The 50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the World

By: CAITLIN MORTON | Condé Nast Traveler

To get you started on your next fairy tale adventure, we’ve rounded up 50 of the most beautiful small towns in the world. While you’ll find a few common themes throughout the list—cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, incredible views, etc.—there are enough activities and geographical diversity here to fit every type of travel need. We even threw in an Arctic town for good measure.

Without further ado, here are the most beautiful small towns around the world.

All listings featured are independently selected by Condé Nast Traveler editors

Sapa, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam in the list of The 50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the World — The northwest market town of Sapa is colourful and charming, providing the perfect oasis in the midst of a strenuous mountain trek or rice-paddy tour. The Gothic stone church at the center of town is a bull’s-eye in the center of shops and stalls, serving as a reminder of the town’s French missionary influence. Dine on Vietnamese or European-inspired cuisine downtown, and don’t miss the Saturday night «Love Market», one of the most potent, and strictest single’s nights imaginable.

Chalk it up to friendly locals, boutique hotels, or good old-fashioned charm, but we’ll never get tired of small town getaways. You’re probably already familiar with some of the greatest hits in Europe and the U.S. But pretty much every country on the planet has a fabulous small town worth seeking out, from historic villages in Japan to desert oases in Egypt.

Albarracín, Spain

Population: 1,016

This isolated mountain town along the Guadalaviar River is a major contender for the title of the prettiest small town in Spain, with pink- and orange-hued buildings that blend in seamlessly with the rocky surroundings. The village is particularly unique thanks to its history of both Muslim and Christian rule—where else can you find Gothic cathedrals and Moorish alcázar ruins within the same tiny town?

Ban Rak Thai Thailand

Population: 1,000

Located on the Thailand–Myanmar border, Ban Rak Thai features thatched cottages backed by misty mountains, tea plantations, and a quiet reservoir. The tourist-free town is the perfect place to mingle with friendly locals and enjoy some alone time, especially on an early-morning boat ride across the lake.

Baños, Ecuador

Population: 14,653

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a town with a more beautiful setting than Baños, a small town situated in the shadow of an active volcano and surrounded by waterfalls, dense forests, and the Amazon Basin. Baños is perhaps most known for “the swing at the end of the world,” an Instagram-famous rope swing that more than earns its nickname.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Population: 5,535

It’s hard to ignore the proximity of Bar Harbor with Acadia National Park, which automatically earns it about a thousand beauty points. But the town itself is adorable in its own right, with a downtown area oozing with coastal flair, a harbor filled with whale-watching tour boats, and dozens of great restaurants and ice cream parlors.

Biei, Japan

Population: 10,374

The prefecture of Hokkaido is a treasure trove of natural beauty, from dazzling blue lakes and hot springs to snow-capped mountains. The town of Biei will make you consider a summer trip to the skiing destination, as its vast fields become carpeted with lavender, poppies, marigolds, and other technicolor flowers.

Bled, Slovenia

Population: 8,171

There’s a reason Lake Bled is one of Slovenia's most popular sites. With its emerald waters, church-dotted islet, views of the Julien Alps, and a 12th-century castle on a hill, you won’t be short on picture-perfect views. The surrounding town of Bled is just as charming, with candlelit restaurants and traditional wooden rowboats just waiting for visitors.

Bocas del Toro, Panama

Population: 7,366

Comprising nine islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama, the Bocas Del Toro archipelago is one of the most underrated—and most beautiful—beach destinations in the world. Make the province’s capital (technically also called Bocas del Toro, but locally referred to as Bocas Town) your home base, appreciating the unique stilted houses before embarking on jungle safaris and nighttime snorkeling trips through bioluminescent waters.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Population: 3,196

Dotted with European-style cottages that house art galleries and specialty boutiques, Carmel-by-the-Sea serves as the perfect starting point to explore greater Monterey County. You probably already know about the town’s famous California beaches and drives on Highway 1, but there’s a lot more to Carmel than coastlines—like excellent local cuisine, boutique hotels, and a burgeoning wine scene.

Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay

Population: 26,231

Take a two-hour ferry ride from Buenos Aires to reach this frozen-in-amber town, sitting on the eastern shores of the River Plate and steeped in colonial history. Founded by the Portuguese in the 17th century, Colonia del Sacramento features cobbled streets, vintage cars, and a UNESCO-protected historic center lined with stone walls and tiled roofs.

