Are you looking to visit awe inspiring fairytale places in Europe? If so, these 15 destinations must be on your list! These fairytale places to visit in Europe blend iconic castles, storybook towns, gothic architecture, enchanted forests, stunning vistas and hidden gems that feel straight out of fantasy!
These 15 magical European destinations need to be added to your bucket list if looking for places out of a fairytale! We have all the tips, must know information, and where else to visit in the area for each of these amazing spots! Whether you are looking for castles, picturesque small villages, stunning landscapes, or hidden gems our list has something for everyone!
15 Places In Europe Straight Out Of A Fairytale (That You Won’t Believe Are Real)
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Step through any medieval gates and discover the Bavarian gem of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The walled city features half-timbered houses with red-tiled rooftops and tiny cobblestone lanes, with gingerbread trim frames on the windows.
Base yourself inside the walls so you can photograph Plönlein’s corner at dawn without the crowds that come for day trips. Suppose you are lucky enough to visit in December. In that case, the market square transforms into a holiday village, so visit the Christmas Museum for magical places to visit in Europe!
Follow the Romantic Road south toward Füssen, stopping in Dinkelsbühl for colorful homes and in Nordlingen to climb the church tower built in a meteor crater, which offers views of the entire city!
The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
The Stuart family planted a double row of beech trees two centuries ago to impress visitors. If eerie, moody, and surreal is your version of magical. Than the Dark Hedges is fairytale towns in Europe that needs to be on your list! Game of Thrones fans will recognize the twisted ancient beech trees that line this beautiful road tunnel.
If you want an even more ethereal feel, visit at sunrise or when there is fog for a photographer’s dream. Wear good boots (the road is bumpy) and arrive before dawn to avoid the tour buses. Drones are not allowed. A visit here will sow you why this is one of the best things to do in Northern Ireland.
Park at Hedges Hotel (it’s free if you grab a coffee afterward) and walk five minutes to the famous viewpoint. Just a short drive away is Ballintoy, a coastal village with rugged cliffs and a magical Game of Thrones filming location vibe, with basalt cliffs and sea stacks. The nearby Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is also a must!
Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland
Perched on a tidal island where three lochs meet, Eilean Donan is the poster child of the Scottish Highlands ( and a must on our Ultimate Scotland Roadtrip!) . Restored in the 1930s, its stone mirrors perfectly in calm water while the Munros mountains loom behind.
This castle makes you feel you’ve fallen into a fantasy film set. The best way to describe this castle is highland legend meets drama. Buy tickets online and arrive 30 minutes before opening, as the interior is small and lines get pretty long.
Scottish weather changes hourly, so pack waterproofs, boots, and a raincoat. After you visit, drive 15 minutes to the Skye Bridge and spend a night in Portree. Hike to the Fairy Pools of ice-cold waterfalls that sparkle turquoise on sunny days. While you’re deep in the Highlands, head to the Isle of Skye. If you are searching for wild, remote, and mystical.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Neuschwanstein is the castle Disney replicated! Commissioned by Bavaria’s eccentric King Ludwig II as a personal retreat, Neuschwanstein looks precisely like the castle emoji! High in the Bavarian Alps, surrounded by forests and mountains, this castle is the ultimate fairytale visit in Europe.
While touristy, it needs to be on your list! Pre-booking tickets is a must, as tickets sell out a month in advance. Hike up to Mary’s Bridge (you MUST buy a separate timed ticket) for the jaw-dropping panoramic view. Fall is my favorite time to visit, with golden leaves and fewer visitors, however winter is magical. However, year-round is fantastic, and it is easy to see why it is one of the top castles in Germany.
Don’t skip Füssen, the fairytale town at the foot of the Alps. Its old town is pastel-hued and cobbled, with mountain views, plenty of charm, and excellent bakeries. Hohenschwangau Castle (next to Neuschwanstein) is another fairytale castles in Europe to hit on the Romantic Road!
Eltz Castle, Germany
Nestled in an ancient forest, Eltz is a medieval castle that has belonged to the same family since the 1100s. The family still lives in a private wing! You will find the original furnishings, armor, and family heirlooms inside. This is one of the scenic towns in Europe that feel like a fairytale!
Guided tours run hourly (cash only for tickets and the cafe). The castle can be reached only via a woodland trail through the forest but the trek is enchanting, and one of the hidden gems of Germany! From the upper Burg Eltz lot, it is a 15-minute walk to the first viewing of the castle.
The castle has turrets, timber framing, and a mountain as a backdrop. Combine with a Moselle wine crawl. Drive to Cochem for Riesling tastings and another hilltop castle with a fairytale skyline and some crisp German wine.
The Alhambra, Spain
The Alhambra is unique in that it possesses a different, mystical kind of magic. Granada’s hilltop palace fortress fuses Islamic artistry with Renaissance flair. Its rose-colored courtyards, reflecting ponds, intricate tile work, and palace gardens make the place feel downright magical.
With the Sierra Nevada mountains as the backdrop. Do not miss the Generalife gardens at sunset. Tickets open three months in advance. I suggest booking a morning slot to explore the palaces without the crowds. Please bring your passport (they scan IDs) and allow at least 3 to 4 hours.
If you have extra time, visit the hilltop village of Montefrío, one of Spain’s most scenic hidden fairytale destinations in Europe. With whitewashed homes, an epic cliff-side church, and hardly any tourists making it the perfect option for fairytale places in Europe!
Sintra, Portugal
Sintra is a whimsical places in Europe! The neon yellow, colorful town on a hill with mossy gardens and secret tunnels throughout the castles. Wear comfy shoes (stairs and cobblestone), and bring layers as the fog rolls in fast, and it can be chilly inside.
