Small but mighty: 15 small towns in Europe away from mass tourism

Already know Paris, Rome, or London? How about an alternative? Away from the tourist crowds, there are hundreds of small, charming towns and villages in Europe that are worth a visit. Whether it's a tiny town in Iceland with breathtaking scenery, an old coastal settlement with quaint fishing boats, or a bustling marketplace with unusual architecture in the south – we'll show you 15 of our favorites for your next vacation.

Forget Vienna or Salzburg – Zell am See in Austria is arguably one of the most enchanting small towns in Europe! This small beauty captivates with Lake Zell and nestles against the mighty Schmittenhöhe. Skiers and other winter sports or hiking enthusiasts may have already heard of this mountain giant with its impressive height of 1965 meters on the eastern edge of the Kitzbühel Alps.

Zell am See is without doubt one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe.

Source: imago/Eibner Europe

But Zell is also worth a visit in summer – here you can enjoy a great swim, explore the area by bike, or visit the idyllic town with its charming architecture. Another interesting option is the Pinzgauer Lokalbahn, which takes you through the majestic Alpine landscape and even takes you to the impressive Krimml Waterfalls.

The small town of Bled in Slovenia has become a real tourist magnet. This is mainly due to its picturesque view of the lake, in the center of which stands a 17th-century church on a teardrop-shaped island. Those who visit it by boat feel like they've been immersed in a mystical past, like something out of a Grimm fairy tale.

You can also row or enjoy other outdoor activities on the beautiful lake. A particularly beautiful hike is the approximately 20-kilometer hilltop hike around the lake. At various points, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the landscape—and the Church Island. The highlight is the view from Velica Osojnica.

The Church Island in Lake Bled.

Source: IMAGO/robertharding

Small but mighty: Hidden at the end of a wild fjord in the far east of Iceland lies the tiny town of Seydisfjördur. A ferry passes here every week, connecting Iceland with Denmark and the Faroe Islands.

The Rainbow Trail and the white church in Seydisfjördur are real eye-catchers.

Source: imago images/Design Pics

This small, beautiful town has fewer than 700 inhabitants, but it still boasts a number of charming guesthouses, as well as breweries and restaurants. On the outskirts of the town, in Tvísöngur, an impressive concrete sound sculpture awaits visitors. The scenic backdrop there is also particularly beautiful.

Here you'll find Bella Italia with a touch of understatement – or have you ever heard of the impressive city panorama of Gangi, Sicily? It's especially beautiful at dusk.

The charming little town also boasts an idyllic castle that sits majestically on a hill, baroque and medieval churches and, last but not least, the massive Mount Etna, which seems to watch over everything high above Gangi.

The beautiful Italian town of Gangi with the imposing Mount Etna in the background.

Source: imago images/robertharding

Those who prefer something more historical will find it in the underground tomb of the Chiesa Madre di Gangi, where mummified priests line the walls of the crypt.

Pure winter wonderland: someone could easily have dreamed this up for Zermatt, Switzerland ! The beauty of the Matterhorn is impressive, and it's not the only peak over 4,000 meters high surrounding Zermatt.

Nestled in the Alps lies the small town of Zermatt, known among winter sports enthusiasts for its ski resorts. There are a total of 200 kilometers of slopes to tackle here – if you're so inclined. Otherwise, you can simply stroll through the town center – it's car-free.

The impressive Matterhorn with the beautiful small town of Zermatt.

Source: imago images/Joana Kruse

Or you can enjoy one of the many bodies of water. For one, the Mattervispa River flows directly through the town center. Zermatt's mountains, with their several lakes, beckon hikers, including the Grünsee, Riffelsee, Schwarzsee, and Stellisee. A cable car also takes you to the Trockener Steg mountain station—the highest station in Europe.

Whitewashed buildings meet small, charming stone streets – welcome to Cadaqués on Spain's Costa Brava! This former fishing village near the French border still captivates with its charming harbor, where hundreds of boats bob.

All the alleys here lead to the harbor – Cadaqués in Spain is simply beautiful.

Source: imago images/Jason Knott

The small beaches invite you to swim, sunbathe, and explore – and with a rented barca, you can explore one of the cobalt-blue bays. Cadaqués is a great place to escape from everyday life; many artists have appreciated the peace and seclusion in the past. Among them were Salvador Dalí, André Breton, Max Ernst, and Man Ray.

In summer, the town often hosts open-air cinemas and music festivals. Besides the Gothic church of Santa Maria, the lighthouse at the tip of Cap de Creus is also worth seeing.

Why travel far away when the good things are so close? According to a ranking by the holiday home search engine Holidu , the small town of Füssen in Bavaria is way ahead of the game in Germany – various online searches have confirmed this. What do most people want to see? Of course: the fairytale and world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle. Directly across the street is the equally famous Hohenschwangau Castle – essentially the childhood home of Ludwig II.

There's much more to Füssen than that! The Museum of the Bavarian Kings is also worth a visit, and afterward, you can take a dip in the nearby Alpsee or have a picnic on the shore.

