31 charming villages and small towns to discover in Europe [2025]
Sometimes the best travel experiences take you to places you have never heard of - small towns and villages full of charm, history and local character. Whether you enjoy cobbled streets, quiet country roads or scenic riverside walks, these spots offer a perfect mix of beautiful landscapes and a welcoming atmosphere. They are easy to reach and perfect for a weekend escape or a stop on a longer journey. Take it slow, stay curious and enjoy exploring new places.
Join us on our new 🟢 Komoot account!
Cycling Partners
Here are 31 such towns and villages we discovered during our travels, each with its own unique story. We have listed them along with the region or route where they are located, to help you plan your next trip. From local traditions and historic landmarks to peaceful natural surroundings, each destination offers something special - and a chance to experience the everyday magic of life off the beaten path.
European charming towns and villages to visit:
- Aarberg - Bern, Switzerland
- Amboise - Loire Valley, France
- Angermünde - Brandenburg, Germany
- Beaune - Burgundy, France
- Beeskow - Brandenburg, Germany
- Born am Darß - Mecklenburg, Germany
- Cadolzburg - Franconia, Germany
- Chłopy - West Pomerania, Poland
- Giornico - Ticino, Switzerland
- Gniew - Pomorskie, Poland
- Kuldīga - Courland, Latvia
- Lech am Arlberg - Vorarlberg, Austria
- Marienberg - Saxony, Germany
- Meißen - Saxony, Germany
- Miltenberg - Franconia, Germany
- Puck - Pomorskie, Poland
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Franconia, Germany
- Saint-Ursanne - Jura, Switzerland
- San Candido - South Tyrol, Italy
- Schlitz - Hesse, Germany
- Senftenberg - Brandenburg, Germany
- Spiez - Bern, Switzerland
- Spišská Sobota - Prešov, Slovakia
- Stary Sącz - Małopolska, Poland
- Steyr - Lower Austria, Austria
- Templin - Brandenburg, Germany
- Ueckermünde - Mecklenburg, Germany
- Venzone - Friuli‑Venezia Giulia, Italy
- Werdenberg - Sankt Gallen, Switzerland
- Werder (Havel) - Brandenburg, Germany
- Woudrichem - North Brabant, the Netherlands
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
All photos by Simon Thread, Cycling Thread.
Aarberg - Bern, Switzerland
Aarberg is a small yet lively town in the canton of Bern in Switzerland, known for its historic wooden bridge over the Aare River. Its charming central square, lined with traditional buildings and cafés, makes it a perfect stop for cyclists. The Aare Route passes through Aarberg, offering a great way to explore the region. The town's spacious market square, one of the most beautiful in the area, invites visitors to relax and soak in its historic charm.
More: Aare Cycle Route in Switzerland (coming soon) 👇
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be notified!
Amboise - Loire Valley, France
Amboise is home to two remarkable châteaux linked to Leonardo da Vinci. The Clos Lucé Palace, where da Vinci lived from 1516 until his death in 1519, now houses a museum showcasing his inventions and artworks. Nearby, the Château d'Amboise was once a grand royal residence, though only two wings remain from the original forty buildings. Both sites are highlights along La Loire à Vélo, making Amboise a must-visit stop for cyclists exploring the Loire Valley.
More: Loire by Bike in France
Angermünde - Brandenburg, Germany
Before our cycling trip through Uckermark, I imagined Angermünde as a bleak, post-GDR town. That perception quickly changed when we arrived in a charming small town with a preserved historic layout, a modest town hall, and rows of 18th- and 19th-century half-timbered merchant houses. While enjoying coffee near the market square, we read about the local baker and jeweler who, in 1945, surrendered the town without a fight, saving it from destruction. Thanks to them, Angermünde retains its historical character today.
More: Cycle Route around Uckermark in Germany (coming soon) 👇
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be notified!
Beaune - Burgundy, France
Beaune, the historic wine capital of Burgundy, is a town with a well-preserved medieval layout surrounded by ancient ramparts. Its most famous landmark is the 15th-century Hospices de Beaune, a former charitable hospital with a striking glazed tile roof. The town is at the heart of Burgundy's vineyards, producing some of the world's finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Beaune's long winemaking tradition is reflected in its many wine cellars, historic estates, and annual wine auctions.
More: Cycling Burgundy in France (coming soon) 👇
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be notified!
Beeskow - Brandenburg, Germany
Beeskow is a historic town along the Oder-Spree Route, known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and charming atmosphere. Key landmarks include a reconstructed castle by the Spree River and St. Mary's Church, one of the largest Gothic churches in the region. Near the church stands the oldest preserved building in eastern Brandenburg, now housing a small open-air museum. The town's spacious market square and historic urban layout make it a characteristic example of Brandenburg's historic city centers.
