Translating as 'red fortress above the Tauber river', the ancient, red-roofed village of Rothenburg ob der Tauber leaves a lasting impression. Set along southern Germany’s Romantic Road, it is one of many medieval storybook settlements with defensive towers, narrow timber-clad houses and cobbled streets. This picturesque place is brimming with museums, gardens, enticing shops and buzzy cafés.
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It's almost impossible not to find a picture-perfect street in Alberobello, an UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety. The small town in Italy's heel, in the region of Puglia, is famous for its unusual trulli homes, built from whitewashed local limestone, with conical roofs. The steps up to Piazza del Popolo reveals stunning views over the higgledy-piggledy town.
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During the Gold Rush in the late 1800s, thousands of Americans flocked to the Black Hills of South Dakota to seek their fortune. Many of these notorious gunslinging residents – including Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok – remain in the town, residing in Mount Moriah Cemetery. While you won’t find any more rootin'-tootin' outlaws galloping through the saloons anymore, you can still enjoy shootout re-enactments and Black Hills bourbon.
In the far south of the USA’s most northerly state is Ketchikan, centered on a small cluster of colorful clapboard stilt houses perched over Ketchikan Creek. The city (which made this list because it's far closer in size to a town) is known for its indigenous (mostly Tlingit and Haida) heritage and is the best place in the country to see intricately carved and brightly painted totem poles in their intended environment. And what an environment it is, with lush green forests, glacier-carved valleys and looming mountains just outside the city.
Built in the middle of the Regnitz river between two arched bridges, Bamberg’s 14th-century town hall is just one of many reasons why this German gem is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hilly town is defined by cobbled lanes, lined with half-timbered façades and many breweries ready to pour every visitor a mass (a liter of beer) – after all, this is Bavaria.
One of Iceland's most charming towns, quaint Húsavík is located in the island's northern reaches. A fishing village with just over 2,000 residents, the town has become a center for whale watching in Iceland due to the large variety of whale species frequently entering the bay. One of the town's most notable features is its colorful wooden church Húsavíkurkirkja, but more recently it's garnered attention as one of the key locations in Netflix's Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
Located on Spain's Costa Brava, Cadaqués is probably most famous as Salvador Dalí's summer vacation destination. An easy-going village, it boasts whitewashed houses that sparkle against the cobalt sea and its pebble beaches. The bohemian vibe synonymous with Dalí and his contemporaries, like Federico García Lorca, is still very much alive in the town's vibrant cultural life. Typically, fairs, parades and festivals take place throughout the year, including the International Music Festival and the Cultural Week of Cadaqués.
It might look at lot like Venice but this charming town actually lies at the southern end of the Venetian lagoon. A miniature version of the famous city, the town is also criss-crossed by canals and old buildings, but its claim to fame lies in its industry – fishing. One of the oldest and biggest fishing ports in Italy, Chioggia is alive early in the morning with trawlers returning with the night's catch. The market is filled with sea creatures in every shape and form, and by lunchtime the town is enveloped in the smell of frying fish ready to be served at local trattorias.
Castelmezzano looks like it's been carved out of the rock face, with the jagged Dolomiti Lucane peaks surrounding the town. Located almost 3,000 feet (900m) above sea level in a range of eroded karst peaks, the town's origins lie as far back as the 6th century BC. Today, it's a brilliant base for hiking with some trails continuing on into the Basento Valley and further into the Gallipoli-Cognato National Park, as well as connecting it with the neighboring and equally beautiful Pietrapertosa.
Entirely sculpted by erosion, Göreme's fairy chimneys – cone-shaped rock formations – are synonymous with the Cappadocia region the town is located in. The whimsical town fits in seamlessly with its natural surroundings and, as part of the Göreme National Park, it's been on the UNESCO World Heritage list for more than 30 years. The magical scenery is best viewed from up in the sky in a hot-air balloon.
