15 Villages Around the World You’ll Want to Move To Immediately (+Photos)

Thinking about starting fresh in a new place? Some villages out there offer a tempting alternative to a city life with pretty views and quiet streets.

If you’ve ever wanted a slower pace or just something out of the ordinary, these places might be calling your name.

15. Agios Nikolaos, Greece

The name Agios Nikolaos translates as Saint Nicholas and for sure you’ll find a festive holiday atmosphere on this Crete island town. There’s something for everyone here: shopping, arts, pretty beaches, museums, archaeological ruins and three waterfronts to explore. If you’ve energy enough, you can hike a trail to a colorful nearby village, go scuba diving or play a round of golf. Fans of Daphne du Maurier may recognize Agios Nikolaos from the short story, Not After Midnight, that she set here.

14. Lillehammer, Norway

Encircled by mountains, the little town of Lillehammer offers stunning views overlooking River Lågen and Lake Mjøsa. Most renowned for hosting the Winter Olympics in 1994, the town is filled with 19-century wooden structures which have been beautifully preserved. Storgata, the main shopping street in the town, is at the heart of the old city center and is a must visit.

Maihaugen is the largest open-air museum in Northern Europe with approximately 200 buildings. The town is also well-known among sports enthusiasts for its offers brilliant winter sport facilities such as ski terrains. For something fun and exciting, visit the Perfect Escape, a themed escape room with three sections, one of which leads you to break into the Bank of Norway and rescue gold.

13. Kinsale, Ireland

Known as “the prettiest town in Ireland,” Kinsale is nestled at the mouth of the River Bradon, famous for its particularly colorful brightly painted rows of shops which make simply walking around town a joy.

But there’s history here too: the remains of the 17th century James’s Fort lies on one side of the river, whilst opposite is the even older Fort Charles, and in town is Desmond Castle, a 1500s customs house turned International Wine Museum. Nearby is the Old Head of Kinsale, a rocky outcrop that juts dramatically into the Celtic Sea, complete with 17th century lighthouse.

12. Volendam, Netherlands

Volendam sits on land that was reclaimed from the Zuiderzee in the 14th century, making it popular with farmers and fishermen. This pretty town also became popular with artists such as Picasso and Renoir. It remains popular with tourists from Amsterdam who come to see its old fishing boats and residents dressed in traditional Dutch clothing, and brown buildings topped with red-pointed roofs. This is the stuff picture postcards are made of!

11. Camden, Maine

Self-described as ‘The Jewel of the Maine Coast’, Camden is a small town in Knox County that’s very popular with northeastern city-dwellers, who visit in summer to kick back and relax in its truly charming and picturesque setting. As with other coastal towns in Maine, its Main Street features shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants housed in pretty, wooden historical buildings.

Surrounding the handsome brick-built Camden Public Library is a picture-perfect park, where visitors can picnic and chill out, watching the world go by. For those who want to get out and about, day trips to nearby islands reveal the quaint beauty of the town when viewed from out in the bay – as well as the beauty of this variegated coastline and its archipelagos.

10. Maria Alm, Austria

Maria Alm, which is located in the Hochkonig region of Austria, is a ski resort that has been a popular getaway for the rich and famous, including Formula-1 driver Keke Rosberg and a former German president, Walter Scheel. But don’t write off Maria Alm if you’ll be in the area in the summer. During the warmer months, Maria Alm attracts cyclists, hikers and climbers. Maria Alm is also home to a church that is the starting point for the Almer Wallfahrt pilgrimage, which crosses the Berchtesgaden Alps and ends in St. Bartholomew’s Church on the western shore of Lake Konig.

9. Akaroa, New Zealand

Perched on the bay of the same name, Akaroa is an appealing town with a historic French and English population nestled in the heart of a primeval volcano. Come here for the history and architecture and stay for the range of activities that the town has to offer such as 4WD tour to mainland New Zealand’s largest penguin habitation, sea kayaking, sailing, cycling, and of course, the chance to spot the hector dolphins. There are also several walking tracks around the area if you’d like to explore the gorgeous hills.

