I spent the last few years exploring Europe, and I want to show you some of my favorite villages so here are my European village's Top 10. Europe is home to some of the world’s most enchanting villages. From the fairytale town of Hallstatt to the seaside, views of Positano, Europe’s villages remain unmatched by the rest of the world.

1. Reine

Let’s start this article off in northern Norway in the village of Reine now located in the Lofoten Islands. Reine was founded back in 1743 as a fishing village and trading post. Today it has a population of around 300 residents, but it’s visited by thousands of people thanks to its unique beauty. I mean I was here a few years ago and I was just blown away by its massive sea mountains that dwarf the village. Reine is full of those classic red and yellow Norwegian houses. I mean they’re so cool. The one thing you can do, while you’re in Reine is a hike up to the nearby mountain called Reinbringen you’ll be able to get some incredible views of Reine and the surrounding villages. I mean just so incredible up there.

2. Verona

Afterward, we’re going to head down to northern Italy to visit Verona located on lake Como. This is one of the most idyllic places I’ve ever been to in the Reine. It was founded back in the 8th century by local fishermen. I stayed several nights here and it was such an enjoyable and relaxing time. I love walking around the village through all its cobblestone alleyways, there’s a great plaza and an impressive church and there’s also this little beach. On the southern side, it was a fun place to swim and enjoy some of lake Como's water. Now one of my favorite places I went to in Verona was its northern shore there are restaurants and a little stone beach where you can watch the small waves roll in accompanied by some of lake Como's majestic swans. I think one of my favorite things I did was just enjoy the sunset on the docks there I mean this place is truly incredible.

3. Wengen

Afterward, we’re going to head over to Switzerland to visit the mountain village of Wengen now founded back in the 13th century. I believe vengeance is home to the most beautiful view in the world as it overlooks the valley below now. The village is home to around 1300 residents year-round, but it gets many visitors during the summer and winter months now to get to Wengen. You can’t drive there. It’s one of Switzerland's car-free villages, but you can either hike or take one of the most scenic Reine rides from the town of Lauterbrunnen. It costs around $13 round trips and winds up the mountain. The views on the Reine ride will take your breath away now. Once you get to Wengen, you can walk around its paths and just marvel at all the swiss chills and incredible views of the valley below.

4. Grindelwald

Now, after we’re going to visit the nearby alpine village of Grindelwald when you think of Switzerland, this is it, swiss chalets and green pastures and mountains everywhere, you look, I’ve been here several times over the years and it never ceases to blow my mind. The village is overlooked by the massive tiger mountain. It’s just hard to fathom how big it is in Grindelwald. There’s a lot to do.

I was just there recently and I and my brother rented some e-bikes and rode them up the mountain. We made it to the famous first cliff, walk and check that out. Then we rode to the lake Kaufsi I mean I can’t recommend Grindelwald enough, there’s just something magical about the swiss village. Another notable nearby village is Itavold. It’s a small municipality built on lake brands. Now one of the most notable features of the city is its castle, which sits perfectly on the picturesque peninsula. I mean Switzerland just has too many scenic villages.

5. Cesky Krumlov

Now, after we’re going to the Czech Republic to visit the village of Cesky Krumlov located in the south bohemian region of the Czech Republic, Cesky Krumlov is a medieval fantasy. As I was doing research I was just blown away by the beauty of this place. It looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. The town arose around the year 1240 when the Cesky Krumlov castle was built and a settlement emerged beneath it. Cesky Krumlov thankfully escaped the bombings of world war 2, which is the main reason the city is so well preserved.

Today it stands as one of the Czech Republic’s most beautiful towns. One of the main attractions of the town is the castle. It’s the second most visited in the country. It’s surrounded by a moat, that’s not full of water, but bears instead, that’s pretty crazy. You can also visit the castle tower to get an incredible view of the town. I mean it’s just such a magical place and I can’t believe it exists.

6. Rothenburg

After that, we’re going to visit the german village of Rothenburg. Now, when you go to Rothenburg you’ll feel like you’re walking in a fantasy movie, it’s one of the most preserved medieval old towns. In all of Europe, during the middle ages, Rothenburg thrived as it was located at the crossroads of European trade routes. At the beginning of the 15th century, it rose to become the second-largest city in all of Germany, but during the 17th century, Rothenburg faced adversities such as the 30-year war and the bubonic plague without much resources.

