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These charming European villages have just been named among the best according to a report from the UN World Tourism Organization.
The WTO has just announced the best tourist villages of 2023.
Many villages around the world, including 16 in Europe, were said to be among the best in “preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and culinary traditions.”
Each of these villages is a fascinating tourist destination that is well worth a visit, but we have listed the five best that you should definitely visit.
These are the best villages in Europe to add to your travel bucket list according to the WTO:
1. Ericeira, Portugal
Ericeira is one of the trendiest entries on this list. This small village in Portugal has skyrocketed in popularity recently. It is known as one of the fastest growing hotspots for digital nomads in Europe, as well as a destination for both novice and advanced surfers.
The great surfing beaches are one of Ericeira’s biggest draws, making it a top surfing destination in the country. Once a quiet fishing village, Ericeira has grown into a bustling tourist hotspot.
With its whitewashed buildings accented with bright colors and quaint cobbled streets, Ericeira is the quintessential village of southern Portugal.
3. Oñati, Spain
Oñati is a lesser-known destination in the Basque region of northern Spain. The Basque Country is known for its distinctive culture that is very different from the rest of Spain. Many residents of this area still speak the Basque language in their daily lives.
The Basque Country is an emerging destination in Spain thanks to its rich culture and beautiful landscape.
Oñati is a historic village dating back to the Middle Ages. It is home to the University of Oñati, a former university that was once the only university in the Basque Country, and the Sanctuary of Arantzazu, an ancient Franciscan shrine.
3. Morcote, Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the most picturesque countries in all of Europe, filled with hundreds of charming towns and villages, but Morcote, in the Swiss canton of Ticino, is one of the most scenic of them all.
This small village is located on Lake Lugano, a beautiful glacial lake on the border of Switzerland and Italy. Morcote is on the Swiss side of the lake, but the main spoken language is Italian, which adds an interesting cultural aspect to this village.
4. Tokaj, Hungary
There are many reasons to visit Hungary, one of the best countries in Eastern Europe, yet most travelers only see the capital, Budapest.
However, there is so much more to Hungary, such as the charming town of Tokaj. This historic village is located in the north of Hungary, and is the heart of the Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region.
Surrounded by vineyards and picturesque countryside, Tokaj is a great place to visit to taste local wine and enjoy the slow life of a small village.
5. Sirince, Turkiye
Şirince is one of the most beautiful villages in Türkiye. Located in Izmir’s Türkiye province, this ancient village dates back to the Hellenistic period and is just a few kilometers away from the famous ancient city of Ephesus.
With less than 500 inhabitants, there isn’t much to ‘do’ in Şirince, but it is a wonderful place to soak up the historic atmosphere and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
It also helps that Türkiye is currently one of the cheapest destinations to visit in Europe, making this winter an excellent time to visit.
6. Sigüenza, Spain
Finally, Sigüenza is another Spanish village that stands out from the crowd. This less visited village is located in central Spain, about an hour and a half from Madrid.
Sigüenza is known for its well-preserved centuries-old architecture, making a stroll through the village feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Some highlights of Sigüenza include the imposing Sigüenza Cathedral and Sigüenza Castle.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
