If you think fairytale places only exist in books, think again.
Europe is rich with centuries-old castles, charming villages, scenic lakes, cobblestone streets, medieval fortresses, picturesque bridges – and even a few princes and princesses!
In no particular order, here are 50 of the most romantic and magical fairytale locations in Europe:
1. Lake Bled, Slovenia
Lake Bled and its island, on which sits Bled Castle, Slovenia. Source: Getty
2. Positano, Italy
Positano, on Italy’s spectacular Amalfi Coast. Source: Getty
3. Salzburg, Austria
The beautiful Austrian town of Salzburg in winter. Source: Shutterstock
4. Eguisheim, France
Eguisheim, a medieval village in the Alsace wine region in north-eastern France. Source: Getty
5. Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland
Glenfinnan Viaduct (a.k.a the Harry Potter train). Source: Pexels
6. Nuuk Old Town, Greenland
The Old Town of Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. Source: Getty
7. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
Cesky Krumlov, in the south of the Czech Republic, is one of the most gorgeous towns in Europe. Source: Getty
8. Castle Combe, England
The picture-perfect village of Castle Combe in Wiltshire. Source: Getty
9. Reine, Norway
The tiny fishing village of Reine in the Lofoten Islands, Norway. Source: Getty
10. Rakotzbrücke Devil’s Bridge, Germany
This incredible 19th-century bridge uses its reflection to form a perfect circle. Source: Getty
The Lago di Braies (a.k.a the Pragser Wildsee, or Lake Prags) in the Dolomites, Italy, is often called the most beautiful lake in Europe. Source: Pixabay
26. Estaing, France
The medieval town of Estaing in France sits at the foot of the chateau that overlooks. Source: Getty
27. Kizhi Island, Russia
Kizhi Island sits in Europe’s second-largest lake, Lake Onega in Russia, and is home to a historical site called the Kizhi Pogost. Source: Getty
28. Hallstatt, Austria
The spectacular village of Hallstatt in Austria sits at the edge of the Hallstätter See, backed by the towering Dachstein mountains. Source: Getty
Yes it may be crowded with tourists, but there’s a reason why – Venice in Italy is the stuff of fairytales. Source: Getty
31. The ‘Little Chapel’, Germany
The Wallfahrtskirche Mariä Heimsuchung, located on a hill above the city Wurzburg in Bavaria, Germany, is more commonly known as the ‘Little Chapel’. Source: Getty
A walk across the Charles Bridge to the Old Town of Prague is pure fairytale material. Source: Shutterstock
33. Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy
The semi-abandoned Civita di Bagnoregio is experiencing some love from tourists due to its beauty and uniqueness. Source: Getty
34. Brasov, Romania
The charming town of Brasov is in Transylvania, Romania, ringed by the Carpathian Mountains. Source: Getty
35. Annecy, France
The Old Town in Annecy, possibly France’s prettiest medieval town, is a symphony of pastel-coloured houses. Source: Getty
36. Toledo, Spain
At night, the town of Toledo in Spain, overlooked by the Alcazar, twinkles and shines. Source: Getty
37. Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The stunning town of Jajce in Bosnia and Herzegovina was the ancient capital of the Bosnian kings. Source: Getty
38. Manarola, Italy
The tumble of brightly coloured houses that is Manarola, is another of the exquisite towns of Cinque Terre in Italy. Source: Unsplash/Linh Nguyen
39. Aescher Guesthouse, Switzerland
The Berggasthaus Aescher-Wildkirchli is a guesthouse and restaurant in Switzerland that’s been operating for centuries. Source: Unsplash/Christian Regg
40. Stourhead Gardens, England
The glorious estate of Stourhead Gardens in Wiltshire, England, includes a Palladian mansion. Source: Getty
41. Colmar, France
The small town of Colmar sits in the Alsace region of France, close to the German border. Source: Getty
42. Ramsau, Germany
The Parish Church of St. Sebastian in the village of Ramsau, Germany, is a sight not to be missed, any time of the year. Source: Getty
43. Saint Michael’s Abbey, Italy
The Sacra di San Michele (Saint Michael’s Abbey) sits on Mount Pirchiriano in Turin, Italy. Source: Getty
44. The Tunnel of Love, Ukraine
The Tunnel of Love is a green tunnel of trees covering a section of railway tracks in Ukraine. Source: Getty
45. La Roque-Gageac, France
The beautiful village of La Roque-Gageac is nestled right on the edge of the Dordogne river. Source: Getty
46. Popeye Village, Malta
The rustic Popeye Village(a.k.a Sweethaven Village and Danish Village) at Anchor Bay in Malta was actually a film set, built for the 1980 film ‘Popeye’ starring Robin Williams. Source: Getty
47. Seis am Schlern, Italy
Seis am Schlern may sound German, but the charming Alpine village is, in fact, in South Tyrol, in northern Italy. Source: Getty
48. Langwieser Viaduct, Switzerland
The Langwieser Viaduct, near the village of Langwies in Switzerland. Source: Getty
49. Château de Chambord, France
The Renaissance Château de Chambord is one of the most recognisable – and beautiful – chateaux in the Loire Valley. Source: Pixabay
50. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle sits above the village of Hohenschwangau in southwest Bavaria, Germany. Walt Disney famously used it as the model for his Sleeping Beauty Castle. Source: Unsplash/Rachel Davis