More: Oder-Spree-Tour in Germany
Born am Darß - Mecklenburg, Germany
Born am Darß is a charming village on the Darß Peninsula in Germany, surrounded by the Vorpommersche Boddenlandschaft National Park. It lies along the Ostseeküstenradweg (EuroVelo 10), a popular cycling route that follows the Baltic Sea coast. Born am Darß is known for its traditional fishermen's houses with beautifully decorated doors and a relaxed, nature-oriented atmosphere. It also has a small marina, local craft workshops and restaurants serving regional fish specialties.
More: Baltic Sea Coast Cycle Route in Germany
Cadolzburg - Franconia, Germany
Cadolzburg is a historic town dominated by its impressive medieval castle, once a residence of the Hohenzollern family. Dating back to the 13th century, the fortress now houses an interactive museum that brings the region's history to life. The town's well-preserved half-timbered houses and cobbled streets reflect its long-standing heritage. The Hohenzollern Experience Cycle Route passes through Cadolzburg, connecting sites linked to this influential dynasty across Franconia.
More: Hohenzollern Experience Cycle Route in Germany (coming soon) 👇
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be notified!
Chłopy - West Pomerania, Poland
Chłopy is one of the last villages on the Polish coast where no unsightly apartment buildings have been built. It owes its preserved layout to being listed as a historic site, with remnants of traditional farmsteads still visible. The heart of the village is the small fishing harbor with a slipway, a short pier and a row of utility buildings, including a fish shop and a fry house serving fish straight from the boat. A stop in Chłopy is a must when cycling along the Baltic on EuroVelo 10 in Poland.
More: Velo Baltica in Poland
Giornico - Ticino, Switzerland
Giornico is one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland, a picturesque spot in the Leventina Valley known for its well-preserved medieval heritage. Its most famous landmarks are the Romanesque San Nicola church, with impressive frescoes, and the simpler San Michele, blending seamlessly into the mountain landscape. Giornico is also surrounded by vineyards, deeply rooted in local traditions. A scenic stone bridge over the Ticino River offers stunning views of this historic and tranquil place.
More: North-South Route in Switzerland
Gniew - Pomorskie, Poland
Gniew, one of the gems of Kociewie and the Lower Vistula Valley, sits on a high escarpment where the Wierzyca meets the Vistula. Its historic center features a 13th–14th-century Teutonic castle, now hosting reenactments and cultural events. Overlooking the market square is St. Nicholas Church, where archaeologists discovered Poland's largest collection of medieval silk garments. The town's strategic location made it an important administrative and military center for centuries.
More: Vistula Cycling Route in Poland
Kuldīga - Courland, Latvia
Kuldīga, a historic town on the Venta River, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 for its remarkably preserved wooden architecture. The town's buildings, dating from the 16th to 19th centuries, showcase traditional Baltic construction techniques. Kuldīga is also home to the Venta Rapid, Europe's widest waterfall, which has long been a natural landmark of the region. Despite its growing recognition, the town retains a quiet, authentic charm, offering visitors a glimpse into Latvia's heritage.
More: EuroVelo 10 in Latvia
Lech am Arlberg - Vorarlberg, Austria
Lech am Arlberg is a picturesque Alpine village in western Austria, known for its stunning mountain scenery and year-round outdoor activities. While primarily famous as a ski resort, it also attracts cyclists with scenic high-altitude routes, including challenging climbs and panoramic trails. The village is part of the Arlberg region, offering access to pristine nature, mountain lakes and traditional Austrian hospitality.
More: Cycling Vorarlberg in Austria
Marienberg - Saxony, Germany
Marienberg, located along the Ore Mountains Cycle Route, is a unique Renaissance town with a distinctive grid layout, rare in Central Europe. Founded in the 16th century during the region's silver mining boom, it was designed as a model mining town. The spacious market square, one of the largest in Saxony, is surrounded by historic townhouses and dominated by the impressive St. Mary's Church. Marienberg's mining heritage is still visible today, with museums and nearby historic mines offering insight into its rich past.
More: Ore Mountains Cycle Route in Germany (coming soon) 👇
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be notified!
Meißen - Saxony, Germany
Meißen is a small, picture-perfect town on the Elbe River that delights both history lovers and cyclists. Narrow cobbled streets, hillside vineyards and the striking Albrechtsburg Castle create a uniquely scenic atmosphere. Located directly on the Elbe Cycle Route, it's a perfect stop between Dresden and Torgau. Take a moment to enjoy a glass of local wine and admire the town's skyline from the bridge over the river. It's a place where centuries of craftsmanship meet the gentle rhythm of slow travel.
