What to see
What to see in a small town
Every small town has similar anchors: a museum, a church, a high street, a market, a park, a station and a spot with a good view. We explain where to find them and how to look at them, so that behind the shared features you can spot what makes this town unlike its neighbour.
The most interesting things in a small town are often unlabelled: a house with unusual gates, or a staircase that generation after generation has climbed.
How this section works: we describe types of places found in almost any small town, without names or addresses. A place is included if it is open to visitors, says something about the character of the town and requires no special preparation from you.
Types of places
Seven anchors around which you can get to know a small town.
Local museum
Where to look: Usually in the centre, often in an old mansion or a former public building
This is where the town's memory is kept: household objects, photographs, stories of local crafts and notable residents. A small hall often gives you more than a hefty guidebook.
Tip: Check the opening hours in advance and ask the attendant which houses in town are worth seeing.
A church as an architectural landmark
Where to look: On the main square, on a hill or by the river
An old church is often the most prominent building in a small town and its calling card. Even if you have come for the architecture, remember that it is a working place of worship.
Tip: Follow the dress code and keep quiet, and do not photograph services or people without permission.
Old high street
Where to look: From the main square towards the river or the market
Two-storey merchants' houses with shops below and living quarters above tell you how the town made its living. Look closely at the signs, doors and brickwork.
Tip: Raise your eyes above the shop windows: the most interesting details are often just under the roof.
Market
Where to look: Near the centre or the bus station
The market shows the town as it is today: what people grow, bake and pickle here. It is a good place to taste local produce and chat with the stallholders.
Tip: Come in the morning, as many stalls are empty by lunchtime.
Viewpoint
Where to look: A hill, a high riverbank, a bell tower, the edge of a park
From above, the town comes together into a single picture: roofs, domes, the bend of a river, fields beyond the outskirts. A spot like this helps you understand how the town is laid out.
Tip: Come closer to sunset and check whether you can go up without special permission.
Town park
Where to look: In the centre or on the site of a former country estate
Old avenues, gazebos, monuments and a pond: the park in a small town often keeps traces of earlier life. It is a handy place to rest between walks.
Tip: Look for an information board at the entrance: it often tells the park's history.
Railway station
Where to look: On the edge of the old centre or a little to one side
The station is the first thing a visitor sees, and often an interesting building in its own right. It shows how and when the town became connected with the wider world.
Tip: Check the time of the return service there straight away, then head off for your walk with peace of mind.
Read next
- Routes
Sample routes without place names: the old centre in a day, a riverside town and two days with the surroundings.
- On the spot
How to behave on the spot: food, a place to stay, talking to residents, photography, safety and staying in touch.
- Destinations
History, nature, crafts, architecture and water: how to choose a small town that matches your interests.
Sources
- Official websites of transport operators and cultural institutions (check before you travel)
- The journal's editorial materials
Information reflects the situation on the date of preparation. Timetables, opening hours and visiting rules in small towns change without much notice, so check them with the transport operators and the venues themselves shortly before you travel.