8. Grafton, Vermont

Grafton, considered one of Vermont’s prettiest towns, got its name in a unique way. Originally known as Thomlinson, the right to rename it was auctioned in 1791 for $5 and some rum; the winning bidder named it after his home town of Grafton, Massachusetts. Grafton owes its graceful beauty in part to the private Windham Foundation, which was established in the 1960s to help restore the village.

The foundation’s initiatives included burying all electrical and telephone lines, which helps account for Grafton’s lost-in-time appearance.

7. Bakewell, England

Stone buildings straight out of a storybook populate this northern town with a name that’s known by most in association with its most famous product: Bakewell pudding, a pastry casing with a bottom layer of jam and a frangipane filling.

Aside from food, and like many in England, the town is very old, dating from Anglo-Saxon times – the Grade I listed Bakewell Parish Church was founded in 920 AD. Located in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales, the surrounding area is filled with well-trod hiking trails.

6. Interlaken, Switzerland

Interlaken is the gateway to mountain villages in the Bernase Alps, but it’s worth a visit on its own merit. It’s been a tourist destination since the early 1800s when landscape artists, including Franz Konig, provided inspiration through their paintings.

Back in those days, visitors came for the spa treatments and to breathe in the crisp mountain air. Interlaken is famous for its music festivals. Since it’s located on Lakes Thun and Brienz, you’ll want to take a relaxing paddleboat cruise on one (or both) of them.

5. Trosa, Sweden

Picture-perfect Trosa has a pretty funny namesake: in Swedish the word trosa is like “panties” in English – but apparently the locals have heard all the jokes already. For part of the year at least, some of those locals are actually Swedish celebrities (including former Abba member Benny Andersson) who have summer houses here – often along the blissful banks of the Trosa River.

Known as a town since the 14th century, Trosa is popular for its pretty town center with a mix of establishments from trendy to traditional.

4. Cedar Key

An island city, Cedar Key perfectly defines “low-key”. Located in the Gulf of Mexico, the tiny town has some of the greatest beaches in the state and amazing avenues for fishing, bird watching, and kayaking.

For seafood lovers, a visit to Cedar Key isn’t complete without trying Tony’s World Champion Clam Chowder and a breakfast at Cedar Key Bed and Breakfast. Considered as “before Disney Florida” by the locals, the town’s best attractions are the old factory ruins and Atsena Otie Old Cemetery.

3. Ashland, Oregon

Visitor7 / Wikipedia

Located right off the California border, Ashland is a beautiful little town in the Rogue Valley which is known for its peaceful atmosphere and many art galleries that are scattered around the town. Founded in 1852, the town is home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Southern Oregon University – two important landmarks in the town.

Visit the art galleries and many shops that are the prime highlights for tourists but also visit the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory – the only laboratory of its kind in the world to fight for crimes against wildlife! If you are an outdoorsy person, hike up Mount Ashland for an adrenaline rush.

2. Goias Velho, Brazil

In the center of Brazil surrounded by rivers and sitting atop rugged terrain is Goias Velho. Once the capital of Goias, this small town is bursting with important local history. The cobblestone streets are still illuminated by lamps that must be lit by hand and the white colonial cottage homes are breathtaking. You’ll find a handful of beautiful baroque churches that draw thousands every year during Semana Santa, or Holy Week. And on July 25th, on the anniversary of the town’s founding, Goias Velho becomes the capital of the state once again for three days.

1. Monschau, Germany

If you visited Monschau three centuries ago and returned today, you probably wouldn’t feel you stepped into the future. That’s because the outward appearance of Monschau hasn’t changed very much over the years. It’s still noted for its narrow cobblestone streets and half-timbered buildings. The old buildings and an outstanding music festival are among the top draws to one of the most beautiful towns in the Rhineland. Monschau is located on the Rur River near the border with Belgium.