Many of these settlements are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These corners of Europe are so beautiful that humanity is obliged to preserve them in their original form.
Albarracin
This medieval small town of 1,097 inhabitants is located in the province of Teruel, Spain, and typically ranks at the top of all world rankings. beautiful villages of this country.
Vernazza
It is one of the five gems that make up the Cinque Terre region of Italy - five small fishing towns with World Heritage status. Choosing one of them is an almost impossible task. Vernazza, perhaps, has best preserved the spirit of a maritime citadel.
La Roque-Gageac
Situated at the foot of a cliff, on the banks of the Dordogne River, this french city, inhabited since prehistoric times, is one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Josselin
This city is located in France, in the Brittany region. This fairytale city ok, famous not only for its beauty, but also for its famous and impressive castle, built around 1008.
Murren
The highest and most beautiful village in the canton of Bern, Switzerland, at an altitude of 1650 m above the Lauterbrunnen valley. Here you can see three of the most famous mountains in Switzerland: Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.
Castle Com
The village of 350 inhabitants is located in Wiltshire, England. This oasis of peace and tranquility was rated second best village country in the famous British newspaper “The Times”, and he certainly deserves it.
Rhonda
The “City of Bullfighting” stands on a huge picturesque rock, which makes it so amazingly beautiful.
Tropea
This Italian city is located on the coast of Calabria and is one of the main points of the Italian resort coast. One of its features is the huge cliff that overlooks the beach.
Bibury
For many, including the poet William Morris, Bibury is the most wonderful village in England. Its fourteenth-century houses will transport you to another era.
Freudenberg
small town Freudenberg is one of the most charming towns in Germany and Europe. It is located in the region of Siegen-Wittgenstein in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Dinan
The small town with a population of only 14,000 inhabitants is one of the most beautiful, picturesque and spectacular parts of Belgium. It is located on the banks of the Mosa and is sandwiched between rocks, which adds to the uniqueness of the place.
Gengenbach
This fabulous city is located in southern Germany, on the edge of the Black Forest, in the Ortenau district of Baden-Württemberg. Due to his extraordinary beauty, he was chosen for the filming of several films, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Mykonos Town
Mykonos, also known as Chora, is beautiful small town on the island of Mykonos (Greece). Its distinctive feature is small white and square houses with balconies, doors and windows painted in different colors.
Mortsund
Norwegian Mortsund is an enclave, a haven for fishermen. Its extraordinary beauty and solitude surrounded by nature beckons travelers.
Gruyere
Gruyere - historical city and a municipality in the Swiss canton of Fribourg. Amazing buildings and medieval castle, where nineteen counts lived, make it one of the most interesting cities in Europe.
And I
Small town belonging to the island Santorini, Greece. Hundreds of visitors come to Oia to watch its world famous and beautiful sunset. Oia is also famous for its white volcanic rock houses and blue domed churches.
Mont Saint Michel
Magnificent architecture and the bay make Mont Saint-Michel the most visited tourist place in Normandy and one of the first in France (about 3.2 million visitors per year).
Bled
Bled is a city located on the shores of Lake Bled in Slovenia. He is famous for his glacial lake, castles and churches in the surrounding forests. Every year the place attracts more and more tourists.
Reine
Reine was declared the most beautiful village in Norway in the 70s. It has been a trading port since 1793 and a permanent destination for cruises Norwegian fjords.
San Gimignano
San Gimignano - small medieval city with a wall, built on top of the hills of Tuscany in Italy. Its characteristic feature is the towers, which make the city a European medieval Manhattan.
Funes
This is a rural village located in a picturesque valley in Funes, Italian Tyrol. It has a small beautiful church of Santa Magdalena and one of the most beautiful landscapes not only in Europe but in the whole world.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Belongs to the district of Ansbach in Bavaria, Germany. It is a world famous tourist attraction due to its well-preserved medieval center. In addition to its beauty, Rothenburg ob der Tauber served as inspiration for the village in Pinocchio.
Colmar
This beautiful fairytale city belongs to the Haut-Rhin department in the Alsace region of France. Walking along its streets, you can enjoy the view of early Renaissance buildings.