If you only have time for one palace, go with Pena for neon vibes, then wander the gardens of Quinta da Regaleira afterward. The vibe here is all about rainbow palaces, romantic ruins, and forest trails that get covered with fog. You can see why Sintra is one of the best cities in Portugal!
Trains leave Lisbon hourly; don’t forget to buy a 24-hour bus pass to shuttle between the hilltop sites on arrival. If you have extra time, go north to Óbidos. In this castle-topped village, you can sip cherry liquor (ganjah) from an edible chocolate cup while walking through the medieval walls.
Giethoorn, Netherlands
Dubbed the “Venice of the North,” Giethoorn has no roads: only canals, boats, is a storybook destinations in Europe. The thatched houses and wooden bridges, especially with tulips in full bloom, make it incredibly peaceful. Perfect day trip from Amsterdam.
Rent a whisper boat (early mornings, there are no lines) and glide through the canals for an epic experience through the cottage core capital of Europe! After lunch at a waterside pancake cafe, drive 15 minutes to Blokzijl, another charming waterside town with cute harbor-front houses and secret fairytale streets.
Eze, France
Eze is a tiny cliff-side village perched 1,400 feet above the French Riviera, offering panoramic Mediterranean views. Hike to the Jardin Exotique for a 360° view you’ll never forget. Book your tickets in advance.
Wander through winding stone archways and alleys, and stop for lunch with a view at the eatery tucked into the rocks. Try a Michelin-starred meal at Château Eza or La Chèvre d’Or for a special treat.
While in the area, don’t miss Saint-Paul-de-Vence, another dreamy hilltop village nearby, packed with art galleries, cobbled lanes, and bougainvillea. Bus 82 from Nice drops you at the base for those without a car, with just a 20-minute climb to the garden (ticket includes panorama deck).
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
This national park is one of our list’s most picturesque fairytale places in Europe! It’s a top fall spot featuring sixteen staircase lakes connected by 90 waterfalls. If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a waterfall, Plitvice is your place.
Wooden paths zigzag across turquoise water. It is one of the most enchanted places to visit in Europe. Visit mid-week and get a full-day pass for ample time to hike and boat. Early risers will capture epic photos of the morning fog around the falls. You must buy tickets online.
My biggest tip is to choose Entrance 1 for the dramatic Veliki Slap waterfall. It’s also magical in winter when the frozen falls look unreal! If you have time, head to Rastoke, a lesser-known village where waterfalls run through people’s backyards!! A great train journey through Croatia here!
Castle Combe, England
Referred to as one of the prettiest villages in England, Castle Combe needs to be on your list. This village is frozen in time, with no new buildings added since the 1600s!
From arched stone bridges, narrow lanes, gardens, and honey-toned cottages, it’s incredibly Instagram-worthy and perfectly embodies the English countryside you envision.
You’ll recognize it from Harry Potter and Downton Abbey scenes. Those driving can park for free at Dunn’s Lane. Don’t forget to stop by the 14th-century St. Andrews Church and visit Lacock Abbey (Hogwarts), another Cotswold village frozen in time. And for those who love to walk, there are excellent trails through the towns in the Cotswolds.
Reine, Norway
Nothing quite compares to the Norwegian Fjords. Reine, Norway is truly stunning year-round, from wintertime snow-dusted peaks to green, dramatic fjords. The red fisher huts make up the tiny village of Reine in the Lofoten Islands. The wild beauty here is picture-perfect, with a rugged, remote, and utterly magical landscape.
Visit the Northern Lights in winter or summer for the midnight sun. Hop around the Lofoten Islands to Å, a tiny fishing village at the archipelago’s tip with huts, dramatic sea cliffs, and barely any tourists making this region some of the best fairytale places in Europe!
Tossa de Mar, Spain
Tossa de Mar features a medieval walled castle on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, offering a unique blend of fairytale charm and beach holiday vibes. Plus, it is still relatively under the radar. Dali declared its light the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, and a visit here will show you why!
Explore the castle walls and charming lanes, enjoying the sea air and relaxed atmosphere. Park outside town and walk the beachfront promenade, climbing up to the lighthouse for panoramic views. Drive 30 minutes to Cadaqués, an artsy, whitewashed village with turquoise water, bohemian vibes, and old-world charm. Just be sure not to make these mistakes!
Malbork Castle, Poland
Malbork is the world’s largest UNESCO brick fortress. A stunning red brick fortress along the east bank of the River Nogat, it is jaw-dropping from its drawbridges, towers, and winding corridors. Buy the audio guide to appreciate its rich history! On Mondays, you can visit for free.
It looks exactly like what you would envision a fortress built by Teutonic knights to be. Explore Gdańsk, only an hour away by train. Its Old Town is colorful and underrated. Walk along the Motława River and pop into the fairy-lit streets behind the medieval gates.
Bran Castle, Romania
Bran Castle offers a mix of vampire lore and medieval charm. Known as Dracula’s Castle, it exudes a spooky medieval fairytale vibe. Towering over Transylvania high in the Carpathian Mountains, it’s picture-perfect and surrounded by forest.
Time your visit for a late afternoon tour and book skip-the-line tickets. For the ultimate atmosphere, come in late October for the Halloween tour! Afterward, explore nearby Brașov for medieval architecture, coffee, and endless castle stories.
Alternatively, visit Sighișoara, one of Europe’s most colorful and best-preserved medieval towns. With cobbled streets, pastel towers, and a hilltop clock tower, it’s also Vlad the Impaler’s birthplace and Diagon Alley’s inspiration. This underrated countries in Europe is a must for visitors looking for off the beaten path destinations!
Final Thoughts and Tips!
These 1t amazing fairytale places in Europe are must visit for anyone wanting to experience a magical destination! There are so many additional spots that could make this list, as Europe has so many stunning locations!
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