Soglio, Switzerland
The Italian artist Giovanni Segantini once called his winter residence in the Alpine village of Soglio La soglia del paradiso, translated into Russian as "the gate to paradise." And this is indeed a fitting description - a picturesque village overlooking the chestnut forests, located on a sunny terrace in the Bregaglia valley, can be called a great place for hiking trails. Neat houses, narrow streets and rose gardens give this place the look of an ideal mountain village. Only 300 people live here, the official language is Italian, but many speak German. In 2015, the media named the village the most beautiful in Switzerland.
Rougon, France
The mountain village of Rugon, remote from civilization, is located on a high plateau with panoramic view to the Verdon, the most impressive canyon in Europe. The village has fewer than a hundred people and is so tiny that it doesn't even have streets. From Rougon, you can literally go in all four directions: go down and explore the gorge or climb further into the Alps, to the ruins of a dilapidated castle and an observation deck that offers views of the canyons, landscapes of Haute Provence and red-tiled roofs.
Arnastapi, Iceland
The sparsely populated peninsula of Snaefellsnes is located west of Borgafjordur, West Iceland. The island looks like a miniature copy of the "big brother". At the foot of Mount Stapafel lies the village of Arnastapi. Hikers can take a three-kilometer path along the coast from Arnastapi to the neighboring town of Helnar, and 8 kilometers from the village is the famous volcano with an ice cap, Snaefellsjokull, which can be seen even from Reykjavik. On the coastline there are colonies of different species of birds, minke whales and even killer whales often approach the shore. In a small cafe, visitors will be offered a "signature" fish soup, hot waffles, plus an incomparable view of the sea. A small church surrounded by rocks looks especially unusual.
Torla, Spain
In 1918 Ordesa Valley became a national park. Today it is the oldest nature reserve in the Pyrenees. Hiking trails run along the rocks overlooking mountain peaks and canyons, lakes and snowfields. The village of Torla, one of the smallest (pop. 400) places in the Pyrenees, is located at the entrance to national park. There is a hotel and two campsites in Torla, and an unusual church adorns the center of the settlement.
Gerstruben, Germany
One of the best ski resorts in the German Alps is the Bavarian Obersdorf, next to it is the small alpine village of Gerstruben, which looks like a museum thanks to its old buildings. But not only the architecture is striking: a sawmill, a cheese factory and mills still operate here. The chapel and several 17th century farmhouses have recently been restored.
Ushguli, Georgia
The Ushguli community is the main attraction of Svaneti, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Located at 2200 meters above sea level, Ushugli is the highest settlement in Europe. Getting there is an adventure: three hours by car on a rough dirt road along the Enguri River. Some sections of the road are very dangerous - in winter, for example, avalanches can come down from the mountains, and the road is closed. Guests of Ushguli can look at the ancient Svan towers that survived the battles with the Mongols and the low winter temperatures of the mountainous region, churches, castles. Tourists are slowly mastering this direction: an open-air museum, several guest houses and cafes work for visitors.
Hallstatt (Hallstatt), Austria
The small village of Hallstatt, near Salzburg, is considered one of the oldest in Europe. It is located between the rocks and the lake of the same name. The village is known for its salt mines, which are more than three thousand years old. Less than 1,000 people live in neat European houses. In addition to residential buildings, Galtata has a salt mine, a prehistoric museum, and several churches. In China, by the way, they built a copy of the village - Echo Town - 1000 times larger than the original and with much higher real estate prices. Since 2012, houses have been on sale, but the “copy” has not yet been fully populated.
Monsaraz, Portugal
Surrounded by olive trees, Monsaraz is the epitome of a medieval town. The main attraction is the impressive castle overlooking the village. The castle courtyard, an abandoned arena, is used in July as an open-air museum site and for music festival. The cultural program in the village is varied: here they eat, sing, dance, and theatrical performances are organized.
Alden, Norway
The cruise port with the picturesque surroundings of Alden is located at the mountain lake. This fjord village is surrounded by a typical Scandinavian landscape - giant mountains covered with greenery are reflected in the blue water of the lakes. Alden lives off agriculture and tourism, so there is no urban entertainment to be found here. Small wooden houses, two churches and a minimal set of amenities. The main local attraction is the Briksdal Glacier, which can be reached by minibus. After the glacier - Jostedalsbren National Park, even in the height of summer you need to take warm clothes with you. Tourist steam locomotives ply the valley, boat cruises and camping on the lake are also available. People usually come here to admire nature and go fishing.
