By Bridget Castner ✔ Reviewed by travel expert Ben Braude
Whether you want to explore centuries-old castles, scenic small towns, or unique hidden gems, the world is filled with places that feel like a real-life fairytale – especially in Europe.
Step into a Disney fantasy by exploring our top picks for whimsical destinations that'll inspire your next escape.
Hallstatt, Austria
Hallstatt, Austria, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is often referred to as a real-life fairytale village. Rumored to be the inspiration for the kingdom of Arrendale in the Frozen movies, Hallstatt truly delivers on its fairytale status. It's just an hour drive from Salzburg, making it the perfect day trip if you're staying there.
The village is nestled between the stunning green peaks of the Dachstein Mountains and sits right on Lake Halstatt, which is surrounded by pastel-colored houses, providing picture-perfect views like you would see on a postcard. Be sure to keep an eye out for swans gliding across the lake, adding to the village's sense of enchantment and serenity. The charming houses have a traditional Alpine structure, wooden balconies, and flower boxes that overflow with bright plants in the warmer months. When it snows, they resemble magical gingerbread houses.
If you do decide to travel to Halstatt in the winter, you will be greeted by a stunning sparkling winter wonderland. The village is small and can be easily explored by foot. While you're there, stroll the narrow, winding cobblestone streets that are filled with hidden staircases in its alleyways, along with unique shops and cafes.
Explore our Austria vacation packages.
Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland
The dramatic landscape of Lauterbrunnen is one of the deepest u-shaped valleys in the Alps. While it sits on a flat verdant floor, it's surrounded by large sheer rock cliffs that are over 3,000 feet high! The clear streams and melting snow from high peaks cascade down the magnificent cliffs, creating 72 waterfalls. The most iconic of these is Staubbach Falls, one of Europe's highest free-falling waterfalls. Its ethereal mist has inspired many famous pieces of literature including Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem "Song of the Spirits Over the Waters” and is widely rumored to be the inspiration for Tolkien's fictional Elven refuge Rivendell in his Lord of the Rings series.
While you're exploring, be sure to take a stroll down the main street and admire the traditional wooden chalets, colorful flower boxes, and the towering valley cliffs. Make sure you also visit the Lauterbrunnen Church and its adjacent cemetery, which offers visitors a stunning view of Staubbach Falls. Stop in one of the small shops where you can buy things like authentic Swiss chocolate, Swiss knives, and unique local gifts. Then, treat yourself to some freshly baked goods and a warm beverage at a nearby care.
Pro tip: If you're staying in Lake Zurich or Lucerne, this is the perfect day trip, as it is just a 2 hour drive from both locations.
Explore our Switzerland vacation packages.
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is considered to be one of the most enchanting places in Europe. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, mainly because its medieval structures were perfectly preserved and untouched by any industrial development or wars. You won't find any modern high-rising buildings here, but instead, colorful gabled houses line the main squares, making it look like they have been taken right off the page of a storybook.
The medieval architecture, picturesque canals, and swans gliding across the lake transport you to a completely magical place. Walk across the Lover's Bridge over the Lake of Love, ascend the Belfry of Bruges for stunning views of the city, tour the grand Provincial Palace, and take a horse-drawn carriage ride through this truly magical place.
Explore our Belgium vacation packages.
Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Wander the timeless medieval streets of this charming town with its maze of cobblestone lanes that are lined with vibrant, pastel-colored houses. The buildings are a blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles which transport you to a scene right out of Sleeping Beauty.
Climb the beautiful renaissance tower of Český Krumlov Castle, which overlooks the red-tiled roofs of the Old Town Below, creating an image straight from an illustrated storybook. Be sure to visit the Cloak Bridge, a multi-story arched stone bridge that connects the castle's courtyards and is yet another viewpoint that offers stunning panoramic views.
The town's main square is the epicenter of the Old Town, and the narrow streets are full of unique shops that sell traditional Czech products such as local ceramics and Bohemian glass. This is the perfect place to explore for some history, quirky souvenirs, and a little touch of real-life magic. If you're staying in Prague, then Cesky Krumlov is the perfect whimsical day trip just about 2 hours away.
