15 Mountain Villages That Will Take Your Breath Away (+Photos)

There’s just something about a mountain village. The fresh air, the quiet, the views—these places have a way of slowing you down. You can unwind, discover new cultures, and soak up nature all at once.

Here are fifteen mountain villages that really stand out for their charm and scenery. Into hiking, relaxation, or just curious about a change of pace? These spots might be just what you need for your next trip.

15. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

If you’re into winter sports, then Cortina d’Ampezzo is the place to visit. Located in the Dolomite Alps, Cortina is a winter resort known for its skiing – it hosted the 1966 Winter Olympics – as well as après-skiing activities.

It’s popular with the jet set because of this. The alpine village has been a tourist destination since the late 19th century. A major attraction is the 18th century Basilica Minore dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo built on the site of two earlier churches.

14. Roussillon, France

Roussillon, sitting at the foot of Monts de Vaucluse. It’s a colorful, must-see sight in the Luberon. Here you’ll find red buildings, instead of the white or gray that are so common elsewhere. This is because Roussillon is located in one of the world’s largest ochre deposits.

The red cliffs add to the city’s very scenic characteristics. The village and surrounding area is so colorful it has often been compared to an artist’s palette, and definitely is an inspiration to them.

13. Jiaju, China

If you don’t have time for a trip to Tibet, you can still get a feeling for that culture by visiting Jiaju, a Tibetan style village in Sichuan Province. Dubbed the “Tibetan fairyland,” Jiaju is considered one of the most beautiful towns in China.

Built on a forested hillside, it’s hard to argue with this assessment, especially in the spring when pear trees blossom. The homes are uniquely shaped, with crowns on top of several floors; the eaves are red and the exterior walls white.

12. Whitefish, Montana

Originally called “Stumptown” because of all the trees that had to be cleared for the Great Northern Railway (and the town itself), Whitefish is a friendly, welcoming town that comes to life in both summer and winter.

Annual festivals include the Huckleberry Days Arts Festival – including a huckleberry dessert bake-off – as well as The Taste of Whitefish when local vendors and restaurants offer a taste of their specialties.

Aside from the delicious sounding summer events, winter in Whitefish is all about skiing. Whitefish Mountain Resort is the place to go for a spot of snowy action. If you’re a beer fan, you’re in luck; here’s where you’ll find the Great Northern Brewing Company.

11. Genadendal, South Africa

Meaning ‘Valley of Grace’ in Afrikaans, Genadendal is located at a dramatic location in the Riviersonderend Mountains, which is just 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town. The town was originally called Baviaanskloof and was built up around the site of the oldest mission station in South Africa, the Moravian Mission Station which was founded here in 1738.

The sign outside the village invites people to ‘visit the historic square and mission and step back in time’ – so your time is best spent here wandering around this tiny but atmospheric slice of South Africa.

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10. Bisbee, Arizona

Located in Cochise County, Bisbee is definitely the place to come if you truly want to live out your dreams of visiting a real-life frontier town of the American Wild West. Main Street looks like something right out of a Western. It’s also filled with a number of interesting buildings, most notably the Cochise County Courthouse – an imposing Art Deco building – as well as Victorian-style townhouses.

In the 1960s, Bisbee became somewhat popular as a destination for hippies and artists, and a cultural scene continues to thrive in the Downtown area. The scenery alone makes it an attractive place to visit, with its hilly terrain strewn with buildings.

9. Heiligenblut, Austria

Heiligenblut translates to Holy Blood, and it is said that the chapel in this small town contains an actual vial of Jesus Christ’s blood. The church, which was built in 1271, has long drawn Christians who wanted to see this relic of Jesus.

Heiligenblut is also the start of (or end of, depending on your point of view) of the scenic Grossglockner High Alpine Road, which is the highest surfaced road in Austria and one of the country’s top attractions. This road is famous for its amazing and gorgeous views. Heiligenblut, which is also a ski resort, is located at the foot of the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain.

