You’ve surely heard of plenty of villages like Mykonos and Portofino that have become popular tourist destinations, but there are still some beautiful villages you’ve never heard of. Visiting these villages is like taking a step back in time, away from the crowd and noise.
From a quiet English village to a conservative African village, these villages have stunning views and are committed to cultural preservation. We know it’s hard to feel like you’re in a fairytale world when there are tourists everywhere. That’s why the 13 beautiful countryside villages on this post are hidden and still under the radar.
13 Most Beautiful Countryside In The World
1. Orta San Giulio
The small town of Orta San Giulio is a beautiful village facing Lake Orta in Italy. This is one of the favorite destinations for romantic lovers. This village looks like it’s gotten from a picture from its street to its villas to its old stone walls to its flower gardens. For cultural enthusiasts who appreciate architectural beauty, Orta offers experiences similar to visiting the world’s most beautiful libraries. To make it more captivating, every street is filled with boutiques, antique shops, and lively cafes.
If you’re planning a dream wedding in Italy, it’s best to do this in the Church of Maria Assunta, which has a beautiful view of Lake Orta. Though you may have to book it in advance, it is worth it. To get the finest view of this beautiful countryside, you’ll have to visit the Sacro Monte of Orta in the Sacro Monte Special Nature Reserve.
The old-world vibes of this village become enchanted during the Cusio Festival of Ancient Music held in June when famous musicians play music with ancient instruments. But Orta is also up to date with the modern world. You can explore arts at the annual Ortissima or buy local and exotic flowers at the Flower Show-Market held in spring.
2. Taxco de Alarcon
If you’re planning a Mexican vacation, it’s best to avoid all the popular towns and head directly to Taxco de Alarcon. A visit here will convince you that this is the most beautiful village you’ve ever seen. This village and its Mediterranean-style buildings are not something you would expect to see in Mexico.
This village is picture perfect with its white houses with red tile roofs, narrow streets, and historic monuments and museums. This might be a small, beautiful village, but there are lots of tourist attractions to explore. From the La Church of Santa Prisca to the Ex-Convento de San Bernardino of Siena, to the El Cristo, and more. You won’t be able to guess what to expect from this village.
Taxco is also known to host different religious, cultural, and artistic festivals that light up the town. These concerts are held all through the year, so it will be cool if you plan to attend any one of them. The most celebrated one is the festival of San Sebastian and Santa Prisca, which are the legends of this town. This festival includes lots of drinking, dancing, fireworks, and a big fair.
3. Gordes
This small village has been named one of the most beautiful villages in France. Full of boutiques, cafes, museums, and art galleries, Gordes has become a popular hangout spot for all art lovers. They gather to scout for different forms of art from the various exhibits displayed every year. Like many hidden gems in Europe.
This village was a resistance center during the war, so expect to see stone houses, buildings, huts, and a medieval castle. It can be quite crowded during the summer, but this village is even more beautiful and colorful in July when the lavender flowers bloom. The restaurants and hotels here are the best in the region, offering yummy local meals and the best views of the town.
Gordes takes care of its tourists and makes sure there are enough attractions and tours to keep them coming back. You can explore the village and visit the Chateau de Gordes to get amazing views of the Luberon hills or visit the Cistercian monks at Abbey of Senanque. There’s just so much to see and do here. For anyone planning a visit to the South of France, spending two or three days here is a must.
4. Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
Have you ever heard of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun? No? Well, it’s not surprising because until very recently, it was forbidden for tourists to visit. This beautiful village is the first Muslim City in North Africa and an important pilgrimage city.
If you want a break from the hustle and bustle of the more popular Moroccan cities, this is the best spot. This town feels like it’s suspended in time and slowly trying to catch up. You can pay homage to the burial site of the great-grandson of the prophet Muhammad in this town. You can also explore unique Islamic buildings, just like the Sentissi Mosque.
