The 20 Most Beautiful Towns in the World for Every Type of Traveler

Skip to main contentFrom fourth-century temple ruins to UNESCO-listed neighborhoods, these quaint getaways prove that bigger isn’t always better.GettyVacationing in a bustling big city has its thrills, though venturing to the sleepier outskirts and quiet towns is equally well-worth the trip. Chalk it up to friendly residents (and their local haunts), boutique hotels, and untouched natural splendor, but we’ll never get tired of the most beautiful towns in the world. Odds are you’re already familiar with some of the greatest hits in Europe and the States, though every country has its fair share of bucolic villages worth seeking out, from desert oases in Egypt to historic villages in Japan. To get you started on your next fairytale adventure, we’ve rounded up 20 of the most beautiful towns in the world for eccentric shops, welcoming sights, and much more.GettyPraiano, ItalyWith sunbathed beaches like Gavitella and Marina di Praia, stunning ancient churches (the San Gennaro Church is a notable standout), intricate tile work, and culture to boot, Praiano has everything you would hope to find in a coastal Italian town along the Amalfi Coast. It's got all the pleasures sans the crowds and stuffiness and is a 20-minute drive from Positano.Stay here: Unlike many grande dames of the Amalfi Coast, cliffside Casa Angelina is sleek and modern and serves up a mean limoncello-infused mojito.GettyBiei, JapanThe 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.Stay here: Adagio Hokkaido offers seasonal local food, a quiet library, and minimalist villas that let the scenery steal the show.GettyBaños, EcuadorYou’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 its rope swing "at the end of the world,” which has had more than its fair share of internet fame to earn its nickname.Stay here: Luna Volcán, Adventure SPA is a romantic retreat perfect for vacationing couples—or solo travelers who really love in-room bathtubs and candlelit dinners.AndyRolandBurford, EnglandEnter the Cotswolds' gateway and find yourself greeted by medieval architecture, stone cottages, and ancient woodlands. Known for its steep High Street lined by Tudor-style buildings, this southern English town is an amalgam of old and new in all senses. Visit historic Church of St John the Baptist, take a stroll along four-mile Villages of Windrush Valley, or spend an afternoon exploring quaint shops—including England's oldest pharmacy.Stay here: Bull Burford, a 16th-century inn that boasts four restaurants, walls adorned with Matisses and Golden Age portraiture, as well as original furnishings from wood-beamed ceilings to homey fireplaces.GettyBled, SloveniaThere’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.Stay here: At the waterfront Vila Bled—located in one of former Yugoslavia president Tito’s old mansions—the only thing upstaging the French-influenced meals are the unobstructed lake views.GettyColonia del Sacramento, UruguayTake 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.Stay here: Just a 10-minute drive from Colonia, the El Nido Treehouses are about as dreamy as accommodations get—think hammocks, fairy lights, and homemade jam from the hosts.GettyGöreme, TurkeyYou’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.Stay here: If you visit Cappadocia and don’t sleep in a cave hotel, did you ever really even visit? Sultan Cave Suites gets our vote for having one of the best rooftops in town.benedekNaples, FloridaWith its powder-soft sands, golf courses galore, and tried-and-true old Florida charm, Naples rivals even Miami's beachside allure. Conveniently located along the state’s Paradise Coast, it's within arm's reach of Marco Island and the Everglades, with plenty of hidden beaches and natural reserves.Stay here: For old-meets-new style and five truly memorable choices for drinking and dining, Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort is a storied must visit.GettyIlulissat, GreenlandGreenland 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.Stay here: If you stay at Hotel Arctic, you can also book boat and helicopter tours (along with dog sled rides, walking tours through town, and more) directly through the concierge.GettyItchan Kala, UzbekistanItchan 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.Stay here: Grand Vizir Hotel is a perfectly comfortable hotel about a five-minute walk outside of Itchan Kala, with a lovely lobby and city-facing balconies.GettyMandawa, IndiaMandawa 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.Stay here: For under $75 per night, you can get a palatial room, personalized meals, and impeccable service at Mandawa Kothi.GettyLauterbrunnen, SwitzerlandTake 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.Stay here: About an hour away in Bern, Hotel Bellevue Palace is a classic gem on the shores of Lake Geneva.GettyLunenburg, CanadaThis colorful 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.Stay here: As its name suggests, The Kitch’inn is all about tasty food—think lobster dinners, wine tastings, and throw pillows that say “Live, Laugh, Taco.”GettyPenglipuran, IndonesiaPenglipuran 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.Stay here: Capella Ubud Bali—under an hour’s drive from Penglipuran—features luxe tents and an impossibly peaceful riverside location.GettyPort Fairy, AustraliaIn 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.Stay here: Drift House is a lovely five-star hotel with just six suites and an in-house restaurant serving up ultra-local dishes.GettySiwa, EgyptThis 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 fourth century BCE here are (thankfully) all too real.Stay here: Travel back in time at Adrère Amellal, which trades electricity for beeswax candles and air conditioning for a spring-fed swimming pool.GettyRothenburg ob der Tauber, GermanyKnown 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.Stay here: The location of Romantik Hotel Markusturm can’t be beat, and its wood-paneled restaurant and antique-filled rooms are a perfect representation of the cozy town.GettyTepoztlán, MexicoTepoztlán 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.Stay here: Hotel Boutique Casa Fernanda is just a quick walk away from the center of Tepoztlán and invites guests to unwind with its beautiful gardens and private pool.GettySai Kung, Hong KongSai 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.Stay here: Hong Kong has some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, including the flawless Rosewood Hong Kong—voted the city’s best property in our latest Readers’ Choice Awards.MeynuitCadaqués, SpainAmong the prettiest small town in Spain, it's no wonder this fishing village—just a two-hour drive from Barcelona—has long-inspired artists such as Dalí, Miró, and Duchamp. Consider a nautical excursion with Cadaqués Bluexperience, which will take you on a personalized trip to the town's best kept nooks and secrets.Stay here: Quiet, winding mountain roads will take you to Arrels Hotel Cadaqués, a procession of white villas that come with a three-course breakfast and unforgettable view of the Mediterranean Sea.This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.Caitlin Morton has been writing about travel for a decade, with bylines in Vogue, Travel + Leisure, AFAR, TripSavvy, Real Simple, and more. She enjoys baked goods, Ireland, orange nail polish, and horror movies. One time she held the door open for Ian McKellen, which is as close to fame ... Read MoreSkyli Alvarez is the editorial assistant at Condé Nast Traveler. She holds a BA in journalism and minor in art history from the University of Georgia and has words and photos in Teen Vogue, Vogue, Polyester Zine, and more. Her work, written and visual, explores style, scenes, and subcultures past ... Read More