Castle Combe, England

Dân số: 357 người

Castle Combe is a quintessentially English village located in the southwest county of Wiltshire. No new houses have been built here since the 1600s, so the town is a well-preserved stretch of Cotswold stone cottages and old pubs and churches. For a real taste of the town, stop in for afternoon tea at The Old Rectory Pop Up Tearoom.

Esperance, Australia

Dân số: 13.883 người

Esperance makes a compelling case for making the trek to Western Australia. The coastal town has some of the most picture-perfect beaches in the country—ones teeming with kangaroos, no less—which you can enjoy between browsing farmer’s markets and downing fish and chips at some waterfront restaurants.

Giethoorn, Netherlands

Dân số: 2.795 người

If you’re desperately seeking canals but fear the crowds of Venice, we humbly present Giethoorn: a Dutch town with no roads, just bike lanes and waterways. (It’s not called the “Venice of the Netherlands” for nothing.) Explore Giethoorn’s roof farmhouses and wooden arch bridges by boat, or by ice skating on the canals during the frozen winter months.

Gokayama, Japan

Dân số: khoảng hơn 100 người

Tucked away in the mountains of central Japan, the UNESCO-listed village of Gokayama (along with its twin village, Shirakawa-go, about a 30-minute drive away) is almost too peaceful and picturesque to describe. You’ll just have to visit the thatched cottages and groves of mulberry trees yourself—choose a backdrop of springtime cherry blossoms or wintertime snow drifts.

Gordes, France

Dân số: 1.974 người

It’s nearly impossible to pick a favorite small town in France—the country has enough charming villages to launch a thousand Disney songs. But if we had to pick our favorite, it would have to be Gordes, a hilltop stunner in Provence with white stone houses, cobblestone streets, and incredible sunset views.

Göreme, Turkey

Dân số: 2.034 người

You’ve likely seen hundreds of pictures of Göreme before—the picture-perfect Cappadocia town famous for its fairy chimneys and frescoes cave churches—but you really must see it in person to fully appreciate its awe-inspiring beauty. Preferably from the basket of a sunrise hot-air balloon ride.

Guatapé, Colombia

Population: 6,469

Just two hours west of Medellín, this small Andean town is famed for its rainbow-colored streets and stunning views from an adjacent inselberg, El Peñol. The landmark rock features a rather grueling 659-step climb to the top, but it’s very much worth it for the panoramic vistas of the surrounding reservoir and verdant hills.

Hallstatt, Austria

Population: 859

Nowhere else on earth fits the phrase “storybook setting” better than Hallstatt, which sits pretty on the shores of Austria’s Hallstätter See (about an hour’s drive east of Salzburg). The town’s 12th-century churches, candlelit restaurants, and market square are best experienced from the seat of a horse-drawn carriage.

Hatta, United Arab Emirates

Population: 12,200

It's hard to believe that the bucolic village of Hatta is just a 90-minute drive from the megalopolis that is Dubai. The tiny town is a great place to learn about rural mountainous life in the Emirate, as well as enjoy outdoor activities like horseback riding, mountain biking, and kayaking.

Ilulissat, Greenland

Population: 4,670

Greenland is not exactly the easiest place to get to, but it more than compensates for its inaccessibility with a wealth of dazzling landscapes and villages. The western town of Ilulissat draws people in with its colorful houses, dog sledding tours, and access to the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord—visit in winter to avoid high hotel prices and swarms of mosquitoes.

Iruya, Argentina

Population: 1,523

Want an up-close look at Argentina’s famously beautiful Salta Region? Well, Iruya is it. This tiny village is only accessible via a very dusty 4-hour bus ride from the neighboring region of Jujuy; but once you arrive, you’ll have unobstructed views of the Iruya River below, flying condors above, and the jaw-dropping Andean Plateau at every turn.

Itchan Kala, Uzbekistan

Population: 2,610

Itchan Kala is the inner town of Khiva, protected by brick walls and filled with beautiful ancient mosques. The perfectly preserved city was once an important stop on the Silk Road and now functions as an open-air museum, though around 300 families still call the jewel-box village home.

Kaikōura, New Zealand

Population: 2,330

Located on the South Island’s east coast, Kaikōura is the perfect destination for animal lovers—the waters here are packed with sperm whales, fur seals, and dolphins, and sustainable wildlife tours are abundant. While you can technically visit on a day trip from Christchurch, it’s worth sticking around for the town’s seafood restaurants and cute boutique hotels.

Kalk Bay, South Africa

Population: 700

Seafood lovers, take note: Kalk Bay—a fishing village just outside of Cape Town—is truly one of the world’s best places to fill up on fish and chips, sushi, oysters, and pretty much any other water-sourced meal you can imagine. Not a seafood fan? Visit for the art galleries and cute bookstores instead.

