Who said that only big cities can be beautiful and attractive? The world is full of charming and impressive villages and small towns of importance and historical value, some of the most interesting among them you can find out below.
Alberobello
Located in southeastern Italy, the village of Alberobello is famous for its stone huts with conical roofs called "trullo". These structures produce the opposite effect of magnificence and brightness, they look rather gray and modest, but at the same time they are excellent examples of ancient building techniques, although in reality their age is no more than a few centuries.
Pariangan
According to legend, Mount Marapi in western Indonesia was the first place where the Minangkabau people settled. Today, this active volcano rises above the village of Pariangan, where the people of Minangkabau still live. This picturesque place boasts a large number of well-preserved buildings as well as an old mosque. This village is under protection due to its great cultural and historical importance.
Savoca
This village, located near the extreme eastern point of Sicily, is close to the famous tourist town of Taormina. Savoca may not boast the same brightness as her neighbor, however she can attract people in other ways. She has a timeless, deeply Sicilian charm that is perfect for filming Coppola's legendary film The Godfather 2. The Vitelli Bar, which can be seen in the film, is still open, but there is also a large number of churches, residential buildings and other old buildings to admire.
Goreme
Goreme is a small town in the center of Asia Minor, in the heart of Turkey. Situated in the midst of world famous Hoodoos, this town is the perfect destination for those wishing to see these striking rock formations. There is some sense of a different world regarding this settlement, founded more than two thousand years ago. It is especially worth noting that many of the residential buildings are made right in the rocks - the same goes for some churches, which are beautifully decorated.
Madison
The city of Madison was founded over two centuries ago and named after President James Madison - and it is he who is considered one of the most beautiful small towns in the country. However, the historical value of the city does not end there - you can also find here various examples of pre-war architecture, which give the city its charm. General Shepard is said to have spared this city during the war as it was too beautiful to be destroyed.
Huskar
Until recently, Juscar was an average village located in the south of Spain. As in most of these villages, all the walls of the buildings were whitewashed - until 2011, when they were all painted blue in honor of the premiere of the feature film Smurfs. And the local residents liked this change so much that they turned down the film company Sony Pictures, which offered to repaint the walls back to white after the premiere, and now they are the main attraction.
Reine
The Rhine is located in the Lofoten Islands in Norway and is one of the most attractive and beautiful places in the Arctic Circle. The unexpectedly mild climate means that both residents and tourists can enjoy the incredible surroundings without any problems.
Sidi Bou Said
This village is located north of the capital Tunisia and sits at the very edge of a cliff, offering incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea. But the views are not all that this place can boast, you can also pay attention to the colors of the houses - the combination of blue and white prevails here, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
Wengen
The Swiss village of Wengen is one of the most picturesque in Europe, attracting thousands of tourists both in summer and winter. It is located high in the Alps and is ideal for ski tourism. It is also worth noting that there are no cars at all, which makes the air incredibly clean, reduces noise levels and creates an atmosphere of silence.
Shirakawa
This small village is located on the island of Honshu, nestled among the cliffs and is the place with the most annual snowfall in the world. Because of this, residents have come up with a special type of housing called "minka". Such houses are equipped with a thick triangular roof, reminiscent of the hands of a praying person - this shape helps to provide proper resistance to the snow.
Burano
Burano is a tiny archipelago of four islands located in the Venetian lagoon. What makes this village stand out against the background of all of Venice and all other villages in the world is that the inhabitants painted their houses in different bright colors. This trait has become so important to the village that you now need a special permit to repaint the wall a different color. And originally it was done by fishermen to distinguish their houses in the fog.
Biburi
Located in the west of England, the village of Biburi has a thousand-year history and is one of the most picturesque places in the whole of Great Britain. She is known for her stone cottages in the Cotswold Hills. Walking the streets of this village can be a real journey back in time.
