We can all agree that travel holds a little bit of magic, right? There’s an undeniable twinkle in the eye of the globetrotter, an enchantment to long airport lines and hostel rooms, a charm to unplanned late nights ending up in a random bar with locals. It’s just one of those innate things! But if you want to make your travel even more magical, and maybe fulfil some childhood dreams along the way, check out some of the fairytale destinations around the world.
From preserved medieval castles that may have inspired fairytale legends like the Brothers Grimm, to jaw-dropping views that defy all logic and can only exist in the realm of story; these places will cast a spell on you.
1. Finnish Lapland, Finland
Starting this off with the fairy tale of all fairy tales, Finnish Lapland is where every child’s favourite icon lives: Santa Claus! The snowy (and very cold) wonderland literally twinkles right before you when the Arctic sun is high in the sky. The softest hues of blue and pink occupy the sky in the day and at night you can expect tapestries of northern lights.
Lapland itself is a northernmost region that spans across Norway, Sweden, Finland and even portions of Russia, but it’s the Finnish part that is most famous and attracts all the Christmas tours. Lapland is home to unique icy landscapes, centuries-old Sámi culture, reindeer (for Santa, duh), and the fluffiest huskies around!
Image source:Contiki
2. Colmar, France
France as a whole is quite fairytale-like but especially the Alsace region. Once a part of Germany, the architecture is influenced by that quaint Bavarian style with exposed beams and pastel-coloured home. Walking through Colmar is literally like walking through the pages of a storybook: all those colours, the cobbled streets, and the flower-lined canals will inevitably put a smile on your face. Also, the Christmas markets here are out of this world…
Just outside of Colmar you can also visit Riquewihr which is the pristine medieval town said to have inspired Belle’s village in Beauty and the Beast.
3. Lake Bled, Slovenia
Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana features a gorgeous castle perched above the city which is very magical in its own way, but quiet and mysterious Lake Bled takes the cake here. The aquamarine waters stretch for 145 hectares, surrounded by forests and wooded trails, as well as the town of Bled which is just adorable. The main feature of Lake Bled is the tear-shaped island that sits in the middle like a crown jewel, adorned with a small church on top. The best part? To get to the island you have to take traditional Pletna boats: wooden vessels with colourful canvas coverings!
Even though it’s a church on the island, you could easily imagine a damsel in distress locked up in the spire here, or a reclusive wizard working on alchemical triumphs – whatever floats your Pletna boat.
Image source:Contiki
4. Bavaria and the Black Forest, Germany
With so many fairytales hailing from Germany, it’s no surprise that the country is one of the best fairytale destinations in the world, but Bavaria in the south holds the heart of many enchanted travellers.
You may recognise Neuschwanstein Castle. Not only is it mega famous and mega idyllic, but it’s the castle that Walt Disney based the Disney castle on. It doesn’t really get much more fairytale than that, does it? There are plenty of cute German towns that hold that spellbinding charm like Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber and Dinkelsbühl (which you can visit with Contiki) that you can visit between all the castle-hopping you’ll do.
The Black Forest is not in Bavaria, it’s actually its own mountain range which borders with France, and it is often associated with the likes of the Brothers Grimm. Characterised by vertiginous mountains, dense evergreen forests, and small towns dotted between, this is the perfect place to find girls in red hoods chasing wolves.
5. Hobbiton, New Zealand
What is The Lord of the Rings if not one of the most influential fairytales of our modern times? The set for Hobbiton was initially taken apart when the first trilogy of films had finished, but after it was rebuilt for The Hobbit trilogy, the sets became a permanent feature. I mean, how can you dismantle the adorable hill-inlaid homes and deprive film fanatics of this wonder?
Even if you’re not a fan of The Lord of the Rings you will undoubtedly fall in love with the corner of Matamata in New Zealand’s north island. Small houses with painted round doors, picket fences and (real!) gardens within, vegetable patches, sloping paths along the hills, and a pub just around the corner – it is literally pages brought to life, and naturally one of the best fairytale destinations ever.
Image source:Shan Li Fang / unsplash
6. Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
The medieval streets of Mostar will delight you in all manners. There’s a lot to do in this lively Bosnian town, including walking around the Old Town, taking a boat ride along the river which bisects the town, and visiting the nearby Kravice Waterfalls. But it’s the bridge in particular, Stari Most, arched into a point over the turquoise river below, that conjures legendary images of knights riding on horseback to profess their love to the princess they protect, or princes raising swords in the hopes of felling a dragon. Well, in my opinion, at least…
7. The Taj Mahal, India
Moving away from the signature cobblestone streets of European fairytales, India offers a different kind of wonder. I mean, the Taj Mahal is pretty spectacular on its own – those white marble spires and domes have mesmerised many locals and tourists for years. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site for a reason, and the fact that similar structures are featured in everyone’s favourite whole new world, Aladdin, only adds to that magic.
