20 small towns to add to your travel bucket list

Many small towns around the world are very colorful, and Guatapé, Colombia, happens to be one of them. This place is bursting with kaleidoscopic views, including its umbrella-lined street and gorgeous surrounding landscape. 

If you watched Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock in The Proposal, you might’ve gotten distracted by the beauty of the setting. And no, we’re not talking about New York City. We’re talking about Sitka, Alaska. It’s just as magnificent in person as on screen. 

Bled, Slovenia is a treasure of a town. This small inhabitance sits on Lake Bled, a beautiful body of water with a darling island in the middle. If nothing else, you’ll enjoy finding a small cafe and taking in the views of Bled. 

Sayulita, Mexico, is recognized as a Pueblos Mágicos, a place that’s noted for its beauty and culture. Sayulita doesn’t have as much history as some other small towns, but it’s gorgeous and full of high-end amenities. It’s also very accessible as it’s near Punta Mita. 

If you make it to Cape Town, South Africa, don’t stop there. Carve out some time to travel just a little bit further to Kalk Bay. This small town with fewer than 800 residents has lots to offer, including art galleries and fresh seafood. 

Most of California’s popular destinations are flooded with people, but not Carmel-by-the-Sea. It’s a quaint town in Monterey County with charming establishments and great weather. It’s by no means off the beaten path, but it’s a place worth the effort to get to. 

A number of cities across the world are built on canals and suited for boat travel, but if you want a place that’s a little quieter to have the experience, Giethoorn, Netherlands, is the place for you. It’s also quite bucolic, so you’ll enjoy the views whilst traveling by water. 

For a small town, there’s an awful lot about Göreme, Turkey, to take in. The town is like something out of a fairy tale, and it’s gotten lots of publicity over the years thanks to its hot air balloons. 

It won’t be easy to get to Navala, Fiji, but it’ll be worth the effort. Visiting Navala is like stepping back in time. It’s got traditional huts and landscapes you thought only existed in Jurassic Park. It also has an award-winning resort, which is something not many small towns can say. 

You’ve undoubtedly seen photos of Hallstatt, Austria, at some point in your life, particularly from one vantage point. The town is quite different from Salzburg and Vienna, but it’s beautiful in every season and has an old-world charm you’ll love. 

If you previously thought there was nothing worth seeing in Uzbekistan, you thought wrong. The small town of Itchan Kala is a city that was once a stop on the Silk Road, and it’s been preserved in its ancient glory. 

People who live in very small towns might not consider Biei, Japan, a legitimate small town as its population is over 10,000 people, but it’s still worth having on your bucket list thanks to its beautiful landscape and total charm. Don’t sleep on it. 

Arizona is proof that the Southwest has diverse landscapes, too. If you want to see some of it, travel to Sedona. Its red rocks and buildings are captivating, and even those who don’t like the Southwest can appreciate the town’s beauty. 

There are lots of small towns down under, too, but Kaikōura, New Zealand, stands out among them. It’s got unique terrain and delightful local businesses. It’s also rife with wildlife to observe, so you’ll have an extra special time if you love whales or dolphins. 

There’s no shortage of stunning small towns in Europe. Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland, is breathtaking. It’s got waterfalls and views of the Alps. It’s so gorgeous that it inspired Rivendell, a location in The Lord of the Rings. 

Lüderitz, Namibia, is another great small town to visit if you love animals. There are African penguins, dolphins, and seals to see, and there’s loads of unique architecture to check out, too. It’s pretty sizable for a small town at over 12,000 people, so there are a few more amenities than some places on this list. 

Penglipuran, Indonesia, is a place to go to completely immerse yourself in a different culture. Located in Bali, Penglipuran is home to temples, gardens, bamboo forests, and many other features that make it a standout destination. It’s also known for being remarkably clean. 

By looking at photos of Sidi Bou Said, it’s easy to get confused with places in Greece. But don’t get it twisted. This Tunisian town is miles and miles away from Greece and has a completely different vibe when you visit. It’s just as remarkable, though. 

Castle Combe, England, is a legitimately small town. It’s home to fewer than 400 people, and there’s not a whole lot to do. However, what there is to do, like having tea and taking in the architecture of the buildings from the 1600s, is absolutely worth doing. 

Don’t think the pyramids are the only thing to see in Egypt. Siwa is another town preserved from ancient times — the 4th century BCE, to be specific. It offers a unique traveling experience.