Olomouc, Czech Republic

Olomouc, Czech Republic, boasts the Trinity Column—a UNESCO-listed baroque plague column considered the finest in Central Europe, erected in 1754—which alone draws over 200,000 admirers each year. As the nation’s ecclesiastical capital, it features six baroque fountains and a 12th-century cathedral, all within a walkable 2-square-kilometer center. Rivaling Cesky Krumlov for beauty, Olomouc achieves this with half the visitor numbers, offering a peaceful alternative to crowds.