Europe has a lot of towns that look fairytale-like. The houses are brightly colored, the streets are made of cobblestones, and the views are amazing. People who go there feel like they’re in a tale. Every town has its past and style. Discovering these secret gems makes memories that will last a lifetime.
| Place | Highlight | How to Get There |
| Hallstatt, Austria | Traditional wooden houses, breathtaking lake views | Train to Hallstatt Station, boat across the lake. |
| Colmar, France | Colorful half-timbered houses, canals in “Little Venice” | Train to Colmar Station from Basel or Strasbourg. |
| Bibury, England | Iconic Arlington Row cottages, peaceful countryside | Train to Kemble, then bus to Bibury. |
| Giethoorn, Netherlands | No roads, only canals, thatched-roof houses | Train to Steenwijk, then bus to Giethoorn. |
| Gruyères, Switzerland | Historic castle, traditional cheese-making, mountain scenery | Train to Gruyères Station, short walk to village. |
| Albarracín, Spain | Pink-hued medieval buildings, hilltop castle ruins | Drive from Valencia or take a bus from Teruel. |
| Bled, Slovenia | Stunning lake, island church, historic Bled Castle | Train or bus from Ljubljana to Bled. |
| Rothenburg, Germany | Well-preserved medieval walls, half-timbered houses | Train from Nuremberg or Frankfurt to Rothenburg Station. |
01. Hallstatt, Austria
In the Austrian Alps, Hallstatt is a beautiful town by a lake. Along the clear blue lake are old-fashioned wooden homes. There are very old salt mines in the world. There is peace in the village. People come to see the beautiful mountain views. The Hallstatt Skywalk gives you a great view of the area. In the middle of the town is an old church. Hallstatt feels like a place from a fairy tale because of its cute streets.
Highlights
- Traditional wooden houses
- Breathtaking lake and mountain views
- Historic salt mine
How To Get There
Hop on a train in Salzburg or Vienna and go to Hallstatt Station. To get to the town, you take a boat across the lake. From Salzburg to Hallstatt, you can take a bus. The best way to see the town is to walk around it.
02. Colmar, France
Colmar is a town in the northeast of France that is full of color. The half-timbered houses make the area look beautiful. Narrow rivers cut through the town. Most people know the “Little Venice” neighborhood. Windows and decks are adorned with flowers. Traditional Alsatian meals are served in the area. The town has a lot of past that is shown in museums. Colmar is beautiful all year round, thanks to its holiday decorations.
Highlights
- Colorful Half-timbered Houses
- Canals In “little Venice”
- Delicious Local Cuisine
How To Get There
From Basel or Strasbourg, take the train to Colmar Station. Towns close to the village can be reached by bus. The best way to see everything is to walk or rent a bike.
03. Bibury, England
In the Cotswolds, Bibury is a quiet village. The most well-known street is Arlington Row. Along the river, there are stone houses with steep roofs. The village is near the River Coln. There are beautiful green fields in the area. People like to take quiet walks in the woods. The beauty of the town will never go away. An ancient inn is a nice place to stay.
Highlights
- Iconic Arlington Row cottages
- Scenic riverside location
- Peaceful countryside atmosphere
How To Get There
You can get to Bibury by car in less than two hours. First, take the train to Kemble, then the bus to Bibury. The best way to see the village is on foot.
04. Giethoorn, Netherlands
This village doesn’t have any roads. Roads are now canals. Along the rivers, thatched-roof homes are built. Small wooden bridges connect the rivers. Boats are used instead of cars to get around. It seems amazing that the place is so peaceful. Lush parks surround the homes. People often call the village “Dutch Venice.”
Highlights
- No roads, only canals
- Thatched-roof houses
- Boat rides through the village
How To Get There
You can get to Giethoorn by bus after taking the train to Steenwijk. It’s best to rent a boat and go on an adventure. Some walks go along the rivers.
05. Gruyères, Switzerland
Switzerland’s Gruyères is a village from the Middle Ages. The town is known for its Gruyère cheese. On top of a hill is an old castle. Stone-paved streets lead to old, beautiful houses. Beautiful mountain views surround the town. Fondue and other Swiss specialties are served in traditional restaurants. It’s peaceful and cute in this town.
Highlights
- Historic Gruyères Castle
- Traditional cheese-making heritage
- Beautiful mountain scenery
How To Get There
Genève or Zurich trains will take you to Gruyères Station. The village center is just a short walk away. Everything is close enough to walk to.
06. Albarracín, Spain
Albarracín is a village in Spain from the Middle Ages. The pink houses and old stone walls make the place feel magical. Narrow, twisting streets reach some secret spots. The nearby hills offer stunning views. The town feels like it has been around for a long time. A castle on top of a hill looks down on the village. Crafts and handmade shops in the area make it more charming.
Highlights
- Pink-hued medieval buildings
- Hilltop castle ruins
- Stunning valley views
How To Get There
Two hours will take you from Valencia to Albarracín by car. The bus stop is in Teruel. The best way to see the town is to walk around it.
07. Bled, Slovenia
Bled is a beautiful village by a lake. In the middle of Lake Bled is a small island. On the island, there is a pretty church. Bled Castle has a view of the water. The emerald-green color of the lake makes it look even more beautiful. Boats made of traditional wood called “pletna” take people to the island.
Highlights
- Lake Bled and its island
- Historic Bled Castle
- Stunning mountain views
How To Get There
From Ljubljana, you can get to Bled by bus or train. The best way to see everything is to walk or rent a bike. You can get to the island by boat.
08. Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, Germany
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a German village from the Middle Ages. The streets are lined with bright, half-timbered homes. The old walls of the town are still there. The Christmas store is open all year. The narrow dirt streets make a fairytale setting. Towers and gates that are very old add to the charm.
Highlights
- Well-preserved medieval walls
- Colorful half-timbered houses
- Year-round Christmas shops
How To Get There
To get to Rothenburg Station, take a train from Nuremberg or Frankfurt. The best way to see new places is to walk. The town is small and simple to get around in.
Explore More: Dikomore