Manarola
Second on this list, this colorful fishing town is another place located in the Cinque Terre in Italy. Manarola is perhaps the most beautiful of the five, and seems also to be the oldest, as evidenced by the cornerstone of the Church of San Lorenzo from 1160.
Hallstatt
Hallstatt is a village in the Salzkammergut region of Austria. In 1997 it was declared an object World Heritage UNESCO. This place is simply amazing, very cozy and incredibly beautiful!
16.05.2016
What is the “poverty trap”?
Sociologists call the “poverty trap” a situation where children growing up in poverty cannot, for this reason, receive a decent education, a well-paid profession and a decent pension, and are forced to remain on the social bottom all their lives. According to the latest data from Rosstat, in Russia the share of children from low-income families is 26% of the total: all of them are at risk of falling into the “poverty trap.”
What is the difference between wool and hair?
Why do espresso and other coffee bean drinks have Italian names?
Very simple: because this country is their homeland. Espresso is a method of preparing coffee, invented in Italy in the late 19th century, that has gained immense popularity around the world, especially in the United States. Drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos also originated in Italy as different ways to add milk to espresso. Find out why you shouldn't drink coffee on an empty stomach.
What was Leonardo Da Vinci's last name?
How did mosquitoes kill 52,000,000,000 people?
Almost half of all people who have ever lived on Earth - over 50 billion - died from diseases carried by mosquitoes, namely: smallpox, measles, malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, etc. Mosquitoes carry everything possible: bacteria, viruses, parasites, as well as their bites can cause allergic reactions of varying severity, up to anaphylactic shock.
(c) Atilla 2008
Cats are dozing on the piers, boats are rocking on the waves, mountains are reflected in calm waters, the market near the fortress walls of the Old Town is full of ripe fruits and fresh fish is shimmering, and in the narrow streets clothes are drying on lines - here it is, far from a complete picture of this Montenegrin miracle nature and architecture. which is called the most beautiful city, it is good both in bad weather, when the mountains are shrouded in fog, and in good weather - when, due to the sun’s rays, the water in the Bay of Kotor becomes absolutely transparent.
The most photogenic places in Kotor: View from the embankment along Jadranska magistrala, observation deck on top of the fortress wall, streets of the Old Town.
Prague, Czech Republic
The first of the two capitals that we included in this list is Zlata Prague, as the city was once solemnly called.
Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, the gloomy and solemn St. Vitus Cathedral, Tyn Cathedral - everyone, even those who have not been to Prague, know these places and can immediately imagine what they look like. It remains the same as it was centuries ago - narrow streets, cobblestone streets, red tiled roofs, old signs for restaurants and workshops. We always wanted to see this city in winter - covered with snow, even more cozy and pre-holiday. This is exactly how we saw it during a recent trip – it didn’t disappoint and was beautiful.
The most photogenic places in Prague: view from the tower of the Old Town Hall, view from the Powder Tower, view from the tower of St. Vitus Cathedral.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
The city of the Sun and eternal summer - you can come here in winter and still see bright fruits on orange trees, waves of the Adriatic Sea shimmering in the Sun, snow-white yachts and street cafes filled with visitors.
You are doomed to be in a good mood in Dubrovnik, no matter how depressed you get here. Even the songs of “Agatha Christie” are perceived here as a hymn to love of life, verified :)
The most photogenic places in Dubrovnik: View from the Minceta Tower, the Old Port embankment, Stradun Street, absolutely any point of the fortress wall (yes, this is not an exaggeration).
A city on the Baltic Sea coast, sea gate Poland. The foggy and restless Baltic endowed Gdansk with a lyrical and thoughtful atmosphere. This is not a vain place; in Gdansk you can spend hours alone with yourself and your thoughts, walking along its ancient embankments and spacious, uncrowded beaches.
The most photogenic places in Gdansk: Royal Route, view from the tower of St. Mary's Cathedral, embankment of the Motlawa River.
