Europe small towns route: Castelluccio to Positano, 10 stops
Explore 10 iconic small towns across Europe spanning 4,612 km, from Castelluccio's flower-filled Appenine peaks in Italy to Hallstatt's alpine lake setting in Austria. The route connects Switzerland's dramatic valleys and mountains (Lauterbrunnen, Zermatt) with the Adriatic coast's medieval charm in Croatia (Trogir) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar).
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Castelluccio, Italy – Appenine Mountains
- End
- Mostar Old Bridge
- Stops
- 9
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Castelluccio, Italy – Appenine Mountains — Mountain plateau village renowned for vibrant wildflower blooms and vast scenic vistas across Italy's central Apennine range.
- Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland – Valley of waterfalls — Dramatic Alpine valley featuring numerous cascading waterfalls plunging from limestone cliffs, accessible via scenic hiking trails.
- Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Historic bridge — Medieval town centered on Stari Most, a 16th-century Ottoman arch bridge spanning the emerald Neretva River.
- Bled, Slovenia – Alpine lake town — Picturesque Alpine resort town featuring a pristine glacial lake with a clifftop castle and island church.
- Zermatt, Switzerland – Matterhorn mountain town — Car-free mountain resort village nestled beneath the iconic Matterhorn, offering year-round climbing and skiing adventures.
- Hallstatt, Austria – Mountain and lake pearl — Lakeside village perched between Alpine peaks and crystalline waters, featuring pastel townhouses and salt-mining heritage.
- Positano, Italy – Amalfi Coast resort town — Cascading clifftop resort on the Amalfi Coast with colorful houses stacked dramatically above turquoise Mediterranean waters.
- Trogir Medieval Town — One of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe on the Adriatic coast
- Mostar Old Bridge — Historic town famous for its Old Bridge over the Neretva River, reconstructed after Balkan Wars
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Visit Castelluccio from May through July when the surrounding fields bloom with brightly colored flowers including poppies and violets.
- Transport
- To reach the Citadel of Dinant, you can either climb several hundred steps carved into the cliffs or take a cable car.
- Tip
- Visit the waterfront fortress in Trogir where you can walk on the walls and take in spectacular views over the city and coast.
- Tip
- Explore Lauterbrunnen Valley's 72 waterfalls, hiking trails, mountain bike paths, and rock climbing routes framed by sheer cliffs.
- Where to stay
- Stay overnight in Mostar rather than just doing a day trip; crowds thin out and riverside restaurants light up in the evening.
- Transport
- Getting to Portree on the Isle of Skye is half the fun, particularly if you opt for arrival by ferry.
- Food
- Visit Marsaxlokk for blue waters, fresh seafood, and boating in a traditional fishing village with a photogenic harbor.
- Timing
- Visby hosts Medieval Week once per year where the city features medieval costumes and events throughout the town.
- Tip
- Take a canal boat tour in Giethoorn and photograph the many stunning bridges that span the waterways.
- Tip
- Small towns across Europe offer a more authentic, traditional side compared to major cities like Paris, London, and Rome.
Video on this route
25 Most Beautiful Small Towns in Europe - Travel Video