Rottenburg’s growth was halted which aided in keeping the town preserved in its medieval state. Today, Rothenburg maintains its medieval charm and it’s been the inspiration for sets of Disney movies such as Pinocchio. If you go, you can check out the famous floating corner or witness the beautiful Christmas markets. I mean just hard to beat the lord of this german village.

7. Piranha

After that we’re going to head over to Slovenia to visit Piranha located on a narrow peninsula in the Adriatic sea, piranha was part of the roman empire back in 178 BC. During medieval times, it became part of the Republic of Venice, with much of its Italian influence still prevalent today. I just love its medieval charm and orange root buildings, while you’re there, you can visit the Tartini central square or take a walk around the edge of the town marveling at the Adriatic sea. Piranha is a hidden gem that deserves a visit.

8. Alberobello

After that we’re going to head over to southern Italy, to visit Alberobello now believed to be founded around the 14th century. Alberobello has grown in popularity thanks to its uniquely shaped houses called truly the are these white wash houses with cone-shaped roofs? It’s the largest collection of them in the world with over 1400. Now they are made of limestone from nearby rock beds without any mortar or cement. There are some theories of why they built the truly in such a unique way some speculate. It was an elaborate form of tax evasion since you had to pay taxes to the king, you had a permanent dwelling and they found a loophole since they truly didn’t have cement and could be dismantled quickly. If you need to, I mean you got ta love some medieval tax evasion.

9. Dinant

Now, after that we’re going to head over to Belgium, to visit the riverside village of Dinant, located about an hour’s drive from Brussels, the net is a charming town. I just love how the river runs right through it, and the rock cliff overlooks the town now dinette is also where the inventor of the saxophone is from. His name is Adolf sax. I love any song with a saxophone.

10. Carcassonne

Now, after that we’re going to head over to France, to visit the medieval fortress of Carcassonne. Now, when I imagine medieval Europe, I don’t think there’s a better place than exemplifies it better than this fortified city located in southern France. Carcassonne began as a Roman fortified hilltop and was given to the Visigoths in the 5th century, who continued to fortify and build the city throughout the centuries, Carcassonne proved to be an impregnable fortress, as army after army failed to overtake the protected city. Today, the city consists of 53 towers that are protected by its two outer walls. It remains one of Europe’s greatest medieval gems.

11. Hallstatt

After we’re going to head over to Austria to visit the picturesque village of Hallstatt now located in the Austrian Alps, Hallstatt looks like it could be in a fairy tale. It’s rumored to be the inspiration for the town Arendelle from the Disney film frozen, and I can see the resemblance. Hallstatt began as a salt mine nearly 7 000 years ago, and today the village is one of Austria's most popular tourist attractions, while you’re there. You can walk the cobblestone alleys and marvel at the 16th-century alpine houses. I mean just such an enchanting place

12. Zermatt

After Austria, we’re going to head back to Switzerland to visit one of my favorite places, Zermatt. It’s a charming village shadowed over by the daunting, Matterhorn mountain and there’s just something magical about this place. Now the city is full of shops and restaurants, including my favorite McDonald's. Now one thing I love is how the glacial river runs through the town. It’s a distinct grayish, turquoise color and it’s one of the best places to get views of the Matterhorn there’s so much to do with Zermatt. One of my favorite things I did was take the Matterhorn railway. It starts in Zermatt and takes you up to 100 meters to enjoy some of the best views of the Matterhorn. Now we got off at the Matterhorn station and I was just so freaking excited I’ve been wanting to come here for years and it lived up to the hype. Not only are the views magical, but there are some of the cutest sheep I’ve ever seen. They have the curliest, hair and twisted horns and look like an animal. You would find it in a fantasy novel.

13. Positano

For our final destination, we’re going to visit the Italian village of Positano. Now, this may be the most beautiful village, not just in Italy, but in all of Europe. It’s full of beautiful colored buildings, shops, and a scenic beach back in Roman times, several luxury villas were built on the Amalfi coast, but in the early 20th century Positano was a somewhat poor fishing village, but tourism began to gain traction in the 1950s. Today it’s one of Italy's most beautiful destinations, since it is so popular it can get crowded, overwhelming, and very expensive. So if you do go, maybe you want to avoid the summer months anyways one of my favorite things to do in Positano is rent a boat.

It can be a little expensive, but trust me it’s worth it, you’ll be able to get some of the best views of Positano on the Amalfi coast while enjoying it away from the crowds and when you’re out there it’s hard to believe what you’ll be experiencing. It’s one of the most incredible places in the world, in my opinion.

Well, that is it for my European village's top 10.

Top 10 Best Villages To Visit In Europe