But what really cements the Taj Mahal as a fairytale destination is the reason for which it was built: as a mausoleum in the memory of emperor Shah Jahan’s late wife. What’s more magical than themes of true and everlasting love?
Image source:Sanin Sn / unsplash
8. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen’s famous waterfront and entertainment district, Nyhavn, is adored because of the pastel yellows and reds and blues of the various shops and restaurants. They reflect in the water like spilled paints, so it’s no wonder so many people pose in front of this street! Copenhagen is pretty idyllic, but the true fairytale location is around Kastellet.
This star-shaped island was once a fortress, and is now covered in greenery, houses, windmills and old bastions to this day. The citadel is right next to the famous Little Mermaid statue, who sits peacefully on a rock just outside the nearby port. There are actually three statues of mermaids in Copenhagen, all inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s story The Little Mermaid.
9. The Land of the Thunder Dragon, Bhutan
So, the Land of the Thunder Dragon isn’t actually a specific fairytale destination within Bhutan, rather it is Bhutan itself. The legendary name was given to the Himalayan country because of the thunderstorms which often strike in the valleys. Though relatively small, Bhutan is a must-see country in central Asia, especially if lush mountains, golden temples, and Avatar: The Last Airbender feature in your interests. Want to get a big dose of awe? Visit Tiger’s Nest Monastery which is tucked right on the edge of the mountain.
Image source:Priyangshu SV / unsplash
10. Zhangjiajie, China
Another Avatar reference, though this one is of the blue and tailed variety, Zhangjiajie is a city in China’s Hunan province, home to the totally life-altering Zhangjiajie National Forest Park which inspired the fantastical lands of Pandora in James Cameron’s Avatar. And, it’s totally obvious why. The park features rock formations that jut up from the earth, standing like solemn pillars of quartz sandstone in a sea of mist and jungle greenery. It’s the kind of place that should honestly only exist in fiction, but thankfully doesn’t!
11. The Isle of Skye, Scotland
A fairytale destination for those who like darker tales and folk legends, The Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most popular attractions, and one of the most mystical. There’s a definite air of mystery and otherworldliness here. Maybe it’s because of the Fairy Pools and the Fairy Glen, maybe it’s the undeniable majesty of the Old Man of Storr, or maybe it’s just a natural quality of the Hebridian air which infuses life into everything it touches.
Image source:Contiki
12. Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
A spot that never fails to amaze, Northern Ireland is spectacular, and the Giant’s Causeway is just one bit of evidence to that. An ancient volcanic eruption caused the ground to become unsettled here, creating strange hexagonal basalt columns, and mesmerising people ever since.
You might imagine dragons circling the skies above the Giant’s Causeway, perhaps making a nest nearby and snatching roaming sheep from farm lands. Well, that image totally makes sense as this Northern Irish destination was actually used to film scenes in Game of Thrones and the live action How to Train Your Dragon.
13. Kamakura, Japan
If you, like many others, fell completely in love with the peaceful train scene in Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, you’re going to want to visit Kamakura. Just an hour’s train ride outside of bustling Tokyo you’ll be able to visit the beautiful seaside town which has magnificent views of Mt. Fuji, a bronze statue of a peaceful Buddha, and train tracks that flank the ocean. Sleepy, serene, and very special indeed, Kamakura is a fairytale destination just outside of the futuristic city.
Image source:Bo Zhang / unsplash
14. Hallstatt, Austria
A village built right on the edge of a lake and along the side of classically dramatic mountains, Hallstatt is filled with good ol’ Alpine charm and fresh altitude air. The architecture dates back to the 16th century and the houses are dotted around treelines which light up with gorgeous gold and green colours under the sun. Nearby salt mines, subterranean salt lakes, and glacier gardens make this a unique stay in Austria.
15. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Speaking of salt, the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia are proof that dreams and fairytales really can become reality. This is a place where the boundary between sky and land is blurred as the big blue cloud-spangled canvas is reflected against the mirror surface of the salt flats – creating something truly stunning. If you visit Salar de Uyuni you’ll probably be having lots of ‘pinch me’ moments just to keep checking you haven’t been sucked into the pages of a book.
