17 Beautiful Small Towns in Europe You Must Visit

Updated: August 3, 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 there is outside of the big cities in Europe, 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 range in size and population, but are still considered smaller than the neighboring main cities. Click the links next to the “Read More” to see more photos of these beautiful towns. 

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 the most beautiful peninsula drive. 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).

Read More: Things to Do in Dingle

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.

Read More: Things to Do in Cesky Krumlov

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 really want to have the local experience.

Read More: Things to Do in Burano

4. Beilstein, Germany

Beilstein is located in Germany’s Mosel Valley. It’s a tiny little town you can quickly get to by ferry from the equally beautiful town of Cochem. The Mosel Valley is full of storybook places, remarkable castles, and is home to some of the best Riesling out there. 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 that is certainly worth a visit.  

BEILSTEIN:

COCHEM:

Read More: Germany Road Trips- 9 of the Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Germany

5. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany 

Germany is full of charming small towns, and Rothenburg is often at the top of many lists. This medieval town is one of the best-preserved in Germany, and it looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale book. It is favored among tourists but far from a tourist trap. A good way to avoid crowds is to plan an overnight stay.

Read More: How To Spend 24 Hours in Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, Germany

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.

Read More: Things to do in Haarlem

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. With the route of 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.

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.

Read More: Things to Do in Coimbra

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.

Read More: Things to Do in Bellagio

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 town cluster. 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. I’ll link some of those below.

DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON

Read More: Picturesque Cotswolds Villages

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.

Riquewihr / Alsace 2019 via photopin (license)

12. Piran, Slovenia

Piran is a charming coastal town in southwestern Slovenia. It overlooks the Adriatic Sea, offering stunning views of the coastline. 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.

Read More: The Ultimate Slovenia Road Trip

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 an overnight stay in Atrani because it’s incredibly small, but don’t miss it if you’re following the Amalfi Coast route.

Read More: Amalfi Coast Towns

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.

Read More: 2 Days in Bruges, Belgium

15. Antibes, France

Imagine taking a road trip through the South of France and running into a town like Antibes in 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.

Read More: South of France Road Trip

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 being able to do while visiting Spain is to take a road trip through Andalusia on Spain’s southern coast. We had our heart set on Ronda and neighboring towns, but since we had an issue with the car rental, we never made it. We still hope to return to Spain one day to complete our route. I’m dreaming up a 40th birthday trip there soon. What do you think, should I make this happen? 

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!

Read More: The Ultimate Slovenia Road Trip

FAVORITE TRAVEL ITEMS 

I’m not someone who overpacks or buys a bunch of stuff “just in case.” Everything I bring has to earn its spot. It has to be lightweight, practical, and carry-on-friendly. Here are a few things that have made traveling so much easier for me:

• Packing cubes → My carry-on lifesaver, plus excellent quality
• Toiletry bag → Small but holds so much
• Camera case → For long walking days
• Sony a6000 camera → Lightweight, beginner-friendly
• Compact tripod → For photos without asking strangers
• Vacuum bags → For cold-weather trips
• Mini travel iron → Works fantastically, nary a wrinkle in sight

Wifi When Traveling (Europe)

I use Airalo, a digital eSIM that lets you buy data for 200+ countries in minutes. No physical SIM, no kiosks, just install before your trip and connect as soon as you land. It’s usually cheaper than roaming and way more reliable. I’ve used it across multiple trips, and it just works. → Check plans for your destination.

Quick note: Your phone needs to be unlocked (paid off) to use eSIM.

I’m confident that this blog post will continue to grow the more I travel and learn. I’ll be updating as it happens. If you’re looking for some great itinerary ideas mixed in with some bigger cities, check out this post for 24 one-week itinerary ideas!

PIN FOR LATER

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