They say that there is no place like home, but there are some places in the world that are truly beautiful and look like places where everyone would dream of living. Places where the weather is always great, the architecture is so picturesque that it looks like it belongs in a painting and the people are so friendly that you would never feel alone. Does that sound too good to be true? Well, read on, as we explore ten of the most beautiful places in the world to live.
1. Colmar, France
To say that Colmar, in France, is a beautiful place to live would be a gross understatement. With its beautiful canals, cobbled streets and half-timbered buildings, the whole place makes you feel like you have just a walked into a mediaeval folk tale. The place has visitors walking around with their mouths wide open in amazement, so imagine what it would be like to wake up every morning in such a beautiful town.
2. Juzcar, Spain
Another one of most beautiful places in the world is Juzcar situated in Andalusia, Spain and, to be perfectly honest, we have included it for its novelty factor, as much as for its beauty. In 2011, the entire village was painted bright blue as a part of promotion for the Smurfs movie and, residents decided that they liked their blue homes so much, they have been that way ever since. Life in the Smurf village is still as relaxed and laid back as it has ever been, so it’s another great place to live, so long as you like the colour blue!
3. Wengen, Switzerland
If mountain scenery and fresh air is your thing, then you’d find it hard to beat Wengen in Switzerland as your ideal location to live. You’d have to be happy with a bit of isolation, though, because the beautiful chocolate-box Swiss village can only be reached by train. Once there, though, surrounded on all sides by the wonderful mountain scenery, leaving would probably be the last thing on your mind.
4. Alberobello, Italy
Alberobello, in Southern Italy, has been made a UNESCO World Heritage site and it truly is a sight to behold! The town has been made famous by its tiny, very distinctive, whitewashed buildings with conical shaped roofs called Trulli. There’s not a great deal to do in Alberobello, so it’s not for you if you are looking for a vibrant nightlife, but if peace and tranquillity is what you are after, then Alberobello would be one of the world’s beautiful places to live on your list.
5. Santorini, Greece
Santorini is a Greek Island that nestles in the Aegean Sea, and it’s another one of most beautiful places in the world. The main island of the group, Thira, is literally breath-taking with its beautiful whitewashed buildings and blue domed churches that sit amongst the cliff tops. Add to that, the wonderful multi-coloured, sandy beaches, and you have the perfect island retreat to live in.
6. Shirakawa, Japan
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, Shirakawa in Japan, sits in the Shogawa River Valley in a remote mountainous region, and it definitely deserves its place in our list of most beautiful places in the world. The striking feature of Shirakawa, are the famous farmhouse dwellings called gassho-zukuri, which have high, peaked rooftops, in the shape of a Buddhist monk’s hands held in prayer. The roofs of the buildings are this shape so that they can withstand the weight of the heavy snowfall that the region experiences in the winter, and that’s when the town looks absolutely stunning.
7. Bibury, England
If you have ever dreamed of living in the idyllic, fairytale-ike English countryside, then the Cotswolds village Bibury was once described by William Morris as the most beautiful village in England. Bibury is just what most people imagine an English village to be with its narrow streets and rustic cottages. It has been used as the backdrop for many films and TV shows, and Arlington Row, a street in the village, is thought to be one of the most photographed streets in Britain. Bidbury is quaint, English charm at its very best.
8. Giethoorn, Netherlands
Another one of most beautiful places in the world is Giethoorn. You will certainly find peace and quiet in the beautiful town of Giethoorn in the Netherlands, because there are no roads whatsoever. The only way to get around is by bicycle, walk, or by boat on one of the many canals that crisscross the town. Beautiful and tranquil, Giethoorn is the perfect place to live if you want to escape the noise of the big city.
9. Yvoire, France
The picturesque village of Yvoire lies on the shores of Lake Geneva in France and, with a population of just 820; you will find it hard to find a crowd here! Despite its size, the sleepy little village that sits in the shadow of a 14th century castle stuns the senses with the colour of all the flowers that line the streets and adorn the houses. It’s another medieval treasure that would be a joy to call home.
10. Tasiilaq, Greenland
Tasiilaq, in East Greenland, is set amongst the wonders of beautiful, snow peaked mountains, glaciers and icebergs floating across King Oscar’s Harbour. Here, you could live in splendid isolation in one of the wonderful, brightly coloured homes in the town. You can still stay in touch with the outside world, though, because while Tasiilaq may only have 2,000 inhabitants, it also has good transport connections with Reykjavik, so people living here, get the best of both worlds.
