📝 usncan Note: The World’s 50 Most Beautiful Villages 2025
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Swans glide across Lake Hallstatt, medieval watchtowers pierce the skies over Rothenburg, and thunderous waterfalls tumble into the Atlantic—2025’s most beautiful villages are a masterclass in nature’s choreography. To help navigate this kaleidoscope of charm, I turned to Unforgettable Travel Company—curators of journeys that venture far beyond the tourist trail—for their picks of the world’s most beautiful villages for 2025. From the whispering canals of Giethoorn to the vine-wrapped spirals of Eguisheim—each one pulses with old-world whimsy and grace: where lavender mingles with fresh-baked scones, church bells echo through alpine valleys, and cloudberries spill from wicker baskets beneath Arctic peaks.
1. Bibury, England
Bibury, Cotswolds, England
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Nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, Bibury unfurls like a watercolor dream—where honey-slicked cottages line Arlington Row; their mossy roofs whispering tales of 14th-century weavers. The River Coln murmurs gently here—weaving through golden buttercups and forget-me-nots, while plump ducks paddle lazily beneath canopies of willow. Nearby, Bibury Trout Farm invites visitors to feed fish or enjoy a riverside picnic, and St. Mary’s Church offers a moment of stillness amid ancient stone. The air carries the smell of blooming lavender, mingling with fresh-baked scones—as footsteps brush past wild thyme and timeworn cobbles.
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2. Hallstatt, Austria
Cradled between forested peaks and shimmering Lake Hallstatt, this Austrian village glows like a storybook reflection—where centuries-old timbered houses cling to the mountainside and flower-boxed balconies spill with scarlet geraniums. Church bells echo across the lake as swans drift in elegant arcs—meanwhile, nearby, the Hallstatt Skywalk offers breathtaking views, and Salzwelten Hallstatt reveals ancient salt-mining wonders. Start your day strolling past the Marketplace Hallstatt and Hallstätter Wasserfall—or explore the prehistoric World Heritage Museum before settling into a lakeside café for cinnamon-laced strudel.
3. Reine, Norway
Tucked beneath jagged peaks and wrapped in Arctic light, Reine rests like a scattering of rubies on slate. Crimson fishermen’s cabins perch along the fjord’s edge as snowmelt threads past violet-drenched lupines and silvery sea thrift—while nets hang drying, stiff with salt; and wicker bicycle baskets overflow with cloudberries from guarding hills. At the harbor, a single boat named Nordlys bobs gently—its hull scarred by winter crossings. Nearby, Reinebringen beckons hikers with panoramic views, and kayak tours glide through glassy waters. Inside its bakery, you’ll fall in love with the smell of cardamom buns and rye bread—while the deep red post office brims with postcards from travelers chasing the midnight sun.
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4. Giethoorn, Netherlands
Giethoorn, the Netherlands
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Threaded through the watery veins of Overijssel, Giethoorn glimmers like a secret kept by the Dutch lowlands. Thatched-roof cottages huddle beside narrow canals, their reflections trembling in the wake of whispering punts—as arched bridges stitch the village together like lace and riotous gardens spill geraniums and lavender over cobbled paths. Local children pedal past on creaking bikes, wicker baskets rattling with loaves and tulips. Meanwhile, visitors glide silently by boat, explore the Museum Giethoorn ’t Olde Maat Uus, or stroll to nearby De Weerribben-Wieden National Park—as the village bell, rusted and half-forgotten, tolls gently, marking time in a place untouched by it.
5. Gásadalur, Faroe Islands
Gásadalur, Faroe Islands
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Perched on the edge of Vágar Island, Gásadalur clings to cliffs like a whispered legend. Turf-roofed homes dot the valley, framed by mist and the towering silhouette of Árnafjall—while Múlafossur Waterfall tumbles from green heights into the Atlantic below, its roar softened by Northern Fulmars wheeling overhead. A single lane winds through the village, once isolated until the tunnel carved through rock in 2004—where locals sip coffee on stoops, watching clouds drift across the fjord, or trace paths to the edge—where a rusted red mailbox stands alone. Inside, visitors leave scribbled wishes, fragments of poetry, or simple hellos from distant lands.