Hallstatt is so small that it is difficult to call it a city - it is more like a village, but located in such an ideal place from an aesthetic point of view that when you get there, you cannot believe that it is real. This is not a toy model, not a banner, not a picture from the Internet retouched 100,500 times - no, this is a real place on the shore cleanest lake, surrounded by the Austrian Alps. Miniature houses, flowers on the windows, a quiet embankment, the smooth surface of the lake - it’s true that 10 minutes in Hallstatt can replace a pack of Novopasita.
The most photogenic places in Hallstatt: the view from the embankment of the Römisches district (this one, the most recognizable), the view from observation deck“5 Fingers”, an observation deck on the mountain next to the Salt Cave (Salt Mines) - a funicular goes to it, almost from the city center.
Riga, Latvia
Another capital and another city on the Baltic coast. It formally became European quite recently, but in fact it has always been like this; it is no coincidence that all of the “Europe” of Soviet films was filmed here. Ancient streets, houses with lacy facades, church spiers, the brooding Gulf of Riga, boat trips along the Daugava River, the noise of cranes coming from the port - this is Europe, the closest to us.
The most photogenic places in Riga: View from the observation deck of St. Peter's Church, view from the Sky Line bar (26th floor of the Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija), Town Hall Square.
Porto, Portugal
There are many cozy and colorful cities in Portugal, including the capital - Lisbon, but we decided to stop at the very best - Porto. This is not a city, it’s just some kind of decoration for a film about love, passion and the sea - there’s no other way to say it. Although there is no sea here - the city is located on the Douro River, and after a few kilometers the mighty Atlantic begins. Old colorful houses (so picturesque, as if they were specially aged a little), street musicians, the aroma of port wine, warm evening air - a typical picture of Porto.
The most photogenic places in Porto: Douro River embankment, St. Catherine Street, Ribeira district, observation deck of the Clérigos Church.
Honfleur, France
Imagine a city in which time has stopped at midday on a summer Sunday, and you will understand how a person feels when he finds himself in Honfleur. The town lives its own leisurely life, here on every corner they sell homemade cider, Calvados and different flavors of caramel - lavender, rose petals, blackberry. The oysters in city restaurants are so delicious, the sun on the embankment is so gentle that you quickly join the rhythm of life of the locals and don’t want to return to the bustle of big cities.
The most photogenic places in Honfleur: Quai Sainte-Catherine and Quai Carentin.
Bruges, Belgium
Postcard city, gingerbread city, bedtime story city. Ours was simply in disgusting weather, in which in Moscow you want to shoot yourself - rain, cold wind, leaden clouds. But the city turned out to be so bright and cozy that the weather was simply not noticed. There were gingerbread and chocolate figurines in almost every window (Belgium, after all), there was a smell of fresh baked goods, and pleasure boats sailed along the canals decorated with flower pots.
The most photogenic places in Bruges: Observation deck Historical Museum Bruges, embankments along the Groenerei and Minnewatter canals
San Gimignano, Italy
A city in the center of Tuscany, located among vineyards on a high hill, on the side of the SR222 road. San Gimignano is not only the most Tuscan, but also the most Italian of all Italian cities. Here, street musicians play in the squares, noisy neighbors discuss the latest news, and old people with thoughtful faces look at passersby, sitting on indoor chairs placed right in the middle of the street.
Also, San Gimignano has the most delicious ice cream in Italy and the number of its types here is approaching infinity.
The most photogenic places in San Gimignano: Piazza Del Duomo, view from the Bell Tower (not only of the city, but also of the Tuscan fields surrounding it).
Strasbourg, France
Main city French province Alsace, in which the atmosphere of France and the spirit of Germany, which is so close to the city, are intertwined. The classic French Cathedral of Notre Dame, and very close to it - a quarter of traditional German houses - all this is so picturesque and so unusual - it was this mix of cultures that captivated us, forcing us to choose from all the French ones for the selection major cities namely Strasbourg.
Restaurants with flowered terraces are comfortably located along the canals, and passengers of boats passing by hear the smell of foie gras, the clink of glasses and the sounds of musical instruments. In general, if you want a lot of France and a little Germany, then Strasbourg is for you.
The most photogenic places in Strasbourg: the Petite France area, view from the observation deck of Notre Dame Cathedral, Place Guttenberg.
