FX.co ★ Seven picturesque villages like in fairytale

Bibury (England)

Bibury is a small village in Gloucestershire, in southwest England. Its signature feature is Arlington Row, an idyllic street stretching along the River Coln, lined with perfectly preserved 14th-century stone cottages with moss-covered roofs. Originally built to house weavers, these homes are now one of the most photographed locations in the UK. Nearby, you will find Bibury Trout Farm—England’s oldest trout farm—and the medieval St. Mary’s Church, adorned with stained-glass windows and Norman-era tombstones.

Hallstatt (Austria)

Hallstatt is an alpine village in Upper Austria, nestled between dramatic mountain peaks and the serene waters of Lake Hallstatter See. Steep-roofed houses with carved balconies seem to grow right out of the mountainside, while narrow winding streets lead to a central square with a Gothic church and lake views dotted with swans. Towering more than 300 meters above is the Hallstatt Skywalk, offering a panoramic view of the Dachstein Alps. Nearby caves are home to Salzwelten, the world’s oldest salt mine, in operation since prehistoric times.

Reine (Norway)

Reine is a tiny fishing village in Norway’s Lofoten archipelago, set beneath jagged mountain peaks and bordered by cold fjord waters. Bright red fishermen’s cabins (rorbuer) are scattered along the shoreline, their reflections shimmering in the still bay. A deep Arctic silence rules here, interrupted only by the rustle of fishing nets and the splash of an oar in the water. Tourists often hike up Reinebringen Mountain for sweeping views of the landscape, and in summer, the village is perfect for kayaking among cliffs and seabirds.

Giethoorn (Netherlands)

Giethoorn is a village in the northern Netherlands, nicknamed the “Dutch Venice” for its network of slender canals that replace streets. There are no cars here as locals and visitors travel by boats or bike along arched bridges that link together beautifully thatched-roof cottages. The village overflows with flowers, and the calm waters mirror facades that seem made for postcards. Tourists can visit a museum showcasing rural life and peat extraction, as well as explore De Weerribben-Wieden National Park, one of Europe’s largest wetlands.

Gasadalur (Faroe Islands)

Gasadalur is a tiny village on Vagar Island, part of the Faroe Islands, perched amid stark cliffs and rolling green valleys. Turf-roofed houses are scattered at the base of Mount Arnafjall, the island’s highest peak. The main natural attraction is the Mulafossur Waterfall, which plunges straight off the cliffs into the Atlantic Ocean. Until 2004, the only way to reach the village was by a mountain trail, until a tunnel was carved through the rock.

Oia (Greece)

Oia is a picture-perfect village on the northern tip of Santorini, built along the slopes of a volcanic caldera. Whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches, and terraces with endless views over the Aegean Sea give the place a dreamlike charm. During the day, tourists stroll through narrow streets filled with art galleries and artisan shops. By evening, they gather at the ruins of the Venetian castle to witness sunsets that are nothing short of breathtaking.

Bourtange (Netherlands)

Bourtange is a unique star-shaped fortress village in the north of the Netherlands. Built in the 16th century to defend against the Spanish, it still preserves the perfect symmetry of its bastions, moats, and gates. Inside, visitors find cobblestone streets, restored barracks, a working fortification museum, and a market featuring local crafts. Tourists can witness battle reenactments and sample traditional Dutch treats in the shops dotted around the central square.