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6. Oia, Greece
Oia, Santorini, Greece
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Sitting on the northern tip of Santorini, Oia spills like a tumble of mirror-like infinity pools, bougainvillea-draped balconies, and whitewashed cliffside homes—carved into the caldera like sugar cubes—toward the glimmering Aegean. By day, bohemian art galleries and chic boutiques beckon with hand-thrown ceramics and billowing kaftans—while donkeys clatter along stone paths and church bells echo across the caldera. At dusk, sun-chasing crowds gather at the ruined Venetian castle, cameras poised, as the sky ignites in tangerine and rose. Below, cliff-hugging Ammoudi Bay glows with lantern-lit tavernas serving freshly-caught grilled octopus and succulent calamari beside lapping, moonlit waves—as cats stretch along warm stone ledges—and lovers linger over chilled Assyrtiko.
7. Bourtange, Netherlands
Bourtange, the Netherlands
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Shaped like a star and stitched into the marshy plains of Groningen—Bourtange dazzles with its geometric symmetry and storybook charm. Brick ramparts and grassy bastions radiate from the heart of the fortress, where 17th-century cannons rest beside tulip-filled courtyards and the smell of fresh stroopwafels drifts from cozy cafés. Meanwhile, its cobbled square hums with brimming market stalls and the Museum of Fortifications reveals tales of siege and strategy.
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8. Kotor, Montenegro
Where craggy mountains plunge into a mirror of sea, Kotor rises in a swirl of stone and shadow. Its medieval heart beats through tangled alleys, where lazy tabbies reign and bells toll from centuries-old chapels—as sunlight dances on the bay where sailboats drift past Venetian facades and ivy-clad balconies. Climb the fortress trail to San Giovanni—where the view stretches like a myth across fjord-like waters. Down below, the marina hums with clinking glasses and grilled squid—while the scent of pine and salt lingers in the dusk.
9. Shirakawa-go, Japan
Blanketed in alpine silence, Shirakawa-go emerges like a fairytale—its steep thatched gassho-zukuri roofs rising against forested slopes, built to cradle heavy snow. Smoke curls from hearths inside centuries-old farmhouses—as irori fires crackle and miso simmers in clay pots. By day, visitors wander past rice paddies and waterwheels, pausing at Wada House to glimpse Edo-era life. Later, as dusk falls, lanterns flicker along quiet lanes, and the air thickens with woodsmoke. Visit in winter as illumination nights cast a golden glow on snow-laden eaves—like stars fallen gently to earth.
10. Batad, Philippines
Unfurling like a green amphitheater, Batad’s 2,000-year-old rice terraces rise in perfect symmetry—carved into the steep folds of the Cordillera mountains with astonishing grace. Stone footpaths snake past handwoven Ifugao huts, where elders in feathered headdresses pound rice and hum ancestral chants. Meanwhile, a steep descent leads to Tappiya Falls, thundering into a jade basin as mist clings to moss-covered boulders. At sunrise, Saddle Point glows gold, casting long shadows over the terraces, while roosters crow and woodsmoke curls from tin-roofed kitchens. There are no cars—only footsteps and silence. As twilight deepens, the village hushes, and stars spill across the sky, mirrored in the paddies below.
11. Russell, New Zealand
Russell, New Zealand.
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Morning mist lifts off the Bay of Islands as Russell stirs to the clink of anchor chains and the smell of kawakawa tea. The Duke of Marlborough’s veranda hums with early risers and espresso steam—while gulls wheel above slick, polished yachts. Along the waterfront, weatherboard cottages lean into stories of whalers and missionaries—their gardens bursting with hibiscus and flax. By late afternoon, Long Beach glows gold, surfboards dot the horizon, and bonfires crackle beneath a sky bruised with violet.
12. Mrauk U, Myanmar
Stone stupas rise from the earth like ancient lungs, exhaling centuries of incense across Mrauk U’s windswept plains. Shittaung’s labyrinthine corridors flicker with candlelight—this “Temple of 80,000 Buddhas” was built to commemorate a royal conquest—while Htukkanthein’s fortress-like ordination hall guards rows of meditating Buddhas. Farmers pass with baskets of betel leaves, and ox carts creak along dusty paths toward Koe Thaung, the largest temple in the region—its maze-like interior once housing 90,000 carved Buddha images. Meanwhile, in nearby Chin villages, tattooed elders weave stories into cloth beneath teak trees.