Bergen, Norway
The northernmost and coldest city in the selection. It lies on fjord-rugged shores North Sea, here you can often see lead clouds overhead, and it’s better not to appear on the street without an umbrella, but despite this, Bergen ended up in this article. This is because one look at its colorful little houses makes you feel warm, because here you can walk along the streets lined with wood, because the hills of Bergen offer incredible beauty northern species. Cold City, which gives warmth - that’s what this Bergen is like.
The most photogenic places in Bergen: Bryggen embankment, view from the observation deck of Mount Fløyen.
We hope that these photographs of serene city landscapes will make your soul feel calmer and more comfortable.
Gamla Stan is a small district, the historical center of Stockholm. It is one of the largest and most carefully preserved medieval town centers in Europe. You will understand this as soon as you visit there, everything here is shrouded in romance, and these streets will immediately mentally transport you to medieval Sweden.
In 1252, Birger Jarl chose this place and founded the first wooden fortress on it. Of course, nothing remains of that fortress - most Gamla Stana was built in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The narrow cobblestone lanes in Gamla Stan are closed to cars, making walking around the Old Town a real pleasure.
You can cross this area at a brisk pace in about 10 minutes.
But in the end, you can get stuck here for many hours, circling among the red houses and turning into tiny courtyards and squares.
This real paradise for photographers and tourists.
As in any center, you can sit in a cafe and feel the spirit of old Europe.
Marten Trozigs grand (Morten Trozigs Lane) is the narrowest street in Stockholm, its width is only 90 centimeters.
But other streets in the center are not very wide.
The widest streets of Gamla Stan were formed as a result of the reconstruction and demolition of buildings.
Now it’s hard to imagine that in the place of these colorful houses and cozy streets there were real slums until the middle of the last century.
The Swedes had to work hard to put this place in order and make it one of the most popular attractions in Stockholm.
There are also straight streets in Gamla Stan. Stora Nygatan (Great New Street) is one of them, and parallel to it is Lilla Nygatan.
The oldest square in Stockholm, Stortorget ( Large area) - the historical center and heart of the city. Once there was a lively trade here, but now there are numerous cafes. The red house with 92 white stones most often appears in tourists' photos; it is perhaps the most famous in Stockholm. 92 white stones are embedded in the wall in memory of the 92 noble Swedes executed by the Danish king Christian II during the Stockholm bloodbath in 1520.
The German Church (Tyska kyrkan) is one of the symbols of the old part of Stockholm. Tourists can visit it completely free of charge during the hours when it is open.
The building was built in the Gothic style and originally belonged to a community of German sailors who lived in Stockholm in the 16th century.
And this is the Church of St. Nicholas (Storkyrkan). The cathedral was consecrated in 1306 and dedicated to the patron saint of sailors. It is believed that this is the oldest building in the center and was built along with the city itself. Coronations and weddings of Swedish monarchs take place here.
Riddarholmen Church (Riddarholmskyrkan) on neighboring island, it has existed since the thirteenth century and is also believed to have been built along with the city. Most of the members of the Swedish royal family are buried there.
The island of Riddarholmen (Knight's Island) also belongs to Gamla Stan, but there are no cafes, restaurants, or souvenir shops at every turn. And not too many tourists either.
The center of Stockholm is among my top favorite places among European capitals. I would gladly walk here more than once.
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You can start closing “debts” using photo reports. Let's start, perhaps, with... Just a dozen months ago, we came to check out Catalan life in the capital of the Mediterranean Union - Barcelona.
Barcelona is wonderful. Sun-drenched cozy streets, not the most gloomy locals, delicious Rioja and excellent meat restaurants. 
The streets are wonderful. Not very old, not very new - just the way I like them. 
If you step away from the most touristy paths, you can take a walk outside the crowds of tourists.
Due to the architecture, the light in the city is especially magical. Just like in New York. 
Everything is moderately clean, moderately neat. 
So that cars can pass safely, there are mirrors like these at corners. 
The climate in Barcelona is wonderful - the month of November is quite warm. Not hot, not cold - just how I like it. 
