There's something truly magical about feeling like you're standing on the top of the world. From luxury ski resorts to remote rural retreats and historic fortresses, these high places offer a blend of natural beauty, adventure and cultural charm to suit everyone's tastes.
Click through the gallery to discover the world's most beautiful mountain towns...
Cortina d'Ampezzo prides itself on being the 'Queen of the Dolomites' – the north Italian mountain range with distinctive pale rocks that glow pink at sunrise and sunset. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, summer here sees the town fill with hikers and climbers. In winter, Italy's rich and famous come here to ski instead. Film fans may recognise this place from The Pink Panther (1963) and 007 movie For Your Eyes Only. Speaking of eyes, all of them will be on the town in 2026 when it hosts the Winter Olympics alongside Milan.
Gatlinburg is known as the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Tennessee town was named after Radford Gatlin, a rather divisive character who backed the Confederacy when most residents favoured the Union (he was eventually banished). Despite its unpopular namesake, Gatlinburg certainly remains popular with tourists who want to explore the surrounding Appalachians and its various attractions including nearby Dollywood, named after the region's most famous resident Dolly Parton.
Shirakawa-go is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site known for its distinctive gassho-zukuri – 'hands in prayer' – farmhouses, so named as they look like the praying hands of a Buddhist monk. No nails or metal materials are used in their construction, with all the straw and wood sourced from the surrounding forest. The high-peaked roofs both prevent the build-up of snow and insulate the houses, which is vital during winter when local temperatures average -5°C (23°F).
The blue-washed town of Chefchaouen is widely considered to be one of Morocco's prettiest, with the surrounding mountains offering plenty of hiking opportunities. Highlights include the medina, the kasbah and Plaza Uta el-Hammam at the Blue City's heart – home to the Grande Mosque and its unusual octagonal minaret. Founded as a holy city in 1471, it became a refuge for Moors expelled from Spain – explaining its Andalusian feel – and was closed to foreigners and non-Muslims until the 1920s.
With a population of just 5,800 people, Vaduz is the capital of Liechtenstein – the fourth smallest country in Europe and the only one with 100% of its territory in the Alps. The tiny principality has no airport, so most visitors arrive via Switzerland or Austria. In 2007, the Swiss Army nearly caused a diplomatic incident here by accidentally 'invading' and wandering more than a mile (1.6km) across the border. The 12th-century Vaduz Castle is still the official home of Liechtenstein's royal family.
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The Montenegro town of Kotor sits at the far end of a windy bay of the Adriatic Sea, surrounded by mountains. Founded by the Romans, it has since been inhabited by everyone from the Venetians to France and Austria-Hungary. It was part of Yugoslavia until 2003. The main attraction here is the medieval fortifications and St Tryphon's Cathedral. The UNESCO World Heritage Site was seriously damaged by a major earthquake in 1979, but much of it has since been restored.
Nelson is nestled along the west arm of Kootenay Lake in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia. With more than 350 heritage buildings mostly dating back to the late 1800s, Nelson prides itself on being the best ski town in North America. Don't like sliding around on snow? The city is also renowned for having a thriving arts and culture scene, as well as a very cosmopolitan feel that attracts visitors all year round. Nelson claims to have some 50 restaurants and cafes, more per capita than San Francisco.
The hilltop town of Sintra was once the preferred summer retreat for Portuguese royalty and with the stunning Palacio da Pena at its peak, it's easy to see why. Built in the late 1840s by the German Baron von Eschwege on the site of a former monastery, its colourful turrets look straight out of a fairytale. Also of interest is the Palacio Nacional, the country's oldest surviving palace and distinctive due to its 108-foot (33m) tapering chimneys, and the narrow streets of the historic centre.
Queenstown, or Tahuna in Maori, sits on the shore of Lake Wakatipu on New Zealand's South Island. This former gold mining town is the country's adventure capital. It's said to be the birthplace of commercialised bungee jumping and is also a popular ski destination. Outdoor enthusiasts love it for its cycling, hiking and skiing, while foodies enjoy its restaurants and wines from the nearby 'Valley of the Vines'. Over 70% of the grapes grown here are pinot noir.
Scotland's Fort William lies in the shadow of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. While the town itself is somewhat nondescript, it is an excellent spot from which to explore the Scottish Highlands, including Ben Nevis, the moody valley of Glen Coe and the Isle of Skye. One of the area's most famous attractions is the 100-foot (31m) high Glenfinnan Viaduct, recognisable to fans of the Harry Potter films as it's part of the route taken by the Hogwarts Express.