13. Adare, Ireland
A curve in the River Maigue reveals Adare—where ivy-cloaked ruins and flower-boxed cottages sit beneath skies that shift from pewter to gold. The Gothic spires of Holy Trinity Abbey pierce the clouds—while the Augustinian Friary sleeps among yews and whispering gravestones. Inside boutiques tucked into centuries-old buildings, tweed jackets and handmade pottery line timber shelves. Meanwhile, Desmond Castle stands watch beyond the village park—its medieval silhouette mirrored in the murmuring stream. As evening falls, the scent of peat smoke drifts from Pat Collins Pub—as chuckles mingle with fiddle tunes beneath an Irish twilight.
14. Steg, Liechtenstein
Tucked into an alpine valley, Steg offers a serene escape framed by forested slopes and snow-capped mountain peaks—drawing hikers and anglers to its clear, turquoise waters. Nearby, however, Gänglesee provides a peaceful spot for swimming and wood-fired lakeside barbecues. Keen cyclers? Pass through its pretty meadows dotted with alpine gentians and traditional chalets and make a stop at Berggasthaus Sücka for rösti and apple strudel—served with panoramic mountain views.
15. Eguisheim, France
Curled within Alsace’s vineyard embrace, Eguisheim spirals like a story told in timber and stone. Half-timbered houses, licked in ochre and rose, lean close over cobbled lanes where ivy spills from every windowsill—as wine barrels rest beneath cellar doors, still sticky from last autumn’s crush at Domaine Joseph Gruss & Son, and storks nest atop chimneys near Parc à cigognes. Watch as tabby cats slip past the stone-lipped fountain in Place Saint Pierre, tails flicking at the scent of flammekueche drifting from a nearby inn—while hikers ascend to The Three Castles of Eguisheim above the village’s vine-laced terraced slopes.
16. Manarola, Italy
Manarola clings to Liguria’s cliffs like a painter’s dream—its candy-colored pastel houses stacked in defiance of gravity, gazing out over the Ligurian Sea. Vines twist through ancient terraces, feeding the famed Sciacchetrà wine, while fishermen mend nets beside bobbing boats in the harbor. The Via dell’Amore trail begins here—leading lovers toward Riomaggiore—while tourists sip espresso in sun-splashed piazzas or dive from rocks into turquoise waters. As dusk falls, the village glows—reflected in the waves like melted jewels—while church bells from San Lorenzo echo through olive groves.
17. Valldemossa, Spain
Valldemossa, Mallorca, Spain
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Sleeping in the folds of Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountains, Valldemossa rises like a stone lullaby—its heartbeat pulsing from the Real Cartuja, a 14th-century Carthusian monastery, once a royal palace, where Frédéric Chopin and George Sand spent the winter of 1838. Their former cells—now a museum—still cradle Chopin’s Pleyel piano and Sand’s handwritten letters. Meanwhile, winding alleys lead past ceramic plaques of Saint Catalina Thomàs—Mallorca’s patron saint—born in Valldemossa in 1533. Her serene image graces doorways as locals tell tales of her miracles—especially during Festes de la Beata—when flower-drenched processions honor her legacy.
18. Zhouzhuang, China
Stone bridges arch over ink-dark canals like brushstrokes, and Zhouzhuang begins—not with grandeur, but with intimacy. Morning mist clings to the Twin Bridges—where wooden boats drift past mossy eaves and laundered silks. At Shen House, creaking floorboards and moon gates lead to quiet courtyards perfumed with jasmine—while silk threads shimmer in tiny shops, and calligraphers bend over scrolls lit by lantern glow. Nearby, the Fu’an Bridge towers with carved beams and painted rafters—its pavilion offering views of tiled rooftops and drifting lotus. In the towers above Zhenfeng Bridge, locals sip chrysanthemum tea and sell hand-painted fans, each one a whisper of Jiangnan’s past.
