20 Places That Are Straight Out Of Fairy Tales
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Visiting these real-world places is like jumping into the pages of a story book, where castles sit on clouds and forests are carpeted with flowers.
01. Colmar: Alsace, France
Walt Disney would surely approve of Colmar, with its timber-framed houses, colorful facades, and flower-lined canal.
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02. Ashikaga Flower Park: Ashikaga, Japan
Ashikaga’s wisteria trees bloom brilliantly for a few weeks every spring, turning the park into a vision of pastel pinks and purples.
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03. Rakotzbrücke (Rakotz Bridge): Kromlau, Germany
This 19th-century bridge creates a perfect stone circle when reflected in the still waters below it.
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04. Angel Oak: Charleston, South Carolina
What looks like a set piece from Pan’s Labyrinth is actually a massive and ancient oak tree—six stories tall and 300-400 years old.
05. Reed Flute Cave: Guilin, China
Sadly, magical fairy dust is not the secret behind Reed Flute Cave’s glowing interior. Multi-colored lights hide all around the subterranean spot to attract tourists.
06. Hohenzollern Castle: Bisingen, Germany
Hohenzollern Castle stands proudly over 750 feet above Germany. It’s most exceptional on overcast days when it sticks out above the fog—a literal castle on a cloud.
07. Tunnel of Love: Klevan, Ukraine
Ukraine’s “Tunnel of Love” puts all theme park rides to shame, with vibrant green leaves covering every surface.
08. Hallstatt, Austria
Its lakeside views and charming buildings make Hallstatt a picture-perfect town. So perfect, in fact, that China made an exact replica of the village to serve as high-end housing.
09. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai’s skies light up with thousands of lanterns every year during the Yi Peng festival. Tangled fans, start packing.
10. Lake Reschen: South Tyrol, Italy
This area of South Tyrol was once home to several villages, but the towns were purposefully flooded when a dam was built nearby. The only visible reminder of the drowned cities is a 14th-century bell tower—sort of like Rapunzel meets the Quarter Quell.
11. Hallerbos Forest: Halle, Belgium
This beech forest in Belgium becomes a misty dreamscape during springtime, as thousands of bluebells carpet the forest floor.
12. Seljalandsfoss: Iceland
Seljalandsfoss looks great at any angle, but it’s worth the hike to see the waterfall from the cave behind it. Can someone commission an Airbnb property here please?
13. City Palace: Jaipur, India
We love a good turret and stone archway, but Jaipur’s rosy pink City Palace gives its European counterparts a run for their money.
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14. The Dark Hedges: Northern Ireland
Because even fairy tales are dark and full of terrors. Local legend has it that “the Grey Lady” (a ghost, not the New York Times) haunts the road at dusk.
15. Angkor Wat (Ta Prohm): Cambodia
The Cambodian jungle has pretty much devoured the Ta Prohm temple, but the strangely compelling remains (which had a guest role in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider) make it a popular tourist attraction.
16. St. Basil’s Cathedral: Moscow, Russia
St. Basil’s Cathedral is a bright and whimsical sight in the middle of Red Square, thanks to candy-colored domes and swirling patterns.
17. Quinta da Regaleira: Sintra, Portugal
Sintra’s Quinta da Regaleira estate has a lot to offer tourists, like ornate gardens and palaces, as well as deep wells with spiral staircases lining the walls.
18. Longleat: Wiltshire, England
While trying to navigate the hedge maze at the Longleat manor, one almost expects to cross paths with the Queen of Hearts (or, fingers crossed, David Bowie).
19. Puez-Geisler Nature Park: South Tyrol, Italy
Italy’s Puez-Geisler Nature Park is located among the jagged and striking Dolomites, with a charming, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it church nestled among the mountains.
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20. Oneonta Gorge: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
Tucked right by the border between Oregon and Washington, the Oneonta Gorge is a beautiful slice of ancient geology—not to mention a popular hiking destination.
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