10 MOST MAGICAL TOWNS IN EUROPE

There is something magical about taking the time to seek out the small towns in Europe rather than focusing on the larger cities throughout your travels. Europe is truly filled with the most unique small towns that will make you feel like you’re living in a fairy tale. As my travels continue, I know many more towns will be added to this list. Here is a list of my top 10 favorite small towns – in no particular order because, of course, I cannot pick a favorite!

And don’t forget to pin this for later!

After the most hectic travel day of my life, Lake Bled Slovenia truly took my breath away! When I traveled to Lake Bled from Venice, part of the rail was closed which made for quite the journey, but it was more than worth it. While there is so much to do in Lake Bled, walking to the castle, taking a boat ride to the church, and exploring the city are a must! I highly recommend visiting Lake Bled in the fall. The temperature is perfect for walking around and the lake is even more stunning as the leaves begin to change colors. If you enjoy hiking, spend at least one evening in Lake Bled as there are a ton of great hiking trails! If you’re short on time, Lake Bled can also be done as a day trip from Ljubljana Slovenia.

Read more: Quick Guide to Lake Bled

If I could sum up Hallstatt Austria in one word, it would be majestical. I visited Hallstatt off season, (Mid November) which made the town feel all the more magical. Most of the shops and restaurants closed early, so the town was much less touristy. While Hallstatt is dreamy year round, the fall and spring is the best time to visit to avoid crowds. I found myself wanting to soak in the beauty of this town situated perfectly on the lake. The best way to take in the views is by going on a hike toward the salt mines. If you happen to visit Hallstatt in season, book a tour to the salt mines. I’m totally biased but Hallstatt has the best salt in my book! Salzburg Austria is the closest major city to Hallstatt. While the cities are about 70 minutes from one another, if you’re relying on public transportation it will take closer to 2-3 hours.

Travel tip – You can also take a day trip to Hallstatt from surrounding cities including Salzburg.

Bergen Norway is a city I fell in love with the second I saw the row of brightly colored houses propped on the edge of the Fjords. I highly recommend grabbing a glass of wine and a seat outside the Fish Market for a great view of the colored houses. While Bergen is one of the bigger cities on this list, it has a charming small town vibe. For great views of the city, be sure to check out Mount Ulriken. You can easily spend a few days in Bergen; one of the most popular tours is Norway in a Nutshell. I’ll warn, there’s a lot of sitting involved but the views are out of this world! While there is so much to see in Norway, Bergen was easily the highlight of my trip.

Read more: 4 Days in Norway

With a castle overlooking the town, Cesky Krumlov is a true fairy tale. The cobblestone streets are filled with shops and restaurants, making it such the perfect place to wander. While most people make a day trip out of Cesky Krumlov from Prague, I recommend staying at least one night. Since the town is so small, there are a number of places you can stay in the center of town.

Where to stay: Pension Faber
Read more: Cesky Krumlov Travel Guide

If you’re planning a trip around the ring road of Iceland, Seydisfjordur is a can’t miss. Located in the East Fjords of Iceland, Seydisfjordur is truly the most unique village you’ll visit throughout your trip. Depending on your travel route, (we drove South to East through the Fjords) you’ll pass a number of small villages situated on the Fjords, however, Seydisfjordur is one of a kind. Grab some local Icelandic Cuisine and enjoy the beauty of the Fjords!

Bonus: Another one of my favorite villages in Iceland is Dalvik. It doesn’t have quite the charm of Seydisfjordur but it’s pretty spectacular!

Mostar might actually be my favorite small town in Europe! I hesitate to say this because each of these cities are so special to me however, Mostar might be the most stunning. Stari Most (the famous bridge in Mostar) is the center of the town! Restaurants and shops surround the bridge giving the most incredible views. If you’re making a quick stop in Mostar, don’t miss TimaIrma’s. The food is fantastic and the atmosphere is one of a kind. While the bridge is a sight to be seen, the town is also filled with so much history and culture; making it a unique place to visit.

Read more: Basic Guide to Mostar

Positano is honestly a dream! It doesn’t get much better than sitting on the beach in Positano surrounded by the vibrant cliffside and crystal blue waters. While I had always heard Positano is really crowded, I was there in October and the town was fairly mellow! Spend your day strolling through shops and enjoying the town. If you want an unbelievable view of Positano, head to L’ancora for lunch.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a medieval old town in the Bavaria region of Germany. From the cobblestone streets to the idyllic German architecture, Rothenburg is a true fairy tale! The town is most well known as the most well preserved medieval town in Germany enclosed by a walkable fortress wall. This covered walking path that surrounds the city offers incredible vantage points of the town. Walking the city walls and the Night Watchman tour are a must on a trip to Rothenburg! Located in the Bavaria region of Germany, Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber is a quick train ride from Munich as well as a handful of other quaint towns.

Travel Tip – You can also take a day trip to Rotherburg Ob Der Tauber from Munich Germany.

Santorini is one of those places you have to see to believe! Well I know it’s not the most off the beaten path destination on my list, it’s honestly magnificent. The sheer cliffs with views overlooking the sea and white washed houses will take your breath away. Wander the alleys of Oia soaking in the beauty of the town. Oia is known for sunsets so a trip isn’t complete without posting up and enjoying the spectacular sunset! The street can get busy so I recommend taking the staircase from the streets of Oia to Amoudi Bay. There are a few corners along the stairs to stop and enjoy the view.

Read more: 3 Days in Santorini

With colorful wooden houses along the Porvoonjoki River, the town of Porvoo feels as though you’ve entered the medieval times. The old town is lined with restaurants, shops, and museums. I highly recommend making a stop at the Brunberg chocolate shop in town for some delicious chocolate! Another Porvoo staple is the Runeberg Torte which is a cake like pastry topped with raspberry jam. Porvoo is a great stop on a trip to Finland as it’s less than 60 minute from Helsinki. You can either base yourself in Porvoo or take a day trip to this adorable town. As you can see, we visited Porvoo in the winter which I loved. It felt like the most quaint and cozy winter town!

I hope you enjoy visiting these European fairy tales as much as I do. If you’ve been to a hidden gem in Europe that isn’t on my list please leave me a comment below! I will be sure to add your suggestions to my future travels.

Safe Travels,

Sarah :)