17 Beautiful Small Towns in Europe You Must Visit

Updated: September 30, 2026

There’s something magical about European small towns, which should be on everyone’s itinerary. I’m listing the 17 small towns in Europe that have inspired me over the years, along with a few beauties that I’ve been trying to visit for a long time. If you’re heading that way and only have big cities on your list, consider adding some of the smaller guys, too. You won’t regret it.

Small Towns in Europe

Once you see how much charm and beauty exists outside Europe’s big cities, you’ll never travel the same way again. Now, whenever I plan a trip, I make sure to include several of these idyllic towns in my itinerary. The destinations I’ve listed below vary in size and population, but are still smaller than the nearby main cities. 

Haarlem, Netherlands

1. Dingle, Ireland 

Dingle, Ireland, was my first taste of a European small town. Jorge and I visited Ireland for our first wedding anniversary back in 2012. We decided to road-trip across the country, and Dingle was our second stop. Dingle inspired my future travels. I realized how much more there is to see when you go deeper into a country.

Dingle is green and vibrant. You’ll find colorful homes, sheep grazing, cows napping, and one of the most beautiful peninsula drives. B&Bs will welcome you with the friendliest hosts. From all our travels, Ireland has had the friendliest locals (followed closely by Italy and Puerto Rico).

Where we stayed: Pax Guest House. We still dream of returning to this b&b. It was perfect, and the views will leave you speechless. 

2. Cesky Krumlov, Czechia

Český Krumlov is one of the most enchanting places in the Czech Republic. The locals in Český were friendlier than those in Prague (in our experience). The prices were more affordable, the streets felt safer, and the views were breathtaking. After nearly two decades of European travel, Cesky is still one of my favorite small towns.

Where we stayed: Hotel Oldinn. Modern hotel located right in the main square. You are steps away from all of Cesky’s beauty.

3. Burano, Italy

Anytime anyone visits Venice (my favorite city in the world), I recommend stopping in Burano. This unique town is a must-see for anyone, anywhere, anytime. Burano bursts with color and endless inspiration. If you’re anything like me, you won’t be able to put your camera down. This town attracts many visitors, but there’s still plenty of space to avoid feeling crowded. Consider staying the night if you want more time to explore.

Where to stay: Night Galleria holiday home. Stay in one of the colorful homes and have a true local experience!

4. Beilstein, Germany

Beilstein is located in Germany’s Mosel Valley. It’s a tiny little town you can quickly reach by ferry from the equally beautiful town of Cochem. The Mosel Valley is full of storybook places, remarkable castles, and some of the best Riesling. Beilstein is also close to the famous Burg Eltz Castle. You can rent a car in Cochem and drive up. Every corner in Beilstein had me pulling out my camera. It’s an inspiring town and definitely worth a visit.

Where to stay: Hotel Villa Vie Cochem. Stay in Cochem, so you have more coffee and dining options. The Airbnb we stayed in isn’t available anymore, but if we could go back, I would choose a place like Hotel Villa with its beautiful views, terrace and buffet breakfast.

BEILSTEIN:

COCHEM:

5. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany 

Germany is full of charming small towns, and Rothenburg often tops many lists. This medieval town is one of Germany’s best-preserved, and it looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale. It is popular with tourists but far from a tourist trap. A good way to avoid crowds is to stay overnight.

Where we stayed: Gästehaus Eberlein. Affordable, and it saved us when we were in a pinch! It’s located right outside the old town walls. It was nothing fancy, but it was clean, had a good breakfast, a friendly host, and free parking.

6. Haarlem, Netherlands

Haarlem can be overlooked by visitors, especially with a neighbor like Amsterdam. But this smaller, equally lovely town is worth the 13-minute train ride. Haarlem offers gorgeous architecture, lush greenery, and windmills, all set against a small-town vibe. Don’t miss the old city gate or their main square! The featured photo on this post is of Haarlem’s square.

Where to stay: Hotel 1635. If you decide to stay overnight or base yourself in quieter Haarlem, this beautiful, well-rated hotel will leave you in the center of it all.

7. Rye, England

I already know that the U.K. is a country that I’ll be returning to frequently. There’s too much to see and experience to go only once. On my last trip, I couldn’t make it to Rye. I’ve been inspired by Mermaid Street (pictured below) for a while now and dream of visiting one day. England, in general, has such magnificent-looking towns that deserve a visit outside of London- hello, Cotswolds.

Where to stay: Haydens. If I were booking this trip today, I’d stay here. A quaint b&b in the center of town with a decked balcony for al fresco breakfasts. Yes, please.

source: David McKelvey Mermaid Street via photopin (license)

8. Coimbra, Portugal

Did you know that Coimbra was once the capital of Portugal before Lisbon took over? This beautifully preserved medieval town should be on everyone’s list of places to visit in Portugal. It’s one of the larger cities, but its historic district has a small-town feel and is sometimes called a “mini Lisbon.” If you’re a fan of layered architecture, pastel hues, and uncrowded streets, definitely check out Coimbra.

