I introduce you to 10 villages that we stumbled upon on our road trips across Europe.
You most likely have never heard of these villages, and they are truly all villages!
These are not market towns or small cities but genuine small authentic rural villages and each is unique in its own right.
Jump to:
Oberammergau Germany
Oberammergau in Bavaria, the village with the complicated name, is known for 3 things.
One is the layered lime painting technique that has the village houses adorned in trompe-l’oeil mural paintings. This creates a special environment, and it is said that this painting technique (aka Lüftlmalerei) was invented in this village.
The second is the over 500-year-old tradition of passion play reenactment, which is organized and performed by the locals every 8 years.
Oberammergau is also known as the village of wood carvers. Over the last centuries, the people specialized in this field.
Neighboring Mittenwald, known as the violin builder's town, and the Hitler merged town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, can be added to your itinerary if you are in the vicinity.
Borghetto sul Mincio, Italy
We were driving from Verona, near Lake Garda, to our Agroturismo, when we came across this little marvel, known as Borghetto.
It is said that over 900 years ago, the idyllic hamlet on the river Mincio was first ruled by the Order of the Templar's and later on by the Knights of Malta.
Today, the medieval village is a little gem worth adding to your itinerary, when in northern Italy.
We thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, food, and learned so much about the strategic military importance of this small inconspicuous village.
Plan a road trip day trip to Borghetto if you are near Lake Garda or the city of Verona!
Alpbach, Austria
The village of Alpbach in the Tyrolean alps is known as one of the prettiest places in Austria. This is thanks to its location and age-old traditions.
Here you can still see some original rural wooden farm house architecture of the region.
There is no other village in the alps that has upheld these traditions, and this is all thanks to a rule imposed after the war by the village administration.
Wooden facades and flowers hanging down the balcony with a green lush meadow backdrop make it a major destination for nature and mountain lovers.
We highly recommend the Mühlbach nature walk, which is enriched with interactive art and thoughtful moments.
As a day trip, add the medieval petite glassblower city of Rattenberg to your bucket list and the former imperial minting salt town of Hall in Tirol.
Hunawihr, France
We came across the Alsatian village of Hunawihr accidentally as we were driving down the famed Alsace wine route.
Vinyards and a small church on the hill are what define the village with the strange name. Hunawihr, with its 600 souls, is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
A legend tells the tale of Huna, who was said to have lived here as the wife of a brutal lord in the 6th or 7th century.
She was nothing like her husband, and helped the poor villagers instead.
One of the popular tales recounts as she was washing the villagers' clothes in the main fountain, and another story speaks of her turning the fountain waters to wine in a poor wine harvest year.
The fabled fountain is rich in minerals and is believed to be the reason the wines of the Rosacker Grand Crus vineyard are sought after among wine connoisseurs.
Don't skip Hunawihr if you are visiting famous Alsatian towns nearby, including Colmar and Riquewihr!
Bad Gastein, Austria
Once upon a time, Bad Gastein in Austria was where the nobility would hang out.
You see, before the Austrian empire crumbled, and therefore before WWI, the elite, including the emperor of Austria, would head to Bad Gastein to relax and rejuvenate in the healing waters.
It was the IT Belle Époque town and its center was the Grand hotel de l'Europe, which is still standing, but slowly crumbling, just like every other leftover 100-year-old building.
This is what makes Bad Gastein mesmerizing in itself. Perched against steep slopes are these buildings from another era that will remind you of Vienna, but it's a dying village.
A waterfall is at its center, and the healing radon waters can be experienced at the Town's own thermal spa.
If you are looking for a health retreat, I recommend the Gasteiner Heilstollen experience. It includes a physical check-up, a spa-like treatment with a 30-minute mining train ride to a radon filled cave deep in the mountains.
Ramsau, Germany
Imagine a perfectly framed view of the alps, including a small church and a crystal clear mountain stream. That's Ramsau in Southern Germany!
Located in the Berchtesgaden National Park, lies one of the most enchanting villages in the alps, all thanks to the painter's corner (aka Malerwinkel).
The painter's corner is the view described with the mountains and small church, yet this is not the only reason why you should head to this hamlet.
I recommend strolling through the peaceful village with its wooden houses and neat gardens.
A relatively small but awe-inspiring gorge, the Wimmbachklamm can be visited as well, and you shouldn't pass up on a boat ride on the majestic Königssee lake nearby.
Triesenberg, Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is that small, miniscule country flanked by Switzerland to the West and Austria to the East.
The tiny country is known for its wealth, and most people decide to visit Liechtenstein as part of a novelty day trip from Zürich in Switzerland.
Yet, if you are lucky to have a car, you can follow our road trip trail and head up to the village of Triesenberg. It's located right above Vaduz, the capital of the country!
Just drive up towards the castle and continue on the narrow one-way road to Triesenberg. A village that seems to be hidden emerges all of an out of nowhere.
Cute little houses built in the style of architecture of the region, a baroque church and an unrivaled panoramic view await you here.
Make it your base and organize hiking day trips or explore the neighboring ski resort of Malbun.
Gerberoy, France
Gerberoy, a not that well-known car-free village in the Département de l'Oise in northern France, is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
This tucked-away hamlet with its half-timbered homes, ruined castle top and impressive show of flowers, is worth a day trip if you are in Paris, Amiens, Beauvais, Lille, or Rouen.
The village was home to Henri le Sidaner, a post-impressionist painter. A quote of Henri le Sidaner summarizes the feeling that Gerberoy instills.
I have to confess that some kind of demon drew me to the countryside, where I could indulge into the creeks, which enchanted my imagination.
He set up the remarkable gardens, a place of poetry and beauty. Over 43,000 feet (ca. 13,106 m) vast, the remarkable gardens are made up of 4 themed gardens.
You can explore the yellow and blue garden, the white garden, the terraces of Italian influence and the rose garden.
Mürren Switzerland
The Bernese highlands have long been at the top of every Switzerland traveler's bucket list, and Mürren is located at the center of it all.
Surprisingly, not many have heard of this village, as it has been overshadowed by the neighboring Lord of the Ring's inspired Lauterbrunnen, the Rick Steve's favorite Gimmelwald, and the Ski resort of Wengen.
Nonetheless, Mürren is known among every James Bond movie fan. The 1969 title “On Her Majesty's Secret Service” captured the Schilthorn “Piz Gloria” summit and the wooden Swiss chalet beautifully.
You will want to make the trip to Mürren to escape civilization, as this is one of the handful of car-free communities in the world.
Besides, the views overlooking the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau snow capped mountains are jaw-dropping!
Bellano, Italy
We were on a road trip from Tirano to the major towns on lake Como when we stopped in Bellano in October.
The lake shore village seemed like any other Italian lake Como town, but at its core lies a walkway maze with tiny boutiques and historic buildings.
This was my wife's favorite place at lake Como, mostly due to the picturesque center and relaxed but authentic atmosphere.
Just behind the village, a few steps a way, is the opening to a 15 million-year-old gorge known as Orrido di Bellano.
A suspension bridge takes you across this natural marvel, adding to the unique allure of Bellano.
The best beaches and lidos at lake Como can be found all near Bellano, making this small village a great base for your trip to the lake.
Comments
No Comments