Near to the urban jungles of Shanghai and Suzhou is the elegant water town known as the Venice of the East. Classic Chinese architecture decorates the banks of Zhouzhuang's canals and, like Venice, travel by motorized transport is forbidden, meaning the waters are graced by gondolas that float under ivy-wrapped stone bridges. At dusk, traditional lanterns illuminate the waterways making for a magical scene.
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Nicknamed the 'jewel of the Maine coast', Camden is a quintessential seaside town with a charming harbor, an old lighthouse, jagged rock bays and sunset cruises. Gorgeous views over the town, the bay and the surrounding forests can be enjoyed from the nearby Mount Battie.
Both a winter wonderland and a summer sun spot, Bled is one of Slovenia's most famous destinations. The quaint town commands a wondrous view over Lake Bled and tourists are usually drawn here year-round to experience the panoramic vistas. In summer, activities such as rafting and kayaking are popular, while skiing and snowboarding are on offer during the snowy winters.
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Dramatically perched on the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, Positano is a postcard-perfect town. Its stony streets are lined with flowering lemon, orange and olive groves, as they wind down to the bright blue Mediterranean Sea. In idyllic Italian fashion, these streets are also littered with an avalanche of alluring restaurants, boutiques and chic hotels.
High up in nooks of the Rocky Mountains, the resort town of Banff feels like a Canadian dream. In the snow-crusted winters, a variety of sports are offered and sometimes, if you’re lucky, the roofs are illuminated by the Northern Lights. Summers are multi-hued in gorgeous amber, emerald and cerulean, and are usually cool. However, Banff experienced its highest temperature on record – 94.6°F (34.8°C) – in August 2018.
One of the most well-preserved 19th-century towns in the country, it’s no surprise that Niagara-on-the-Lake has been nicknamed ‘the loveliest town in Canada’. Nestled at the meeting point of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, Niagara-on-the-Lake is also central to Canada’s wine trade with more than 40 prominent wineries in the region, known as Ontario Wine Country.
You may recognize this bonny Scottish fishing hub as the town from the classic UK children’s TV show Balamory. The pretty port is home to the less kid-friendly Tobermory Distillery which mainly produces a matured single malt whisky. The tiny town is also shrouded in mystery. According to legend, a gold-laden Spanish galleon ship lies undiscovered beneath the mud of the bay.
Founded in 1753 by the British, pretty Lunenburg in Nova Scotia is a colorful fishing town and its original brightly-painted wooden houses still stand today. Considered to be one of the best examples of 18th-century architecture in North America due to its preserved layout, the town is only one of two urban communities in the continent designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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On Malta's southeast coast you'll find the fishing village of Marsaxlokk (pronounced marsa-schlock). Unlike most of the island country, it's virtually untouched by developers and a postcard-perfect scene is the fleet of traditional luzzu boats which bob in the harbor. The seafront promenade is also a popular dining spot where catches of the day are served up at charming restaurants.
One of Ireland's most-loved towns, the southern coastal town of Kinsale is famed for its exceptional restaurants where many local chefs have been awarded various accolades. Besides the fanciful food on offer, Kinsale is also known for its quirky streets that are flamboyantly painted every color of the rainbow.
Located on the Costa Verde, a coastal area in the state of Rio de Janeiro known for its greenery, Paraty is one of the oldest towns in Brazil. Founded in 1667 by the Portuguese, its colorful center is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site and is fully pedestrianized – a further bid to preserve the town's already immaculate historic buildings. Much of the town's architecture, including the cobbled streets, hasn't changed much for 250 years or more, leaving an impression you've traveled to a different era entirely.
A charming coastal town along the Great Ocean Road, Port Fairy is absolutely perfect in every way. Located in southwestern Victoria, it's known for having one of the best golf courses in Australia and its Folk Festival is the country's largest folk music festival. The 19th-century cottages, stunning architecture and cute boutiques also delight visitors.
In the heartland of some of the world’s finest vineyards (the sparkling Champagne region specifically), lies the fanciful French town of Troyes. Enchanted by the romance of the town, visitors fall head-over-heels with the holy haunts and half-timbered buildings which inject Troyes with such a distinct sense of character.