Hallstatt
The village of Hallstatt is located directly on the lake, near Salzburg, in the heart of Austria. Not only is it incredibly picturesque, but it also has an impressive history behind it. She has always been incredibly rich thanks to the salt mines and she is known for her culture that is associated with the ancient Celts. Today the attraction of the village is so great that a full-size replica with houses and a church was built in China.
And I
This village is located on the cliffs of Santorini and benefits from such an incredible location. Residents and visitors alike can get a striking view of the Santorini volcano. Elegant white houses, gleaming in the bright sun, dominate the village, but dominated by the ancient castle and the mill, which is one of the most iconic buildings.
Eze
Eze is an incredibly beautiful and picturesque town located along the shores of the French Riviera. It rises to an altitude of 1,400 feet above sea level and offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and other surrounding areas. Besides the views, Eze boasts a famous medieval charm thanks to its well-preserved centuries-old buildings.
We present to your attention the top 10 most picturesque villages in the world. Here we go…
Biburi, England
The English village of Biburi 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 fabulous illustration. The village itself is much older - the first mention of this settlement dates back to the 11th century. Despite the popularity with tourists, public transport in Biburi 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 take a taxi. 
Shirakawa-go, Japan
This picturesque village is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can admire the wonderful gassho style houses with triangular roofs and also the Ogimachi Castle, which is located near the village. Tourists are brought here by a regular bus. 
Wengen, Switzerland
The views of this Swiss village are reminiscent of a fabulous setting at any time of the year. 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. It is home to the famous ski resort and the amazing Kriegsloch Cave, which is said to predict the approach of war. It is forbidden to drive ordinary cars here, so as not to spoil the purest mountain air. But at the services of tourists there are always many environmentally friendly electric vehicles. 
Ezzie, France
This picturesque village stands on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. For many centuries, incessant wars have been fought 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 present original face. There are also typical houses of the 17th century and famous windmills, creating a true "Dutch" landscape. They sell wonderful natural cheese, fine painted china and traditional wooden shoes. 
Pariangan, West Sumatra
The picturesque streets of this Minangkabau village are literally at the foot of the active volcano Merapi, which has erupted almost 40 times over the past 200 years. The dangerous neighborhood makes the impression of the beautiful scenery especially strong. 
Savoca, Sicily
This village with a thousand-year history is well known to fans of the book and film "The Godfather", because the events reproduced in the film were filmed here. Here you can visit the Vitelli Bar and the famous Capuchin Monastery, where the most famous crypt is located, in which more than fifty bodies of the local nobility and clergy have been kept for centuries, subjected to natural mummification in the catacombs. 
Cua Wan, 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 Ha Long Bay surrounded by huge cliffs. In one of these raft houses there is also a village school, and the students come to it by boat. To see all the beauty of this village, tourists also have to hire a boat. 
Caleta Tortel, Chile
The small village of Caleta Tortel has the fame of "Chilean Venice". True, there are no stone palaces and majestic bridges, but there are many picturesque wooden houses, towering on piles and connected to each other by a whole web of light suspension bridges, and sometimes just stairs. For obvious reasons, it is impossible to get around here by road. 
Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
All buildings in this Tunisian village have traditional colors: 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 superb. Many representatives of creative professions constantly rest here, and many travel companies offer day trips here.
Solio, Switzerland
The Italian artist Giovanni Segantini once called his winter residence in the Alpine village of Solio - La soglia del paradiso, translated into Russian as "gateway to paradise." And this is really a fitting description - a picturesque village overlooking the chestnut forests, located on a sunny terrace in the Bregaglia Valley, is a great place for hiking. Tidy 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 Rougon, remote from civilization, sits on a high plateau with panoramic views of Verdon, Europe's most impressive canyon. 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, from where you can see the canyons, the landscapes of Haute Provence and the red tile roofs.
Arnastapi, Iceland
The sparsely populated Snйfellsnes Peninsula is located west of Borgafjordur, West Iceland. The island looks like a miniature copy of the "big brother". At the foot of Mount Stapafel is the village of Arnastapi. For hikers, there is 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 Snйfellsjökull, 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 coast. In a small cafe, visitors will be offered a "signature" fish soup, hot waffles, plus an unmatched view of the sea. A small church surrounded by rocks looks especially unusual.