In the old town of Bavaria's highest town, you can not only stroll, but also discover Gothic town houses in the medieval alleys or enjoy a meal in one of the cozy street cafés before visiting, for example, the High Castle and the Benedictine monastery of St. Mang.

View of the old town of Füssen with the parish church of St. Stephan, the river Lech and the mountains.

Source: imago images/Peter Schickert

A quaint fishing village with half-timbered houses in a picturesque old town – that's what awaits you in Saint-Jean-de-Luz,France . The town's beach is the best place to see the typical architecture of Basque culture.

The bay in the Bay of Biscay is the only sheltered harbor between Arcachon and the Spanish border. Dikes protect the city from the Atlantic waves, which is why Saint-Jean-de-Luz has become a popular seaside resort on the Côte Basque.

A real eye-catcher are the colorful houses at the harbor of Saint Jean de Luz – one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe.

Source: Getty Images

Surfers come to Saint-Jean-de-Luz all year round – not least to visit the classic surf break Plage de Lafitenia and the big wave surf spot Belharra.

Unique architecture with beautiful buildings, arches, balconies and bell towers – this is Pyrgi on the Greek island of Chios.

The decorations on the walls of the houses are particularly special: gray and white shapes are still scratched into the walls with a fork – this style is called "xista" in Greece . Legend has it that the Genoese brought this unusual technique to Chios in the Middle Ages.

Pyrgi in Greece is known for its particularly beautiful decorative buildings and balconies.

Source: imago images/VWPics

The narrow cobbled streets are also charming and invite you to stroll. In the center of Pyrgi is the village square with several shops and small cafés.

The picturesque town of Telč inthe Czech Republic appears as if it had come straight out of a folk tale. Surrounded by ponds, the town lies at the foot of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands on the Telčský Potok River.

A particular eye-catcher are the pastel-colored Renaissance and Baroque-style houses on the market square, which, like the entire old town, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Zacharias von Neuhaus Market Square is one of the largest squares in the Czech Republic and forms an elongated triangle.

The historic market square of Telč – here all the colorful stone houses are connected to each other.

Source: imago images/CTK Photo

Travelers in the city can also visit the Telč Castle of the same name, which is a national cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Stroll among magnolias and azaleas during the day and relax in the thermal waters in the evening? You can do this in Furnas on the Azores island of São Miguel. The town has a population of just under 1,500 and is located in the middle of a valley with 23 warm to hot mineral springs. Also worth a visit is the beautiful Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, established in the 18th century. It houses one of the largest camellia collections in the world.

In Furnas, you should definitely try the Cozido das Furnas, a stew of vegetables, meat, sausages, and rice cooked in a pit in the ground. It takes up to seven hours, but it's definitely worth the wait.

View from Miradouro Pico do Ferro into the Furnas valley.

Source: imago images/imagebroker

The colorful houses of Tobermory lie like little pearls in the dark blue bay. Densely forested mountains rise high into the sky in the background. The town on the Isle of Mull, on Scotland's west coast, was founded as a fishing port in 1788 and today has a population of around 950.

And whiskey fans, pay attention: In Tobermory there is a distillery that was founded in 1797 by John Sinclair and today distills Ledaig.

View of the town of Tobermory in Great Britain, Scotland.

Source: imago images/blickwinkel

A visit to Albarracín, Spain, is like a journey through time: The medieval houses nestle closely together on the hill, almost as they did in the eleventh century when the Moors founded the town. The old city walls with their defensive towers are still preserved, and the Guadalaviar River babbles peacefully below the village.

From their wooden balconies, the 1,000 or so residents enjoy magnificent views. Steep, winding alleys lead to the Plaza Mayor, where you can enjoy delicious tapas in the evening amidst the beautiful stone houses.

1st place: Drumroll for Albarracín in the mountains of eastern central Spain. Situated at 1,171 meters, the small town enchants visitors with its prime location and medieval old town.

Source: pixabay.com/MemoryCatcher

It's wonderfully quiet up here, in the mountain village of Wengen in the Bernese Oberland. The village is not connected to the road network and can only be reached from Lauterbrunnen via the Wengenalp Railway. There are now a few hotel-owned electric vehicles in the village, but even they are very quiet.

Wengen sits majestically on a sunny terrace at an altitude of 1,274 meters, with views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. A stroll through the village reveals the beautiful wooden chalets and Art Nouveau hotels with their colorful flower boxes for which the village is famous.

The view of Wengen in Switzerland is so beautiful.

Source: imago images/leonidtit

This place is like something out of a picture book: turquoise sea, whitewashed houses, rugged, reddish-brown cliffs, and a spectacular sunset. According to the Greeks themselves, this small village with a population of around 500 has the most beautiful cliff setting in the Cyclades. And the most impressive, too: After all, the village is perched on a 200-meter-high precipice above the sea.

The town and island of Folegandros in Greece are so beautiful.

Source: imago images/robertharding

But why was a village built on this unusual site? In fact, the site was a fortified settlement in the Middle Ages, which is why the outer houses were built side by side and had no windows facing the sea.

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