We love the little town. Often overshadowed by the bigger, ‘more glamorous’ city, the smaller towns are sometimes overlooked. However, after spending a lot of time travelling, and visiting many big cities and smaller towns, we can tell you.. don’t forget about the little guy! We now actively seek out the small towns, little communities and hidden gems, finding them much more rewarding. We have put together a list of 16 of our favourite small towns. This is based upon our experiences and travels, but we think these locations should be high on your list! Think cute streets, great coffee shops, picturesque views and less crowds! Read on for the full list, and make sure to list any of your favourite small towns around the world in the comments below!
A list of our favourite small towns around the world
Brasov – Romania
This little Transylvanian gem is located a few hours from Bucharest and it ranks high on the list of our favourite small towns! Think cute streets, awesome cafes, great foodie scene and heaps of nearby day trips! See our Brasov guide here.
Gordes – France
A hilltop town located in the southern Provonce region of France, Gordes is the quintessential perfect small town! Stunning views.. tick! Cute little cafes and shops.. tick! Close to a larger town as a base.. tick (it’s a day trip location from Avignon). Plus.. it happen to be close to our heart, as it’s the location we got engaged! See our Gordes guide here!
Gjirokaster – Albania
Gjirokaster is a proper hidden gem! Situated inland from the Albanian Riviera (around 1-2 hours drive from Sarande/Ksamil/Himare), Gjirokaster has amazing food, cute streets and it a perfect short stop when in Albania. We loved it! See our Gjirokaster guide here!
Chefchaouen – Morocco
Located in the north of Morocco, Chefchaouen is a true gem. A mountainous town that is painted all blue creating a picturesque array of colourful streets and houses. There’s also a great foodie scene here! We found Chefchaouen a truly beautiful stop! See our Chefchaouen guide here!
Gallipoli – Italy
This coastal town in Puglia holds a special place in our heart. It’s a charming walled town located along the beautiful Puglian coastline. The town itself has cute little bars and restaurants, the main beach is a beautiful spot, and it’s well located to many of Puglia’s beach beaches. See our Gallipoli guide here.
Hoi An – Vietnam
This charming little town in Vietnam is a hidden gem. Boasting French and Japanese influences, Hoi An is filled to the brim with beautiful architecture, amazing food and cute activities to do. We can’t wait to return. See our Hoi An guide here!
Leiden – Netherlands
Leiden is a ‘mini Amsterdam’ located under an hour away from the Netherlands capital. It’s a picturesque little university town filled with canals, cafes and restaurants. We used it as our base when we visited Amsterdam and we very glad that we did! See our Leiden guide here!
Uluwatu – Bali
Uluwatu is one of our favourite locations in Bali. This town is situated a little south of the ‘chaos’ in Bali, and has better beaches and amazing cafes. Plus, Uluwatu has a great fitness scene and heaps of co-working spaces. We will definitely return. See our Uluwatu guide here.
Apollo Bay – Australia
We love so many towns in Australia, but Apollo Bay is one of our favourites. Situated on the famous Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Apollo Bay is a calm secluded bay. The town is small, with some cute shops, and the harbour and beach a picturesque. It is also well located close to rainforests, waterfalls and popular Great Ocean Road attractions. It’s one to visit. See a few more hidden gems in Victoria here!
Wengen – Switzerland
Wengen is situated in the popular Jungfrau region of Switzerland. Situated on top of the mountain, this picturesque town has views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. See our guide for an incredible lodge with hot tub views over the valley. It’s a great spot to base yourself when exploring the Jungfrau region. See our Wengen guide here.
Kotor – Montenegro
The charming town of Kotor is definitely one of our favourite spots in the Balkans. Located a few hours south of Dubrovnik, Kotor is home to amazing views, great hikes, tasty food and it is very budget friendly. We would love to return! See our Kotor guide here.
Cambridge – UK
The university town of Cambridge is one of our favourite locations on the UK for a few reasons.. number 1, it’s home to Tess’s brother Alex! Secondly, it has amazing cafe scene! We also loved the cute town, great activities (e.g. punting on the river) and impressive colleges! See our Cambridge guide here!
Polignano A Mare – Italy
Another gem from Puglia, and honestly, we could have put the whole region in here! However, Polignano A Mare definitely holds a special place in our hearts. The locals are friendly, the town is picturesque, and there’s great food! See why we love Polignano A Mare here!
Cascais – Portugal
The little seaside town of Cascais in Portugal is definitely one for the list. Situated a short train ride away from Lisbon, it’s a great spot to spend a few slow days in summer. With charming little beaches and a good hospitality scene, Cascais was one we enjoyed! We don’t have a Cascais guide but see our Lisbon guide here!
Mostar – Bosnia
We won’t ever get sick of recommending Mostar to people! This tiny little town is located in Bosnia, and situated around 3-4 hours inland of the Croatian coastline. Filled with charming streets, the stunning Stari Most old bridge, and lots of history, Mostar is a great sport for a short visit. See our Mostar guide here!
Bruges – Belgium
A popular small town in Belgium, Bruges definitely lives up to the hype! Filled with picturesque streets, beautiful canals, great cafes and lots to see and do. It’s the perfect stop for a short stay when in Belgium! See our Bruges guide here!
We could have easily include many more, including Riomaggiore, Komiza, Lake Ohrid, Nusa Lembongan, Mount Martha, Antiparos, Monteriggioni, Ostuni, Hornbaek, Sibiu, Bath, Kas, Murren.. and many more! Comment below if you think we missed any!
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