Enchanting castles, charming villages, and spellbinding bridges—there are some things guaranteed to make you feel like you’ve stepped from our world directly into the pages of a fairytale. So, if you’ve been dreaming of leaving this world behind for a tale of epic proportions, you won’t need magic to do it. Simply pack your bags and get ready to travel far far away to discover these whimsical fairytale destinations you’d never believe were real—until you see them for yourself.
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Table of Contents
- Fairytale Cities Across the Globe
- Magical Destinations Around the World
- Fairytale Places You Have to See to Believe
Fairytale Cities Across the Globe
Ready to find yourself transported into your own version of a fairytale? Good news then—you’ll find portals dotted all over the world. From enchanting towns in Europe to spellbinding cities in Asia, these magical places promise an epic, modern-day fairy retelling.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Ancient volcanic eruptions sculpted the fairy-scape of Göreme Valley. But looking at this magnificent sight in person, it seems more likely that a fairy waved a magic wand. How else does one explain the magical sweep of honeycomb hills blanketing the land or the rock formations, conveniently called fairy chimneys, stretching toward the sky? Come sunset, the spell sets in even deeper when the sun’s golden glow sets the chimneys alight. Of course, the best way to take in the magic is soaring above it all in a hot air balloon.
Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne is a picture straight from the storybooks, so of course, it makes for a picture-perfect fairytale destination. Quaint bridges span serene waters, and narrow streets weave past yellow and white buildings topped by terracotta roofs. From wandering the storybook streets on foot to riding the mountaintop railway up in the clouds, the winding cobblestones and glittering Lake Lucerne are guaranteed to wrap even the most levelheaded adventurer up in the magic.
Valletta, Malta
The golden city of El Dorado may not exist, but Valletta certainly does. Overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, this golden city has mesmerized travelers for years. From the outside, Valletta looks like a medieval city that’s leaped straight from the pages of Game of Thrones. But Valletta holds a special charm, unlike anything you’ll find in the Seven Kingdoms, one that whisks you away over the sapphire waters on a dgħajsa and meanders through Baroque buildings whispering tales of the past.
Matera, Italy
In the beautiful Basilicata countryside, on the precipice of a ravine, lies the rock-hewn city of Matera—a fairytale destination and a half. Ancient excavations carved out of limestone led to the formation of this enchanting city of caves. Here, magic waits around every corner. From stone houses ensconced in verdant greenery to limestone churches at the end of narrow alleys and winding streets leading to hilltop palaces, every inch of Matera bewitches occupants and travelers alike.
Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Nestled in a valley surrounded by windswept lands sits the ancient city of Samarkand. While the name may simply mean “stone city,” visitors will quickly discover one of the most magical places in Uzbekistan. The city holds centuries of magic, from medieval madrassas to ancient mosques, with their fantastical mosaics, glazed bricks, and ceramic majolica. The result is that this once-jewel of the Silk Road still flourishes like a prettily polished gemstone.
Jaipur, India
When looking at Jaipur, it’s nearly impossible to believe this destination wasn’t plucked from a fairytale. The city’s pastel buildings, colorful bazaars, and mesmerizing palaces have put many under its spell. Even the names invoke a magical undertone, from the pretty Welcome Palace, which served as a reception hall, to the sandstone Water Palace, surrounded by serene lake waters of the lake. And who could forget the Palace of Wind, with its pink and red sandstone facade and ornately carved lattice windows?
Sintra, Portugal
As though crafted by fairy incantations, Sintra sits perched above forest-covered mountains like an eye-catching bird. The colorful town boasts whimsy and romance in spades—grandiose palaces overlook the city, garden trails burst with the greenest foliage, and thick moss climbs benches and boulders. And when clouds of mist and fog come to blanket the city? The hazy, dreamlike atmosphere leaves travelers to question what of their visit was real and what was only fantasy.
Jiufen, Taiwan
Have you ever wished to be carried off to a magical place like Chihiro in Spirited Away? If so, Jiufen is the perfect town for such an escape. Cliffside teahouses and long buildings stacked one atop the other weave an enchanting allure. The red lanterns twinkling in the night and food stalls with their enticing aromas remind many travelers of Chihiro’s fateful walk through the food vendor-filled street. And travelers to Jiufen can expect a similarly magic-filled visit, though perhaps one with fewer animal transformations.
Chefchaouen, Morocco
Chefchaouen is a blue-hued daydream. Here, everything—from the walls to the stairs to the windows—is painted in shades of blue. It’s almost like stepping out of the real world and into the sky. A sky filled with cats perched in azure alcoves, narrow alleyways stretching into pastel blue infinity, and seemingly endless steps leading you further into a cobalt blue fantasy. Amid such a magical setting, you’re sure to feel lost in a fairytale. But whether you ever want to leave is entirely up to you.
