FX.co ★ World's most beautiful small towns

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Founded in the 12th century, the small German town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber has long been an important trading center due to its location on the route between northern and southern Europe. Today, it is famous for preserving its authentic medieval atmosphere better than any other European city. One of the iconic local landmarks is the wall running through the historic city center, an impressive example of medieval fortification with ten towers. The picturesque town hall in the market square is also considered the jewel in the crown.

Sidi Bou Said

Located 20 kilometers from the capital of Tunisia, this small town is famous for its unique Mediterranean-like architecture. The city is dominated by white-washed buildings with sapphire-blue accents. However, most of the local buildings have their own architectural features: decorative mashrabiya on the windows, carved doors, and patterned minarets. In addition, Sidi Bou Said is rich in historical sights. Today, the ruins of Carthage and the Punic Harbor can be seen here.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

This tiny American town, located on the picturesque Monterey Peninsula in California, is famous for its cozy English-style cottages. The first such house appeared in Carmel-by-the-Sea exactly one hundred years ago. It was built by a man named Hugh Comstock, who could hardly be called an architect. He was inspired by the drawings of British children's illustrator Arthur Rackham. The locals liked H. Comstock's project so much that they asked him to act as an architect and build more similar structures in the city.

Alberobello

This tiny town located in the south of Italy, in the Puglia region, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main architectural gem of Alberobello is the trulli, round limestone houses with conical stone roofs. These unusual buildings could be seen along cobblestone streets almost all over the city. They are usually decorated with climbing plants and brightly colored flowers, creating a very picturesque cityscape. Today, tourists from all over the world come to admire the trulli.

Kralendijk

Despite its small population, the capital of the island of Bonaire, which belongs to the Netherlands, is a picturesque city with unique architecture. The name Kralendijk translates from Dutch as coral dam, which perfectly reflects the colorful atmosphere of the place. The town was founded around Fort Orange in 1639 and has beautifully preserved its eclectic colonial architecture to this day. Today, the streets of Kralendijk are lined with many homes in incredibly vibrant Caribbean hues.