11 Small Towns You Should Never Miss Visiting

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Have you ever experienced exhaustion by the busyness of famous cities that are promoted time and time again? Do you often long to walk on streets that aren’t packed with people? Pushing to the front to get the best picture of that one famous fountain? Maybe you’ve got an elbow in the face once or twice while on vacation. In contrast, small towns are a travel destination that can offer you peace and tranquility while still giving the sense of adventure and exploration. This is a collaboration of 11 bloggers and the small towns they say you should never miss visiting. So book your plane ticket, snag the perfect place to stay and hit these 11 great spots!

Australia

Noosa Heads – Lauren from The Planet Edit

The best small town I’ve ever visited is Noosa Heads. I was doing a road trip up the east coast of Australia, and Noosa seemed to be a popular spot, with many fellow backpackers suggesting I should visit. Honestly, I had no expectations. I knew nothing about Noosa.

However, after just a few hours of exploring, I could see myself living there. An absolute diamond of a town, Noosa was lively yet relaxed, with cute cafes, shops and restaurants lining its streets. Of course, being on the east coast of Australia, Noosa also boasts a pretty spectacular beach and has a bunch of great hiking trails just outside of town.

Noosa is the perfect blend of small-town life and natural scenery. It has enough amenities and things to do and is surrounded by jaw-dropping national parks and a gorgeous coastline. I’m a pretty active person – who also loves to meet new people – so lively towns with access to outdoor activities make for a perfect location.

I spent my time in Noosa Heads cafe hopping and enjoying the nearby national park. Hiking the Tanglewood Track was a highlight – I bumped into a woman who told me she’d just seen a wild koala. I eagerly followed her back through the trees and there he was!

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Canada

Qualicum Beach, British Columbia – Chelsey from The Ninja Gypsy

This past winter I had the opportunity to spend a month in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, Canada for my job. This charming town quickly became one of my favorite places in the world. This quaint village oozes small-town charm with its Saturday markets filled with friendly faces that make you feel like you have been dropped into the setting of a romantic comedy.

Boredom will never be a problem because Qualicum Beach keeps your attention with its natural beauty that will have you out exploring all day before returning to town to browse the boutique stores that sell everything from healing crystals to imported Thai jewelry. Then once evening strikes, you will need to fill your belly after spending all day in the fresh air. Qualicum Beach is comprised of niche restaurants so delicious that you will want to eat out every night of the week.

My absolute favorite day in Qualicum Beach began by heading over to Qualicum Beach Bakery for brunch. Outside the bakery, in a little tent, the owner cooks fresh bratwurst. A boisterous man with a big smile and delicious food was a great way to start the day. Then off I went to Little Qualicum Falls to take delight in a hike surrounded by rushing water and never-ending greenery. While breathing in the crisp morning air, I followed the river and revelled in a moment away from society to enjoy the wondrous beauty of nature. Then to finish off the night, I went to Black Bird Schnitzel Haus for dinner where I ate enough to make me feel like I was going to explode. Despite all logic, I had to finish with a decadent piece of chocolate ganache.

So, if you feel the need to go island hopping but don’t want the crowded beaches of the tropics, head to Qualicum Beach for a quiet but adventurous getaway.

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France

L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue – Maire from Temples and Treehouses

Last summer I spent a month in Avignon, France. Avignon is a delightful, picturesque city, with lots to see and do. Its medieval old town and Palace of the Popes is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But it’s also a great base for exploring the surrounding small towns and villages of Provence. My favorite was L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, a quaint town with winding cobbled streets, period stone buildings and cute cafes and restaurants where you can sit quaffing espressos and people watching. What makes L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue unique is that it’s surrounded by a little moat and crisscrossed with bridges and canals, complete with old wooden water wheels covered in moss.

I visited for the Sunday antiques and flea market, which the town is famous for. There were hundreds of stalls showcasing quirky wares, plus a (very busy) food market in the town centre where you could stock up on French cheese, bread and other delicacies.

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Italy

Sestriere – Charlotte from A Wandering Web

Sestriere is a village in Italy’s western Alps in the province of Turin.  We visited this ski resort village in the summer so it was quiet and relaxing. Our one week stay in Sestriere came after travelling for just over a month. Homesickness was settling in. My longest time away from home had been for two weeks. Sestriere was the cure. Glorious mountain views took me back home to the Rocky Mountains in Canada. Mornings were spent drinking coffee and absorbing the fabulous scenery. Come dusk, cowbells would ring in the distant valleys as the bovines came home for the night.

You can walk the entire village to find coffee shops, restaurants and shopping. It is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts as you can go hiking, biking or golfing. Most noteworthy, skiing and snowboarding in the winter. The location of this alpine town is excellent for day trips to historic sites in Italy. We visited the Forte di Exilles and Forte di Fenestrelle. Also, another great day trip from Sestriere is Briançon, France, which is only 18 km from Sestriere.

