13 Most Beautiful European Villages for a Timeless Experience
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Choose your small town or village carefully when visiting Europe; you can feel like you’ve stepped into another era. Whether it’s medieval architecture, a lack of cars, traditional fishing boats, or the setting that makes it, all the following places offer timeless appeal.
Telč, Czech Republic
With a UNESCO-listed historic center, the small town of Telč in the Czech Republic is known for its photogenic buildings. Historic competition between residents means that each one looks incredibly lovely. The gabled, pastel-toned homes lining Zachariáš of Hradec Square must be seen to be believed.
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Marsaxlokk, Malta
Marsaxlokk is a traditional Maltese fishing village seemingly untouched by time. You can watch the local fishermen unload the day’s catch from their colorful boats before dining on swordfish, mahi-mahi, or tuna at a harborside seafood restaurant later. If you feel like stretching your legs, stroll south toward St. Peter’s Pool, a concealed cove begging to swim in.
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Bibury, England
While anyone would be hard-pressed to choose a favorite Cotswolds village, Bibury is particularly pretty. The houses are made from the local honey-hued stone, and the settlement boasts Arlington Row, a row of 17th-century weavers’ cottages. You can also fish for trout in the River Coln, which runs through the village.
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Gruyères, Switzerland
Gruyères is a charming, archetypal Swiss village famous for the local cheese. Amidst dairy farming country, the setting is delightful, with Alpine peaks and rolling green hills above and the Saane Valley and lake below. The architecture is also typically Swiss, with some medieval buildings, while Gruyères Castle dates from the 13th century.
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Cong, Ireland
In a nation seemingly awash with villages that seem lost in time, the Cong in Ireland is one of the finest examples. It sits astride the border between County Galway and County Mayo and is encircled by streams, lakes, and lush emerald meadows. Be sure to capture cottages with thatched roofs, a medieval abbey, and Ashford Castle on camera for posterity.
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Óbidos, Portugal
Óbidos is an astonishingly well-preserved medieval, walled town in Portugal. The fact that it’s fairly close to Lisbon also makes it an ideal day trip destination. In summer, bougainvillea is draped all over the whitewashed buildings, and you can drop into local bars for a fortifying glass of ginjinha, a cherry brandy. Events are held throughout the year – including a chocolate festival – and Óbidos also offers fine churches, a castle, and authentic cuisine.
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Reine, Norway
If you want to experience the wilderness of northernmost Scandinavia, come to Reine. The village is on Moskenesøya island, which is above the Arctic Circle and within the Lofoten archipelago. Book into a converted fishing cabin perched over the water for the full-on experience. You have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights here in winter, while in summer, this is the land of the midnight sun.
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Tellaro, Italy
While other Ligurian coastal resorts are packed with tourists, particularly in summer, Tellaro in Italy has escaped the influx. This is partly because it’s accessed via twisting, clifftop roads. Expect a small but perfectly formed harbor lined with pastel-toned buildings in this village on the Golfo dei Poeti – or Gulf of Poets. Luminaries like the novelist D. H. Lawrence and poet Byron once frequented the area.
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Albarracín, Spain
Albarracín in Spain is characterized by warmly-toned terracotta and ocher homes and the remnants of a Moorish alcázar. The charming village is located in central Aragon, filled with slender alleyways and twisting lanes. Trace the Murallas de Albarracín – medieval walls – for the best views of the Moorish clifftop castle.
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Giethoorn, The Netherlands
The fact that Giethoorn in the Netherlands is car-free is only part of its charm. Instead, locals living here take to the water when they need to get from A to B, except in winter when the water is frozen enough to ice skate on. Wooden bridges, thatched cottages, and colorful floral displays add to the appeal.
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Colmar, France
French meets German in this attractive, timeless village in the Grand Est region. The waterfront buildings are very Instagrammable, with pastel-painted, half-timbered facades. You can sample French and German fare during your visit, between wandering along the cobbled lanes and admiring the charm of the canals.
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Alberobello, Italy
Alberobello, Italy, is renowned for its unique trulli buildings, charming white-washed stone huts with conical roofs that dot the landscape. This UNESCO World Heritage site in the Puglia region offers a glimpse into a traditional architectural style that seems straight out of a fairy tale. Strolling through the narrow streets of Alberobello, visitors can admire these iconic structures, visit craft shops, and enjoy local delicacies, feeling transported to a bygone era.
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Pučišća, Croatia
Situated on the island of Brač, Pučišća is relatively unknown compared to destinations like Hvar and Dubrovnik. Its streets are lined with handsome villas built from pale stone and topped with vibrant terracotta roofs. Visit in summer, and you can do as the locals do to cool off by dipping in the Adriatic Sea.
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