Explore our Czech Republic vacation packages.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Steeped in ancient folklore, the Isle of Skye was formed by ancient volcanic activity and huge landslides. The island now features stunning emerald-green hills that resemble velvet, jagged stone peaks that pierce the clouds, and crystal clear pools that locals have associated with magic for centuries. The frequent low-hanging clouds and sudden fog create a mystical atmosphere where the landscape is constantly vanishing and reappearing, and almost every landmark has a folklore legend attached to it, from giants to fairies.
Visit the Fairy Glen, a miniature landscape of grassy mounds and stone spirals where you'll find Castle Ewen, a rocky tower that sits atop the summit and looks like a ruined medieval structure. Swim in the fairy pools at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains, which according to ancient folklore, is where fairies bathe in the vivid blue and green pools by moonlight. For more lore, hike to the iconic Old Man of Storr, a 160-foot rock formation that is said to actually be the thumb of a giant who was buried in the Earth long, long ago.
Be sure to also visit Dunvegan Castle where inside you can see the Fairy Flag, an ancient relic believed by locals to have been given to the Clan MacLeod by a fairy to grant them victory in battle. If there's one last thing to do in the Isle of Skye, it should be to cross the Sligachan Old Bridge – according to local legend, if you dip your face in the river for 7 seconds, you will receive eternal beauty.
Explore our Scotland vacation packages.
Eze, France
This enchanting village sits nearly 1,400 feet above the Mediterranean Sea. It's often referred to as “Eagle's Nest” and due to the fact that it's entirely pedestrian, it feels less like a modern town and more like a fantasy film set suspended in time. In fact, Walt Disney frequently visited Eze, and it is widely thought that the village inspired many of his visions for the fantasy aesthetics of his movies.
If you're staying in Nice, this is the perfect place to take a day trip to, as it is just a short 30-minute drive away. To explore the village, you must climb steep, narrow cobblestone paths that wind through stone arches and hidden tunnels making everything feel ancient from the wrought-iron lanterns and heavy wood doors, to the stone buildings along the way that are often home to local artisan workshops, hidden galleries in former stables, or wine cellars.
While you're there, explore Le Jardin Exotique (Exotic Garden). This stunning place is built directly into the ruins of a 12th-century castle, making your experience all the more magical. The garden features an assortment of cacti and succulents, and you can visit the garden's “zen space” for panoramic views of the French Riviera and lounge under subtropical plants in deckchairs. Make sure you keep an eye out for the “Earth Goddess” statues by Jean-Philippe Richard that help add to the garden's ethereal feel.
Explore our France vacation packages.
Bavaria, Germany
In the Southeast of Germany lies what is considered to be the heart of Germany's fairytale charm, Bavaria. This magical place has served as the backdrop for the stories of the Brothers Grimm, and it is home to the most famous castle in the world, Neuschwanstein, which was the direct inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's Castle.
You will feel as though you are walking through a life-sized pop up book as you wander the streets and gaze upon the houses painted with detailed, colorful frescoes that depict old folk stories, religious scenes, and even classic fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel.
In Northern Bavaria, towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber are so well preserved that they look like toy villages with half-timbered houses and cobblestone squares.
Explore our Germany vacation packages.
Sintra, Portugal
Sintra is cloaked in a thick, mysterious fog that hangs onto the moss-covered stone walls and exotic ferns, making the palaces there look like an illustration right out of a storybook. The architecture is vibrantly colored from bright lemon-yellow towers to red turrets and walls splashed with blue and white azulejos tiles.
Almost every street is paved with traditional limestone and basalt cobblestones that are laid out in beautiful and intricate patterns. As you make your way through the alleyways and discover ancient stone fountains and hidden gem cafes, you'll soon see why Sintra is considered a real-life fairytale destination. It's the perfect day trip from Lisbon, conveniently just about 30 minutes away.
Explore our Portugal vacation packages.