Castelmezzano, Italy
The village of Castelmezzano in the Basilicata region is one of the most beautiful places Italy. Even from afar, this place looks magical: steep stairs, narrow streets, closely built houses, ancient churches against the backdrop of rocks. According to legend, the treasures of the Templars are hidden here. You can admire the natural diversity of the region on foot, on a mountain bike and on horseback: wild apple trees, pear trees, maple trees grow everywhere, cats, birds of prey peregrine falcons and even porcupines are hiding. Tourists especially favor the local cuisine. Hunters for the best view can ride through the ravine at a speed of 120 km/h on a local attraction, a 100-meter steel cable strung between the peaks of the Volo dell'Angelo mountains.
In the countries of Europe there are many villages that, in terms of the originality of their architecture, are not inferior to the sights of the capital, and the incredibly picturesque nature around them can cause genuine delight even among experienced travelers. Here are just a few of the most picturesque villages and small towns in different corners Europe.
Eze village, Cote d'Azur France
This is an incredibly picturesque place. resort area French Riviera. The settlement is very ancient - it was founded by the Phoenicians, and got its name in honor of the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis. Today, the oldest building in Eze is the Church of the Penitent Sinners of the White Brotherhood, which was built in 1306.
In this place rested and worked many celebrities. For example, it was in these picturesque places that Nietzsche wrote his philosophical novel Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
Pitigliano, Italy
The population of this picturesque village is only 4,000 people. Enough most the local population is made up of Jews, so the town even got the nickname of Little Jerusalem. Near the city, many Etruscan crypts have been preserved, which the locals use as wine cellars. In the city itself and its environs, there are a lot of architectural monuments the era of the Middle Ages.
Polperro, UK
An incredibly picturesque fishing village near Plymouth attracts so many tourists in the summer that the tourism business has recently become a major branch of the local economy.
This Austrian commune is located in a remote mountainous area and is considered one of the most beautiful places in Europe. Here are the oldest European salt mines and the oldest pipeline in the world, through which brine is delivered to Ebensee.
Wengen is incredible beautiful village located in the Bernese Alps. The number of tourists here is always 5 or even 10 times higher than the number of the local population. Alpine skiing is well developed here, and the famous Lauberhorn races are held every year in winter. In addition to skiing and the magnificent surrounding scenery, tourists are offered a rich The cultural program: organ music evenings are held in the local church, and concerts of folk and wind music are organized at the station. Also in Wengen there is a famous puppet theater.
This picturesque old town has long been part of the dowry of the Portuguese queens. The city has many architectural sights, the largest of which is the Óbidos Castle, built in the 12th century. Obidos is also famous for its delicious chocolate (it is even called the "chocolate capital") and the traditional cherry liqueur ginjinha.
The glory of this small village is not only picturesque surroundings, but also many famous people who lived here at different times. The English poet Robert Graves, the American writer Anais Nin, the poetess Claribel Alegria are far from full list celebrities.
Today Deia's popularity among tourists is so high that as many as 20 restaurants are constantly operating in the village to feed all the guests.
The picturesque surroundings of Ravello have always attracted many tourists, among whom there were many celebrities. At one time, the composer Edvard Grieg, Greta Garbo, Sophia Loren, Gore Vidal and many others rested here.
One of the main sights of the village is the cathedral, built in 1086. A priceless relic is kept here - a vessel with the blood of the great martyr and healer Panteleimon.
Pucisce is an amazingly beautiful small town located on the island of Brac. The island itself is only 12 km wide and 40 km long. Not far from the city there are quarries where the famous snow-white limestone is mined. This "marriage stone" was lined with the palace of Diocletian in antiquity, and in our time the Washington White House is decorated with it. But the main occupation of the inhabitants of the island is, of course, the service of numerous tourists arriving in these picturesque places from all over the world.
Kazimierz Dolny is considered one of the most beautiful Polish cities. It has been attracting crowds of tourists and artists for more than two hundred years, especially in the summer. improvised art galleries here are located on almost every street, and any of the exhibits can not only be viewed, but also bought.
There are also many historical buildings in the city, and magnificent rural views and picturesque ruins await tourists outside the city.
Many consider that Autoires is the most beautiful village in all of France. The village has existed for more than 800 years, but most of all it has preserved buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, which look very picturesque against the backdrop of the massive cliffs surrounding Autoire from all sides.
A little over five hundred people live in this small village. 800 years ago, a Norman knight built a castle in these places, and the village has already grown around it. This castle is still one of the main attractions of Carlingford today.
The village of Mittenwald stands against the background of the stunning beauty of the Bavarian landscapes. The village houses themselves also look like they came from a fairy-tale illustration. Here you can walk for hours, admiring the surroundings and going into cozy shops selling cute souvenirs, and small restaurants offering original German cuisine.