Where to stay: CoimbraAmeias. An excellent location with impressive reviews. You can also enjoy terrace views and modern rooms.

9. Bellagio, Italy 

There’s something special about Bellagio. Located on Lake Como, Italy, Bellagio is known for its beauty and is loved by many. It’s one of my favorite places in Italy! Bellagio has abundant, picturesque nooks, fantastic food, and numerous places to sample wine. It’s also surrounded by other beautiful small towns, only a ferry ride away.

Where to stay: Skyway Apartment. I love that this place has a private terrace with a view of the lake, but is still steps away from the center of town.

10. Castle Combe, England 

Back to England for the postcard town of Castle Combe! Castle Combe is located near the Cotswolds and should be added to the agenda if you visit that cluster of towns. It’s an easy drive from the colorful city of Bristol (our route), or you can do a day trip tour from London or other nearby towns. 

Where we stayed: Windrush House. It’s an award-winning b&b located in Broadway in the Cotswolds.

11. Riquewihr, France

If you’re visiting the more famous cities of Strasbourg and Colmar, be sure to stop in Riquewihr. Unfortunately, the weather ruined my trip to this picturesque town when I was visiting Strasbourg. Similar to Colmar but with its own flair, Riquewihr offers cobbled paths, half-timbered houses, and delicious wine. Bonus: It’s part of the Alsace Wine Route.

Where to stay: La Maison Bleue. Stay in a historic house in the heart of Riquewihr. Swoon!!

Riquewihr / Alsace 2019 via photopin (license)

12. Piran, Slovenia

Piran is a charming coastal town in southwestern Slovenia. It overlooks the Adriatic Sea and offers stunning coastal views. Wander the old town’s narrow streets, enjoy seafood specialties, and soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere. It’s a popular destination for those looking to experience the beauty of the Slovenian coastline.

Where to stay: Second Life in Piran. Stay in the heart of the old town, just steps away from the sea. Good reviews and a pretty rooftop.

13. Atrani, Italy 

Considered the smallest town in Italy, Atrani is a treat for the eyes! It’s located on the Amalfi Coast, a 30-minute walk (or a quick ferry ride) from Amalfi. Atrani is another layered beauty, with a beach that is considerably less crowded than those of the neighboring towns of Amalfi and Positano. You don’t need to stay overnight in Atrani because it’s incredibly small, but don’t miss it if you’re following the Amalfi Coast route.

14. Bruges, Belgium

Located in northwest Belgium, Bruges is a popular stop for many day-trippers. I’ve been swooning over photos of Bruges since Pinterest was born. As you can probably tell by now, I have a thing for cobbled streets and medieval buildings. Bruges offers all that, along with delicious waffles and fries. It is larger than most small towns on this list, but still compact enough to retain a small-town feel.

Where we stayed: Hotel Navarra Brugge. We loved our stay here! It’s centrally located, modern and has beautiful grounds.

15. Antibes, France

Imagine taking a road trip through the South of France and coming across a town like Antibes on the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur). Antibes is known for its old town. It offers inspiring streets and was once home to Picasso. If it’s good enough for Picasso, it’s good enough for me. I’ve always wanted to visit the lavender fields in southern France, but I never realized how much that area had to offer. Diana from InBetweenPictures.com travels through there frequently and has inspired me to create some new itineraries.

Where to stay: Irin Hotel. Simple rooms, but affordable for France and in the heart of the old town. 

16. Ronda, Spain

Ronda is in the mountains of southern Spain. What caught my eye was the dramatic deep gorge that separates the old town from the new town. One thing we regret not doing while visiting Spain is taking a road trip through Andalusia on Spain’s southern coast. We had our heart set on Ronda and neighboring towns, but because of an issue with the car rental, we never made it. I’m dreaming up a 40th birthday trip there soon. What do you think, should I make this happen? 

Where to stay: Hotel Palacio de Hemingway. A historic, small hotel located in the old town. It has great reviews, and some rooms have beautiful views.

source: Photo by Tomáš Malčo Malík from Pexels

17. Bled, Slovenia

Bled is a picturesque, distinctive town you’ve probably seen on social media. Take a stroll around the lake, hike up to the castle or hike around it for an amazing view of the lake; take a pletna boat to Bled Island, and don’t miss the famous Bled cream cake. This was one of our favorite stops on our recent trip to Slovenia!

Where we stayed: Pr Anzl. We had a magical stay in Pr Anzl. We had a room with a balcony overlooking the town and neighboring horses. Parking and a delicious breakfast are included. 

This website contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps to support the blog and keep it running. Thank you for your support!