19. Ghandruk, Nepal
Ghandruk clings to the Annapurna foothills like a mosaic of stone paths, prayer flags, and slate-roofed homes. Gurung women in vibrant saris weave baskets outside the Gurung Cultural Museum—while trekkers sip masala tea on guesthouse balconies overlooking Machapuchare’s sacred peak. Rhododendrons blaze along the trail to Jhinu Danda’s hot springs, and the air carries the scent of pine, yak butter, and woodsmoke. Meanwhile, children chase chickens through terraced fields, and bells from the Buddhist monastery echo across the valley. As dusk falls, the Himalayas blush pink, and the village quiets—wrapped in mountain shadow, the hush broken only by distant chanting and wind.
20. Cam Thanh, Vietnam
Woven between coconut groves and tidal creeks, Cam Thanh hums with the rhythm of river life. Bamboo basket boats swirl through the Bay Mau nipa palm forest—their skippers casting nets in the shade of swaying fronds. Meanwhile, on the banks, cooking classes sizzle with lemongrass and tamarind—as water buffalo graze lazily beside stilted homes. Cyclists drift past shrimp farms and lotus ponds—the air thick with the scent of grilled squid and sweet jackfruit. But as the sun dips low, the Thu Bồn River glows bronze, and the village exhales.
21. Monsanto, Portugal
Carved into the granite spine of central Portugal, Monsanto clings to boulders like a stone-forged mirage. Medieval houses nestle beneath colossal rocks, their red roofs peeking out like terracotta petals—while narrow lanes wind past the Chapel of São Pedro de Vir-a-Corça and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria, and scrambling goats graze near moss-covered stairways. At the summit, the ruins of the Castle of Monsanto perch atop the craggy heights like a stone sentinel—offering sweeping views over the Beira Baixa plains. As dusk falls, golden light spills across the granite, while locals sip Quinta dos Termos Reserva beneath the looming bulk of the Cabeço de Monsanto mountain.
22. Špania Dolina, Slovakia
Spania Dolina, Slovakia.
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Rising from the forested slopes of the Low Tatras, Špania Dolina greets visitors with the soft chime of church bells drifting from the hilltop Church of the Transfiguration. Once famed for its copper and silver mines, the village still wears its history proudly—think stone shafts and timbered mining houses softened by time. The covered staircase, all 160 steps of it, leads to sweeping views of the Zvolenská Basin and the distant peaks of Veľká Fatra. Meanwhile, lace-makers stitch delicate patterns in cobblestone courtyards, as hikers trace woodland trails to Šachtička—where violet gentians nod in the breeze and the smell of pine mingles with the echo of cowbells from the alpine meadows beneath Panský diel.
23. Victoria-by-the-Sea, Canada
Victoria-by-the-Sea, Canada
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Pastel-colored cottages line the shore in Victoria-by-the-Sea, their widow’s walks and picket fences nodding to a seafaring past. Here, the smell of fresh lobster drifts from harborside cafés—while kayakers paddle the red-sand coast of the Northumberland Strait. At the Victoria Seaport Lighthouse, waves lap against weathered stone as silver-speckled gulls wheel overhead. Meanwhile, the Studio Gallery serves up island-made etchings and oils, and the Victoria Playhouse draws crowds in plenty. Stroll past antique shops and handmade chocolate counters, where locals greet you by name. As twilight falls, the village glimmers—quiet, creative, and steeped in maritime charm.
24. Purmamarca, Argentina
Purmamarca, Argentina
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Adobe walls glow pink in the morning light as Purmamarca stirs beneath the towering Cerro de los Siete Colores hill—its layered reds and golds rippling like painted silk across the valley. The artisan market spills into the plaza—bursting with alpaca-wool ponchos, hand-thrown ceramics, and woven tapestries dyed in desert hues. Meanwhile, locals sip mate beneath the ancient Algarrobo tree, and the Santa Rosa de Lima Church stands with its 17th-century walls and Cuzco School paintings. Hike along its Paseo de los Colorados trail—looping through lunar landscapes and wind-carved stone. Then, as dusk falls, the painted hills ignite in amber and violet, and the village settles into a hush of stars.