More: Elbe Cycle Route in Germany
Miltenberg - Franconia, Germany
In Miltenberg we stop for lunch at Zum Riesen, one of the oldest inns in Germany and one of the longest continuously operating businesses in the world. Over its 600-year history, it has hosted notable figures such as German kings, Holy Roman Emperors Frederick Barbarossa and Charles IV of Luxembourg, as well as Napoleon Bonaparte and Elvis Presley. The town itself, nestled along the Main River, enchants visitors with its well-preserved half-timbered houses, medieval charm and a picturesque market square.
More: Main Cycle Route in Germany
Puck - Pomorskie, Poland
Puck is a charming coastal stop along the EuroVelo 10 route, offering a mix of history, nature and maritime atmosphere. The town's highlights include its historic market square, the Gothic Church of Saints Peter and Paul, and remnants of the old fishing harbor. Puck's modern marina provides a great spot to relax by the sea, with beautiful views of the Bay of Puck. The town also played a key role in Polish maritime history, as the site where Poland symbolically regained access to the Baltic Sea in 1920.
More: EuroVelo 10 in Poland
Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Franconia, Germany
Rothenburg is an enchanting starting point for a cycling journey through Franconia, with its well-preserved medieval architecture and captivating atmosphere. The town lies along the Tauber-Altmühl Radweg, which connects the Main and Danube river basins through scenic countryside. Highlights include the famous Plönlein, the impressive town walls and the legendary Ratstrinkstube clock show. Rothenburg's rich history and fairytale-like streets make it worth at least a full day's visit.
More: Tauber-Altmühl Cycle Route in Germany
Saint-Ursanne - Jura, Switzerland
Saint-Ursanne remains a key cultural and historical site in the Jura region, attracting visitors with its unique medieval atmosphere. Located along the Jura Route, it is considered one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. It developed around a monastery founded in the 7th century and features a Romanesque collegiate church from the 12th–14th centuries. The historic charm of Saint-Ursanne is enhanced by its well-preserved townhouses, three city gates and a picturesque stone bridge.
More: Jura Route in Switzerland
San Candido - South Tyrol, Italy
The collegiate church in San Candido, with its towering Romanesque bell tower, is one of the most important monuments in Tyrol and the Eastern Alps. Founded in the 8th century, its current structure dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries and remains remarkably intact. Inside, visitors can admire its austere Romanesque interior, a crucifix with the town's patron saints and an open crypt below the altar. The historic streets of San Candido are also worth a stroll, with a final Italian coffee best enjoyed in the church's shadow.
More: Drava Cycle Route in Austria
Schlitz - Hesse, Germany
The most beautiful town on our ride along the Hessen Railway Cycle Route is Schlitz, known as the “town of five castles.” Its historic center features five castle-like structures, creating a unique and picturesque skyline. During Advent, the tallest tower is transformed into the world's largest candle, wrapped in red fabric with a glowing light at the top. Its charm, combined with its well-preserved architecture and scenic location, makes it a must-stop on the route.
More: Hessen Railway Cycle Route in Germany
Senftenberg - Brandenburg, Germany
Senftenberg is one of the most charming towns along the Lower Lusatia Mining Route, with a well-preserved center and a lively market square. Located by Senftenberger See, it has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages when it served as a trade and defense hub. Key landmarks include the 16th-century Senftenberg Castle, now a museum, and the historic Polish-Saxon postal pillar in the market square. Senftenberg is also a gateway to the Lusatian Lakeland, where former mining sites have been transformed into scenic lakes and cycling paths.
More: Lower Lusatia Mining Route in Germany
Spiez - Bern, Switzerland
Spiez is best known for its castle, which, together with a nearly 1,000-year-old Romanesque church, stands between a small vineyard and a yacht-filled bay of Lake Thun in Switzerland. The town itself exudes a peaceful charm, with lakeside promenades and mountain views creating a perfect setting for relaxation. One of its 16th-century owners, Franz Ludwig von Erlach, is said to have fathered 37 children. The breathtaking morning view of Spiez - its castle, church, harbor and vineyards - left a lasting impression on us.
More: Lakes Route in Switzerland
Spišská Sobota - Prešov, Slovakia
Spišská Sobota, a historic district of Poprad, is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Slovakia, located along the Cycling Route around the Tatras. Its main attraction is the picturesque central square, lined with Renaissance and Baroque burgher houses, reflecting the town's prosperous past. The highlight is the Gothic Church of St. George, featuring a stunning 15th-century altarpiece by Master Paul of Levoča. Once an important trade hub, Spišská Sobota retains its authentic historical charm.
