You'll Never Guess Which Country Is Home To The World's Smallest Town

Everywhere in the world has a claim to fame. However, only one town gets to call itself the smallest on the planet (at least in the eyes of the prestigious Guinness World Records) and we have to travel all the way to Istria in Croatia to find it.
Have you ever heard of a Croatian town called Hum? No? This truly is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sort of place, so that isn’t a huge surprise. The tiny town on top of a hill is thought to be the smallest town on the planet, and this is its story.

The little town of Hum

Located just one hour from Umag and 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Rijeka, Hum is thought to be the smallest town in the world. The population is either 17, 18, 21 or 23 (depending on whom you ask and what time of year it is) but the official number matters little. With its two streets and three walls of houses, this is a Croatian charmer that packs plenty into its tiny frame.
The town was first mentioned way back in 1102 as Cholm (from the Italian Colmo) and started off life as simply a watchtower, designed to ensure the region wasn’t taken by surprise by marauders and attackers. As was usually the case, a small town began to develop around the tower, primarily housing those who kept watch, as well as their families.
Fast forward to the present day and you have a small neighbourhood accentuated by a town parish and a bell tower. It paints a picture of a truly idyllic town, free of the chaos of modern life and the stresses that come with it.

Welcome to Hum, the world’s smallest town

What is there to see?

The technicalities

So we know all about the small numbers and the gorgeous surroundings, but what makes a town a town, anyway? Vatican City is basically a church and a post office; surely that is smaller than a couple of streets? Well, Vatican City is classed as a sovereign state, for one. Different countries have different ways of defining their inhabitable spaces, and Hum is the smallest one that ticks the “town” box.
The cat is out of the bag. Croatia is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, and with good reason. The old towns of Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar and Zagreb are chock-a-block with visitors throughout the summer, but that old Croatian relaxation can still be found in the hills, away from the madness and in the small towns that dot the countryside – among them, the smallest town in the world.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.