25. Izamal, Mexico
Bathed in golden ochre, Izamal shimmers beneath the blazing Yucatán sun—its colonial facades and cobbled streets glowing like honeycomb. The vast atrium of its yellow-licked Convento de San Antonio de Padua spills across the plaza while vendors beneath the Parque 5 de Mayo’s leafy canopy offer embroidered huipiles (traditional blouses) and hand-carved jaguar masks. Just beyond, the Pirámide de Kinich Kak Moo—a temple honoring the ancient sun god—rises in quiet majesty, its stone steps worn smooth over centuries. Later, at night, Izamal hums with traditional marimba music and candlelit cantinas (local taverns) serve cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) and chilled horchata (sweet rice milk), as fireflies dance above its yellow walls.
26. Ubud, Indonesia
Mist curls through the jungle canopy as Ubud stirs with roosters crowing and incense rising from its ancient temple shrines. Along the Campuhan Ridge Walk, golden light spills across rice paddies like stairways—while mischievous monkeys chatter in the Sacred Forest Sanctuary—swinging past gnarled banyan roots and ancient statues. At Puri Saren Palace, dancers in gilded headdresses flick delicate wrists to the hypnotic clang of gamelan—while art galleries brim with intricate batik and hand-carved wood sculptures, and cozy cafés serve turmeric lattes and spicy jackfruit curry.
27. Motovun, Croatia
Anchored to the spine of Istria’s northern hills, Motovun clings to its summit like a medieval crown. Cobbled lanes spiral past honey-hued stone houses as truffle-scented air drifts from konobas tucked into ancient alleyways. Here, grapevines twist on the slopes below—feeding crisp Malvasia poured at terrace cafés. Meanwhile, at dawn, fog spills through the Mirna River Valley like milk across a tabletop, leaving only the belfry piercing the haze. Visit in July when the Motovun Film Festival floods the village with indie filmmakers and open-air screenings under star-pocked skies, as owls call from forest slopes and laughter spills from wine-soaked balconies.
28. Ogunquit, USA
Ogunquit, Maine, USA
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Ogunquit unfolds like a tide-washed canvas—brushed with sea lavender, driftwood, and the hush of Atlantic wind. The Marginal Way—a mile-long coastal footpath—snakes along its rugged cliffs, where waves slam against barnacled granite and tide-carved inlets—as morning mist lifts from Ogunquit Beach, revealing sand gleaming like polished shell. Perkins Cove stirs with the scent of lobster bisque and the creak of dock lines, as the footbridge swings open for passing sailboats. At the Playhouse, velvet seats cradle an eager crowd as stage lights bloom. Then, as evening settles, jazz spills from Jonathan’s lounge—as locals linger over blueberry pie.
29. Boquete, Panama
Wrapped in the folds of Panama’s Chiriquí Highlands, Boquete awakens with the smell of coffee blossoms and the soft chatter of the Río Caldera—a mountain-fed river flanked by cloud-draped jungle and steaming hot springs. Morning light filters through cloud forests along the Lost Waterfalls Trail—where mossy stones lead to hidden cascades and flashes of quetzal wings. Meanwhile, Volcán Barú—a dormant volcano and Panama’s tallest peak—draws hikers with the promise of twin-ocean views at dawn. In town, al fresco cafés brim with cinnamon-dusted hojaldres as the valley slips into a hush of stars.
30. Chefchaouen, Morocco
Chefchaouen, Morocco.
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Washed in every shade of blue, Chefchaouen spills across the craggy Rif Mountains like a dream—its medina a labyrinth of indigo alleyways where ginger cats nap on painted steps and vendors sell handwoven rugs and rose-scented soaps. In Plaza Uta El-Hammam, mint tea steams beside tagines bubbling with saffron and apricots—while the 15th-century Kasbah casts long shadows over café musicians. Up the hill, the Spanish Mosque glows at sunset—its terrace offering sweeping views of terracotta rooftops and silvery olive groves. Meanwhile, at Ras El Maa, icy mountain water tumbles past locals washing wool-dyed carpets, and the air hums with eucalyptus.
