Birthday
HydrangeasEurope's big capitals are wonderful, but real charm often hides in small towns with half-timbered houses, canals, medieval walls and flowers on every windowsill. We have picked 10 such places, from Bacharach in Germany to Bled in Slovenia, and for each one explain what it is known for, what to see and when to go to catch the blooms and avoid the crowds. Some have already become popular, so we have added a tip for each on how to enjoy its atmosphere without the bustle.
How to choose a town to suit your mood
If you want water and slow boat trips, choose Giethoorn, Bled or Manarola. Lovers of medieval lanes will enjoy Torun, Albarracin and Bacharach. Those travelling for museums and art should head to Odense, Ghent and Olomouc. Mostar is a special case: a town where 20th-century history is visible at every step.
Bacharach, Germany
A small town on the Rhine in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Expect half-timbered houses, remains of the town walls, the ruins of the Gothic Werner Chapel and Stahleck Castle above the town, now a youth hostel. Victor Hugo admired Bacharach on his Rhine journey in 1840. Riesling vineyards surround it. When to go: May–June, when roses climb the house walls, or September–October for the grape harvest.
Manarola, Italy
One of the five villages of the Cinque Terre (a UNESCO site): pastel houses that seem glued to a cliff above the sea, and terraced vineyards. In winter a huge illuminated nativity scene lights up the hillside above the village. Tip: come early in the morning or in the evening, after the cruise groups leave; in April–May the slopes are covered in flowers.
Odense, Denmark
The hometown of Hans Christian Andersen, born here in 1805. In 2021 the new H.C. Andersens Hus museum opened, designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and surrounded by gardens. The old quarter of yellow houses and cobbled lanes looks like a fairy-tale illustration. Funen, the island Odense stands on, is called "the garden of Denmark". When to go: May to August, for gardens in bloom and long light evenings.
Ghent, Belgium
Bruges's less touristy sibling, with the Graslei and Korenlei quays, Gravensteen Castle and St Bavo's Cathedral, home to the van Eyck brothers' Ghent Altarpiece. The area around Ghent is a centre of azalea and begonia growing, and the famous Ghent Floralies flower show takes place every few years. Tip: take an evening walk along the illuminated quays; the city is known for its carefully designed night lighting.
Albarracin, Spain
A medieval town in Aragon perched on a rock above the Guadalaviar River. Pinkish terracotta houses, narrow lanes and crenellated walls climbing the hillside. It is regularly named one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. When to go: spring or autumn; summers in Aragon are hot and winters can bring snow.
Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The town's symbol is the Old Bridge over the turquoise Neretva, built in 1566. It was destroyed during the war in 1993, rebuilt with traditional techniques in 2004 and added to the UNESCO list in 2005. Local divers traditionally jump from it, a drop of about 20 metres. Tip: midsummer is very hot, so May or September is better.
Torun, Poland
The birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus (1473) and one of Poland's best-preserved Gothic towns, with its old town on the UNESCO list. Brick churches, a leaning tower, the town hall and the famous Torun gingerbread, which has its own museum. When to go: any time of year; there is a Christmas market in December.
Olomouc, Czech Republic
The Czech Republic's second-largest historic reserve after Prague, without Prague's crowds. The Baroque Holy Trinity Column is a UNESCO site, the squares have Baroque fountains and the town hall has an astronomical clock. For flower lovers the main draw is the Flora Olomouc show, held in spring and autumn in the city's exhibition park and glasshouses.
Giethoorn, Netherlands
.jpg)
A car-free "Venice of the North": in the old village, canals, wooden footbridges and thatched houses replace streets, and people get around in quiet electric boats. Giethoorn is no longer a secret, so it gets busy in summer. Tip: stay overnight and go boating early in the morning. If you are in the Netherlands in spring, visit Keukenhof too; read about Dutch flower traditions.
Bled, Slovenia
A glacial lake with Slovenia's only natural island, home to the Church of the Assumption. Its 99 steps lead up to a "wishing bell" anyone can ring. Above the lake stands Bled Castle, first mentioned in 1011. Be sure to try the local cream cake, kremsnita. When to go: May–June and September.
How to visit small towns without the crowds
- Travel in the shoulder seasons: April–May and September–October.
- Stay the night; day-trip groups leave by evening.
- Check the dates of local festivals and flower shows, which can become the highlight of a trip. For ideas see flower fields of the world and world flower markets.
Frequently asked questions
Which of these towns is best with children?
Odense with its Andersen museum, and Giethoorn with its boat trips.
Where can I see the most flowers?
At Flora Olomouc, around Ghent and in the gardens of Funen around Odense.
Can I combine several towns in one trip?
Yes: Ghent and Giethoorn pair well in Belgium and the Netherlands, Bled with Croatia, and Mostar with Dubrovnik.
View full-size photo
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