The scenic settlement of Iruya doesn't look real. Burrowed in the midnight blue mountainside of the Altiplano region, the hard-to-reach rural town still manages to attract travelers from all corners of the globe, who are charmed by its colorful buildings and Argentinian steaks.
Erected on an island between the Croatian coast and the Adriatic isle of Čiovo, Trogir's seductive Venetian influence makes it no stranger to the small screen, having appeared in episodes of HBO's Game of Thrones. Surrounded by 15th-century stone walls, the Romanesque-Gothic complex has been identified as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Further in the town there's a maze of fortified streets and holy buildings, while the seaside promenade glistens at night.
Set among the striking violet mountains of western Iceland, the winter wonderland of Stykkishólmur is a rural wonder. Made up of a few very well-preserved and colorful old homes in its center, it’s also an eco-town and has been labeled a European Destination of Excellence for its environmental efforts.
Set amid rocky coastal cliffs, Manarola is one of the five fishing villages that make up the breathtaking Cinque Terre in northwestern Italy. It's easily the most recognizable, with buildings in the cliffside town painted in shades of pastel blue, pink, yellow and orange. Legend has it that the houses were painted brightly so that returning fishermen could spot their homes more easily.
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The quaint town of Hamnøy sits on Moskenes, an island at the southern end of the Lofoten Archipelago in Norway, known for its dramatic scenery. The oldest fishing village in the area, Hamnøy is also considered one of the most beautiful due to the brightly painted traditional homes. The short Arctic winter days here make for a moody setting and at night the sky is illuminated by the Northern Lights dancing above.
A collection of half-timbered houses, steep cobbled lanes and ancient inns, Rye is an instant charmer. Located between the rolling hills of East Sussex and the English Channel, Rye is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in England. Beach walks, traditional pubs and even a castle are among its highlights.
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This beauty in Asturias has timeless charm in spades. According to legend, Cudillero is said to have been founded by the Vikings and historically fishing has been its main industry. A delight to look at, it's at its best when viewed from the bay with the colorful houses towering over either side of the small port.
With a Neo-Baroque square at the heart, this laid-back Cuban town is a colorful collection of grand 18th- and 19th-century buildings, including the restored Palacio Brunet mansion and churches like the Iglesia de la Santísima with its vaulted ceilings and carved altars. Located in central Cuba, the town is made up of quaint cobbled streets and endless charm.
Tucked in-between towering mountains on the shore of the Grove Arm of the Cook Strait, Picton is known as the gateway to the many islands and inlets of the Marlborough Sounds. Built around a sheltered harbor, the town has an attractive seafront dotted with cafés, restaurants and art galleries. There's a floating maritime museum and an aquarium too.
Stowe in Vermont is the perfect small town for nature enthusiasts, art lovers and ice cream fans who'll find the Ben & Jerry's Waterbury Factory here. Not only is the charming town surrounded by thick forests, rivers and valleys, but the state's highest peak Mount Mansfield is also nearby. Normally, there are frequent arts and crafts events in the town as well as the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival.
Dubbed the most beautiful village in Spain, tiny Albarracín is nestled in the hills of central Spain, overlooking the Guadalaviar River. The towering medieval walls dominate the hillside while ruins of an old Moorish alcázar sit on a clifftop above the town. With a population of just over 1,000, it's a quiet and otherworldly escape.
Would you ever expect to find a recreation of a Bavarian Alpine village in the Deep South? In Helen – the northeastern Georgia town – you won’t believe that you’re really in the Peach State once you pass the German-style shops and archaic horse-drawn carriages. And what’s a Bavarian town without bratwurst and barrels of beer? The food and drink are staples in restaurants and bars year-round but everything is supersized during Helen's annual Oktoberfest celebrations – one of the largest of its kind in the USA.
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The town of Procida spans the whole island from which it gets its name. It’s the Bay of Naples’ smallest and sweetest isle, avoiding the clamor of tourists that typically flock to neighboring islands such as Capri. Seaside houses are drenched in dazzling shades of pink, blue, yellow and more, their peeling paintwork adding to the effortless Italian charm.