Torla, Spain
In 1918, the Ordesa Valley became a national park. Today it is the oldest nature reserve in the Pyrenees. Hiking trails run along the rocks with views of mountain peaks and canyons, lakes and snowfields. The village of Torla, one of the smallest (with a population of about 400) in the Pyrenees, is located at the entrance to the national park. In Torla there is a hotel and two campings, and an unusual church adorns the center of the settlement.
Gershtruben, Germany
One of the best ski resorts in the German Alps is the Bavarian Obersdorf, next to it is the small alpine village of Gershtruben, which, thanks to its ancient buildings, looks like a museum. But it is not only the architecture that amazes: a sawmill, cheese factory and mills still operate here. The chapel and several 17th century farmhouses have recently been renovated.
Ushguli, Georgia
The Ushguli community is the main attraction of Svaneti, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Located 2,200 meters above sea level, Ushugli is the highest mountain settlement in Europe. Getting there is a whole adventure: three hours by car along an uneven dirt road along the Inguri River. Some sections of the road are very dangerous - in winter, for example, avalanches can descend from the mountains, and the road is closed. Guests of Ushguli can look at the ancient Svan towers that withstood 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 are open 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 famous for its salt mines, which are more than three thousand years old. Less than 1000 people live in neat European houses. In addition to residential buildings, Galtat 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. The houses have been on sale since 2012, but the “copy” has not yet been fully populated.
Monsaras, 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 a music festival. The cultural program in the village is varied: here they eat, sing, dance, and organize theatrical performances.
Olden, Norway
The cruise port with the picturesque surroundings of Olden is located by a mountain lake. This fjord village is surrounded by a typical Scandinavian landscape - giant mountains covered with greenery are reflected in the blue waters of the lakes. Alden lives off agriculture and tourism, so you won't find any urban entertainment here. Small wooden houses, two churches and minimal amenities. The main local attraction is the Briksdal glacier, which can be reached by minibus. After the glacier - Jostedalsbren National Park, even at the height of summer you need to take warm clothes with you. Tourist steam locomotives run through the valley, boat cruises and lakeside camping are also available. People usually come here to admire nature and fish.
Castelmezzano, Italy
The village of Castelmezzano in the Basilicata region is one of the most beautiful places in Italy. Even from a distance, this place looks magical: steep stairs, narrow streets, closely built houses, old churches against the backdrop of rocks. According to legend, the treasures of the Templars are hidden here. The natural diversity of the region can be admired by walking, mountain biking and horseback riding: wild apple trees, pear trees, maple trees grow everywhere, cats, peregrine falcons and even porcupines are hiding. Tourists are especially fond of the local cuisine. Hunters for the best view can ride through the ravine at 120 km / h on a local attraction, a 100-meter steel cable stretched between the peaks of the Volo dell'Angelo mountains.
We present to your attention the top 10 most picturesque villages in the world. Here we go…
Biburi, England
The English village of Biburi 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 fabulous illustration. The village itself is much older - the first mention of this settlement dates back to the 11th century. Despite the popularity with tourists, public transport in Biburi 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 take a taxi. 
Shirakawa-go, Japan
This picturesque village is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can admire the wonderful gassho style houses with triangular roofs and also the Ogimachi Castle, which is located near the village. Tourists are brought here by a regular bus. 
Wengen, Switzerland
The views of this Swiss village are reminiscent of a fabulous setting at any time of the year. 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. It is home to the famous ski resort and the amazing Kriegsloch Cave, which is said to predict the approach of war. It is forbidden to drive ordinary cars here, so as not to spoil the purest mountain air. But at the services of tourists there are always many environmentally friendly electric vehicles. 
Ezzie, France
This picturesque village stands on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. For many centuries, incessant wars have been fought 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 present original face. There are also typical houses of the 17th century and famous windmills, creating a true "Dutch" landscape. They sell wonderful natural cheese, fine painted china and traditional wooden shoes.
