The World's Most Charming Small Towns
Fifteen of the world's most charming small towns – from Hallstatt and Colmar to Chefchaouen, Hoi An and Positano – with tips on visiting without the crowds.
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Some places are charming because they're small: a walkable old town, a single square, a harbour or a river, and a pace of life that hasn't changed much in centuries. These fifteen small towns around the world are among the most picture-perfect – and most of them are best enjoyed by staying overnight, when the day-trippers have left.
Europe
1. Hallstatt, Austria
Wooden houses on a narrow strip between a lake and mountains – so beautiful it has been copied in China. Visit early or stay overnight; the town limits tour buses.
Pastel houses and a church spire reflected in the still lake, framed by steep mountains – breathtaking, but very crowded by midday.
2. Colmar, France
Half-timbered houses, canals and flower boxes in Alsace's wine country. Little Venice is the prettiest corner, and the Christmas markets are magical.
Half-timbered houses in candy colours line the canals of 'Little Venice', with flower boxes on every balcony.
3. Giethoorn, Netherlands
A village with canals instead of streets, thatched farmhouses and wooden bridges. Rent a quiet electric "whisper boat".
No roads, only canals, wooden bridges and thatched farmhouses – explore by electric boat or canoe.
4. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
A medieval town wrapped in a loop of the Vltava river, below a huge castle.
The river loops around the red-roofed old town, with the painted castle tower rising above.
5. Positano, Italy
Pastel houses tumbling down a cliff on the Amalfi Coast. Arrive by boat for the best first view.
Pastel houses tumble down the cliff to the beach, with lemon trees, bougainvillea and the sparkling sea.
6. Castle Combe, England
Often called England's prettiest village – see our Cotswolds guide.
Honey-coloured stone cottages, a medieval bridge and a stream – England's prettiest village.
7. Dingle, Ireland
A colourful harbour town with music in every pub – read our Dingle guide.
Colourful pubs with live music, fishing boats in the harbour and wild Atlantic views.
8. Ronda, Spain
A white town split by a deep gorge and linked by the dramatic Puente Nuevo bridge.
The white town sits on the edge of a deep gorge, linked by the dramatic Puente Nuevo bridge.
9. Reine, Norway
Red fishing cabins below jagged peaks in the Lofoten Islands.
Red fishermen's cabins on the water, with jagged mountains rising straight out of the sea.
Africa and the Middle East
10. Chefchaouen, Morocco
The famous "blue pearl" of the Rif mountains, with lanes painted in every shade of blue.
Every wall, door and staircase is painted in shades of blue, with the Rif mountains behind.
11. Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
Whitewashed houses with blue doors on a cliff above the Gulf of Tunis.
White houses with blue doors and windows, bougainvillea and views over the Gulf of Tunis.
Asia
12. Hoi An, Vietnam
A historic trading port with yellow merchants' houses, lantern-lit streets and riverside markets.
Yellow merchant houses, silk lanterns and boats on the river – magical at night.
13. Shirakawa-go, Japan
A UNESCO village of steep-roofed gassho-zukuri farmhouses, magical under snow.
Thatched farmhouses with steep roofs, beautiful in every season but especially under snow.
The Americas
14. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Colonial streets, a pink neo-Gothic church and a lively art scene.
Colourful colonial streets and the pink, fairy-tale spires of the Parroquia church.
15. Guatapé, Colombia
Colourful houses decorated with painted reliefs, near the giant El Peñol rock.
Every house is decorated with colourful reliefs, and the huge El Peñol rock offers views over the lakes.
Tips for visiting small towns
- Stay overnight to enjoy mornings and evenings without crowds.
- Respect residents: many of these towns are struggling with overtourism – keep noise down and use official parking.
- Travel off-season for lower prices and a more local atmosphere.
- Want cities instead? See our guide to hidden gems in the world's coolest cities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most charming small town in the world?
It's subjective, but Hallstatt in Austria, Colmar in France, Chefchaouen in Morocco and Hoi An in Vietnam are regularly named among the most beautiful.
How do you avoid crowds in popular small towns?
Stay overnight, explore early in the morning and in the evening when day-trippers have gone, and visit outside peak summer.
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