The 17 Most Beautiful Villages in the World

From a colorful community in Indonesia to a picturesque fisherman’s settlement in Norway, here are some of the most beautiful villages in the world. Put them on your bucket list!

Most Beautiful Villages in the World

If you are wondering what is the difference between a village and a town, the latter has local government and fixed boundaries. Villages are small, rural communities with a population varying from a few hundred to a few thousand people.

These are some of the prettiest villages worldwide. You can live in all of them apart from one, which is a movie set.

In this list, we’re focusing on picturesque little villages rather than beautiful small towns such as Ceský Krumlov or Sidi Bou Said. Those will be the subject of another article.

17. Castle Combe, United Kingdom

Castle Combe is truly one of England’s most picturesque villages. Surrounded by the lush greenery of the Cotswolds, this village makes visitors feel as though they’ve stepped into a fairy tale.

There is no longer a castle in the village, but there are several traditional English pubs and a beautiful hotel, The Manor House.

Every facet of the village is perfectly in harmony, from the charming, quaint stone houses to the immaculately-maintained gardens and winding lanes.

16. Penglipuran Village, Bali, Indonesia

This traditional village is located in the northeastern region of Bali, within a lush green landscape that exudes tranquility and harmony. This quaint community is known for its unique architectural style, characterized by beautiful, intricately carved houses made of bamboo and wood.

The village is also home to three magnificent temples, each boasting their own unique style and rich history. Additionally, Penglipuran Village is a hub for intricate handicrafts, from weaving and carving to the art of making bamboo instruments.

Immersed in a traditional way of life, visitors can learn about Bali’s culture and history through the villagers’ daily routines and traditions.

15. Sacro Monte di Varese, Italy

Perched 807 meters above sea level in Lombardy, lies the charming village of Sacro Monte di Varese. With its winding cobblestone streets and stunning views of Lake Orta, this ancient village is a true gem of Italy.

Having been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this traditional village boasts a unique cultural and historical significance. Its stunning sacri monti (sacred mountains) feature The Holy Road and 14 chapels.

14. Shirakawa Go, Japan

The Shirakawa Go region stands as a testament to Japan’s rich cultural heritage. The top attraction and largest village is Ogimachi.

This stunning village boasts a remarkable collection of traditional Gassho-style houses, known for their steep, thatched roofs which resemble clasped hands in prayer.

Its narrow streets, lined with wooden structures, evoke a sense of tranquility and warmth that simply cannot be found amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life. From rice paddies to snow-covered landscapes, this secluded village showcases the beauty of Japan’s rural landscapes in all their glory.

Given its historical and cultural significance, it’s no wonder Shirakawa Go has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site, and should be on any traveler’s must-visit list.

13. Popeye Village, Malta

A former film set for the 1980 musical Popeye starring Robin Williams, this charming village is now a theme park. Perched on a cliff overlooking Anchor Bay, the site is worth visiting if you’re a fan of the cartoon character or the film.

Even if you skip the fun park, there’s a good view of the turquoise sea and marine life from the cove opposite.

12. Saksun, Faroe Islands

This tiny village on the northwest coast of Streymoy is the perfect place to get away from it all.

Saksun has a fantastic location above a lagoon. There are less than 10 people living in Saksun according to the latest census.

The traditional houses have distinctive turf roofs. There’s a small church and Heljardalsa Waterfall to visit. The Faroe Islands are a popular destination for bird watching.

11. Dean Village, Scotland

Situated close to Edinburgh city center, Dean Village is a picturesque place bordering Leith river. Originally known as the Water of Leith Village, the area had 11 working grain mills.

In this small village you can see many remnants of the past, including 19th century mills that are now houses and apartments. There are also several mill stones and commemorative carved stone plaques dotted around.

The best way to visit Dean Village is on foot. Spot up to 80 varieties of birds on the The Water of Leith walkway.

10. Kampung Pelangi, Indonesia

Nicknamed Rainbow Village, Kampung Pelangi has over 200 brightly colored houses. Thanks to the suggestion of a local high school principal and government funding, the community worked together to transform a once plain village into the rainbow colored village that you see today.

Kampung Pelangi draws visitors from around the world who come to admire the vibrant buildings and street art. Local shops are thriving and there are plans to extend the scheme further with a food court.

9. Cochem, Germany

This beautiful village is situated on the Moselle river in West Germany. Surrounded by vineyards, Cochem has many medieval timbered houses, some painted in bright colors.

Reichsburg Cochem Castle sits on a hill with panoramic river views. As well as regular guided tours, the castle holds medieval dinners on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Knights’ Feast is a four hour event complete with maids and minstrels.

8. Reine, Norway

Located on Moskenesoya, a small island in the Lofoten archipelago, more than 100 kilometers above the Arctic Circle, Reine is a beautiful Norwegian fishing village. Stunning all year round, Reine is particularly popular in Winter when people come in the hope of seeing the Northern Lights.

