Europe is known for its busy, culture-driven cities such as Rome and Paris.

But among all the landmarks and selfie-taking tourists, you'll find hundreds of charming little towns with populations smaller than a line from the Eiffel Tower.

Whether it's a small lakeside village in Austria or a strangely beautiful village in Romania, these storybook towns are a dream destination for a European vacation.

Tip: Be prepared for lots of bell towers and cobbled streets.

Ronda, Spain Population: 33,978 One of the highlights of traveling in Andalusia is the seemingly endless array of pueblo blancos (“white towns,” named for the uniform colors of the houses).

While there are many displays of Moorish architecture and a labyrinth of streets that define the area, there's something special about Ronda, namely its location.

Perched on a 400-foot cliff-edge mountain, the views of the valley below are stunning, and the three bridges spanning the canyon are incredible feats of engineering.

Ribe, Denmark Population: 8,168 Ribe's history dates back over 1,300 years and is the oldest town in Denmark - in fact, in all of Scandinavia.

The city was founded in the early 8th century AD, and while you won't find any buildings dating back to the time that still exist today, the picturesque cathedral and half-timbered houses along its cobbled streets are well worth a visit.

Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland Population: 2,480 The Isle of Skye is famous for its spectacular natural beauty, but it also happens to be one of the most charming small towns in the UK.

The capital, on the edge of Loch Portree, is a row of pastel-coloured homes and pubs, with brightly lit fishing and lobster boats on board.

Giethoorn, Netherlands Population: 2,620 Affectionately known as the "Venice of the Netherlands," this village has no roads - only cycle paths and canals.

Take a boat trip to see Giethoorn's rooftop farmhouses and wooden arch bridges, or skate on the canals when it freezes in winter.

Hallstatt, Austria Population: 779 There is something special about Hallstatt, which is evident as you take the ferry across the Glass Lake and see the mist rolling down from the towering Dachstein Mountains.

Within the UNESCO World Heritage town, there are churches dating back to the 12th century, lively market squares, and numerous cozy candlelit restaurants.

Bonus: Hallst?tt is only an hour's drive from Salzburg and three from Vienna, making it an ideal day trip from Austria's larger and more touristy cities.

Hvar, Croatia Population: 3,771 One of the country's most popular islands for sunbathers and oenophiles, Hvar is famous for its sunny beaches, lavender fields, and lush vineyards.

It also has a beautiful city center with Gothic palaces and marble stone streets.

(Bonus: Many streets are car-free.) Rye, England Population: 9,041 An important shipping center since Roman times, Rye in East Sussex was once completely surrounded by the sea.

A hodgepodge of medieval terracotta roofs and timber-framed walls, the best views are from the tower of St. Mary's Parish Church or the Ypres Tower, two of the oldest buildings in town.

If you're visiting in late winter/early spring, don't miss the annual Bay Scallop Week (the next one will be from February 22 to March 1, 2020).

Watchmen is a scenic, two-hour train ride from London St Pancras International, making it an easy day trip.

Assos, Greece Population: 88 The charming, bloom-filled village of Assos on the island of Kefalonia is one of the most compelling reasons to visit the Greek islands.

This small village is located at the foot of a mountain and is surrounded on three sides by the striking blue Mediterranean Sea.

Spend some time on the village's pebbled beach, then enjoy Greek cuisine in one of the traditional restaurants by the pier.

Seriously, does the holidays get any better than this?

Albarracín, Spain Population: 1,016 Pink, orange and red houses fill this isolated mountain town, nestled in a rocky valley that curves along the Guadalaver River in Spain's Aragon region.