UN Tourism has announced the Best Tourism Villages in Europe for the year, as a way to promote sustainable travel and address issues of overtourism in popular destinations. These villages offer unique experiences that celebrate local cultures, traditions, and biodiversity. The villages recognized this year include St Johann in Tirol, Austria, known for its ancient churches and panoramic hiking opportunities. Kalopanagiotis in Cyprus offers winemaking and wellness retreats, while Anogeia in Greece is steeped in mythology and Minoan history, attracting stargazers to its Skinakas Observatory. San Casciano dei Bagni in Italy is famous for its thermal waters and offers e-biking tours, and Óbidos in Portugal boasts rich architecture and lively festivals. Mura in Spain is ideal for scenic hiking and nature immersion, while Splügen in Switzerland is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with its stunning natural landscapes.
St Johann in Tirol, Austria, is a vibrant market town with a history dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries, offering a range of year-round activities for travelers. The town has implemented cutting-edge digital traffic guidance systems to enhance mobility for both locals and tourists. Kalopanagiotis in Cyprus is nestled in the Marathasa valley and offers opportunities for visitors to engage in winemaking, traditional cheese-making, and spa treatments using the area’s hot springs. Anogeia in Greece is known for its unique culture and Minoan history, providing experiences in traditional livestock farming, cheese-making, and stargazing at the Skinakas Observatory. Visitors to San Casciano dei Bagni, Italy, can enjoy therapeutic thermal waters and explore the countryside on e-bikes through a Rural Bike Sharing Project. Óbidos, Portugal, showcases its architectural heritage through a calendar of cultural events, while Mura, Spain, offers a gateway to the lush natural surroundings of mountains, forests, and lakes.
Splügen, Switzerland, known for its stunning natural landscapes and crystal-clear lakes, aims to promote sustainable tourism as part of the Beverin Nature Park. The village is set to open a brewery and hotel in 2025, revitalizing the area and honoring the region’s biodiversity and cultural heritage. Ormana in Turkey is steeped in Hellenistic origins and offers a glimpse into the village’s nomadic heritage through unique architectural features and ancient ruins like the Erymna Ancient City. Urych in Ukraine, surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, is renowned for the Tustan fortress from the 13th to 16th centuries. The village preserves traditional customs and crafts, showcasing the unique cultural heritage of the Boykivshchyna region. These Best Tourism Villages provide opportunities for travelers to immerse themselves in local traditions, explore diverse ecosystems, and support sustainable development in rural communities.
The Best Tourism Villages initiative by UN Tourism aims to recognize and promote villages that engage in sustainable tourism practices to protect and value their cultural heritage. These villages provide visitors with unique experiences that encompass nature, culture, tradition, and wellness, encouraging tourists to be part of the solution to issues like overtourism. By highlighting the transformative power of tourism in empowering rural communities, the initiative seeks to create a positive impact on local economies and ecosystems. Through the annual list of Best Tourism Villages, travelers are encouraged to explore lesser-known destinations that offer authentic experiences and contribute to the preservation of cultural diversity and biodiversity. The selected villages in Europe offer a diverse range of activities, from hiking and winemaking to stargazing and traditional crafts, providing travelers with opportunities to connect with local communities and immerse themselves in the rich heritage of these destinations.
Tourism in these Best Tourism Villages plays a vital role in creating jobs, supporting local businesses, and driving sustainable development in rural areas. The villages recognized by UN Tourism this year represent a commitment to responsible tourism practices that minimize environmental impact and promote the preservation of cultural traditions. By engaging in hands-on experiences such as cheese-making, wine tasting, and traditional crafts, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the local culture and contribute to the economic empowerment of rural communities. Through initiatives like the Rural Bike Sharing Project in Italy and the restoration of ancient structures in Turkey, these villages demonstrate a dedication to sustainability and a desire to offer authentic and enriching experiences to travelers. By encouraging travelers to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations, the Best Tourism Villages initiative aims to shift the focus from overcrowded hotspots to remote and culturally rich locations that benefit from tourism in a sustainable and meaningful way.
Overall, the Best Tourism Villages in Europe offer a diverse array of experiences that celebrate the unique heritage, landscapes, and traditions of each destination. From ancient churches and panoramic hiking to winemaking and stargazing, these villages provide travelers with opportunities to connect with nature, culture, and local communities in a sustainable manner. By promoting responsible tourism practices and highlighting the transformative power of tourism in rural development, the initiative by UN Tourism encourages travelers to venture beyond conventional tourist destinations and explore the hidden gems of Europe. Through the recognition of these Best Tourism Villages, tourists are invited to be part of a positive impact on local economies, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and sustainable approach to travel.