Hiking up Reinebringen peak and kayaking the Reinefjorden are two other unmissable experiences. You can rent out rorbuer, or traditional fishermen’s cabins right on the waterside.

7. Manarola, Italy

There are five beautiful villages in the coastal area of Cinque Terre, Liguria in Italy. The region has been an official UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.

Although it’s hard to pick a favorite from them, the medieval village of Manarola is known for its colorful houses clinging to the cliffside.

By the harbor you’ll find some charming trattorias with sea views. Hike along the coastal path for great views like the one below and if you’re feeling energetic, carry on to the next village, Corniglia which is 3.4 miles away.

6. Hobbiton, New Zealand

This beautiful New Zealand village is a little different from the others on this list, as it’s actually a movie set. Featuring prominently in The Hobbit trilogy and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Hobbiton is located on a farm close to Matamata.

You can only visit the Hobbiton Movie Set by taking a guided tour. Highlights of this slice of Middle-Earth include Bag End, Bilbo Baggins’ home and Bagshot Row.

5. Bibury, England

Nestled in the scenic Cotswolds region of England, an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Bibury is one of the most gorgeous villages in the world. The British designer and poet William Morris called Bibury the most beautiful village in England.

With many honey colored cottages, Bibury has been the setting for movies such as Bridget Jones’ Diary and Stardust.

This Cotswolds village on the river Coln is particularly popular with Japanese tourists. That’s partly because the late Emperor Hirohito stayed here during his European tour.

Arlington Row was built as a wool store in the 14th century and converted into weavers cottages in the 19th century. This lane of sepia-hued stone cottages is now owned by the National Trust. You can find it on the unusually named Awkward Hill!

4. St-Paul-de-Vence, France

There are quite a few picturesque hilltop villages and towns in the South of France. However, St-Paul-de-Vence stands out thanks to its cultural attractions.

As well as numerous art galleries dotted around the narrow streets, there’s the Maeght Foundation. This museum has over 1300 modern artworks to admire.

Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon decorated the Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs nearby. The artist Marc Chagall loved the French Riviera. He lived in Saint-Paul de Vence for nearly 20 years and is buried in the village cemetery.

3. Giethoorn, Netherlands

Nicknamed the Venice of the Netherlands, Giethoorn village is famous for its scenic waterways. Mainly car-free, the area has picturesque walkways, cycle trails and canals.

This historic village dates back to the Middle Ages. There are many old buildings with thatched roofs to admire.

Giethoorn is a great excursion from Amsterdam, being one and a half hours away. You can also combine your trip with a visit to Zaanse Schans windmills.

2. Oia, Greece

Despite being packed with tourists in the Summer months, the picturesque village of Oia has an undeniable charm. Located on the beautiful Greek island of Santorini, Oia is blessed with scenic whitewashed houses and blue domed churches.

The village is built on a steep slope leading from the caldera to the sea. In the old town, there’s a maze of alleyways with boutiques and restaurants.

Oia Castle is one of the best places for spectacular sunset views. When visiting Oia, book a luxurious cave hotel for a truly unique experience.

1. Hallstatt, Austria

This fairytale Austrian village has an incomparable setting on the shores of Lake Hallstatt. With many 16th Century houses and winding alleyways, Hallstatt is thought to be the oldest continually inhabited village in Europe.

Take the funicular cable car up the 1,030-meter tall Salzberg, or Salt Mountain. At the top, you’ll find a free-floating observation deck – the Hallstatt Skywalk. From here, enjoy panoramic views of the UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt Dachstein Salzkammergut.

Hallstatt Salt Mine is another popular attraction, being the oldest salt mine in the world. Another must-see is Dachstein Giant Ice Cave, which has some impressive stalactite formations.

So here’s a recap of the most beautiful villages in the world:

1. Hallstatt
2. Oia
3. Giethoorn
4. St-Paul-de-Vence
5. Bibury
6. Hobbiton
7. Manarola
8. Reine
9. Cochem
10. Kampung Pelangi
11. Dean Village
12. Saksun
13. Popeye Village
14. Shirakawa Go
15. Sacro Monte di Varese
16. Penglipuran
17. Castle Combe

Final Thoughts: Most Beautiful Villages in the World

From the stunning peaks of Norway to the charming streets of Italy, these are some of the most beautiful villages in the world. So whether you’re looking for a place to escape the cold or somewhere to enjoy a picturesque sunset, be sure to add one (or all) of these destinations to your travel bucket list. And if you’re looking for more vacation inspiration, be sure to check out our other travel articles.

When researching this article, we were also looking for examples of beautiful villages in America. However, it seems that the word village isn’t used so much in the U.S. and that small towns are more commonly found.

If you know of a beautiful village in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world that you think we should include, let us know in the comments!

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