The 10 best villages in Zelda games

There is no shortage of memorable locations in Legend of Zelda games. As players adventure through the story of each game, they are immersed in the world of Hyrule and beyond. The landscapes in Zelda games are typically breathtaking. Villages and towns have their unique style that is showcased through the overall style developed for each area.

Part of the special charm in each locale is due in a large part to the characters that live there. And the musical scores help set the tone and allow the player to form an emotional connection to each village. Of the many that Link has visited over the years, these are the ones that fans love to return to again and again.

10. Anouki Village

As part of the Snow Realm in Spirit Tracks, Anouki Village is the home of the Anouki Tribe in New Hyrule. These adorable humanoid creatures live in a quaint little setting with charming homes. Even though the village seems quiet at first look, you soon discover that they are, of course, on the fringe of danger. Within Anouki Village is an Air Stone that will teach Link the “Song of Discovery,” which adds importance to the village. While there are snowy landscapes and villages in many Zelda games, this one has a charm to it that isn’t always found in a frozen tundra. 

9. Lurelin Village

A quaint little fishing town on the coast of Hyrule may not immediately come to mind when compared to other villages on this list. What’s so cool about Lurelin Village is that it seems so far removed from all of the terror of the Calamity. Aside from residences, shops, and an inn, Link can gamble a bit, which is a fun diversion. Who doesn’t love trying to win big? The aesthetic of the village is quite relaxing and adds a lot of depth to the variety of villages that dot the landscape in Breath of the Wild.

8. Animal Village

Link’s Awakening doesn’t have a particularly large map compared to many other Zelda games, but it has a unique one. Link finds himself on Koholint Island, and one of the most interesting locations is certainly Animal Village. While Mabe Village is perhaps more well known, the charm of its sister city Animal Village is that it is a town of talking animals. Working on the trading quest and playing a song to the residents with Marin add fun to this locale, just in case talking animals don’t reel you in.

7. Windfall Island

The Wind Waker has so many islands to explore. Windfall Island features inhabitants originally from Hyrule Castle Town and Kakariko Village. The town design itself is very reminiscent of traditional Hyrulean towns. Windfall Island is known as the most populated island in the game. Perhaps as to be expected with this status, there is quite a bit of shopping, and even a school and jail. One of the more peculiar places on the island is Chu Jelly Juice Shop. Crafting new potions is such a fun and inventive way to use Chu Jelly.

6. Zora’s Domain

The land of the Zoras has such a special feeling to it. Perhaps it is all the water, perhaps it is the Zora themselves, but it’s hard not to feel mesmerized by Zora’s Domain. This location has appeared in several Zelda games but was first introduced in Ocarina of Time. The town is not developed fully in A Link Between Worlds, and is oddly eerie in Twilight Princess, but it’s hard for fans to choose their favorite iteration of it. Breath of the Wild does an amazing job of building out each race’s hometown, and Zora’s Domain is no exception. The scenery in and around Zora’s Domain is beautiful and gives variety to the landscape no matter what game it is featured in.

5. Hyrule Castle Town

The settlement directly in front of Hyrule Castle has looked very different throughout the ages. First shown in Ocarina of Time, it has also been featured in The Minish Cap, Twilight Princess, Spirit Tracks, and Breath of the Wild. The town features a bustling market and is an important societal hub for citizens of Hyrule. There are typically sidequests, shops, and mini-games that can be found within the town, which gives Link a reason to stay and explore. The town usually has somewhat of a quaint medieval look to it or is seen in ruins based upon calamitous events that have happened. 

4. Kokiri Forest

It’s hard to imagine a list of the top villages in Zelda games without including Kokiri Forest from Ocarina of Time. Link’s hometown in this game is located within the Lost Woods. It also serves as the hometown for the Kokiri. We know that Kokiri Forest is only truly found on the map in Ocarina of Time. Yet we also know it also takes the form of Faron Woods in Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword. In The Wind Waker, it is the Forest Haven. It is also implied to be the spiritual predecessor to Breath of the Wild’s Korok Forest. The treehouses create a nostalgic feel that exudes a sense of youth that is easy to associate with the Kokiri.

3. Clock Town

Few fans can even think of Majora’s Mask without reminiscing about Clock Town. As the largest town located in the center of Termina, a lot of gameplay happens here. Broken up into North, South, East, and West Clock Town, there is a large area to explore. Each year the citizens of Clock Town hold the Carnival of Time, and this happens to be the time of year that Link finds himself there. Clock Town features plenty of fascinating inhabitants and strange happenings, which makes it all the more interesting to explore to untangle its secrets.

2. Skyloft

Floating high above the clouds, Skyloft is like something out of a dream. The Skyward Sword city features a healthy variety of residences, the Goddess Statue, a bazaar, the Knight Academy, and a graveyard as notable locations. By day, the town can seem rather uneventful. After nightfall, it is only for the brave at heart, as many dangers emerge.

The real magic of Skyloft, though, is everyone’s ability to jump off the edge of the city and call their Loftwing to explore the islands in the sky on a whim. But all of this aside, Skyloft is important because it is the city that gave us our first look at Groose.

1. Kakariko Village

Perhaps the quintessential village for the entire Zelda games, Kakariko Village is typically an important destination. Some of the most popular iterations of this village come from Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild. However, it first appeared in A Link to the Past.

The purpose of Kakariko Village changes from game to game. It sometimes has its roots in Hylian history. In Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild, it’s founded by the Sheikah. In most games, Kakariko serves as a place where Link discovers important information or meets important people, such as Impa, who will help him along his path. The ever-changing purpose and history of Kakariko Village always keep fans intrigued and excited to discover its story in each game.