colorful houses and Highland romance.

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And halfway along the east coast, Portree, fringed by plateaus and cliffs, divides the island into a northern and southern part. The harbor itself, around which the town is built, is unique; Quay Street is lined with rows of houses with colorful facades, seemingly smiling at arriving visitors. Pubs and hotels, small shops, and plenty of Scottish charm await in the sheltered bay. Portree is a popular starting point for exploring the rest of the island.

Sibiu was once called Hermannstadt, as the city was founded by the Transylvanian Saxons, German settlers, in the 12th century. This beautiful little town in Romania bears witness to this to this day! Historic houses in colorful alleys and thick old church walls leave no doubt that this small town has a vibrant history behind it.

Sibiu is a city of the Transylvanian Saxons dating back to the 12th century – and to this day it remains a beautiful small town that you should plan a few days to visit.

Source: IMAGO/Panthermedia

If you look closely, you'll still find numerous relics of the historic settlement culture. And if you walk through the town with your ears open, you'll still be able to hear many locals speaking German. After exploring Sibiu, you should treat yourself to a delicious Romanian wine in one of the numerous small restaurants.

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