Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe
It was considered by CNN to be one of the most beautiful hill villages in Europe. There are 12 others, from Spain to Croatia. Get to know them and find out what’s special about them.
The historic town, the pottery of São Pedro do Corval, the megalithic monuments, the lamb stew and gazpacho, the vineyards, the night sky observatories and the Alqueva nearby. All this led to British CNN to consider Monsaraz, in Reguengos de Monsaraz, one of the most beautiful hill towns in Europe.
The land of the Barrocal menhir, the second largest in the Iberian Peninsula, is thus once again in the crosshairs of the international press four years after the North American National Geographic placed Monsaraz on the list of the 21 best destinations in the world to visit.
For this list, CNN says it went in search of “quaint villages” and complete “vertiginous villages” with breathtaking landscapes. He found them in the Alentejo, but also in the sunset of Santorini (Greece), in the depths of the Austrian Alps and in the English meadows.
When describing Monsaraz, CNN writes: “Considered one of the oldest settlements in Portugal, where Monsaraz is located was occupied by a series of different conquerors of the years, from Moors to Visigoths”.
After the historical introduction, the North American channel explains why it was enchanted by this Portuguese town: Monsaraz has walls that “offer a huge view of the surrounding olive groves and the Alqueva dam. Locally produced wine is best drunk in a small café while watching the sunset.”
Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe
Civita Di Bagnoregio, Italy
It is a plateau with a small town on top, all picturesque and stone structures. It was built 2500 years ago.
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Mdina, Malta
This fortified city was once the capital of this Mediterranean country. There are no cars in Mdina, dominated by monasteries, convents, churches and palaces.
![Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe Europe's most beautiful hilltop villages](https://ncultura.pt/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/04-e1534789514306.jpg)
Mount St. Michel, France
It is a rocky islet in the Couesnon River in the Channel. The monastery, named after the archangel Michael, was built in the 8th century. When the tide is low, it is possible to pass on foot.
![Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe Europe's most beautiful hilltop villages](https://ncultura.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Portugal-tem-uma-das-Aldeias-de-Montanha-mais-bonitas-da-Europa-00000.jpg)
Arcos de la Frontera, Spain
With an 11th-century Moorish castle, this town is famous for its whitewashed houses, basilicas and imposing churches.
![Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe Europe's most beautiful hilltop villages](https://ncultura.pt/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/05-e1534789556216.jpg)
bardi, italy
Near Parma, Castello dei Landi was built on top of a rock in northern Italy.
![Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe Europe's most beautiful hilltop villages](https://ncultura.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Bad-Gastein-Austria.jpg)
Bad Gastein, Austria
Deep in the Austrian Alps, Bad Gastein is sought after for its spas. It is also famous for snow sports.
![Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe Europe's most beautiful hilltop villages](https://ncultura.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Grindelwald-Suica.jpg)
Grindelwald, Switzerland
It is a typical Swiss village with wooden chalets and good places to go skiing.
![Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe Europe's most beautiful hilltop villages](https://ncultura.pt/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/08-e1534789665962.jpg)
Beames de Venise, France
It is a village dominated by vineyards and with a large campsite for caravans.
![Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe Europe's most beautiful hilltop villages](https://ncultura.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Heptonstall-Yorkshire-Inglaterra.jpg)
Heptonstall, Yorkshire, England
With an immense view of the Calder Valley and covered with meadows, Heptonstall is a typical English village with scattered houses made of stone.
![Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe Europe's most beautiful hilltop villages](https://ncultura.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Taormina-Sicilia-Italia.jpg)
Taormina, Sicily, Italy
It is home to the Ancient Theater, the second largest Greek theater in Sicily. It overlooks Mount Etna.
![Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe Europe's most beautiful hilltop villages](https://ncultura.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Groznjan-Croacia.jpg)
Groznjan, Croatia
It is known by the artists because in the 50’s many musicians, painters and thinkers live in the city for here. It is also a town of vineyards.
![Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe Europe's most beautiful hilltop villages](https://ncultura.pt/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Monsaraz-Portugal.jpg)
Monsaraz, Portugal
It is a single Portuguese entry on the CNN list. Here you can visit the castle, the cromlech of Xerez and other megalithic monuments.
![Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe Europe's most beautiful hilltop villages](https://ncultura.pt/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/01-1-e1534789357427.jpg)
Oia, Santorini, Greece
White houses, mills and blue domes make this town at the northern tip of Santorini’s caldera one of the most beautiful in Europe for CNN.
![Portugal has one of the most beautiful hilltop villages in Europe most beautiful hilltop villages](https://ncultura.pt/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/separador.jpg)
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