The village of Krupe is located in the Walloon Valley. Like many centuries ago, it is surrounded by a moat with water, and not far away rises impregnable castle and several picturesque grottoes. Tourists are not allowed into the castle - it is privately owned, but no one bothers to admire it from afar. And the landscapes there are really such that they are worth seeing.
Fjölbacka is an amazingly beautiful fishing village. Today, the tourist flow here is not too intense yet, but every year it becomes more and more powerful. The filming of the detective series "Murders in Fjöllbacka", which is going on here, also contributes to the set of popularity.
For real travel gourmets, they have become too hackneyed direction. Meanwhile, Michelin restaurants and the highest quality contingent today are more likely to be found in the outskirts, forgotten by God, picturesque and unbanal. ELLE presents 12 of the most beautiful villages and small towns in the world that will be the pearl of your itinerary.
Cozy medieval village of Yvoire, located on the French coast Lake Geneva, officially bears the name of the most beautiful and most flourishing village in France. Everything here is compact and incredibly pretty - medieval architecture, narrow streets, colorful souvenir shops, local lake fish in restaurants and only 5 hotels where tourists from all over the world come. Something is blooming in the gardens and on the streets of the city all year round, but it is especially beautiful in Yvoire in the summer - it is literally immersed in vegetation. The rhythm of the city is surprisingly unhurried - the inhabitants are busy producing flowers and souvenirs, and the main local entertainment is walking along the medieval castle of Chateau d'Ivoire or the pier, where swans swim among the boats.
By the way, Yvoire won a special prize at the national competition of France, where he was named the most authentic village that has preserved the signs of medieval life in its original form.
Mountains and the mirror surface of Lake Geneva are the main signs famous resort Evian, which is located on the border of France and Switzerland, in the foothills of the Savoy Alps. Since the end of the 19th century, the most famous mineral water in the Evian world.
The resort gained its fame precisely because of the healing properties of this water, which has become a worldwide brand, and today people come here for the incredible beauty of the places, as well as improve their health. Evian is located on the shore of the lake and is small city with a huge amount of entertainment - equestrian and golf clubs, casinos, cafes and restaurants, as well as the Thermes Evian thermal center with an impressive list of procedures based on the mineral water of the same name.
Evian's main hotel is Evian Royal Resort - a luxurious palace on the very shore of the lake, occupying almost 50 hectares of park with swimming pools, wellness centers and hotel service of the highest standard.
The Evian resort is famous for its Golf Academy, which hosts the international women's tournament - L'Evian Championship Golf Club. The special lifestyle of this club with elegant lunches at the Chalet du Golf, cocktails and receptions traditionally attracts the cream of European society.
The place of power for every figure in social life, the Cote d'Azur is famous, among other things, for landscapes of incredible beauty, local roses and the freshest oysters. One of the most picturesque villages of the French Riviera, located on the road from Nice to Monaco, is called Eze, and its history dates back to time immemorial - it was founded by the Phoenicians. The observation deck of this heavenly place, the cactus garden and the Church of the Penitent Sinners of the White Brotherhood are a favorite place for tourists from all over the world.
This village in Gloucestershire is considered the most beautiful and most English village in the world. At least, such experts of local life as William Morris thought so. A narrow street over the River Colne leads to a picturesque bridge, while St. Mary's Church, surrounded by pretty 17th century English houses, exemplifies the ideal authentic European village.
Listed world heritage UNESCO Village Shirakawa-Go Village, located in the northern part of Japan's Gifu Prefecture, in the Sokawa River Valley, consists of only six dozen houses. Previously, the village was isolated from the outside world and was not marked on any geographical map- the dense forests surrounding it were considered impassable. Today, curious tourists are taken to the famous architecture of the houses in the "gassho" style by buses.
They say that it was Vietnam with its amazing nature that served as a kind for the fantasies of the designers of the film "Avatar". And this is not surprising - there are no such landscapes anywhere else. Aesthetes and travelers have a special passion for the small fishing village of Cua Van - its small houses are supported by rafts and literally stand on the water, surrounded by the cliffs of Ha Long Bay. In one of these raft houses there is also a village school - students come there by boat.
A village without roads or "Dutch Venice" - this is the name of this wonderful place, located on water channels with a total length of about 7.5 km. Here and today it functions only water transport. Giethoorn was founded in 1230 by a small group of refugees from the south of the country, but gained worldwide fame only in the twentieth century, after the Dutch director Bert Haanstra shot his famous comedy Fanfare here in 1958.