8. Motovun, Croatia

White buildings with salmon-color roofs seem to spiral up a hill to a double-walled castle in the town of Motovun. Sitting inland in Istria, this medieval town may remind you of scenes from Game of Thrones. Modern homes and shops lead you up to the gates of the old town.

Fortified in the 14th century by the Venetians, the old town has now been turned into a cloister of artist studios, restaurants and shops. This is a popular destination where tour buses routinely drop off throngs of visitors at the base of the 275-meter (900-foot) hill.

7. Park City, Utah

Protected by the impressive Wasatch Range to the east of Salt Lake City, Park City is a popular holiday resort town. The town turned its attention to tourism after the decline of its silver mining industry, which dated back to the 1860s.

Now, it’s home to two ski resorts and was the location for some events in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. Park City’s population is less than 8,000 but gets considerably inflated during tourist high season.

Aside from skiing, the big draw to Park City is the world famous Sundance Film Festival, which is held in the town each year and draws thousands of guests along with the world’s media. Noted for its charm and beauty, the town also has many bars, eateries, and shops serving up local goods and produce.

6. Grindelwald, Switzerland

Grindelwald and Gilbert Grindelwald may bear the same name, but there the resemblance ends. Gilbert Grindelwald is a dark character in the Harry Potter series, while Grindelwald is a picturesque town in the Bernese Alps.

The scenery from here is fantastic and includes north face views of Eiger. Home to the largest ski resort in the Jungfrau region, Grindelwald has been a top tourist destination since the 18th century. There’s plenty of good hiking in the summer, including the Eiger Trail.

5. Zakopane, Poland

Forever regarded as the “Winter Capital of Poland,” Zakopane is a small, charming resort town with lots of restaurants and shops, and the strikingly gorgeous snow-clad Tatra Mountains that give the town it’s much-acclaimed fame.

Though the town carries a picnic vibe throughout the year, as soon as the first snow falls, hundreds of visitors make their way to Zakopane to fathom its many hiking trails and catch up on the action that goes on around the bustling streets of Krupowki. Don’t miss out on Oscypek, a local specialty involving smoked cheese.

4. Silverton, Colorado

The old silver mining town of Silverton sits in a valley in the San Juan Mountains. The town has left its mining days behind and grown to become a popular ski resort luring visitors there with its rustic, remote charm.

Located at a lofty 9,000 feet above sea level, Silverton’s sloping mountain sides are snow covered during the winter and ideal for expert skiers as well as beginners. The slopes become sun-soaked meadows in the summer months and are lace with hiking trails which make their way past gushing waterfalls.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers the chance for tourists to hop aboard a steam trail and journey back in time to the town’s mining past.

3. Albarracin, Spain

Albarracín is a picture-perfect town in Teruel, located in Aragon. Between the 12th and 14th centuries, Albarracín was a thriving town named after a Moorish leader. Today, much of that early architecture remains, including the Albarracín Cathedral and much of the city’s walls.

Development seems not to have arrived at this town, which is very rural and situated in the mountains. The pink buildings of the city are built right into the natural landscape in a canyon, making this one of the most stunning destinations that will instantly transport you to centuries past.

2. Castelmezzano, Italy

Castelmezzano, in southern Italy, is another charming place that’s designated one of the most beautiful small towns in Italy. Because it’s surrounded by mountains with good hiding places, it became a refuge for bandits in the 19th century.

It has a year-round population of about 1,000 people, a number that swells to many thousands in the summer when visitors come here to zip-line through the mountains At night, when everything is lit up, the village has been described as a living nativity scene.

1. Saint-Veran, France

Saint-Véran is a small village located in Queyras Regional Natural Park in the Haute-Alps of southeastern France. This pretty village, sitting on a hillside overlooking a river valley, is one of the highest in Europe, attracting winter and summer tourists.

It is famous for its houses with their high, wooden attic balconies. Old sun dials and wood fountains are other draws. The area is popular with hikers, but they should check the weather forecast before starting out as weather changes frequently.