Riquewihr, France
Riquewihr wasn’t pulled from a fairytale. Instead, it inspired one. Disney animators, who journeyed to Riquewihr during their tour of French villages, found themselves so captivated by its beautiful designs that they later included them in the film Beauty and the Beast. Charming medieval buildings painted pale blues, soft yellows, faded greens, and quiet mauves line charmingly sloped streets. Bunches of ivy climb the walls, and window boxes with beautiful blooms dot almost every window. Snuggled between the mountains and vineyards, Riquewihr is truly a fairytale destination in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards.
Magical Destinations Around the World
In a world with mirror lakes, glittering caverns, and mist-covered forests, fairytale destinations are hidden around every corner—you just have to know where to look to find them.
Las Coloradas, Yucatan
The fantastical pink lakes are supposedly due to salinity and algae. But it seems far more likely that an errant fairy let a few spells get away from her. Bubblegum pink waters abut pale sands while wispy plumes chase each other across an orange sky at sunset.
Mù Cang Chải, Vietnam
Settled in an enchanting landscape of steep mountain slopes and cascading foliage, the breathtaking Mù Cang Chải rice terraces await. And the sight of them is breathtaking. Like stepping into an undulating sea of green, the intricate designs create a mesmerizing feast for the eyes. The terraces stretch off and into the distance, like emerald and gold steps ascending to a fairy palace hidden in the sky.
Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar
All good fairytale destinations spring from a good story and the Avenue of the Baobabs certainly delivers. Folktales tell the story of these ancient Baobabs as trees ripped from the earth and placed back upside down. Their appearance gives credence to the legend, with limbs that grow spindly like tree roots, hence the nickname of upside-down trees. Along the avenue, these towering giants stand like ancient guardians, welcoming visitors into a world of magic and mystery.
Kuang Si Falls, Laos
The magical Kuang Si Falls sits on the outskirts of a city, nestled in an enchanting forest. Foliage-dense trails lead past limestone ledges and trailing pools of pale turquoise waters to arrive at this cascading daydream. Water streams over almost every inch of the jutting limestone rocks, looking like some spilled fairy elixir. And when lit by early morning light and mist, the falls transcend beyond mere fairytale destination to another realm entirely.
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
In the high altitudes of Bolivia, a salt flat spans for miles across the Altiplano, astonishing all who have the pleasure of wandering through its ethereal plains. During the dry season, the salt flats harden, looking like a fairy stitched salt polygons into a magnificent quilt. But come the wet season, the lakes overflow to fill those pockets. The effect is a liquid mirror that stretches for miles and miles, offering a breathtaking view as everything above is reflected below.
Devil’s Cauldron, Ecuador
Tucked away in the western foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes lies the Devil’s Cauldron. Deep in the canopied woods of the cloud forests, orchids bloom behind lush vegetation, stone steps creep up a steep cliffside, and at the top, travelers find stunning views of a powerful waterfall tumbling into the gorge below. The beauty is nearly indescribable, with the surreal, otherworldliness making it one of the most magical places in Ecuador.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
Descend into darkness and discover a light unlike any other. Wandering through the glowworm caves of New Zealand unveils an inky sky that twinkles and glows like starlight. But these aren’t stars—they’re glowworms, lighting up Waitomo’s dark caverns and grottos with an ethereal light. Whether gently gliding on a boat or black water rafting through tiny caves and down small inclines, the galaxy of glittering and glowing ceilings will leave its afterimage long after you make your way back into the light.
Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
Centuries-old beech trees line the sides of this bewitching road in Northern Ireland. Branches sweep overtop the avenue like the arms of dance partners lined in a row. When sunlight spills across the green leaves, they appear like a portal, beckoning travelers to come and explore this fairytale destination. But then night creeps along. Suddenly, the shadows stretch across the road, fog curls around the branches, and the Dark Hedges transform into an eerie, haunting road that might just stretch endlessly into the dark.
Siwa Oasis, Egypt
Towering sand dunes, ancient cities of mudbrick villages, and shimmering lakes enchant those who trek to Siwa Oasis. Crystallized salt adorns salt pools of aqua greens and turquoise blue, creeping up the edges like frost. To the east, mountains of white salt rise from the desert sands and lakes like watchful guardians. The beauty of this place is rivaled only by its strangeness. At any moment, it seems this magical place could disappear as quickly as a desert mirage.