31. Coffee Bay, South Africa
Coffee Bay, South Africa
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Wild cliffs plunge into turquoise surf as Coffee Bay pulses with the rhythm of the Eastern Cape. Here, Nguni cattle wander the golden beach at sunrise as the legendary Hole in the Wall arches from the sea in a roar of spray. Backpackers gather at the Coffee Shack for surf lessons and Xhosa storytelling around smoky braais—meanwhile, drumbeats rise from Jah Drums, mingling with the scent of grilled chicken. Inland, Mapuzi’s caves and cliffs beckon hikers—while Hluleka Nature Reserve whispers with forest trails and sightings of bottlenose dolphins dancing through the waves.
32. Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
Sidi Bou Said, Carthage, Tunisia
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Just beyond the bustle of Tunis, Sidi Bou Said unfolds like a Mediterranean reverie—whitewashed villas gleaming beneath a sky the same shade as its famed blue doors. Jasmine vines spill from balconies—perfuming cobbled lanes where mechmoum garlands swing in the breeze. Meanwhile, at Café des Délices, mint tea is served with sweeping views of the gulf, as bambalouni fry to golden perfection beside the hum of oud music drifting from Dar Ennejma Ezzahra’s tiled courtyards. Contemporary art spills from Selma Feriani’s gallery and Gorgi’s studio, while in the Mediterranean Garden, twilight lingers over warm stone.
33. Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
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Lauterbrunnen doesn’t announce itself—it cascades. Water tumbles from cliffs like silk ribbons with Staubbach Falls drifting beside charming chalets trimmed in geraniums. The valley floor hums with cowbells and the distant whir of paragliders circling above alpine meadows—as Trümmelbach’s glacial torrents roar through limestone caverns. Rack railways climb toward Mürren and Wengen, where the air thins and the views sharpen—Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau etched against cobalt sky. Then, as twilight settles, fondue bubbles in timber inns, and the mountains blush with fading light.
34. Ban Rak Thai, Thailand
Ban Rak Thai, Thailand
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High in the hills near the Myanmar border, Ban Rak Thai greets the morning with the smell of oolong and the soft rustle of tea leaves. Chinese-style mud houses line the lake’s edge—their curved roofs reflected in still waters as wooden rowboats drift past floating lanterns. Meanwhile, locals stir pork belly stew over clay stoves—as visitors sip tea at lakeside pavilions, explore the Yunnan Cultural Center, or wander through terraced plantations. As twilight settles, children release sky lanterns from the lakeshore—their flickering ascent mirrored in the water below—a quiet ritual meant to carry away misfortune and invite good luck.
35. Paraty, Brazil
Whitewashed facades and cobbled streets shimmer in the tide as Paraty stirs to the clink of oars and the scent of fresh-roasted coffee. Colonial churches like Santa Rita stand watch over the glassy bay, their baroque bell towers mirrored in puddles left by high tide. Boats bob at the pier, ready to ferry visitors to Saco do Mamanguá—the world’s only tropical fjord—where mangroves cradle hidden beaches and snorkelers drift through turquoise shallows. Meanwhile, Cachaça distilleries hum with sugarcane and copper stills—as waterfalls tumble through rainforest trails just beyond town.
36. Ghadames, Libya
Beneath the Saharan sun, Ghadames shimmers like a mirage—its labyrinthine Old Town a maze of mudbrick homes, painted with delicate geometric motifs and cooled by ancient foggaras. Berber women move through rooftop passageways, veiled in embroidered indigo—while the Great Mosque rises in symmetry. Inside Dar Ghadames Museum, Tuareg jewelry and Berber textiles whisper stories of desert trade routes as the souk hums with heady spices and the clink of hammered silver. As dusk falls, camel caravans fade into dunes, and stars ignite above the oasis palms. In the Underground City, however, silence reigns—shadowed and hauntingly serene.
37. Chamarel, Mauritius
Spilling across the volcanic hills of southwest Mauritius, Chamarel stuns with its terrain—Seven Coloured Earth ripples in bands of violet, ochre, and rust, shifting under the tropical sun like a living canvas. The nearby Chamarel Waterfall plunges into a forested gorge—its mist mingling with the scent of wild ginger and ripe guava. At the Rhumerie de Chamarel, however, copper stills gleam as sugarcane becomes spiced rum—sipped slowly on breezy verandas. Meanwhile, the Ebony Forest Reserve offers canopy walks through ancient trees—as Curious Corner warps perception. Feast at Le Chamarel Restaurant, where smoked marlin and coconut chutney arrive just as twilight falls.