Just over 1,000 people live in a village in the Bernese Alps. Meanwhile, the place is so popular with visitors that, according to statistics, for each local resident accounted for depending on the season from 5 to 10 tourists. There are several reasons for this - there is a popular ski resort and the amazing Kriegsloch Cave, which, according to legend, predicts the approach of war. The region is also famous for the puppet theater and the Mendelssohn Music Weeks. It is forbidden to drive cars here, so as not to spoil the purest mountain air.
The volcanic island of Santorini is one of the most romantic places on the planet. You have to climb from the port along winding and dangerous serpentines, but it's worth it - the residential part of the island offers fantastic views of the sea, the horizon and typical local buildings - white houses with blue roofs and church domes. According to legend, this place, beloved by couples for a peaceful honey moon, is designed to test the power of feelings - the sunsets of the village of Oia, the most beautiful point of the island, are so good that only people who are truly in love can look at each other, and not at the maddening the beauty of nature. At least that's what the legend says.
Quote from valniko77 Most beautiful European villages and towns
There are quite a few villages in European countries that, in terms of originality of their architecture, are not inferior to the sights of the capital, and the incredibly picturesque nature around them can cause genuine delight even among experienced travelers. Here are just some of the most picturesque villages and small towns located in different parts of Europe.
Obidos, Portugal
This picturesque old town has long been part of the dowry of the Portuguese queens. The city has many architectural sights, the largest of which is the Óbidos Castle, built in the 12th century. Obidos is also famous for its delicious chocolate (it is even called the "chocolate capital") and the traditional cherry liqueur ginjinha.
Village of Eze, French Riviera
This is an incredibly picturesque place in the resort area of the French Riviera. The settlement is very ancient - it was founded by the Phoenicians, and got its name in honor of the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis. Today, the oldest building in Eze is the Church of the Penitent Sinners of the White Brotherhood, which was built in 1306. Many celebrities rested and worked in this place. For example, it was in these picturesque places that Nietzsche wrote his philosophical novel Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
Hallstatt, Austria
This Austrian commune is located in a remote mountainous area and is considered one of the most beautiful places in Europe. Here are the oldest European salt mines and the oldest pipeline in the world, through which brine is delivered to Ebensee.
Pitigliano, Italy
The population of this picturesque village is only 4,000 people. A fairly large part of the local population is Jewish, so the town even got the nickname Little Jerusalem. Near the city, many Etruscan crypts have been preserved, which the locals use as wine cellars. There are a lot of architectural monuments of the Middle Ages in the city itself and its environs.
Polperro, UK
An incredibly picturesque fishing village near Plymouth attracts so many tourists in the summer that the tourism business has recently become a major branch of the local economy.
Wengen, Switzerland
Wengen is an incredibly beautiful village located in the Bernese Alps. The number of tourists here is always 5 or even 10 times higher than the number of the local population. Alpine skiing is well developed here, and the famous Lauberhorn races are held every year in winter. In addition to skiing and the magnificent surrounding landscapes, tourists are offered a rich cultural program: organ music evenings are held in the local church, and concerts of folk and wind music are organized at the station. Also in Wengen there is a famous puppet theater.
Rapperswil. Switzerland.
Rapperswil is a small Swiss town located at the foot of the Alps, not far from the Zürichsee lake. The main feature of the inconspicuous town is roses. It is all planted with whole plantations of cultivated wild rose, and a romantic thorn also flaunts on its coat of arms. In summer, the town turns into a huge blooming and fragrant flower bed - several tens of thousands of roses of several hundred species and varieties bloom here.
Autoire, France
Many consider Autoire to be the most beautiful village in all of France. The village has existed for more than 800 years, but most of all it has preserved buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, which look very picturesque against the backdrop of the massive cliffs surrounding Autoire from all sides.
Deia, Mallorca
The glory of this small village is not only picturesque surroundings, but also many famous people who lived here at different times. English poet Robert Graves, American writer Anais Nin, poetess Claribel Alegria - this is not a complete list of celebrities. Today Deia's popularity among tourists is so high that as many as 20 restaurants are constantly operating in the village to feed all the guests.
Ravello, Italy
The picturesque surroundings of Ravello have always attracted many tourists, among whom there were many celebrities. At one time, the composer Edvard Grieg, Greta Garbo, Sophia Loren, Gore Vidal and many others rested here. One of the main attractions of the village is the cathedral, built in 1086. A priceless relic is kept here - a vessel with the blood of the great martyr and healer Panteleimon.
