Tilted Green Blob

Europe's Prettiest Hilltop Towns And Villages

Oia, Greece

The photographer's favorite, Oia sits on the northwestern tip of Santorini. Its whitewashed cottages, rickety old windmills

Arcos de la Frontera, Spain

Probably the most famous of Andalusia's pueblos blancos (white towns), Arcos de la Frontera is topped by an imposing 11th-century Moorish castle and the Basílica de Santa María de la Asunción.

Groznjan, Croatia

In the 1950s and early '60s, this idyllic destination was home to a creative community of artists, writers, and musicians. And Groznjan today still paints a pretty picture.

Mdina, Malta

Few Mediterranean hilltop towns are as imposing as Mdina. This fortified community served as the island's capital from antiquity to the medieval period.

Taormina, Italy

More clifftop than hilltop perhaps, but Taormina on the east coast of Sicily has been luring visitors since the Grand Tour era of the 19th-century.

Mont Saint-Michel, France

Perhaps the most iconic hilltop village in France, and certainly one of the most recognized in Europe.

Monsaraz, Portugal

Monsaraz stands as the epitome of the classic Portuguese hilltop town. Established as a community by the Moors in the 8th century.

Motovun, Croatia

Historic Motovun in central Istria is actually Celtic in origin. In fact its name is derived from the Celtic word Montona, meaning "a town in the hills."

Gaucín, Spain

Gaucín in Andalusia is also called the Serranía's Balcony due to its precious views of the Crestellina mountains. Also seen from cottage balconies is distant Gibraltar, the Strait of Gibraltar, and even Morocco.