Multnomah Falls, Oregon
Who says you have to travel to New Zealand to experience Middle-earth? Multnomah Falls may be Oregon’s tallest waterfall, but one look and visitors familiar with the world of JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings will quickly find themselves whisked away to the dazzling elven city of Rivendell. The towering falls trail down over rock and cliffs in wispy streams broken only by a charming, picture-perfect bridge. Hit by morning light and mist, you may just swear you see an elven prince darting among the verdant trees.
Fairytale Places You Have to See to Believe
Storybook castles and enchanting mosques enthrall all who walk their halls. Beautiful churches and monasteries beckon to those who catch a mere glimpse. And nature and architecture come together to cast spells across the water. Step into your favorite fairytale with these magical places that must be seen to be believed.
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Shiraz, Iran
Journey to the captivating Nasir al-Mulk Mosque and find yourself transported to a place of breathtaking beauty. Almost every inch of the mosque is covered in ornate tiling, vivid colored glass, and arabesque embellishments that create a place of unbelievable beauty. Walking through the mosque early in the morning on a sunny day is akin to walking through a rainbow, with the world becoming an enchanting kaleidoscope of colors.
Borgund Stave Church, Norway
Step into a dark fantasy. Sitting at the base of a hill, surrounded by headstones, the Borgund Stave Church is a destination that appears straight out of an eerie fairytale. With dragon heads propped on the church’s roof and snakes etched onto the doors, it’s hard to tell if evil spirits are being warded off or invited in.
Bojnice Castle, Slovakia
Bojnice Castle is every fairytale lover’s daydream. Blue rooftops peak out over verdant greenery, making it feel like a secret hidden in the trees. The towering white stone adds to the building’s allure, creating an airy and romantic atmosphere. And inside, the grand and ostentatious rooms make it feel only too likely you’ll see a runaway princess and her fairy guardian zipping down the hallways.
Las Lajas Sanctuary, Colombia
Precariously perched in the midst of a gorge, Las Lajas Sanctuary rises up out of a ravine like the dark tower a storybook heroine finds in their hour of need. Indeed, the Gothic basilica, built into a mountain and over a creek, appears as if willed into existence. Surrounded by lush greenery, the stark white detailing against dark stone makes the sanctuary appear ethereal and ephemeral, as if it may vanish the moment it is no longer needed as all magical places do.
Kromlau, Germany
Germans believe only the Devil himself could’ve built such a stunning bridge that has stood the test of time. But it seems just as likely that moss folk and woodland sprites created this bridge as a portal to another realm. The bridge was constructed in a perfect semi-circle. On days when the light is good, it is mirrored below, creating a near-perfect circle of stone and water. It seems only certain some other fairytale destination lies on the other side.
Paro Taktsang, Bhutan
Three paths lead to the sacred Vajrayana Himalayan Buddhist site, Paro Taktsang. Two of the paths meander through a plateau called ‘a hundred thousand faeries.’ Looking at this astounding monastery, it feels like it might have taken a hundred thousand faeries to magic it up on the sheer cliff, propping the red, white, and gold beauty amongst the flourishing greenery and craggy stone.
Hobbiton, New Zealand
Hobbiton is a place where magical fantasies spring to life—literally. Meandering paths lead past tiny houses carved into the earth and little gardens with vibrant blooms framing doorways. Wandering through it is unreal enough, but settling into the cozy Green Dragon Inn with one of their handcrafted beers and looking out over the peaceful pond, you can embrace the fantasy of being a worry-free Hobbit, just for the day.
Eltz Castle, Germany
Forget the sword in the stone, how about a castle? Perched atop a jutting rock, the beautiful Eltz Castle has been called a “fairytale in stone.” Nestled in the midst of the Eifel forest, this castle seems exactly like the place where an errant prince might stumble upon a sleeping beauty and her enchanted castle. And while you may not find her, or her prince, in any of the rooms, you will find beautiful floral murals sprouting across the walls and climbing across the vaulted ceilings like images from a storybook.
Casa Batlló, Spain
If you’re searching for magical places, it doesn’t get more spellbinding than the Casa Batlló. Let yourself be swept away by Casa Batlló’s sculptural doorways and fantastical rooms with vibrant tilings. With its iridescent rooftop like a dragon’s scales, a colorful facade like an impressionist painting, and whimsical Juliet balconies, these architectural apartments seem like the perfect housing for fairies and other enchanting creatures.
Discover Magical Places Around the World with Next Vacay
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So if you’re ready to experience your own once-upon-a-time in these fairytale destinations, Next Vacay will happily play the part of fairy godmother and spirit you away to magical landscapes all around the globe.
