30 Small Towns in Europe You Shouldn't Skip

Big European cities like London, Paris and Rome are exhilarating places, but an itinerary that features nothing but metropolises can also be exhausting. So why not schedule a stop in a small town on your trip in order to slow down and catch your breath? The following are 30 of the most charming.

The Peak District is one of England's most picturesque national parks and chocolate-box Bakewell is one of its most pleasant towns. Hike the surrounding countryside or pay a visit to nearby Chatsworth House before feasting on a Bakewell Tart-the town's signature cherry-almond cake.

Ukraine may be Europe's ultimate under-the-radar destination, but those who make it all seem to rave about lovely Lviv. Come for the grand Renaissance and Baroque architecture but stay for the town's beaming patriotic pride and the feeling that you are being let in on a travel secret.

Hoorn is a quintessential Dutch fishing village situated a short train ride from exciting Amsterdam. Stroll along the water in order to follow in the footsteps of the town's famous sailors before admiring the gaggle of gabled-buildings that line its hidden lanes.

Due to its romantic landscapes and first-class foodie finds, Istria has picked up a reputation as the "Croatian Tuscany". Test this claim out in hill town Motovun, which is easily the region's most seductive hideaway. Expect cobbled streets surrounded by countryside filled with foodie black gold: truffles.

Howth may be located a stone's throw from cosmopolitan Dublin, but this village feels like it's much further adrift. A base for fishing boats and walkers, there's no better way to cool down after a scenic hike here than with a pint of Irish beer and a plate of fresh-caught seafood.

Who doesn't love seeing a waterfall on vacation? How about over 70 of them? During damp weather, countless cascades can be spotted in this Swiss village and when you pair that up with the rows of rustic chalets, you have an alpine dream come true.

Wolfenbuttel is home to a collection of handsome half-timbered buildings that surround a charming town square. That square comes alive each December with a very romantic Christmas market, but no matter what time of year you visit, you are bound to be "wowed" by Wolfenbuttel.

Parma can more than hold its own when it comes to the foodie-city fights. Afterall, this is the place that produces one of the most heavenly cheeses on earth: Parmigiano Reggiano. After what is sure to be a life-changing lunch, tour the fresco-laden cathedral and chill out in the romantic Piazza del Duomo.

Tourists from all over the world flock to Stavanger to snap a fjord-centric selfie on Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) but there's plenty more to see here. Paramount is one of Europe's best-preserved collections of wooden houses and a spectacular stretch of sand at Sola Beach.

Whatever you do, don't overlook Olomouc on your next tour of the Czech Republic. This town in the Moravia region of the country is as grand as it is unheralded and one stroll down the main square-complete with stately UNESCO-listed Trinity Column-is sure to have you smitten.

Cornwall is England's most southwesterly county and its coast has been bequeathed beautiful beaches by Mother Nature. St. Ives is a charming fishing village full of higgledy-piggledy back lanes strewn with sand, fish and chip shops, and more than one seaside pub.

Asturias is definitely off-the-beaten-path, but the beach lovers who make it to this northwestern region of Spain leave swearing they have found heaven. Ribadesella is one of the most fetching towns here as it possesses both a historic quarter and a sweeping stretch of sand called Playa de Santa Marina.

Lecce is as alluring of a town as you will find anywhere in Italy. Come for the arresting baroque buildings-of which the Basilica di Santa Croce is a highlight-and peaceful piazzas but leave in love with the lively atmosphere and lovely nearby beaches.

Situated in the shadow of the magnificent Tatras Mountains, Zakopane is Poland's winter sports oasis. No matter what time of year you visit, you are sure to be smitten with the town's timbered buildings and easy access to the region's unique cultural attractions.

The highly underrated Ardennes region is chock-full of towns crowned by castles that sit beside meandering rivers. Bouillon might just be the most bewitching. Scale Bouillon Castle to gain an insight into local history before making a side trip to the Giant's Tomb-one of the most scenic overlooks in the entire Ardennes.

The Dordogne is one of France's most delightful areas and Bergerac offers up its quintessential charms. Vineyards? Oiu. Canoeing on the Dordogne River? Check. Timbered buildings straight from a fairytale? Oui.

Nestled inside Snowdonia National Park-one of Wales' most naturally blessed spots-Betws-y-Coed is the perfect base for exploring its wild and wonderful attractions. Scale Mount Snowdon or simply just go chasing waterfalls in the hills around the village.

You won't need much help falling in love with Ronda. All it usually takes is the view of this mesmerizing Pueblo Blanco (white town) dramatically straddling El Tajo Gorge to get the heart racing. And if that's not enough, any amount of time spent meandering its streets around dusk will definitely seal the deal.

Stein am Rhein sits on the fringes of Lake Constance and is home to a host of historic buildings with elaborate frescoes. Take a self-guided walking tour of the enchanting outdoor art before making the climb to Burg Hohenklingen-the castle that overlooks the town.

Handsome hill towns are dime-a-dozen in Tuscany, but Volterra stands out for its stoic city walls and enthralling architecture. Explore the town in the morning-before the day trip visitors arrive-and after they depart in the evening, settle in at the Piazza dei Priori to watch local life go by.

This seaside town in history-rich Normandy owns one of the most heavenly harbors on the entire coast. So fantastic in fact, that the salt air and wind-weathered facades that surround the water have inspired artists for centuries. Explore the streets full of medieval buildings before sitting beside the harbor for a masterpiece of a meal.

Germany's Middle Rhine region is regarded for its terraced vineyards, dreamy towns and collection of castles. Experience all of this in Bacharach, where welcoming wine restaurants serve up local bottles and the views of the Rhine from the castle above town (converted to a hostel) will take your breath away.

Ever-popular Slovenia owns only a tiny sliver of Adriatic coastline, but what a magnificent stretch it is. Piran is the pearl of this coast and it is home to a striking bell tower (a result of the region's former Venetian influence) and several swanky spots to swim and swig sundowners.

Sigtuna is Sweden's oldest town and it offers a breath of fresh Scandinavian air. If you are stopping in Stockholm on your trip to Europe, escape here for a night or two to stroll down Storagatan-the main shopping street-and imagine what life was like in medieval times.

People come from all over the world to experience the Provencial way of life and there's no better place to immerse yourself than Saint-Remy-de-Provence. Stroll past bubbling fountains and through atmospheric squares on your way to the Wednesday Morning Market to pick up artisan goods like the locals do.

Many travelers touch down in Germany with dreams of lederhosen, beer gardens, onion-domed churches and snow-capped mountains dancing in their heads. Sadly, some people miss out on that popular vision of Bavarian heaven, but not the folks who make it to Mittenwald.

Situated high above the plains of South Central Spain, Toledo is terrific in every way. The town is filled with winding streets that all seem to lead to something historically significant. Ancient cathedrals and former royal palaces rub shoulders with synagogues and mosques here, all made more bewitching after dark.

This town on the Croatian island of the same name has everything you want in a European seaside escape. Sun-faded white stone buildings fill the labyrinthine old town, hiding shops and al fresco restaurants that serve up fresh local seafood. Make your way to the nearby pebble beaches to swim and top up your tan.

You don't have to battle the crowds in Venice to get your canal and gondola fix. Aveiro-located on a lagoon a few waves from the Atlantic-is awash in waterways plied by colorful moliceiro boats. Birding and frolicking at the nearby beach are also popular activities.

You can never go wrong with an island castle and Gmunden comes through in this department with uber-romantic Schloss Ort on Traunsee Lake. Its resume also includes a posh lakeside promenade and a roster of fine restaurants -to say nothing of the awesome alpine peaks visible from town.