Looking for the most picturesque villages in the world?
Whether it’s pastel-colored houses cascading down Italian cliffs or snow-covered cottages, these villages are worth traveling for.
Discover 25 most beautiful villages in the world that belong on your bucket list.
25 Most Beautiful Villages in the World to Visit
From Italian coastal gems to hidden Japanese mountain treasures, discover our carefully chosen list of the world’s 25 most breathtaking villages below.
1. Hallstatt, Austria
One of the top villages in the world, Hallstatt nestles between a pristine Alpine lake and towering mountains in Austria’s Salzkammergut region.
Its distinctive 16th-century Alpine architecture features pastel-colored houses that reflect perfectly in crystal-clear waters.
The village’s famous skywalk offers breathtaking panoramas of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
2. Manarola, Italy
Manarola, one of the iconic Cinque Terre villages, emerges from the rugged Ligurian coastline as a cascade of vibrant houses.
Visitors can wander through terraced vineyards and stone pathways that reveal stunning views before reaching the picturesque harbor.
3. Oia, Greece
Among the picturesque villages in the world, Oia reigns supreme on Santorini’s caldera.
Its iconic white-washed architecture and blue-domed churches create a stunning silhouette.
Cave houses carved into volcanic rock offer sunset views over the Aegean Sea, while narrow marble pathways connect charming art galleries and cafes.
4. Reine, Norway
Among the most beautiful villages in Europe, Reine boasts a spectacular position in Norway’s Lofoten archipelago.
Traditional red fishermen’s cabins reflect in crystal-clear fjord waters.
Jagged peaks create a dramatic backdrop, while the northern lights dance above this Arctic paradise in winter.
5. Shirakawa-go, Japan
One of Japan’s best villages in the world, Shirakawa-go attracts visitors with its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses.
These steep-roofed houses are designed to withstand heavy snowfall.
During winter illumination events, soft light glows through their snow-covered thatched roofs.
6. Wengen, Switzerland
Often ranked among the most beautiful villages in Switzerland, Wengen is a car-free stunning town in the Bernese Alps.
Take the scenic mountain railway up to this alpine retreat where traditional chalets jump out against a backdrop of the mighty Jungfrau peak.
7. Burano, Italy
Among the prettiest villages in the world, Burano creates an artist’s paradise in the Venetian lagoon.
Rainbow-hued houses follow century-old color schemes that reflect in the canal waters.
The island’s tradition of intricate lace-making adds to its cultural charm.
8. Hongcun, China
In this ancient Chinese water village, white-walled houses with striking black tiles mirror perfectly in the iconic Moon Pond.
Wander through the streams and bridges to discover why this UNESCO village has inspired Chinese artists and filmmakers for centuries.
9. Riquewihr, France
This medieval gem in the heart of Alsace’s wine country looks straight from a fairy tale with its colorful half-timbered houses lining cobblestone streets.
Walk through the centuries-old village walls to explore charming wine cellars and taste some of France’s finest wines.
10. Vernazza, Italy
The crown jewel of Cinque Terre, Vernazza wraps around a natural harbor where colorful fishing boats bob beneath medieval towers.
Follow ancient stone paths through hillside vineyards to discover hidden beaches and the best views of this pretty Italian seaside village.
11. Jiufen, Taiwan
Perched on a mountainside overlooking Taiwan’s northeast coast, Jiufen’s lanes come alive at dusk when red lanterns cast their glow.
Step into traditional teahouses and climb the stone steps through alleyways to discover why this village inspired the famous anime film “Spirited Away.”
12. Zermatt, Switzerland
Nestled at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn, this car-free Alpine village offers some of Switzerland’s most dramatic mountain scenery.
This car-free town preserves its traditional Alpine character through timber chalets and horse-drawn carriages.
13. Huangling, China
This small hillside village in Jiangxi Province is known for its rows of wooden buildings built into the mountainside.
Local families still dry colorful crops on their traditional black-tiled roofs, creating a striking pattern of colors that changes with the seasons.
14. Undredal, Norway
Tucked away in Norway’s deepest fjord, this tiny village of just 100 people preserves centuries of Norwegian tradition.
Visit its stave church – the smallest in Northern Europe – and sample the village’s famous goat cheese made using methods passed down through generations.
15. The Cotswolds, England
Known as one of the most beautiful places in the UK, the honey-colored villages of the Cotswolds show off the best of English countryside.
Visit Bibury’s Arlington Row, where medieval weavers’ cottages line the River Coln, creating one of Britain’s most photographed scenes.
16. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, France
Voted one of France’s favorite villages, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie clings dramatically to a 300-foot cliff above the River Lot.
Explore medieval streets between half-timbered houses and Gothic facades to discover why artists have been drawn to this scenic village for centuries.
17. Narai-juku, Japan
Step back into Japan’s Edo period in this beautifully preserved post town along the ancient Nakasendo trade route.
Walk beneath the wooden merchant houses with their distinctive latticed windows to experience a rare glimpse of old Japan.
18. Riomaggiore, Italy
The most southern village of the Cinque Terre stands out with its bright, rainbow-colored houses built right into the cliffside.
Stroll along the famous Via dell’Amore to neighboring Manarola, or watch the sunset paint the harbor in gold from the village’s rocky marina.
19. Pienza, Italy
One of Italy’s hidden gems in Tuscany, Pienza sits perfectly in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia amid rolling cypress-dotted hills.
Wander through its historic center to discover why a pope transformed his hometown into what he called the “ideal city.
20. Simiane-la-Rotonde, France
Rising above Provence’s purple lavender fields, this golden-stone village is postcard-perfect.
Visit in summer when the surrounding plateaus burst into color from the blooming lavender fields.
21. Mont Saint-Michel, France
This medieval masterpiece rises like a mirage from its famous bay off the Normandy coast.
Time your visit with the dramatic tides that transform the landscape twice daily, turning this UNESCO commune into an island.
22. Stein am Rhein, Switzerland
Medieval frescoes adorn the facades of this village on the Rhine River.
Explore the cobblestone streets to discover some of Switzerland’s best-preserved medieval architecture beneath the Hohenklingen Castle.
23. Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Nestled in a valley of 72 waterfalls, this village inspired Tolkien’s Rivendell with its beauty.
Watch the 1000-foot Staubbach Falls thunder down sheer cliffs as you explore one of the Alps’ most spectacular settings.
24. Positano, Italy
The Amalfi Coast’s most photogenic village cascades down dramatic cliffs in a riot of pastel colors.
Climb the steps between bougainvillea-draped houses to find hidden restaurants and boutiques, or relax on the beach beneath Positano’s stunning vertical backdrop.
25. Eguisheim, France
This Alsatian beauty weaves through concentric circles of medieval streets around its central castle.
Follow the cobblestone lanes past flower-bedecked houses to discover hidden wine cellars and courtyards in one of France’s most beautiful villages.
Final Thoughts on The Best Villages in the World
These hidden gems prove that sometimes the world’s most unforgettable places come in small packages.
From Norway’s Arctic fishing villages to Japan’s mountain hamlets, each offers a unique glimpse into local life and stunning natural beauty.
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