Kralendijk, Bonaire

Population: 3,061

While Bonaire is primarily known as a hot spot for diving and snorkeling, travelers can find just as much appeal inland on this Caribbean island. The colorful and compact downtown area of Kralendijk (the capital city) is lined with Dutch gable-roofed buildings, while an array of boutiques and galleries invite you to explore beyond the main street. Meanwhile, Bonaire’s eclectic mix of cultures provides a welcoming environment for almost any visitor.

Lamu, Kenya

Population: 25,385

Lamu Island’s eponymous port town contains dozens of beautiful mosques, busy promenades, woodworking shops, and a delightful population of donkeys. It’s also a great home base for exploring the island—one of the dreamiest beach destinations in Africa—as a whole.

Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

Population: 2,452

Take one look at Lauterbrunnen—complete with towering rock faces, flowery meadows, and mountain peaks—and you probably wouldn’t be surprised to learn that J.R.R. Tolkien used the Alpine town as inspiration for the fictional valley of Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings. Need more convincing? The town and its surrounding valley are home to more than 70 waterfalls, some of which number among the tallest in Europe.

Luang Prabang, Laos

Population: 55,027

This out-of-time Laotian city is one of the most beautiful places in Southeast Asia, with ancient temples, colorful markets, Mekong River boat rides, and—thanks to its surprisingly small population—a delightful lack of the region’s frantic urban centers.

Lüderitz, Namibia

Population: 12,537

If you aren’t convinced that Namibia is one of the most geographically diverse countries on the planet, just check out Lüderitz—a small southern village with colonial architecture, rocky coastlines dotted with African penguins, and waters teeming with dolphins and seals. The town is also just a 5-minute drive from Kolmanskop, an oft-photographed ghost town that has been taken over by sand dunes.

Lunenburg, Canada

Population: 2,263

This colourful fishing village in Nova Scotia has travel-worthy seafood restaurants and a UNESCO-listed Old Town, which is recognized for keeping its “original layout and overall appearance” since it was first established in 1753. We can’t imagine a lovelier spot to dive into maritime history and fill up on lobster rolls.

Mandawa, India

Population: 23,335

Mandawa is one of the most beautiful places in Rajasthan—and that’s saying something. The town is located about 105 miles north of Jaipur and attracts visitors with its ancient forts, haveli mansions, and intricate murals.

Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, Morocco

Population: 12,611

Famous for housing the tomb of Idris I, a descendant of Muhammad and 8th-century ruler of Morocco, Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is one of the most visually pleasing pilgrimage sites in the country. The town is situated atop a hill in the Zerhoun Mountains, boasts a captivating maze of colorful streets, and—unless your visit overlaps with the pilgrimages during the Moussem—provides a very quiet, crowd-free Moroccan getaway.

Navala, Fiji

Population: 1,000

Dotted with palm trees and backed by lush green mountains, Navala is a traditional Fijian village known for its bures (traditional hatched huts). You can find many tour companies on the island of Viti Levu that offer day trips to Navala, which is definitely easier than trying to figure out transportation on your own.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

Population: 17,511

The town of Niagara-on-the-Lake—located on the far east side of the Niagara Peninsula—is perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to choose between city life and nature. Rent a bike and explore the region’s gorgeous lakes, waterfalls, and vineyards, then head back to town for some local wine and baked goods.

Paraty, Brazil

Population: 43,680

Thanks to its relative proximity to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (it’s a four-hour drive away from both cities), Paraty is a no-brainer when it comes to small town getaways in Brazil. Aside from checking every box on the small town checklist—cobblestoned streets, colonial buildings with pops of color—the town also has more than 200 beaches within its borders, making it the ideal spot for sampling the diverse landscapes Brazil is so famous for.

Penglipuran, Indonesia

Population: 980

Penglipuran can be a tad tourist-heavy—not surprising, considering the village is located in Bali—but the traditional village is still one of the best places to experience a slice of Balinese life. While attractions like sacred bamboo forests and temples are great any time of year, try to schedule your visit to align with the biannual Galungan celebration to see the main street lined with ornate penjor poles.

Port Fairy, Australia

Population: 3,742

In southwestern Victoria—about 180 miles from Melbourne—lies Port Fairy. This picturesque fishing village is a popular photo-snapping spot along the Great Ocean Road, but it’s worth lingering a while to let yourself get fully charmed by the town’s 19th-century cottages, antique shops, and beaches.

