15 Smallest Cities in Europe Worth Visiting

What are the smallest cities in Europe worth exploring and why? Find out the answers to these questions in this article.

Many tourists visiting Europe now opt for small cities due to their rustic and less touristy vibe. Thankfully, there are lots of them. These are unique and host diverse attractions ranging from historical landmarks to culturally and ecologically important spots. Here are some of them.

🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!

🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.

Do you need help planning your trips? Start here!

❗️Be insured before your trip and get a SafetyWing FREE insurance quote
📚 Read our post about why you should always have insurance
✈️ Find out how to find cheap flights using Skyscanner or find deals now
🛌🏻 Book your accommodation through Booking.com
🎭 Find awesome and hassle-free tours through GetYourGuide
🚘 Explore Europe on an epic road trip with Discover Cars

15 Smallest Cities in Europe Worth Visiting

Bergamo, Italy

Panoramic veiw on Upper old city (Citta Alta) in Bergamo with historic buildings.

Located in Italy’s Lombardy region, Bergamo is a small charming city sandwiched between Lake Como and Milan. Many locals consider it better than Rome’s graceful architecture and beauty. It serves as a starting point for different tour packages in northern Italy.

The main points of interest here are its historical attractions, including the Citta Alta, which captures the city’s medieval heritage. Then there are the Venetian Walls dating back to the 16th century. Here, one can freely walk and experience the footsteps of ancient warriors and explorers. Don’t miss visiting Piazza Vecchia to experience restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Bremen, Germany

Bremen in Germany is one of the smallest cities in Europe worth visiting. — Photo by Carlos Ibáñez on Unsplash

With a population of close to 600,000, Bremen is one of the smallest cities in Europe. But the low population doesn’t hinder it from being touted as one of the prettiest towns in Germany. Here’s an interesting fact.

It served as the venue for a Grimm fairytale with its medieval houses and buildings. Tourists strolling around the city will find hipster cafes, parks, museums, and a well-preserved Old Town. It also boasts three UNESCO-listed attractions: Roland Statue, Marktplatz, and Rathaus. At the heart of the city, one can find fountains and sculptures.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Ghent, Belgium

Ghent is the second biggest city in Belgium, with a population of at least 262,000. But compared to other areas, it is one of the small cities in Europe. It is also one of the country’s oldest cities and has been Flanders’ historic capital. It is often associated with Bruges because of its charming view and impressive buildings.

It offers numerous attractions, including beautiful churches, museums, cafes, and restaurants serving locally-authentic dishes. It also has canals where tourists can hop on a boat to explore the city sights.

🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!

🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!

I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!

Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.

Colmar, France

Colmar has about 70,000 inhabitants, that don’t mean it’s a city to ignore. The relatively small population makes the city even more idyllic and charming. It lies in the Alsace region and is most famous for its cutest Christmas market and colorful houses.

The best way to enjoy the city is to stroll around, especially on its cobblestone streets and pathways. Many consider it a fairytale experience to walk around the city. Many of these streets have been used by merchants and traders centuries ago.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Bilbao, Spain

Guggenheim Museum and Puente de La Salve in Bilbao, — via Flickr|Tim Adams

Situated amid mountain ranges and lush rolling hills, Bilbao is a small city in Spain with numerous attractions. The city view and the surrounding sights alone are more than enough to appeal to every tourist seeking wonders.

It is considered an urban landscape that sits alongside the pristine Nervion River. It features world-class museums, Michelin-rated restaurants, modern architecture, and historical structures. To experience the medieval part of the city, check out Casco Viejo, which hosts numerous iconic architectures. Today, however, the city is mostly industrial with modern buildings.

🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!

🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

FAIRYTALE TOWNS AND VILLAGES IN EUROPE Cesky Krumlov Czech Republic

Český Krumlov is more like a village than a city, with only 18,000 inhabitants. Many consider it resembles a fairy tale land with surrounding lush mountains and pleasant countryside weather. Architecture lovers will love strolling on the city’s streets with Instagrammable corners.

Since it’s just a small city, walking is the best way to enjoy it as it is also a chance to interact with the locals and experience the culture. One of the can’t-miss attractions here is the Český Krumlov Castle which boasts opulent rooms, including a well-preserved Baroque theatre.

🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!

🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Florence, Italy

Despite being one of the most famous cities in Europe, Florence has a small population of only 382,000. Touted the “Cradle of the Renaissance,” Florence is an ideal destination for art lovers with its stunning display of creativity.

It hosts world-class art museums such as the Bargello Museum, the Academia Gallery, and the Uffizi Gallery, all of which showcase Europe’s best Medieval and Renaissance art. Of course, many other hidden gems in Florence host creative masterpieces.

One of the must-visit destinations here is the impressive Duomo complex which hosts the Duomo Museum, Giotto Bell Tower, and Baptistery containing splendid mosaics.

🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!

🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?

Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!

The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.

I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.

Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.

Get a FREE quote from SafetyWing

Bologna, Italy

Bologna is one of the smallest cities in Europe worth visiting.

Bologna oozes with a medieval charm and is considered one of the hidden gems in Italy. Known for its delicious cuisines, it’s been nicknamed La Grassa or the Big Fat. It showcases gourmet restaurants, striking architecture, a swathe of stunning palaces and towers, and impressive piazzas.

With a population of only 388,000, it is one of the smallest cities in Europe. The must-see attractions are Piazza Maggiore, Palazzo dei Rei Enzo, and the massive Basilica of San Petronio, which honors the city’s patron saint.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana hosts more than 280,000 inhabitants and is one of the most off-beaten destinations in Europe. It is a perfect destination for those who want to experience a complete package ranging from good food, good looks, and a certain serenity.

It features a castle-topped hill surrounded by a cozy pedestrianized center. It boasts numerous specialty coffee shops, bridges, playful architecture, dragons, and boutiques. It’s often compared to Salzburg because of its magical ambiance.

🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!

🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Tampere, Finland

Although Tampere is the most populous city in the Nordic countries, it only has 244,000 inhabitants. It is dubbed the sauna capital of the world, with more than 50 public saunas around the city. Among the most frequented saunas are those in Lakeland and the wooden town area of Pispala, which hosts the Rajaportti public sauna. It also hosts cultural attractions such as museums and churches.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Lucerne, Switzerland

Nestled in the scenic Alps, Lucerne is a captivating city that remains underrated up to this day. With a population of only 82,000, the city is a favorite spot for those who opt for less crowded destinations. It lies on the edge of a pristine lake with lush forests surrounding it. During the Romantic era, the city was part of Europe’s “Grand Tour” route, owing to its relaxing and splendid views.

It hosts famous wooden bridges, medieval foundations, bright facades, and a cobbled center. Don’t miss strolling around the Old Town or hopping on a boat to enjoy Lake Lucerne. Then there’s the Rosengart Collection which hosts some world-famous Picasso paintings.

🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!

🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

What are my favorite travel must-haves?

As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!

Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.

Lyon, France

Next to Paris, Lyon is France’s most culturally and historically important city. It has been an important economic hub since the Roman Empire. But it remains a small and underrated city up to this day. That’s more reason to visit it. It has more than 500,000 inhabitants and is considered the country’s gastronomical hub.

It also hosts several UNESCO sites and other attractions dating back thousands of years. Fourviere Hill, Prequel peninsula, and the historic old town of the Saone River’s bank are some of its most important spots. Then there’s the impressive Lyon’s Notre Dame Basilica towers over the city.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Porto, Portugal

Although Porto only has a population of more than 214,000, it remains the second largest city in Portugal. Given its small size, one can easily walk around and enjoy most city sights within a day or two.

It showcases numerous cobblestone streets, azulejo tiles, and Baroque Catholic churches. It is also surrounded by lush hills, which offer breathtaking views of Porto’s visual treats. Don’t miss visiting the Instagram-famous Igreja do Carmo and the splendid Capela das Almas.

🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!

🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Bruges, Belgium

Bruges hosts only around 118,000 inhabitants, making it one of the smallest cities in Europe. But like many other underrated options, it boasts a medieval heritage, including iconic buildings, dreamy canals, and half-timbered houses.

The best thing to do here is to walk around the Old Town to experience history and witness the beautiful bell tower and lively market square. Another must-see attraction is the Basilica of the Holy Blood which is recognized as an important pilgrimage site among Catholics. The City Hall of Bruges also features the country’s sumptuous and oldest Gothic hall.

🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!

🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

Basel, Switzerland

Woman in a hat reading by the sea with cityscape in the background — Image by M.Strīķis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Basel is dubbed the cultural capital of Switzerland owing to its numerous museums that house priceless artifacts. Many of these date centuries ago and have witnessed the country’s rich history. The city hosts only around 182,000 inhabitants, making it one of the small cities in Europe.

It has the largest art museum in the country, the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen. Then there’s the first collection of art accessible to the public in the world, namely, Kunstmuseum.

🛏️ Book your hotel ahead of time to get the best deals, click here to find the best hotels to stay!

🧳 One of the best way to explore a new destination stress-free is through guided tours! Check this out to find the best tours at affordable prices.

Related reads to help you plan your trip:

15 Smallest Cities in Europe Worth Visiting

15 Smallest Cities in Europe Worth Visiting

Bergamo, Italy

Bremen, Germany

Ghent, Belgium

Colmar, France

Bilbao, Spain

Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

Florence, Italy

Bologna, Italy

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Tampere, Finland

Lucerne, Switzerland

Lyon, France

Porto, Portugal

Bruges, Belgium

Basel, Switzerland

Plan your trip to Europe: Monthly breakdown

Plan your trip to Europe by season

Europe by Experience

Are you on Pinterest? Pin this for later read!