Italy is a country hustling and bustling with life. Sestriere was the answer after driving in the big cities like Milan, Turin, Florence and Rome. I love these little villages and towns so much. They offer relaxation, freedom and the chance to just exist.

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Laos

Muang Ngoy – Ben from Horizon Unknown

Travelling to small towns is always a highlight of travel for me. Off the beaten path, you’re not competing for the views with hundreds, possibly thousands of other tourists, and it’s a great way to relax.

One tiny town that I loved to visit was Muang Ngoy in Laos. This town is situated right on the waterfront of the Nam Ou River. The only way to reach this relatively unknown gem is the slow boat from Muang Khua and eventually ending up in Luang Prabang.

Stopping in Muang Ngoy for a day or two is a great way to stretch stiff limbs to break up the 4-hour boat ride. Unprotected from the sun and cramped on the hard wooden seat, Muang Ngoy offers much-needed relief.

Apart from watching the sunset over the fast-flowing Nan Ou River, Muang Ngoy is a perfect base for relaxed and scenic hiking through rice fields and lush green mountains. Three tiny villages are within walking distance and provide a unique insight into rural life in Laos.

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Poland

Torun – Ela and Beata from Stunning Outdoors

This old university town is our home town, which we left almost 15 years ago, so we feel like tourists every time we revisit. It is in northern Poland, between Gdansk and Warszawa on the banks of Vistula river. It is a town with rich history and tradition going back to medieval times.

Its old town is UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, hence the best way to explore Torun is wondering in a labyrinth of small streets.

Torun is a birthplace of world-famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus and the best place to learn more about his study and life, as well as medieval and modern astronomy. You can do it by visiting his house (Dom Kopernika) and Observatory (Planetarium) or why not take a picture with his statue?

The town is also world famous for making gingerbread. This tradition started in medieval times and continues till today. You can even make your own gingerbread in Gingerbread Museum or taste famous gingerbreads made by Kopernik company.

Torun has plenty of gothic buildings, an impressive gothic cathedral of St John and two monumental churches: Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin and St Jacob. Visiting the gems of gothic architecture is like walking back in time, and you can easily imagine life’s rhythm in medieval times.

Like many gothic towns, Torun was once protected by city walls. Today there are remains of them with several city gates, as well as remains of Teutonic Castle and Torun’s own Gothic Leaning Tower.

The modern traveler will also be interested in visiting Explorer’s Museum and Museum of Modern Art.

For us, personally one of the absolute highlights is a Puppet Theatre, where we used to go as kids and later as adults.

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Sri Lanka

Hikkaduwa – Brian and Kris from Gadsventure

We never really meant to go to Sri Lanka.  We had a bit of a domino effect of events while travelling around India that led us to the stunning palm-fringed yellow sand beaches of this veritable jewel in the Indian Ocean.  Some kind of similar fate led us to meet a fellow traveler at the train station, and, not really knowing where we should go, we followed him to the paradise of Hikkaduwa and pretty much never left.  Well, we did leave, but a part of us always remains in that cute beachfront guesthouse where we paid $20 a night and had cold showers.

We stayed for a month, then extended our visas again, and again.  Hikkaduwa is a little town on Sri Lanka’s West coast with a fishing village at one end, a highway and a train line through the middle and the most incredibly beautiful coastline with tall skinny palm trees hanging out over the sparkling blue-green water.  The surf was pumping between November to March on the west coast and the village atmosphere was perfect.  The seafood was fresh, the beers were cold and the beach was lined with cheap restaurants and good vibes.  It was one of those small towns that stay in your heart forever.  We have been dreaming of going back, but we also don’t want to ruin our memory of this dreamy place.  Ahhh, Hikkaduwa.  My favorite little town in the world.

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United States of America

Cody, Wyoming – Bonnie from Our Wander-Filled Life

Cody, WY is most widely known as a gateway city for Yellowstone National Park. After several visits, we can confidently say that Cody is one of our favorite small towns in the US and well worth your time.

Named after its founder, the famous Buffalo Bill Cody, the town oozes the charm of the Old West. Cody was founded as an authentic Western town taking full advantage of its proximity to America’s first national park. Indeed, Buffalo Bill even worked to get a new entrance into the park via Cody and paid for it himself.

Known as the “rodeo capital of the world,” the Cody Nite Rodeo is the longest running and only nightly rodeo in the world. In fact, you can attend the Cody Nite Rodeo every night during the summer (June, July, August). For us, a rodeo is a must-see event, especially during the Cody Stampede, July 1-4, when rodeo royalty descends on Cody.

Another of Cody’s must-see attractions is the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Here you’ll find five different museums covering firearms, natural history, Plains Indians, western art and Buffalo Bill himself. Regardless of your interests, you are sure to find something you can enjoy at this museum.

