12 Picture-Perfect Small Towns That Will Make You Rethink City Life

Sometimes, city life just gets a bit too hectic. Maybe you crave somewhere quieter, cleaner, and with more trees than traffic. Small towns move at a slower pace and have this tight-knit sense of community you just don’t stumble upon in big cities.

Spend a little time in these charming spots and you’ll start to understand why so many folks fantasize about ditching the city. There’s a magic in the easy pleasures of small-town life, even if you’re only passing through.

12. Chora, Patmos, Greece

Chora, on the island of Patmos, is likely to fit our pre-conceived notion of how a Greek island village should look: Old whitewashed buildings creep up a hillside that is capped by an ancient Byzantine monastery. The 12th century monastery dedicated to St. John the Theologian dominates Chora’s landscape. You reach the monastery by walking the narrow pathways to the top where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Aegean Sea. Though it has only a few hundred residents, Chora is the island’s capital.

11. Dinan, France

Cobblestone streets and half-timbered buildings still exist in Dinan, considered one of the best medieval villages in Brittany. As travel expert Rick Steves says, forget the formal museums, the town itself is the museum. It’s a delightful place to wander at will, with a bustling market on Thursday mornings in Place du Guesclin, Dinan’s town square.

The view of the River Rance, the old post and the surrounding area is best from St. Catherine’s Tower; nearby is a well-preserved section of the city wall.

10. Cavtat, Croatia

Sitting nine miles from Dubrovnik on the Adriatic Sea is Cavtat. Founded by the Greeks in 6th Century BC, ruled by the Romans in 228 BC, and then the Avars and Slavs in the 7th century, Cavtat has had a turbulent history. But when multiple cultures rule a city through time, they all leave an indelible stamp on the area.

You can see architecture and ruins from each period of this city’s violent history. Cavtat is a great escape from the busier Dubrovnik, is situated on a harbor with beautiful beaches and crowned by a series of lush hills. Come here to escape the tourist crowds.

9. Nevada City, California

Not long after gold was discovered in California in 1848, thousands of settlers flooded to the state. One of the towns that developed during that period was Nevada City, which is located approximately 60 miles (100 km) northeast of Sacramento. Founded in 1849, Nevada City rose to become one of the wealthiest mining towns in California.

Its streets were lined with gambling parlors, hotels and, of course, saloons. Some of the old buildings still exist, including the 1865 Nevada Theatre, which is California’s oldest operating theater structure on the West Coast. Today, Nevada City’s charming historic district still looks like a scene from the Wild West.

8. Castro, Chile

The capital of Chiloe Island in southern Chile, Castro is the country’s third-oldest city. Founded in 1567, the small city still has a feeling of being lost in time. Situated on a promontory on the island’s east coast, Castro is notable for its “palafitos,” the colorfully painted stilt houses that crowd the town’s shoreline. Wooden churches built by Jesuit missionaries in the 17th century are the island’s star cultural attractions. Tourists often choose Castro as a base to explore the architectural gems. In town, the Iglesia de San Francisco offers a modern take on the traditional structures.

7. Doesburg, Netherlands

Doesburg was once the most important fortified city in the Netherlands due to its strategic defensive location on the river IJssel. Spend time looking at the old houses, since many of them have shields that tell something about the residents built into the walls.

Good places to visit include mustard museum, vinegar factory, herb garden, the Lalique glass museum and De Waag, the town hall that is reportedly the oldest public place in Holland. Another top site is the old Reformed Church that looks more like a warehouse.

6. Dahlonega, Georgia

Dahlonega is famous as the site of the first significant gold rush in the United States. That was in 1828, and subsequently, this settlement became the major boom town for what was known as the Georgia Gold Rush. You can visit the old Consolidated Gold Mine or the Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site to learn more about the history of this town.

Interestingly, the name “Dahlonega” comes from the Cherokee word for yellow – or gold. In recent years, of course, it’s become less about mining in this area. Today, Dahlonega has been recognized as “the heart of the North Georgia Wine Country” – thanks to three vineyards and multiple wineries in the area.

5. Brevard, North Carolina

Nestled in the vast woodlands of Transylvania County in western North Carolina is the small town of Brevard. This place is famous for the outdoor activities offered in its general surroundings. Not only is Brevard a gateway to the sweeping craggy wilderness that is the Pisgah National Forest, but it’s also near DuPont State Forest.

Naturally, there are opportunities to explore these vast tracts of nature from Brevard – mountain biking is popular in both. But the world’s longest hiking-only trail, The Appalachian Trail, runs through Pisgah. Back in town, Brevard College is a collection of beautiful brick buildings that look like the quintessential American college town.

4. Port Fairy, Australia

The oldest port in Victoria, Port Fairy has long been known for its fishing and tourism industry. Once voted as one of the most livable towns in the world, Port Fairy’s rich history is evident through its more than 50 historic structures spread across the town’s streets.

The town’s buzzing art scene and the fishing lifestyle are two of the primary attractions. Port Fairy also plays host to one of the largest and the oldest folk music festivals in Australia – the Port Fairy Folk Festival.

3. Sausalito, California

Sausalito has an interesting vibe — a mix of trendy, laid-back beach-y and artsy. In Sausalito, you’ll find the largest local artist Co-Op in the San Francisco Bay area, great shopping and lots of restaurants where you can enjoy al fresco dining.

Sausalito also boasts a nice little beach and noticeably warmer weather than San Francisco, even though that city is just a short distance away. To get to Sausalito from San Francisco, you can either drive over the Golden Gate Bridge or for a more scenic option, consider taking the ferry.

2. Porto de Galinhas, Brazil

Snorkelers come to the small coastal town for its amazing reefs. You’ll find homey pousadas next to towering five-star resorts. Translated into English as the Port of Chickens, this incredibly popular beach destination has a dark past. The name alludes to a time when the slave trade came to Brazil. Technically illegal, slave traders brought their human cargo under the guise that they were chickens.

White sand beaches stretch for miles in every direction from town while the local government works hard to preserve a semblance of village ambiance against the rising tide of tourist crowds.

1. Guarda, Switzerland

Guarda is small Swiss town that is noted for its historic architecture, including 17th homes that have colorfully painted exteriors. It’s called a Schellenursli village after a character by that name in a children’s book.

There’s even a path named Schellenursli that is suitable for families to hike together. If winter blahs get you down here, you can indulge in Guarda’s ancient tradition of using cow bells to chase winter away. You can find your way around Guarda with a special app that explains what the village is about.