Pariangan, West Sumatra
The picturesque streets of this Minangkabau village are literally at the foot of the active volcano Merapi, which has erupted almost 40 times over the past 200 years. The dangerous neighborhood makes the impression of the beautiful scenery especially strong. 
Savoca, Sicily
This village with a thousand-year history is well known to fans of the book and film "The Godfather", because the events reproduced in the film were filmed here. Here you can visit the Vitelli Bar and the famous Capuchin Monastery, where the most famous crypt is located, in which more than fifty bodies of the local nobility and clergy have been kept for centuries, subjected to natural mummification in the catacombs. 
Cua Wan, 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 Ha Long Bay surrounded by huge cliffs. In one of these raft houses there is also a village school, and the students come to it by boat. To see all the beauty of this village, tourists also have to hire a boat. 
Caleta Tortel, Chile
The small village of Caleta Tortel has the fame of "Chilean Venice". True, there are no stone palaces and majestic bridges, but there are many picturesque wooden houses, towering on piles and connected to each other by a whole web of light suspension bridges, and sometimes just stairs. For obvious reasons, it is impossible to get around here by road. 
Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
All buildings in this Tunisian village have traditional colors: 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 superb. Many representatives of creative professions constantly rest here, and many travel companies offer day trips here.
Quote post by valniko77 The most beautiful European villages and towns
In the countries of Europe there are many villages that are not inferior to the capital's sights in the originality of their architecture, 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 throughout Europe.
Obidos, Portugal
This picturesque old town has long been part of the dowry of the Portuguese queens. The city has many architectural attractions, the largest of which is Obidos 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 ginjinha liqueur.
Eze village, 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 famous people used to rest and work 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 that transports brine to Ebensee.
Pitigliano, Italy
The population of this picturesque village is only 4000 people. A fairly large part of the local population are Jews, so the town even received the nickname Little Jerusalem. Near the city, there are many Etruscan crypts, which the locals use as wine cellars. In the city itself and its surroundings, there are a lot of architectural monuments of the Middle Ages.
Polperro, UK
An incredibly picturesque fishing village near Plymouth attracts so many tourists in summer that the tourism business has recently become the main 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 every winter the famous Lauberhorn races are held. 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 folk and brass music concerts are organized at the station. Also in Wengen there is a famous puppet theater.
Rapperswil. Switzerland.
Rapperswill is a small Swiss town located at the foot of the Alps, not far from Lake Zürichsee. The main feature of the inconspicuous town is roses. It is all planted with whole plantations of cultivated rose hips, and a romantic thorn also flaunts on its coat of arms. In summer, the town turns into a huge blooming and fragrant flower bed - tens of thousands of roses of several hundred species and varieties bloom here.
Otoire, France
Many believe that Otoire is the most beautiful village in all of France. The village has existed for more than 800 years, but most of all there are buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, which look very picturesque against the backdrop of massive cliffs that surround Otoir from all sides.
Deia, Mallorca island
The glory of this small village is not only the picturesque surroundings, but also many famous people who lived here at different times. English poet Robert Graves, American writer Anais Nin, poet Claribel Alegria - this is not a complete list of celebrities. Today, Deia is so popular with tourists that as many as 20 restaurants are constantly operating in the village to feed all guests.
Ravello, Italy
The picturesque surroundings of Ravello have always attracted many tourists, among whom there were many celebrities. At one time, 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. Diocletian's palace was faced with this "Brac stone" in ancient times, and nowadays it is used to decorate the Washington White House. But the main occupation of the inhabitants of the island is, of course, serving the 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 attracted crowds of tourists and artists for over two hundred years, especially during the summer. There are impromptu art galleries on almost every street, and any of the exhibits can not only be viewed, but also bought. There are also many historic buildings in the city, and outside the city, tourists will find magnificent rural views and picturesque ruins.
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 Wallonia Valley. Like many centuries ago, it is surrounded by a moat with water, and not far away there is 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 worth seeing.
Mittenwald, Germany