More: Cycling Route around the Tatras in Slovakia (coming soon) 👇
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be notified!
Stary Sącz - Małopolska, Poland
Stary Sącz is one of the oldest towns in Małopolska, known for its unique atmosphere and well-preserved historic architecture. Its charming market square, with wooden buildings and cobbled streets, adds to the town's distinctive character. The popular VeloDunajec cycling route passes right next to the town, making it a great stop for cyclists. The town is also home to the St. Kinga Monastery, an important historical and religious site dating back to the 13th century.
More: VeloDunajec in Poland
Steyr - Lower Austria, Austria
Steyr is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Europe, thanks to its stunning architecture and rich history. The cityscape is dominated by St. Michael's Church and Lamberg Castle, which stand opposite each other in a striking setting. Steyr has played an important role in the region for centuries, from its early Celtic settlements to its time under Roman rule and later influences from various European powers. Today, the town is a key stop along the Ennsradweg cycling route.
More: Enns Cycle Route in Austria (coming soon) 👇
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be notified!
Templin - Brandenburg, Germany
Templin, located along the Tour Brandenburg route, is a well-preserved medieval town with a nearly intact system of 14th-century defensive walls. Its historic center follows a classic medieval layout, with a spacious market square at its heart. The red-brick Gothic town hall stands as a prominent landmark, reflecting the architectural style of northern Germany. Its well-preserved fortifications and urban structure make Templin one of the most historically significant small towns in Brandenburg.
More: Tour Brandenburg in Germany (coming soon) 👇
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be notified!
Ueckermünde - Mecklenburg, Germany
A town worth stopping by on the Szczecin Lagoon Cycle Route is Ueckermünde, with its charming historic center and a castle that now houses the Haffmuseum. A scenic cycling path leads from the city beach to the center, passing a wooden drawbridge over the Uecker River. The town offers a cozy market square, good dining options and accommodation, making it an ideal stop for the first day of your journey. From here, you can continue your ride along the lagoon toward Poland or explore the nearby nature reserves.
More: Szczecin Lagoon Cycle Route in Germany
Venzone - Friuli‑Venezia Giulia, Italy
The moment we passed through Venzone's well-preserved walls, its medieval charm was undeniable. Though it feels untouched by time, the town was painstakingly rebuilt after two devastating earthquakes in 1976. Residents restored it stone by stone, faithfully recreating its historic character. Among its highlights are the reconstructed Cathedral of Saint Andrew with its intriguing 17th-century mummies and the haunting ruins of Saint John the Baptist Church, a silent witness to the disaster.
More: Alpe-Adria Bicycle Route in Italy
Werdenberg - Sankt Gallen, Switzerland
Standing by the tiny Werdenbergsee lake in the morning, we were left speechless. The castle, perched on a hill amid a small vineyard and wooden houses, framed by the Swiss Alps and a cloudless sky, was one of the most stunning sights of our Rhine Route journey. Beyond its beauty, Werdenberg is also unique - it is the smallest town in Switzerland, home to just 50-60 residents in around 40 charming houses. One of them houses the fascinating Werdenberg Museum.
More: Rhine Cycle Route in Switzerland
Werder (Havel) - Brandenburg, Germany
Werder (Havel) is a charming town in Brandenburg, Germany, situated on an island in the Havel River. It is known for its orchards and the annual Tree Blossom Festival, which attracts many visitors. The Havel Cycle Route runs right next to the town, making it a great stop for cyclists exploring the region. With its scenic location and proximity to Potsdam, Werder is a perfect spot for a relaxing getaway on bicycle.
More: Havel Cycle Route in Germany (coming soon) 👇
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be notified!
Woudrichem - North Brabant, the Netherlands
Woudrichem is a well-preserved fortified town in the Netherlands, known for its strategic location along the rivers Maas and Waal. Its historic layout, surrounded by star-shaped defenses, reflects its role in the Dutch Waterline defense system. The town's fortifications, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, can still be explored along the ramparts and old city gates. Once an important trade and military outpost, Woudrichem retains its historic charm with cobbled streets and traditional gabled houses.
More: Waterline Route in the Netherlands (coming soon) 👇
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be notified!
Back to top
Have a safe ride! 💚
Simon Thread
(Szymon Nitka)
I'm a passionate cycling traveler and the voice behind Cycling Thread. I explore Europe on two wheels, documenting the most scenic routes, inspiring places, and cyclist-friendly practices. My writing blends personal experience with practical insights and a deep love of travel. I'm also a contributor to National Geographic Traveler magazine.
Bicycle inspirations
Find us on Bikemap, Komoot, Outdooractive, Ride with GPS and Veloplanner!