The Peruvian town of Andahuaylillas is home to the 'Sistine Chapel of the Americas', the San Pedro de Andahuaylillas church – the relatively simple exterior of which conceals an exquisite gold-leaf altar and ornate panelled ceiling. Built by Jesuits in the 16th century in a bid to convert the Indigenous people to Christianity, it now forms part of the Andean Baroque Route, which includes three other churches. The town's main square surrounded by palm and coral trees is similarly picturesque.
Sagada in the Mountain Province of the Philippines is known for its scenic mountain valleys, rice fields and limestone caves. A place where pre-colonial culture has survived largely unchanged due its location and terrain, you can still see the traditional Igorot way of life here. Alongside its geographical beauty, Sagada is known for its hanging coffins and funereal chairs – some of which are centuries old – on the cliff side at Echo Valley. You will need to go with a guide to see them.
Annecy in the Haute-Savoie region of France is nicknamed the 'Venice of the Alps' and with its colourful 16th and 17th century buildings lining the canals of the old town, it's easy to see why. When not exploring the cobbled streets and myriad cafes and restaurants of the old town, most visitors take to the waters of neighbouring Lake Annecy – said to be one of the cleanest in Europe – for swimming, paddle boarding or kayaking. Hopping on a bike and cycling around the lake's shoreline is another popular option.
Famed for its misty mountain scenery and lush rice terraces, Sapa is very much the tourism centre of northwest Vietnam and offers a very different experience to busy cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Hiking, trekking and mountain biking are all popular activities, as is taking the cable car to Fansipan, Vietnam's highest peak. Sapa is also home to several different ethnic minority groups, making it a top destination for visitors who want to experience local culture, customs and traditions.
Situated at 3,280 feet (1,000m) above sea level, Filzmoos is a chocolate box image of an Austrian alpine town. Nestled at the end of a valley in the shadow of the Dachstein glacier and the distinctive Bischofsmutze ('Bishops Mitre') mountain peak, Filzmoos has a slower pace of life compared to some of the other nearby resorts. Families in particular tend to come here for skiing in winter, while the summer sees hikers, cyclists and climbers alike arriving to experience mountain life.
With a population just under 35,000 people, the micronation of San Marino is the lone survivor of Italy's great city-state network. Set high on the western slopes of Monte Titano, the mountain and the historic centre of the city were together named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. The most distinctive sights of San Marino are the three defensive towers keeping watch over what is said to be the world's oldest surviving sovereign state. They use the euro here, despite not being part of the eurozone.
Barichara is one of Colombia's most treasured heritage towns. Its highlight is the 18th-century sandstone cathedral, which has some unusual architectural features for a Spanish colonial church. Standing in stark contrast to the small, whitewashed buildings around it, the stonework appears to glow orange at sunset. The town's name comes from an Indigenous term meaning 'a good place to rest', while its picturesque setting was the inspiration for the village in Disney's Encanto.
Lillehammer is perhaps best known to non-Norwegians as the place that hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics but there's more to do here than just outdoor activities. The Maihaugen open-air museum features more than 200 historic houses dating back to the 13th century and is one of the largest of its kind in Norway, while the Lillehammer Art Museum has works from Edvard Munch and other Norwegian artists. National parks Rondane, Jotunheimen and Langsua are also all within easy reach from the town.
The Himalayan town of Leh is over 11,482 feet (3,500m) above sea level and sits at the foot of a ruined Tibetan-style palace. Similar in style to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the 17th-century fortress is largely dilapidated but still provides commanding views of the Stok Kangri massif. The town's bazaar is also worth exploring. Visitors acclimatised to the altitude can also do a morning hike up to the Namgyal Tsemo Monastery, which sits precariously on a crag above Leh Palace.
Katoomba is the main town of Australia's Blue Mountains and became known as the 'Playground of the Commonwealth' in the early 1900s thanks to its proximity to Sydney, meaning it has long attracted many a weekender. While the town is best known for its panoramic view of the Jamison Valley and distinctive rock formation, the Three Sisters, it is also something of a cultural hub with several Art Deco buildings including the 19th-century grand resort hotel, The Carrington.
