The Most Enchanting Villages in Europe You’ve Never Heard Of

29. Santa Maddalena, Italy – A Dolomite Dream

Tucked in the Italian Alps, Santa Maddalena is the kind of village that seems too beautiful to be real. With the jagged peaks of the Dolomites forming a dramatic backdrop, this tiny hamlet is a paradise for nature lovers and photographers. The iconic Church of Santa Maddalena, surrounded by rolling green hills and meadows, is one of Italy’s most photographed spots. Whether you visit in summer for the lush Alpine landscapes or in winter when it’s blanketed in snow, Santa Maddalena feels like a peaceful retreat from the modern world.