These places are real gems for travelers. You’ll pack your bags right away!

This year’s edition of the “Best Tourism Villages” program organized by the United Nations and the World Tourism Organization honored 52 unique towns from around the world.

The program has a clear mission: to promote sustainable tourism in rural areas. The organizers of the ranking want to indicate places where tourism can support and improve the quality of life of local residents.

These villages in Europe are tourist treasures. Only gems on the list

Each year, the competition receives hundreds of entries. This year, over 270 applications were submitted from 65 countries. Ultimately, only 52 of them made it to the prestigious list. Experts assessed, among others: natural and cultural heritage as well as sustainable socio-economic development and care for the environment.

The list includes cities located all over the world, including: in Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Vietnam, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Tourists will love these villages in Europe

The creators of the ranking also distinguished many villages from Europe. Among the entries from Spain, it gained recognition Agaete – a picturesque town in the north-western part of the island of Gran Canaria. Because it is located in a valley surrounded by steep cliffs and mountains, the views are truly breathtaking.

The authors of the list also distinguished another Spanish town – Ezcaray in the La Rioja region. Surrounded by mountains and green valleys, it is famous for its excellent cuisine and the possibility of trekking in the Sierra de la Demanda mountains.

Several Italian towns are also included on the list. Arqua Petrarca is a charming medieval village in Veneto, famous for its long history and association with the famous Italian poet Petrarch.

Asola often called the “pearl of Veneto”, it is also located in Veneto. On the other hand Bellano is a charming town located on the eastern shore of Lake Como, famous primarily for Orrido di Bellano.

UN ranking. These places are a must visit

They also appear in the ranking three Portuguese towns: Loriga, Mertola and Vila Nogueira de Azeitao

According to the authors of the list, places that are definitely worth visiting also include Kastelir Labinci in Croatia, Morahalom in Hungary, Pont-Croix in France and Flosserstadt Schiltach in Germany. Interestingly, two towns located in Ukraine were also mentioned – Kołoczawa and Synevyrskaya Polyana.

Unfortunately, not a single Polish town was included in the list.