5 Narrowest Streets in Europe Revealed (& they’re totally tiny!)
Last Updated on 15th October 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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Tiny, small, and often little more than a gap between two much larger buildings, you often have to ask yourself ‘What is even the point of this passageway?’! After all, the narrowest streets in Europe are the kind of alleyways you could easily miss if you didn’t know where to look. Here are the five narrowest streets in Europe. (The kind of little lanes that even the locals don’t know about!)
Europe is a beautiful region home to dozens of countries, countless cultures, and plenty of historical things to see and do. Among all of this beauty, there are some pretty quirky sights to soak up, including these tiny little roads.
If you’re planning on visiting Europe, then be sure to check out our very best Europe travel tips. Otherwise, for even more wanderlust inspiration, check out our best of Europe bucket list.
Contents
- Strada Sforii (“Rope Street”), Brasov, Romania
- Mårten Trotzigs Gränd, Stockholm Sweden
- Parliament Street, Exeter, Devon, England
- Calle Varisco, Venice, Italy
- Squeezy Belly Alley, Port Isaac England
- Spreuerhofstraße, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
- Pin ‘narrowest streets in Europe’ now, read it again later:
Strada Sforii (“Rope Street”), Brasov, Romania
44 inches wide at its narrowest point
When I first made my plans to visit Brasov, a friend advised me to ‘go in search of the narrowest street in Eastern Europe’. And after a whole load of wandering around the city, I finally came across Strada Sforii.
This narrow little lane is tiny, easy to miss. Wandering down the tiny alleyway, you can also admire the Hollywood-style ‘Brasov’ sign towering above the city on Tampa Mountain. For more Romanian inspiration, check out this guide to the best things to do in Brasov.
Mårten Trotzigs Gränd, Stockholm Sweden
35 inches wide at its narrowest point
The thin street of Mårten Trotzigs Gränd in Sweden is located in the old town of Stockholm, which is the capital of Sweden. The alleyway, which also happens to be the narrowest street in Sweden, was named after the 16th-17th-century merchant, Mårten Trotzig.
When he moved to Stockholm in 1581, the wealthy businessman bought up many of the properties along the street and even opened a store there. Today, the street is home to lampposts and windows, but no store entrances as it’s more of an alleyway than anything else!
Parliament Street, Exeter, Devon, England
25 inches wide at its narrowest point
Located in a gap between the buildings housing Patisserie Valerie and Greggs, in the very middle of Exeter City’s busy high street, you’ll find Parliament street. Once thought by many (although evidently wrongly) to be the narrowest street in the world, it still remains the narrowest street in the United Kingdom.
Constructed as early as the 14th century, during the 18th century the street was regularly used by locals to dump their chamber pots (toilet waste for those fortunate enough to have never heard of a chamber pot!) Elsewhere in the city, you’ll soon discover plenty of Harry Potter inspiration.
Calle Varisco, Venice, Italy
20 inches at its narrowest point
As the narrowest street in Venice, if not all of Italy, Calle Varisco (also known as Ramo Varisco) ironically has some very tall tales to tell. According to legend, if a murderer walks down this narrow and dead-end street (the street leads only to another canal and is not a through passage), then they’ll be instantly crushed by the close together walls.
Squeezy Belly Alley, Port Isaac England
18 inches wide at its narrowest point
Located in the delightful town of Port Isaac in the English county of Cornwall, Squeezy Belly Alley doesn’t only have a funny name, but is also one of the narrowest streets I’ve seen in Europe. The little alleyway is located just off of the main street which runs through Port Isaac and runs from Fore Street to Dolphin Street.
Spreuerhofstraße, Reutlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
12.2 inches wide at its narrowest point
In Germany, you’ll find not only the narrowest street in Europe but what is thought by many (including the Guinness Book of World Records) to be the narrowest street in the entire world! Measuring a staggeringly small 12.2 inches wide at its narrowest point, this little street is located between two homes. The little lane was constructed in 1727 after a huge fire destroyed much of the city in 1726.
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This page needs updating to include the street called Klančić which is in the town of Vrbnik on the island of Krk in Croatia. At 40cm wide at its narrowest point (just over 15 inches), it would feature at No.2 on your list, only beaten by Spreuerhofstraße.
What a unique post! I need to make it to Reutlingen while I still can!
I’ve been to the one in Stockholm:))