This inconspicuous establishment Quimet Quimet is one of the coolest tapas bars we’ve been to. If you're in Barcelona, be sure to go! 
But all these cozy streets, sunny weather and tapas bars came later. On the day of our arrival, Barcelona greeted us with a global strike of almost everything (including all city transport) and riots. Young Spaniards turned over cars and had fun in every possible way, but the police dispersed them. We decided to bypass this fun, however. 
While most of the local population was busy vandalizing, Barceloneta beach was empty. 
The streets in the center are deserted, local residents The shutters were closed. 
The Bronze Horseman keeps order. 
And only the runners should be put on the riots. They don't give a damn, they have a long run :) 
It’s not for nothing that the Spaniards are the champions of the latest football championships - even at night there are guys on the field. 
The city is doing well with cycling. Barcelona has an urban bike sharing system with hundreds of stations. You can pick up a bike at one station and leave it at another. However, it is worth remembering that these are city transport for locals, not pleasure bikes for tourists. 
Morning revealed damaged shop shutters. 
Barcelona's Arc de Triomphe. 
Road to Agbar Tower. 
Somewhere in the northern, mountainous part of the city. 
Pensioners are active; instead of sitting on benches, they play Petang. 
An angry pigeon escapes from the hot sun in a fountain. 
Usually in cities there is someone besides pigeons? That's right - sparrows. However, I did not find them in Barcelona - instead of them, green Kalita parrots fly there. 
Parrots, like sparrows, are no strangers to swimming in puddles. 
Contemporary street art. 
In my humble opinion, this is better than the graffiti tags of “artists” 
One of Barcelona's tourist magnets is Park Guell. It’s very cool, but the impression is spoiled by the crowds of tourists. 
Another tourist magnet is the Picasso Museum. My brain, hardened in New York, could not understand the fruits of the Master's work. I believe you need to have a very fine mental organization in order to fully appreciate the level of creativity and technology. 
Well, where would we be without traditional levitography? From the chocolate-house villages of Germany, passing through the beautiful and colorful villages of the Scandinavian countries, to the flirty coastal towns of Italy, the breathtaking mountain villages Switzerland, medieval towns of Spain or fabulous villages of France.
There are many worthy small towns in Europe that could be on this list, but we've selected perhaps the 25 best.
25. Albarracin
This medieval, rather small town with 1,097 inhabitants is located in the province of Teruel (Spain), and, as a rule, occupies the top position in all rankings of the most beautiful villages in Spain.
The village has been a national monument since 1961 and has received a gold medal for its services. fine arts in 1996, and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
24. Vernazza
It is one of the five gems that make up the Cinque Terre region of Italy - five small fishing towns with World Heritage status. Choosing one out of five is an almost impossible task. Vernazza is perhaps the one that has best preserved the appearance of a maritime citadel.
23. La Roque-Gageac
Situated at the foot of a cliff on the banks of the Dordogne River, this French city, inhabited since prehistoric times, is one of the most beautiful in Europe.
It suffered a disaster in January 1957 when a 5,000 m3 piece of rock broke off and fell on people, destroying ten houses, killing several people and blocking the road for several years. La Roque-Gageac has been rebuilt with a new look and this has allowed it to win the title of one of the most beautiful cities France.
22. Josselin
Located in the Brittany region of France, Josselin is a beautiful fairytale town known not only for its beauty, but also for its famous and impressive castle, built around 1008.
21. Murren
This is the highest and most beautiful village in the canton of Bern (Switzerland), at an altitude of 1650 m above the Lauterbrunnen valley. This beautiful village offers views of three of the most famous mountains in Switzerland: the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.
Tourism here is very popular both in winter and summer. Mürren has a population of only 450 people.
20. Castle Com
This small village of 350 residents is located in Wiltshire, England. This oasis of peace and tranquility has been rated as the country's second best village by the renowned British newspaper The Times and is certainly one of the most beautiful in Europe.