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is an old-fashioned, traditional town that is undeveloped and modernized. It is probably the most conservative and holy town in Morocco. So what you wear here is really important to be treated properly. It’s best to dress modestly here and cover up every part of your body, including your shoulders.
5. Giethoorn
Giethoorn village is the most beautiful village known as the Venice of the Netherlands. This village has hand-dug canal systems and smaller islands connected to the mainland. It is a popular attraction in the Netherlands cos cars are not allowed, so you can only explore on foot, by bike, or by boat.
This village is so peaceful, serene, remote, and beautiful that it hardly seems natural. With no roads, you’ll see several thatched-roof farmhouses that can only be reached with the punter boat. Here in the Netherlands’ water village of Giethoorn, the loudest sound you can hear is the quacking of a duck or the noise made by other birds.
Before entering the village, you’ll be allowed to park your car at designated car parks just outside the village. From there, you can rent whisper boats, board a guided cruise, or visit a museum. On the Binnenpad, you’ll see several restaurants and cafes from which you can eat delicious meals.
6. Lamu
This beautiful countryside is a small island and the oldest Swahili settlement in East Africa. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Swahili, Arabic, European, Indian, and Persian-style buildings. Most of its structures, like courtyards, verandas, and doors, are made from coral stone and mangrove timber.
You can explore Lamu Olt Town on your own or with a tour guide. On the streets, you’ll see various stores where you can get traditional clothes, silver jewelry, and good leatherwear. You should also plan to visit the Lamu Fort and the Lamu Museum. The roads here are too narrow for cars so you’ll explore on foot, bike, or donkeys.
This beautiful village is Islamic and conservative, so you’ll need to respect local customs and dress modestly. Since it is a popular stop on a safari trip, there are various fun activities to do. You can snorkel, scuba dive, or kayak in its clear water. You can also have fun attending the various Muslim and Swahili cultural festivals held here.
7. Penglipuran
Penglipuran is one of the most beautiful villages in Indonesia. Although it doesn’t have the famous Bali beaches, it’s still a tourist destination cos the locals here are very traditional. They live by the traditional Balinese culture, balancing the relationship between God, humans, and the environment.
The village adopted a community-based tourism concept that benefits the entire town.
Penglipuran Bali Village is not only the world’s most beautiful village but also the world’s cleanest village. The locals try to preserve their culture, structures, and forests while opening up their village for tourism. So, during your visit, you’ll experience and appreciate their unique culture.
While staying here, locals will recommend you to explore the bamboo forest and workshops. There you can learn how to make crafts with bamboo-like baskets. If you plan properly, you can attend ceremonies and festivals like Galungan, Kuningan, and Nyepi, where food and music are plentiful.
8. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
There are several Rothenburgs in Germany, but the Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the most beautiful countryside in this region. There’s a lot of history packed in this village. Now, it attracts tourists every year with its charm, crowd, overpriced souvenirs, and a nearly inedible local pastry.
You can explore this town on your own or go on a walking tour, where the guide tells you the history and takes you through popular attractions like Town Hall Tower, Toppler Castle, and Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum. If you want a fun hour, then take the Night Watchman’s Tour where the watchman tells jokes on the tours.
Rothenburg is also a great place to drive through the Romantic Road, Germany’s most famous and beautiful scenic route, with its royal palaces, beautiful countryside, and delicious food. You can also do your Christmas shopping in Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village, the largest Christmas shop in Europe that is open all year round.
9. Ogimachi
Ogimachi is the largest village in the Shirakawa-Go region known for its collections of traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. It is a World Heritage site, and in 1976, it also became the preservation district for traditional buildings.
Once you visit this beautiful village, locals will direct you to the popular open-air museum, Gassho-zukuri Minkaen. You can then explore the farmhouses and other preserved buildings before hiking to the Shiroyama viewpoint for a beautiful view of this village.