38. Bandiagara, Mali
Emerging from the ochre cliffs of Mali’s Dogon Country, Bandiagara unfolds in a tapestry of stone villages, sacred grottos, and ancient rhythms. The escarpment—a sheer sandstone ridge that rises abruptly from the plains—stretches for miles, its ledges dotted with Tellem dwellings—eerily perched and unreachable—while Dogon homes cluster below. In Sangha, masked dancers leap through dust to the beat of drums—while the Monday market bursts with millet, indigo-dyed cloth, and the smell of dried catfish.
39. Titikaveka, Cook Islands
Titikaveka, Cook Islands
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Titikaveka unfurls along Rarotonga’s southern shore in a mosaic of coconut palms, beautiful coral gardens, and a mirror-like lagoon so clear it blushes turquoise at noon. Snorkelers drift above giant clams and butterflyfish, while the smell of grilled ika mata wafts from roadside stalls. At Maire Nui Gardens, frangipani and hibiscus spill over lava rock paths, and dragonflies skim lily ponds. Sundays, however, hush the village—as church hymns rise from whitewashed chapels, mingling with the rustle of pandanus. As the sun sinks, the beach glows peach and gold, and barefoot couples sip tumblers of chilled mango juice beneath swaying palms—the reef murmuring just beyond the moonlit tide.
40. Ortahisar, Turkey
Beneath a basalt sky streaked with apricot and ash, Ortahisar rises from the Cappadocian earth like a forgotten monolith—its ancient citadel carved with caves, dovecotes, and mazy tunnels. Stone alleys wind past apricot stalls and rose-scented tea gardens shaded by fig trees—where locals trade stories over tulip-shaped glasses. Meanwhile, sunrise balloons drift silently above Hallacdere Valley’s surreal spires—casting shadows on sun-bleached tuff. Visit its Ethnographic Museum, where embroidered vests and copperware speak of vanished rhythms.
41. Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
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Snow crunches beneath reindeer hooves as Jukkasjärvi wakes to a sky streaked with polar blue. The Icehotel shimmers like a frozen cathedral—its sculpted suites glowing as each bed is draped in reindeer hides. Inside the Sámi church, centuries-old wood creaks under candlelight—while at Nutti Sámi Siida (a reindeer lodge offering traditional Sámi experiences), visitors sip warm lingonberry juice and listen to joik songs. By night, the Torne River freezes into silence and the northern lights unfurl in ribbons of green and violet. Here, you’ll huddle in thermal gear, breath fogging, as the Arctic whispers through frost-laced pine.
42. Ollantaytambo, Peru
In the Sacred Valley’s golden cradle, Ollantaytambo pulses with ancient breath. Inca terraces climb the mountainside like petrified waves—while the ceremonial fortress, etched with sun temples and water channels, casts shadows over cobbled alleys. Locals sell maracuya and woven alpaca shawls beside stone homes built atop Inca foundations, and panoramic trains rumble toward Machu Picchu—their windows framing glacier-fed rivers and eucalyptus groves. Beneath a sky streaked with Andean fire, travelers sip coca tea on quiet balconies, the ruins above lit faintly by moonlight.
43. Bilad Sayt, Oman
Beyond the switchbacks of Wadi Bani Awf, Bilad Sayt reveals itself in terraced date palms cascading between jagged cliffs and sunbaked mudbrick homes that cling to its craggy mountainside. Here, children splash in falaj-fed pools as nimle goats wander past pomegranate trees, morning light catches the domes of the village mosque, and elders sip kahwa (a spiced Omani coffee infused with cardamom) beneath woven palm canopies. Meanwhile, hikers descend from Snake Gorge, dust-covered and wide-eyed—greeted with bowls of sweet halwa and rosewater—then, as dusk settles, the Hajar Mountains blush mauve.
