Villages and countryside offer the best of Europe. The postcard-perfect hamlets add to the European charm and will get you 'addicted' to this lovely continent, like they did for me. These storybook villages are so much more worth-visiting than the busy iconic cities. I start planning for my European trips with finding the most beautiful villages and then weave my itinerary around those. Staying a few nights in these villages rather than just visiting them as a day-trip will greatly amplify your experience.
So, is this YET another list of prettiest villages in Europe? Probably not. You won't find a few names in the popular listings. Some of these were discoveries that were a result of extensive research and experiencing them first-hand.
1. Adare, Ireland- Located in County Limerick, Adare is known to be the prettiest village in Ireland. Take a stroll in the streets and enjoy looking at the brightly painted buildings, thatched roof houses, and green spaces around this heritage village. The best mid-range B&B to stay here is the Dunraven Arms Hotel, where I stayed.
2. Mittenwald, Germany- This is hands-down the most beautiful village in the Bavarian Alps, yet you won't find its name in the usual popular lists on the Internet. Famous for crafting violins, Mittenwald has perfected the art of balancing nature and tourism. Nestled in the Karwendel Mountains, near Austrian border, it provides you plenty of photo-ops with frescoed buildings depicting old fables and intricate flowers. I stayed in another charming village just 45 min away from Mittenwald, which is called Oberammergau.
3. Hallstatt, Austria- Hallstatt needs no introduction now that various guidebooks have promoted this 'once-a-hidden-gem' to become one of the most popular tourist spots in Austria. Located just an hour away from Salzburg, it is best visited as a day trip. It is a pedestrian-only zone and the cars need to be parked outside the village. If you're staying the night you'll have to lug your luggage along the cobblestone streets and frankly the village is worth just a few hours' strolling. Expect hoards of Chinese tourists trying to capture selfies against the picturesque Lake Hallstatt, which can also be toured on a boat. You can choose to go to the Welterbeblick Skywalk or Five Fingers Viewing Platform for a bird's eye view. The UNESCO recognised Salt Mines Salzwelten is also worth visiting.
4. Alpbach, Austria- A ski resort worth visiting even in summers, Alpbach has the most beautiful picture-postcard wooden houses with floral decorations. With a lot of hiking and biking trails available, you can also enjoy summers in Alpbach riding the Lauser Sauser alpine coaster and even paragliding.
5. Mürren, Switzerland- Located at the foot of the Schilthorn peak at an elevation of 1,638 metres (5,374 ft) above sea level, Mürren is a car-free village with a total population of just 450. It provides the view of three mountains Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau and can be reached by cableways from Lauterbrunnen and Stechelberg. I stayed in another car-free village Wengen which is on the opposite side of the Lauterbrunnen valley. Mürren may seem too small in terms of accommodation and restaurant options; Wengen is a better choice to stay while you cover Mürren and Gimmelwald (next point) together as a day-trip.
6. Gimmelwald, Switzerland- The best way to reach Gimmelwald is via the hiking trail from Allmendhubel (~1 hour downhill hike). Gimmelwald (not to be confused with Grindelwald) is also another tiny pedestrian Alpine village with the quintessential Swiss charm- cattle grazing on the meadows, nothing but cowbells ringing everywhere, wooden chalets with flowers and a cheese storehouse. Form here, you can take the gondola up the Schilthorn peak (~10,000 ft above sea level). A trip on top is highly recommended and it is a much better 'value for money' pick than the Jungfrau, which costs almost 200 CHF.
7. Betws-y-Coed, Wales- With roughly 500 people, this Welsh village is located in the Snowdonia National Park and offers a magical Alpine feel. With plenty of forest walking trails and waterfalls, you'll surely find enough to keep you busy for a full day. Make sure to pop in the Ugly House Tearoom, which is definitely a misnomer and Tu-Hwnt-I'r Bont Tearoom (which is not exactly in Betws-y-Coed, but only 10 min away). Another pretty hamlet just 30 min away is Beddgelert. It is worth driving through and stop by for a meal if you're not staying in either of these villages.
The Ugly House Tearoom
Tu-Hwnt-I'r Bont Tearoom
Beddgelert
8. Cotswolds, England- This 800 sq. miles large rural area in South-West England is home to unspoilt and historic English villages with golden-coloured Cotswold stone houses. It is unlikely that you'll find a more 'English' charm elsewhere in England. Rolling meadows, colorful markets, lively pubs, river streams with swans and manor houses paint a pleasant bucolic scene. Highly recommend staying a few nights in one of these villages in a cute B&B. I stayed in Cheltenham and did 'village-hopping' including the world-famous Bibury (expect huge crowds), Chipping Campden, Bourton-on-Water, Burford, Stow on the Wold, etc.
9. Portree, Scotland- The capital of the Isle of Skye, Portree is the only place where you'll find signs of civilisation like restaurants, hospitals etc in the entire Isle of Skye. The row of pastel-colored houses lining the Portree harbor with fishing boats offer a picturesque setting. Isle of Skye being the most beautiful region in Scotland, it is imperative that Portree must be visited. Popular attractions like the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing are only 10 min and 30 min away respectively.
10. Orvieto, Italy- Less than 90 minutes from Rome, Orvieto offers a typical Umbrian setting with tall cypress trees, adorable cafes, craft shops and charming houses. The cathedral in the town center is stunning with intricate frescoes. Don't forget to try cappuccino and tiramisu in one of the cafes. Another small car-free village Civita di Bagnoregio is just 30 min from Orvieto. I stayed in the Misia Country Resort which was the perfect place to relax after the town gets dark, with beautiful lobby and surroundings.
Comments