The slanted thatched roof homes in this village are up to 250 years old and are now used as family-operated bed and breakfasts. The roofs are slanted in a way that prevents heavy snowfall from damaging the house. These types of houses can only be found in this region and the nearby Shio River valley.
10. Lerici
This beautiful village has beaches and colorful houses that draw tourists to popular villages in Italy, except without the crowd. In the early 90s, lots of writers, including the English poet Lord Bryon, were attracted to this breathtaking beauty. While not an island itself, Lerici offers the same coastal charm as many budget-friendly island destinations but with a unique Italian character.
This countryside village has a seaside resort, historic quarters, two beaches, hotels, and seafood restaurants. It is also home to the Santa Tere Smart Bay, the first underwater laboratory in Italy. To support this lab, single-use plastics are banned as this village uses other sustainable practices to protect its coastal inhabitants.
If you’re planning a visit to the popular town of Cinque Terre, known for its cliffside villages, but you don’t want the crowd, then it’s best to stay in this peaceful location. This small village and its surrounding area are a perfect all-year-round coastal vacation spot. With the various water sports to participate in, including fishing and scuba diving, you’re sure to have fun.
11. Douma
This Lebanese village is one of the best-kept secret spots for a beautiful countryside vacation in the Middle East. If you want to explore off the popular path, you’ll have to visit this ancient village with its quiet atmosphere and natural beauty.
You might be wondering what makes this village different from others in the Mount Lebanon region. Well, this town preserves its cultural heritage and proudly displays its historical and cultural sites. You can explore the Heritage Museum to learn more about its past while going through the traditional arts and pottery displayed.
When you’re hungry or want to go shopping, just stroll down to the central marketplace. You’ll find several shops and stalls selling several items from crafts to local fruits. And since the locals are so good with preserving traditional spices and ways of cooking, you’ll get delicious traditional meals with locally grown foodstuff.
12. Lephis
This beautiful village in Ethiopia is hidden inside the Lepis Forest and is covered by its stunning waterfall, hiking trails, and natural beauty. This village is a close-knit and united community who are involved in conservation efforts to preserve this area for years to come.
The locals are creative enough to produce and supply local tourism products. They also promote tourism by being the best tour guides, cos what better way to learn about the village than through the villagers? You can also buy beautiful handicrafts like beaded jewelry and wood carvings made from local grass and bamboo.
You can tour this beautiful village on horseback or foot, exploring the hills, valleys, and unspoiled forests. You’ll see leopards, warthogs, bushbuck, mountain nyala, and colobus monkeys. And if you visit during the horse riding festival, you’ll participate in various activities that involve praises, dances, songs, and traditional folklore.
13. Caleta Tortel
One of Chile’s hidden gems, Caleta Tortel is arguably the most beautiful village along the Carretera Austral. This remote and isolated village is self-sufficient. It has a public library, a medical center, a primary school, restaurants, and guest houses.
Since it’s so close to the capital, Santiago, there are so many attraction sites to explore like the Marble Caves, Jorge Montt Glacier, and San Rafael Laguna National Park. You can kayak, hike, and ski with your friends in this park. And there are so many animals to see, like sea lions, otters, and black swans.
This village was built up from the shores, so a visit here involves lots of climbing and walking. If you’re having mobility issues, it’s just best to stay away from here cos it will add a strain to your health. But for those who do visit, they’ll enjoy the local dishes made from fresh produce. Caleta Tortal offers a vacation where you can experience tradition, nature, and local culture in a cool way.
Conclusion
Regardless of their location, these 13 beautiful villages in the world give you the perfect vacation of natural beauty, tradition, and peace, ensuring you have a good time. These villages will take you back in time and leave you amazed that some people are still living without cars and roads.
From the hidden village of Douma to the clean village of Penglipuran, these small towns’ charm and friendly locals are just what you need. What are you waiting for then? Start planning your next vacation not to a popular village but to this beautiful countryside.