19. Rhonda
In the mountains north-west of the province of Malaga (Spain), this bullfighting city enjoys a privileged setting - on a huge and spectacular cliff, making it one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
18. Tropea
This beautiful Italian city is located on the coast of Calabria and is one of the main points of the Italian resort coast. One of its features is the huge cliff that overlooks the beach, making Tropea such a beautiful and unique town.
17. Bibury
For many, including the poet William Morris, Bibury is the most beautiful village in England. Its fourteenth-century houses will transport you to another era. The place absolutely deserves to be part of this list.
16. Freudenberg
The small town of Freudenberg is perhaps one of the most beautiful and most charming in Germany and Europe. It is located in the region of Siegen-Wittgenstein in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In the city center, in an area called Alter Flecken, you can see many black and white half-timbered houses forming rows. This is Freudenberg's most characteristic and photographed image.
15. Dinan
This small city, with a population of 14,000 inhabitants, is one of the most beautiful, picturesque and spectacular parts of Belgium. It is located on the banks of the Mosa and is sandwiched between rocks, which makes this city something unique.
14. Gengenbach
This small fairy-tale town is located in southern Germany, on the edge of the Black Forest, in the district of Ortenau, Baden-Württemberg. Due to its extraordinary beauty, the city has been chosen as the backdrop for several films, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
13. Mykonos Town
Mykonos, or also known as Chora, is a beautiful small town on the island of Mykonos (Greece). Its unusual beauty consists of small white and square houses, with balconies, doors and windows painted in different colors.
It is very interesting to wander through its labyrinthine streets. It is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and deserves to be on this list.
12. Mortsund
Norway's Mortsund is a beautiful enclave, a haven for fishermen. Its extraordinary beauty surrounded by nature attracts visitors who do not want to leave this beautiful and remote corner of Europe.
11. Gruyere
Gruyères is a historical town and municipality in the Swiss canton of Fribourg. Beautiful buildings and a medieval castle where nineteen counts lived make it one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
10. Oya
This small town, belonging to the island of Santorini (Greece), is a global tourism destination. Hundreds of visitors come to Oia to watch its famous and beautiful sunset. Oia is also famous for its white volcano cliff houses and its popular blue domed churches.
9. Mont Saint Michel
The magnificent architecture and bay make Mont Saint-Michel the most visited tourist destination in Normandy and one of the first in France (about 3.2 million visitors per year). Declared historical monument in 1862, Mont Saint-Michel has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe.
8. Bled
Bled is a city located on the shores of Lake Bled in Slovenia. It is known for its popular glacial lake, castles and churches in the surrounding forests. The place attracts a large number of tourists every year.
7. Reine
Reine was declared in the 70s as the most beautiful village in Norway. It has been a trading port since 1793 and a regular destination for cruises in the Norwegian fjords. Located in the Lofoten Islands, this picturesque village surrounded by mountains - mandatory place to visit in Norway.
6. San Gimignano
San Gimignano is a small medieval walled city built on top of the hills of Tuscany in Italy. A characteristic feature of this beautiful city are the towers that make it a European medieval Manhattan. Historical center San Gimignano was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.
5. Funes
This is a beautiful small rural village located in a picturesque valley in Funes, Italian Tyrol. It has a small beautiful church of Santa Magdalena, and one of the most beautiful landscapes not only in Europe but in the whole world.
4. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Belongs to the district of Ansbach in Bavaria, Germany. It is a world famous tourist attraction due to its well-preserved medieval center. In addition to its beauty, Rothenburg ob der Tauber served as inspiration for the village in Pinocchio.
3. Colmar
This beautiful fairytale city belongs to the Haut-Rhin department in the Alsace region of France. Walking through its streets, you can admire the sight of early Renaissance German Gothic buildings that will delight you.
2. Manarola
This beautiful and colorful fishing town is the second on this list, which belongs to the area known as Cinque Terre in Italy. Manarola is perhaps the most beautiful of the five, and seems also to be the oldest, as evidenced by the cornerstone of the Church of San Lorenzo from 1160.
1. Hallstatt
Hallstatt is a village in the Salzkammergut region of Austria. In 1997 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beauty here is so great that this place often ranks top in rankings of the most beautiful villages in Europe.
And at the end of the video: beautiful places Europe.
