These 10 European Towns Will Make You Think You Are In A Fairy Tale
August 12, 2022
The world's most picturesque cities and villages can be found in Europe. There is no continent that boasts such charming and attractive towns that look like they belong in a fairy tale, full of historical structures, castles, towers, bridges, and cobblestone streets.
While most of Old World Europe has vanished as a result of conflict, urbanization, or both, there are still a number of fairytale-like villages that include cobblestone alleys, attractive architecture, and other Old World European attractions. Spend your days admiring the old structures, looking for one-of-a-kind items, and dining at the cutest outdoor cafes. From a storybook hamlet to picture-perfect scenery and colorful castles, these are the greatest fairytale villages in Europe you should add to your growing bucket list.
1. Bled, Slovenia
One of Europe's best-kept secrets is the little Alpine town of Bled, located in northwest Slovenia along the shores of Lake Bled. This location appears like it was taken straight out of a fairytale, with its glacially blue waters encircled by alpine mountains. Photographers from all over the world come to capture the Church of the Mother of God at sunrise, when the first rays of sunlight break through the morning sky, or at dusk.
2. Hallstatt, Austria
Hallstatt's pastel-colored houses look postcard-perfect in this sunset view, hugged by peaks and surrounded by low-lying clouds. Hallstatt's long history began with the discovery of salt mines in the region in prehistoric times - maybe as early as 4000 BC - in the mountainous Salzkammergut region. Today, much of the architecture comes from the 16th century, and the buildings are painted in a rainbow of ice cream colors.
3. Gruyeres, Switzerland
Gruyeres is well-known for its namesake cheese, which has a mellow, nutty flavor and melts beautifully in fondue. However, not many people are familiar with the place. This ancient village is situated in the Swiss Alps' upper Saane River valley and is breathtakingly lovely. Many of its historic buildings, including several castles that are on the National Register of Historic Places, have survived the years. The beautiful Gruyères Castle, built in the thirteenth century and featuring formidable defenses and sweeping views of the surrounding Alpine slopes and snow-capped peaks, is reached through a broad roadway with the stone pavement.
4. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
The most well-preserved medieval walled town in Germany is Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which is also one of the most visited destinations along the Romantic Road. When you enter the Old Town's walls, you'll feel as though you've been whisked away into a tale. In fact, sketches of the town served as inspiration for Walt Disney's Pinocchio.
It just takes 2.5 hours to travel to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from either Frankfurt or Munich. Take a stroll with your significant other, indulge in some snowballs (a regional specialty formed from shortcake dough), or browse the famed Christmas Village for Christmas decorations (open all year).
5. Castle Combe, England
Wiltshire county is home to Castle Combe, a charming village straight out of a fairy tale. It is a popular tourist destination and one of Europe's most picturesque fairytale villages.
The community is well-known for its historic stone cottages, market square, cross monument, and unrivaled natural beauty. Other notable landmarks in the area include Water Lane Bridge, a historic dower house, and St. Andrew's Church. Additionally, numerous well-known movies have used the area as a shooting site. The Wolf Man and Dr. Dolittle, Stephen Spielberg’s War Horse, and Stardust are a few examples.
6. Hobbiton, New Zealand
Hobbiton is a charming fairy tale hamlet in Waikato, New Zealand, where the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies were shot. The region has been beautifully reconstructed to seem just like Middle-Earth, right down to the little hobbit holes and a functional blacksmith shop.
The Hobbiton Movie Set Tour is another thing you ought to go see. The tour takes you through the town while a guide narrates its history and the process used to create it for the movie series. Every year, throngs of tourists descended on Hobbiton, New Zealand, to visit the filming locations. It's a must-visit location for movie fans!
7. Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
Karlovy Vary is a lovely fairytale town in the Czech Republic. It is one of the historically significant non-touristy locations and is well worth spending a day or two visiting. The hot springs, spa-inspired architecture, The Moser Visitor Center, Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Karlovy Vary Museum and Art Gallery, Loket Castle, Historical Motorcycle Museum, and more are among Karlovy Vary's top draws.
Karlovy Vary, a resort town, is also a hub of culture, with a performing arts center, art galleries, and a number of museums. It is particularly well-known for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, one of the continent's oldest festivals.
8. Portmeirion, Wales, UK
Unlike several villages, Portmeirion was designed as a fairy-tale folly rather than as a working community. The colorful, Portofino-inspired structures, which were constructed by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1976, are scattered among exotic gardens and sandy beaches, accented by tiny cafés, restaurants, and even an Italian ice cream parlor. One of the oldest tracks of its sort is still used by the steam train in the area.
9. Perast, Montenegro
Another of the most popular fairytale villages in Europe is Perast. This small community is the ideal place to unwind and take in the stunning scenery due to its beachfront location, which is surrounded by mountains and the Adriatic Sea.
Its gorgeous scenery, historic churches, beaches, and the Bujovic Palace bring tourists from all over the world. The other must-see locations in the town are St. George Island and Our Lady of the Rocks.
With a bell tower that is 55 meters tall, St. Nicholas Church is the city's tallest structure. Visitors scale the bell tower to take in the picturesque surroundings of this tiny medieval settlement.
10. Portree, Scotland
Portree is a lovely Scottish town on the Isle of Skye. Many well-known films, including Stardust (2007), Made of Honor (2008), Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), Macbeth (2015), and BFG (2016), have been filmed in this magnificent community due to their extreme beauty and relative seclusion. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful sites in the world as a result of its time in the spotlight.
The town has a fantastic ambiance with views of the mountains, waterfalls, and vibrant residences along the sea. It has grown in popularity among tourists who come to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, bird watching, and rock climbing.