FX.co ★ Top 7 amazing cliff-side towns

Manarola (Italy)

Manarola is a cozy Italian clifftop town. It is one of five small suburbs of Cinque Terre National Park. This park is located on the Ligurian coast of Italy. Manarola is one of the oldest towns in the Cinque Terre. Tourists have a chance to admire the church of San Lorenzo built in 1338. The population of Manarola does not exceed 353 people. Many tourists are attracted by the elegant and colorful houses perched on the cliffs. Many can find a piece of an Italian enchantress here.

Meteora (Greece)

Meteora is another unique town located in the mountains. This is one of the most picturesque and fascinating places not only in Greece but in the world. Its name means "floating in the air" in Greek. The monasteries of Meteora are located at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. At present, only four male and two female monasteries remain. In the past, there were 24 monasteries. The monasteries of Meteora are a cultural and spiritual center of attraction for believers and all those who wish to admire the Orthodox culture.

Castellfollit de la Roca (Spain)

This small Spanish town is located 120 kilometers from Barcelona. It represents one of the most picturesque areas in Catalonia. Castelfoljit de la Roca is located in the La Garrotxa Volcanic Area Nature Reserve. The basalt crag where the town is situated was formed by the overlaying of two lava flows. On the rocks of Castelfoljit de la Roca, at an altitude of 50 meters, live about 1,000 people. There is only one road in the town, so it is easy for tourists to get around the area in a short time.

Bonifacio (France)

The quaint rock-hewn town of Bonifacio, located in the southern part of Corsica, boasts a population of just 3,000. Sitting atop limestone cliffs, 60 meters above sea level, Bonifacio's history dates back to the 9th century. Pirates once called this town home. Now, it is a popular town with its narrow streets and fortified walls. Notably, the old town clings to a cliff surrounded by sea on three sides. For those seeking a unique view, boat tours are available.

Pitigliano (Italy)

Pitigliano, a captivating Tuscan town, was founded by the Etruscans in the 6th century BC. It is frequently ranked among Italy's most beautiful attractions. Perched over 600 meters above sea level and bordered by steep cliffs on three sides, it almost blends seamlessly with the rocks. Often dubbed "Little Jerusalem," Pitigliano has a rich history highlighted by a significant Jewish community that emerged in the 15th century.

Constantine (Algeria)

The small rocky town of Constantine is considered the jewel of Algeria. Many people also call it the City of Bridges. Constantine’s bridges, located 125 meters above a deep canyon, connect the old part of the city with the modern one. In the words of the French classicist Guy de Maupassant, Constantine is a marvelous city "guarded by a snake that coiled at his feet" by the Rumel River. This fantastic-looking river runs deep into a red canyon "as if it was scorched by an undying fire". In the words of de Maupassant, this "mysterious river from the city creates an island."

Haid Al-Jazil (Yemen)

Rounding out the top 7 unique cliffside settlements is Haid Al Jazil. This town is located in the Wadi Dawan Valley in Yemen. There are many villages in the surrounding valleys that are located on top of clay cliffs. However, Haid Al Jazil surpasses them with its uniqueness. It is entirely nestled on a huge boulder. The small houses in this settlement have no architectural value, but their unusual location makes these buildings truly unique.