Praiano, Italy

Population: 2,026

Lying along the iconic Amalfi Coast, Praiano has everything you’d hope to find in a coastal Italian town: think beautiful beaches like Marina di Praia and Gavitella, stunning ancient churches (the San Gennaro Church is a notable standout), intricate tilework, and culture to boot.

Ráquira, Colombia

Population: 13,588

The self-proclaimed «pottery capital of Colombia» is just as colourful and pretty as the wares being sold throughout town. The streets branching out from the central plaza are painted bright shades of orange, pink, and yellow, and clusters of clay statues and murals fill in any artsy gaps.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Population: 10,930

Known for its preserved medieval Old Town—which stuns with half-timbered houses and multicolored facades—Rothenburg ob der Tauber will help you get the full German story book experience in one stop. Plan your visit for December to see the town under a dusting of snow and to load up on gifts at Reiterlesmarkt, one of the best Christmas markets in the entire country.

Sai Kung, Hong Kong

Population: 11,927

Sai Kung is a small fishing village just northeast of central Hong Kong—easily one of our favorite day trips from the city. The peninsula is famous for its white-sand beaches and rocky geoparks, as well as incredible seafood restaurants and Texas-style barbecue joints (yes, really) back in town.

Sapa, Vietnam

Population: 9,412

Far from Vietnam’s popular beach resorts, massive metropolises, and teeming World Heritage Sites, Sapa is a (relatively) quiet mountain town near the Chinese border. It’s known for mountain vistas, shockingly green rice terraces, and the proximity to waterfalls and hiking trails.

Sayulita, Mexico

Population: 2,300

This barefoot surf town is one of Mexico’s famous Pueblos Mágicos, a collection of towns and villages that are government-recognized for their natural beauty, preserved cultural heritage, cuisine, and more. Though it’s more established than it was just a decade ago (when it was virtually unheard of), Sayulita still offers an authentic slice of Mexican life with a colorful town square, indie boutiques, seafood-hawking food stalls, and quiet beaches.

Sedona, Arizona

Population: 9,763

Set in the shadow of red-rock monoliths, Sedona benefits from its striking location—visitors often beeline for its buttes, canyons, and spires. On clear nights, take in the region’s dark skies and a dazzling display of stars.

Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

Population: 5,911

Who needs tourist-heavy Santorini when you have Sidi Bou Said right across the sea in Tunisia? About 11 miles outside of Tunis, the small town boasts Mediterranean views and whitewashed, blue-roofed houses that are just as photographable as any Greek isle—plus art galleries and music venues to remind you that you’re very much in culture-heavy Tunisia.

Sitka, Alaska

Population: 8,407

Sitka is widely considered the most beautiful town in Alaska, thanks in large part to its backdrop of mountains and spruce trees stretching down to the sea. The harborside town is quaint and compact—and its flat-fronted wooden buildings are like something from a Wild West movie set—but it’s best enjoyed as a jumping-off point for hiking, climbing, and generally feeling like you’re in the middle of nowhere (in the best possible sense).

Siwa, Egypt

Population: 25,000

This town’s full name—Siwa Oasis—is incredibly apt. It truly rises from the surrounding desert like a sort of mirage, only the natural springs, groves of date palms and olive trees, and temple ruins dating back to the 4th century BCE here are (thankfully) all too real.

St. Augustine, Florida

Population: 14,581

St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States, as evidenced by its brick streets, Spanish colonial architecture, and historic structures like the XVII century Castillo de San Marcos. If you’re a surfer, catch some waves at Vilano Beach before sunset cocktails at The Reef.

Tepoztlán, Mexico

Population: 14,130

Tepoztlán is within day trip distance of Mexico City, but you may find yourself wanting to linger for a couple of days. The mountain town is full of beautifully designed sites—including Dilao, a sculpture garden; and Margarita Concept, a greenhouse-inspired cocktail bar—and offers easy access to the sky-high, clifftop Tepozteco ruins.

Viñales, Cuba

Population: 27,129

While Havana is still one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Viñales is a much smaller showcase of Cuba’s bright colonial architecture and vintage cars—and it happens to be surrounded by some of the most stunning landscapes in the country. Stroll around the colorful town before heading out to the rugged Viñales Valley, known for its tobacco fields and dome-like limestone formations.

Zhouzhuang, China

Population: 22,000

Eastern China is filled with dozens of dreamy “water towns” that line the canals of the Yangzi River. These towns share a lot of architectural features—including stone bridges and whitewashed houses—but Zhouzhuang stands out from the pack with its cobblestone pathways and excellent restaurants.

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