The downtown area is small, but it certainly retains is Old West flair. Right in the center of downtown is the historic Irma Hotel, built by Buffalo Bill and named for his daughter. Outside of the hotel, you’ll find a free daily gunfight enactment. The gunfight truly is cheesy community theatre at its best.

Whether Cody is a stop on the way to or from Yellowstone or a destination all its own, it is certainly worth a visit. We have now been four times and would gladly schedule another trip!

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Evanston, Illinois – Sharon from Wanderlust Potato

Evanston, a small city located just north of Chicago, is my favorite town on earth. With a population of over 70,000, you may not think it as small, but it certainly gives me the serenity I look for in a small town. Culture, nature and sustainability are the three things I value the most. Evanston ranks high in all three. Evanston’s farmer’s market is one of the go-to markets for organic produce in the Chicagoland area. I have been driving 20 miles one way every weekend to the farmers market. After 10 years, I made Evanston home. It’s been two years, yet I still feel the sense of excitement when I come home as if I were arriving at a new travel destination.

Downtown Evanston is the home of Northwestern University. It’s a delight to take a stroll through the beautiful campus in any season. My favorite area is the lakeshore by Bienen School of Music. This magnificent building, together with the Sailing Center, and the Block Museum orchestrate a beautiful symphony with the lake, architecturally. Every time I take a walk, I hear a new piece of music playing silently, soothing and enlightening. There is something magical. Sitting on a colorful rock (painted by the students on graduation) and meditate on a nice day is amazingly tranquil, a picnic by the lake, reading, or swimming, there is something to enjoy for everyone.

The Block Museum shows films free, if you like independent and classics, you will be in for a treat. Often, you get to listen to the film director and to listen to an academy award winner to give the movie away. While here, you must go visit Alice Millar Memorial Chapel and see the breath-taking stained-glass chancel window… after all, Evanston was once called Heavenston.

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Vietnam

Hoi An – John Paul from The Hangry Backpacker

Hoi An, Vietnam was not on my radar before going to Southeast Asia. Slowly traveling through northern Vietnam, Hoi An continued to come up in conversation with other backpackers and travelers. Hearing only positive remarks, I penciled a few days into my itinerary. I stayed for over a week.

The small town of Hoi An is known for cheap tailor shops and its well-preserved, centuries-old architecture. The result is high quality, personally-tailored clothing in the midst of one of the most captivating towns in all of Southeast Asia.

Hoi An is a touristy town, with no shortage of crowds or places geared toward foreigners. Ordinarily, this is the kind of place I have no desire to visit. Hoi An is different, though. Local life is intertwined with the tourist world. Despite the crowds, it’s hard not to enjoy the narrow streets, old buildings and unique shops filled with local crafts.

Vietnamese food is fantastic, and Hoi An has a lot of tasty options. Many of the eateries in the UNESCO-designated Old Town are overpriced, but there are cheaper alternatives around. The night market, sandwiched between rows of bars across the river from the Old Town, has a tremendous array of food for cheap. Everything from fresh-grilled pork belly to Vietnamese pancakes, choices are plenty and cheap. Back across the river, Banh My Phuong is the most famous shop in the country for the legendary Vietnamese sandwich. It does not disappoint!

With world-renowned tailors, fun local shops and loads of good food, Hoi An is a stop worth making in Vietnam.

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Wales, United Kingdom

Crickhowell (Welsh: Crug Hywe) – Kirsty from World for a Girl

Nestled in the heart of the Usk valley and crowned by the majestic Black Mountains, Crickhowell, Wales is one of our favorite small towns in the world. We are incredibly lucky to have close relatives living here so we get to visit at least twice a year. The picturesque Georgian houses, seventeenth-century stone bridge and verdant Welsh hills are not the only draws to this beautiful Welsh small town. Crickhowell also prides itself on its unique community spirit and a traditional high street of independent shops, popular pubs and the celebrated Green Man music festival every August.

Perhaps our favorite thing to do in Crickhowell is a brisk walk up a hill, such as aptly-named Table Top mountain so we can gaze back upon the town punctuated the spire of the 14th-century church, the ruins of Crickhowell Castle and the winding River Usk. Afterwards, we always visit one or more of the historic inns such as The Bear, The Red Dragon or The Bridge. Here we enjoy a pint of real ale and some traditional Welsh food in front of a glowing fire in the winter or in a relaxing beer garden in the summer. Don’t worry about the Welsh weather, the cozy cafes and quirky shops make Crickhowell a wonderfully welcoming small town even in the rain!

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Small Towns You Should Never Miss Visiting

What other small towns you should never miss visiting? Write your favourite in the comments below. Let’s spread the love for small-town culture! “If you’re in a small town somewhere and you can go and visit Paris, you can go to the top of Everest, that’s just cool. It’s worth it because you become more educated in something.” – Jason Momoa

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All pictures in this post are taken by Charlotte, yours truly, as always, unless otherwise stated.