44. Arang Kel, Pakistan
Under the shadow of snow-capped peaks, Arang Kel sits quietly above the Neelum River—its wooden cottages scattered across meadows thick with Himalayan blue poppies. A chairlift sways gently between Kel and the village, offering sweeping views of deodar pine forests and glacier-fed streams—while children herd goats through apple orchards and the smell of woodsmoke drifts from kitchens preparing chapli kebabs and fresh roti. As evening settles, bonfires crackle and the sky deepens to indigo—stars sharpening above the valley.
45. Gudhjem, Denmark
Red granite cliffs rise from the Baltic, and sitting cozy among them, Gudhjem spills down in a cascade of beautiful ochre rooftops. Here, smoke from century-old herring smokehouses drifts past boutique galleries—where glassblowers shape molten color into delicate forms. Meanwhile, small passenger ferries hum out of the harbor toward Christiansø—a remote island fortress steeped in maritime history—slicing through cobalt waters. At Helligdomsklipperne, waves slam against jagged rock—echoing through hidden caves. Then, as evening falls, locals gather with ice cream cones on the quay and the town glows in the hush of a Bornholm sunset.
46. Seyðisfjörður, Iceland
Seyðisfjörður, Iceland
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Waterfalls spill down mossy cliffs into a fjord so still it mirrors the candy-colored houses of Seyðisfjörður—snuggled between snow-dusted peaks in Iceland’s east. Here, rainbow streets lead to its iconic blue church while inside Skaftfell Art Center—avant-garde installations marry steaming bowls of plokkfiskur in the café. Hikers ascend the Vestdalur trail past rusting WWII relics and wild blueberries—while ferries from Europe dock with a hiss—unloading travelers into a town where the fjord glows silver.
47. Hahoe Folk Village, South Korea
Hahoe Folk Village, South Korea
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Thatched roofs curve like waves over centuries-old hanok in Hahoe Folk Village—where earthen walls cradle courtyards perfumed with pine and fermented soy. Mask dances erupt in bursts of drumbeats at the outdoor theater, performers leaping beneath the gaze of Buyongdae Cliff—while scholars’ homes sit beside the Nakdong River, their tiled eaves casting shadows on lotus ponds. Sip omija tea in shaded pavilions, while elders trace calligraphy on rice paper in the Confucian school, while at dusk, cranes wheel overhead and lanterns flicker along the riverbank.
48. Tatev, Armenia
Between mighty cliffs carved by the Vorotan Gorge, Tatev clings to the edge of southern Armenia with quiet intensity. The 9th-century monastery rises from the plateau—its stone walls etched with faded medieval frescoes of apostles and Last Judgement scenes. Below, the Wings of Tatev cable car glides over walnut-lined forests and basalt ravines—offering heart-thudding views of the terraced valley floor. Devil’s Bridge twists through mineral springs and moss-covered rock—while Tatev Waterfall tumbles into crystalline pools. Meanwhile, hikers trace goat paths to the secluded Tatevi Anapat Hermitage, where wind rustles through fig trees and the only sound is the echo of footfalls on ancient stone.
49. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.
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Encircled by medieval walls, Rothenburg ob der Tauber feels like a fairy tale where soaring watchtowers rise above red-tiled roofs, and the Plönlein corner tilts enchantingly into cobbled lanes as the smell of sugar-dusted Schneeballen pastries drifts from glowing bakeries. Wander through the Christmas Museum, marvel at stained glass in St. Jakob’s Church—or descend into the Medieval Crime Museum’s shadowed vaults. Then, as twilight settles, the Night Watchman’s lantern flickers—as he recounts tales of plague, fire, and forgotten justice.
50. Marsaxlokk, Malta
Colorful luzzus bob gently in Marsaxlokk’s sunlit harbor—their painted eyes watching over crates of fresh swordfish and octopus hauled in by fishermen. Meanwhile, along the promenade, seafood restaurants sizzle with garlicky aromas—as locals haggle at the bustling Sunday market: overflowing with prickly pears, lacework, and jars of honeyed ġbejna. A short walk, however, leads to St. Peter’s Pool—where cliff jumpers plunge into turquoise waters and sunbathers sprawl across limestone ledges.
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