Founded in 1743, the Western Cape town of Swellendam is one of the oldest in South Africa. Sitting in the protective shadow of the Langeberg Range, it's known for its historic Cape Dutch buildings and surrounding natural beauty. Key architectural attractions include the Drostdy – the 18th-century former residence of the governing official – and the 1911-built eclectic Dutch Reformed Church. Nature lovers can head to the nearby Bontebok National Park or Marloth Nature Reserve.
Situated in the heart of the Furnas Valley – a dormant volcanic crater – on the Azores island of Sao Miguel, Furnas is something of a geothermal marvel. Visitors can relax in steaming thermal baths in Terra Nostra Park, learn about and sample the therapeutic spring waters, or simply walk around the beautiful crater lake. Meanwhile, foodies can enjoy Portuguese stew 'cozido', cooked in pots placed in holes in the hot volcanic soil, as well as freshly-made tea, created with the help of hot spring water.
Zakopane is the main resort town on the Polish side of the Tatra mountains which run along the country's border with Slovakia. Summer sees visitors come to explore the 275 well-marked trails of Tatra National Park, where lucky wildlife spotters can see animals including the Tatra chamois (the symbol of the park), brown bears, lynxes and golden eagles. Winter attracts skiers to the place informally known as the 'winter capital of Poland', where 16 pistes are served by 20 ski lifts.
The Swiss town of Lugano may be perched on the edge of a glacial lake, but it has a distinctly Mediterranean feel thanks to its numerous historic buildings decorated in an Italianate Lombardy style. Its old alleyways are full of cafes and restaurants, while culture fans can visit the MASI modern art museum to see works by Dega, Klee and Renoir, among others. Whatever time of year you come, a stroll down Lugano's lakeside promenade is worth the views of twin peaks Monte Bre and Monte San Salvatore.
The Andalusian town of Ronda is famous for its 107 feet (98m) high Puente Nuevo ('New Bridge') and houses overhanging the El Tajo river gorge. Other key highlights include the Moorish King's Palace and the town's bullring – one of the oldest and grandest in Spain. Indeed, it was the ancient bullfighting venue that so captured the fascination of US author Ernest Hemingway, while legendary actor and film director Orson Welles was so enamoured with the town that his ashes were interred here after his death.
One of the poshest and most expensive ski resorts in the US, Aspen has come a long way since being a dilapidated former silver mining town in the 1800s. The city's revival as a recreational and cultural hotspot started in the 1930s. It served as a training centre for US troops during the Second World War before the first ski-lift-assisted area opened in 1946-47. The rest, as they say, is history and it's now known as much for its high-end shopping and dining options as it is for its slopes. Keep an eye out for the stars. Celebrities flock here each winter.
Legend has it that the Mexican mountain town of Tepoztlan is the birthplace of Aztec serpent god Quetzalcoatl. The spiritual mountain town is known for having a creative energy, as reflected in the sheer number of market stalls selling a wide range of arts and crafts each weekend. Many come here for alternative therapies, while the mystical peak-top pyramid El Tepozteco, a steep uphill climb away, is widely deemed a place of spiritual importance. Locals even talk of UFOs being spotted in the area.
Standing at 4,590 feet (1,400m) Phongsali is the capital of Laos' northern-most province. Walking through the town's old quarter, visitors can easily see the long-term Chinese influence on the area, while a trip to the Phongsaly Museum of Ethnic Groups highlights the culture and traditions of the many different people who live here. One of the town's key attractions is the nearby 400-year-old tea plantation, which has some of the oldest tea trees in the world according to some experts.
Zarcero is a charming town surrounded by coffee plantations in Costa Rica's Central Valley. Sitting at 5,500 feet (1,700m) above sea level, the town is a popular weekend destination for city-dwellers from San Jose seeking to escape the heat. Architectural highlights include the 19th-century San Rafael Church and the surreal topiary gardens, where cypress trees are shaped into all sorts of curious creatures and objects. The more adventurous can hike or horse ride in the surrounding hills.
Kalabaka is nestled in the foothills of the stunning giant cliffs of Meteora. The oldest known human settlement in the area dates back to 130,000 years with the history of the town itself dating back some 3,000 years, although much of Kalabaka was burned down by German occupation forces in 1943. What the area is most famous for though is the monasteries of Meteora, whose precarious position atop the columns of rock were deemed the ideal place for absolute isolation.
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