These are 3 of the most beautiful small towns in Europe that you can visit this summer

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Euro summer is fast approaching, and if you’ve been thinking about heading across the pond for some of that Old World charm and amazing history, you might want to hold off on booking London or Paris… at least you’ve read this.

Look, as much as we love those world-famous, iconic megacities, they’re not exactly the place you go for them dreamy, fairytale European atmosphere.

You know what I mean: It’s kind of hard to feel like you’re in a storybook when there’s non-stop traffic, power hunters waving selfie sticks, and overpriced bistros that practically scream “tourist trap.”

The true, unspoiled magic lies in these quiet, smaller towns people usually skip right away, and that’s something Rome2Rio finally clocked.

Although we’ve been beating this drum for years here Travel off the pathfinally the popular travel search engine publish a study Recently, searches for small towns have increased by 35 percent worldwide, as the hunt for places with less crowds and more character intensifies.

If you’re wondering what that looks like in Europe, that seems to be the case 3 cities under the radar what especially stood out:

Teruel, Spain

Away from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona, ​​Teruel is a small town at high altitude, located in the mountains of Aragon, in eastern Spain. a region that most tourists often skipfor no other reason than the fact that it’s a bit out of the way for the average beachgoer.

Too bad, because it’s arguably one of the most beautiful small towns in the entire country, so it’s no wonder Rome2Rio mentions it in their research.

The old town is best known for its Mudéjar architecture, a unique style that combines Gothic and Islamic elements (in case you didn’t know, Spain was once under Muslim control) and the towering 12th-century Santa Maria de Mediavilla Cathedral.

The cathedral really steals the spotlight here.

It has a huge, towering structure and a beautifully detailed painted ceiling that makes you stop and stare. Right next to it, the Torre de El Salvador feels a bit like an extension (because that’s what it is), built in the 14th century with a striking exterior and those sleek, spiral staircases that wind all the way to the top.

If there’s one thing you should know about Teruel, besides the fact that it’s ridiculously beautiful, it’s that the food difficult. You absolutely cannot skip this one Jamon de Teruel: dried, rich and slightly less salty than prosciutto. You’ll see it stuffed into sandwiches in just about every small bakery you come across.

Škofja Loka, Slovenia

Slovenia is already a fairly low-key destination, with its beautiful capital Ljubljana only recently making a splash in the travel scene, but if you’re looking for medieval charm and character, you might as well go all in and make the detour to Škofja Loka.

Sounds like a keyboard smash at first glance, we know, but don’t let the unpronounceable name put you off. This unassuming village-like setting on the edge of the Slovenian Alps could be that of the Central European country best preserved medieval city.

Think stone mansions along a crystal-clear mountain river, arch bridges stretching across it such as the historic Capuchin Bridge, colorful buildings with intricate floral details, and a large, yellow-washed Baroque castle watching over everything from the hill above.

In short, it simply meets all the requirements of ‘Fairytale Europe’.

And when you think about safety, especially with all the talk about rising crime in big cities like Paris and London, Slovenia is as chilly as it gets. It is widely regarded as one of the safest, most stress-free destinations in Europe, with very few reports of violent crime, burglaries or even pickpocketing.

Travelers reported on their time in Slovenia, giving it a score of 86/100 based on our Traveler Safety Index:

It’s quite chilly in Slovenia, but if you’re flying to Europe this summer, make sure you check the Travel Advisory Checker beforehand to verify any travel warnings that apply to your destination.

Motovun, Croatia

A tiny Croatian town perched on a lush hillside in Istria – that’s northern Croatia, hundreds of miles away from busy Dubrovnik, by the way – Motovun is where you go to really sink into the old-world European atmosphere and escape the hustle and bustle.

Honestly, it feels like a storybook town that has somehow remained intact.

Cobbled streets, few piazze anchored by churches or the occasional coffee shop, and tightly packed buildings made of that warm, honey-colored Istrian stone that gives everything a soft golden glow.

Add the weathered shutters in faded blue and green tones, and the whole thing has a lived-in, timeless atmosphere.

It’s more of a destination to wander around and soak up the atmosphere than a place with a checklist, but you’ll still want to stop by St. Stephen’s Church, whose belfry rises above the red-tiled roofs.

Oh, and be sure to walk the medieval wallsoverlooking Motovun’s clustered maze of houses cascading down the hill, with the rolling Istrian wine country stretching away in the distance.

This summer, the European Union will tighten entry rules for American travelers, including the addition of mandatory fingerprints and biometric scanning.

Make sure you have your documentation in order: use the Entry Requirement Checker to check the existing travel regulations at your destination before departure.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.