Pucisce, Croatia
Pucisce is an amazingly beautiful small town located on the island of Brac. The island itself is only 12 km wide and 40 km long. Not far from the city there are quarries where the famous snow-white limestone is mined. This "marriage stone" was lined with the palace of Diocletian in antiquity, and in our time the Washington White House is decorated with it. But the main occupation of the inhabitants of the island is, of course, the service of numerous tourists arriving in these picturesque places from all over the world.
Kazimierz Dolny, Poland
Kazimierz Dolny is considered one of the most beautiful Polish cities. It has been attracting crowds of tourists and artists for more than two hundred years, especially in the summer. Improvised art galleries are located here on almost every street, and any of the exhibits can not only be viewed, but also bought. There are also many historical buildings in the city, and magnificent rural views and picturesque ruins await tourists outside the city.
Carlingford, Ireland
A little over five hundred people live in this small village. 800 years ago, a Norman knight built a castle in these places, and the village has already grown around it. This castle is still one of the main attractions of Carlingford today.
Krupe, Belgium
The village of Krupe is located in the Walloon Valley. Like many centuries ago, it is surrounded by a moat with water, and not far away stands an impregnable castle and several picturesque grottoes. Tourists are not allowed into the castle - it is privately owned, but no one bothers to admire it from afar. And the landscapes there are really such that they are worth seeing.
Mittenwald, Germany
We present to your attention the top 10 most picturesque villages in the world. Here we go…
Bibury, England
The English village of Bibury is located in Gloucestershire. It has been repeatedly recognized as the most beautiful and most English village in the world by various artists and poets. The cozy houses of the 17th century really seem to have descended from a fairy-tale illustration. The village itself is much older - the first mention of this settlement dates back to the 11th century. Despite being popular with tourists, public transport Bibury still does not go, and to get here you need to take a train at London Paddington Station, get to Kemble Station, and then only by taxi. 
Shirakawa-go, Japan
This picturesque village is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Here you can admire the wonderful houses with triangular roofs built in the "gassho" style, as well as Ogimachi Castle, which is located near the village. Tourists are brought here by a regular bus. 
Wengen, Switzerland
The views of this Swiss village at any time of the year resemble fairy-tale scenery. The indigenous population of the village numbers a little over a thousand people. But for every local resident, depending on the season, there are from 5 to 10 tourists, so it is always crowded here. Here is the famous ski resort and the amazing Kriegsloch Cave, which is said to be able to predict the approach of war. It is forbidden to drive ordinary cars here so as not to spoil the purest mountain air. But there are always many environmentally friendly electric vehicles at the service of tourists. 
Ezze, France
This picturesque village stands on the shore mediterranean sea. For many centuries, incessant wars have been waged here, and in the village itself, a variety of cultures have mixed. All this gave rise to a completely unique architectural ensemble, which, together with stunning landscapes, today attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world. 
Zaanse Schans, Holland
Unlike modern Amsterdam, the village of Zaanse Schans still retains its original original face. There are also typical 17th century houses and famous windmills, creating a real "Dutch" landscape. Here they sell wonderful natural cheese, beautiful painted porcelain and traditional wooden shoes.
Pariangan, West Sumatra
The picturesque streets of this Minangkabau village are literally at the foot of active volcano Merapi, which has erupted almost 40 times over the past 200 years. The dangerous neighborhood makes the impression of beautiful landscapes especially strong. 
Savoca, Sicily
This village with a thousand-year history is well known to fans of the book and the film "The Godfather", because the events reproduced in the film were filmed here. Here you can visit the Bar Vitelli and the famous Capuchin Monastery, where the most famous crypt is located, in which over fifty bodies of local nobility and clergy have been stored for centuries, naturally mummified in the catacombs. 
Cua Van, Vietnam
The main treasure of this small fishing village is the incredible beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Small houses supported by rafts stand literally on the water in the Ha Long bay surrounded by huge cliffs. The village school is located in one of these raft houses, and students come to it by boat. To see all the beauties of this village, tourists also have to hire a boat. 
Caleta Tortel, Chile
The small village of Caleta Tortel has the glory of "Chilean Venice". True, there are no stone palaces and majestic bridges here, but there are many picturesque wooden houses towering on stilts and connected to each other by a whole web of light suspension bridges, and sometimes just stairs. For obvious reasons, it is impossible to travel here by road. 
Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
All the buildings in this Tunisian village have the traditional colors of bright white walls and sky blue shutters and gates. Against the backdrop of the dazzling blue of the Gulf of Tunis, the village looks just fine. Many representatives of creative professions constantly rest here, and many tourist companies offer day trips here.
