Top 5 most charming towns in world: Places worth visiting

Wed, June 26, 2024 - 17:10

What are the 5 most charming villages worth visiting (RBC-Ukraine Collage)

The heart of certain countries often lies not in big cities or tourist attractions, but in small, quiet villages and towns. They are steeped in history, full of local charm, and can satisfy the most discerning traveler with their impressions.

News Bytes tells about five of the most charming towns that are a must-visit.

Giethoorn, Netherlands

Thanks to its abundance of trees and a vast national park, the town of Giethoorn in the Netherlands is considered one of the greenest areas in the country. This small town has very few cars, and instead of roads, there are numerous canals.

Giethoorn has over 175 bridges that cross its plains. Due to the number of water bodies and rivers, Giethoorn is often called the Venice of the Netherlands.

Giethoorn in the Netherlands (photo: Wikipedia)

Bibury, England

This village, whose history dates back to the 17th century, is surrounded by captivating landscapes in a tranquil, unspoiled location. Once home to a monastery wool store, the town now features weavers' cottages.

The picturesque River Coln, a tributary of the Thames, runs through the entire village, surrounded by stone houses with steep roofs, creating an incredibly beautiful scene. Arlington Row is a nationally famous conservation area depicted on the inside cover of some British passports.

Bibury is the most photographed and often featured village in the United Kingdom. It is first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086.

Bibury in England (photo: Wikipedia)

Oia, Greece

A charming small village perched atop the cliffs of Santorini, Oia dazzles with its brilliant white buildings, churches, and blue-domed rooftops overlooking the Aegean Sea.

Oia is renowned for its breathtaking sunsets, narrow winding streets, and vibrant bougainvillea. Key features of the town include windmills, the captain's mansion, and elegant white houses.

The village covers an area of approximately 20 square kilometers, with a population of about 1500 people. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Oia was a bustling seafaring town thriving on trade throughout the Mediterranean. A strong earthquake in 1956 led many locals to relocate to safer regions.

Oia in Greece (photo: Wikipedia)

Hallstatt, Austria

One of Austria's oldest settlements, Hallstatt is nestled between a lake and the towering Dachstein mountains. It is an incredibly beautiful Alpine village beloved by tourists and photographers alike.

One of its most intriguing attractions is the Hallstatt Museum of Antiquities, featuring artifacts dating back 7000 years. The village is a center of Hallstatt culture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Getting to Hallstatt can be challenging, but it is well worth the effort.

Hallstatt in Austria (photo: Wikipedia)

Popeye Village, Malta

This village is situated on top of a cliff overlooking Anchor Bay. Popeye Village has come a long way from being a film set for the 1980s musical Popeye to becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in Malta. The village features museums, boat cruises, puppet shows, and many other interesting attractions.

Popeye Village in Malta (photo: Wikipedia)

We also talked about the 10 highest peaks of the Carpathian Mountains, which are breathtaking.

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