Most people think you need to fly to Disneyland to feel like you’re in a fairytale.
Wrong.
Here are 20 real places that look like they were built for storybooks….thread 🧵
Wrong.
Here are 20 real places that look like they were built for storybooks….thread 🧵
1. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Rothenburg is all turrets, timbered houses, and cobblestone lanes. Its preserved walls, quaint Christmas shops, and gingerbread architecture make it feel like time stopped in the 1600s.
Rothenburg is all turrets, timbered houses, and cobblestone lanes. Its preserved walls, quaint Christmas shops, and gingerbread architecture make it feel like time stopped in the 1600s.
2. Hallstatt, Austria
This lakeside village is tucked between soaring Alps and a glassy lake, creating one of the most photogenic spots in Europe. With salt mines, swan-filled waters, and pastel houses, Hallstatt feels like a scene from a dream.
This lakeside village is tucked between soaring Alps and a glassy lake, creating one of the most photogenic spots in Europe. With salt mines, swan-filled waters, and pastel houses, Hallstatt feels like a scene from a dream.
3. Colmar, France
Colmar looks like it was drawn by a Disney artist—canals lined with half-timbered houses, colorful shutters, and flower boxes at every turn. It’s often called "Little Venice" and feels like stepping inside a painting.
Colmar looks like it was drawn by a Disney artist—canals lined with half-timbered houses, colorful shutters, and flower boxes at every turn. It’s often called "Little Venice" and feels like stepping inside a painting.
4. Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
With its massive hilltop castle, winding river, and red-tiled roofs, Český Krumlov is pure enchantment. The entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and oozes old-world magic around every bend.
With its massive hilltop castle, winding river, and red-tiled roofs, Český Krumlov is pure enchantment. The entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and oozes old-world magic around every bend.
5. Giethoorn, Netherlands
No cars, no roads—just canals and boats drifting past thatched-roof cottages. Giethoorn is so serene, it feels like a village designed for fairy tales.
No cars, no roads—just canals and boats drifting past thatched-roof cottages. Giethoorn is so serene, it feels like a village designed for fairy tales.
6. Sintra, Portugal
Set in misty hills, Sintra is home to bright palaces, romantic gardens, and mysterious ruins. The colorful Pena Palace looks like a fantasy fortress high above the clouds.
Set in misty hills, Sintra is home to bright palaces, romantic gardens, and mysterious ruins. The colorful Pena Palace looks like a fantasy fortress high above the clouds.
7. Antigua, Guatemala
Surrounded by volcanoes, this colonial gem features cobblestone streets, crumbling churches, and vibrant markets. It’s a city where history, color, and natural beauty collide.
Surrounded by volcanoes, this colonial gem features cobblestone streets, crumbling churches, and vibrant markets. It’s a city where history, color, and natural beauty collide.
8. Shirakawa-go, Japan
Known for its steep-roofed gassho-style houses, this snowy mountain village feels like a scene from a Studio Ghibli movie. In winter, it glows with warmth and tradition.
Known for its steep-roofed gassho-style houses, this snowy mountain village feels like a scene from a Studio Ghibli movie. In winter, it glows with warmth and tradition.
9. Bibury, England
Nestled in the Cotswolds, Bibury is lined with honey-colored cottages that haven’t changed in centuries. It’s the definition of English countryside charm.
Nestled in the Cotswolds, Bibury is lined with honey-colored cottages that haven’t changed in centuries. It’s the definition of English countryside charm.
10. Leavenworth, Washington (USA)
This Bavarian-themed town in the Cascades is all alpine charm and mountain magic. From pretzel shops to snow-dusted chalets, it’s a slice of Europe in the U.S.
This Bavarian-themed town in the Cascades is all alpine charm and mountain magic. From pretzel shops to snow-dusted chalets, it’s a slice of Europe in the U.S.
11. Eguisheim, France
Spiral streets and colorful houses make Eguisheim feel like a scene from Beauty and the Beast. It’s peaceful, picture-perfect, and brimming with Alsatian character.
Spiral streets and colorful houses make Eguisheim feel like a scene from Beauty and the Beast. It’s peaceful, picture-perfect, and brimming with Alsatian character.
12. Reine, Norway
Red fishing cabins sit beneath jagged peaks in this tiny Arctic village. Reine is pure Nordic magic, especially under the northern lights.
Red fishing cabins sit beneath jagged peaks in this tiny Arctic village. Reine is pure Nordic magic, especially under the northern lights.
13. Albarracín, Spain
Clinging to a hillside, this walled town is wrapped in pink-hued stone and medieval mystery. It’s one of Spain’s most beautiful secrets.
Clinging to a hillside, this walled town is wrapped in pink-hued stone and medieval mystery. It’s one of Spain’s most beautiful secrets.
14. Bled, Slovenia
A church on an island, a castle on a cliff, and a glacial lake—Bled checks every fairytale box. Row a boat to the island and ring the bell for good luck.
A church on an island, a castle on a cliff, and a glacial lake—Bled checks every fairytale box. Row a boat to the island and ring the bell for good luck.
15. Gruyères, Switzerland
Famous for its cheese, Gruyères is more than delicious—it’s enchanting. With its cobbled streets, hilltop castle, and sweeping Alpine views, it’s like a storybook in 3D.
Famous for its cheese, Gruyères is more than delicious—it’s enchanting. With its cobbled streets, hilltop castle, and sweeping Alpine views, it’s like a storybook in 3D.
16. Kotor, Montenegro
Tucked in a fjord-like bay, Kotor is a maze of medieval streets and fortress walls. Climb above for views that look like they belong in a fantasy film.
Tucked in a fjord-like bay, Kotor is a maze of medieval streets and fortress walls. Climb above for views that look like they belong in a fantasy film.
17. Semur-en-Auxois, France
This quiet town in Burgundy is known for its pinkish stone buildings, scenic river views, and medieval towers. It’s a peaceful place to explore history, walk along the ramparts, and enjoy classic French countryside charm without the crowds.
This quiet town in Burgundy is known for its pinkish stone buildings, scenic river views, and medieval towers. It’s a peaceful place to explore history, walk along the ramparts, and enjoy classic French countryside charm without the crowds.
18. Paros, Greece
Located in the Cyclades, Paros combines whitewashed villages, clear blue waters, and relaxed island life. It’s less busy than Santorini but still offers beautiful beaches, great food, and charming old towns like Naousa and Parikia.
Located in the Cyclades, Paros combines whitewashed villages, clear blue waters, and relaxed island life. It’s less busy than Santorini but still offers beautiful beaches, great food, and charming old towns like Naousa and Parikia.
19. Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy
Perched on a crumbling cliff and reachable only by footbridge, Civita feels suspended in time. It’s a hauntingly beautiful village that looks like it belongs in a legend.
Perched on a crumbling cliff and reachable only by footbridge, Civita feels suspended in time. It’s a hauntingly beautiful village that looks like it belongs in a legend.
20. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
This castle inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty palace—and one look explains why. Perched high in the Bavarian Alps, it’s the ultimate fairytale fortress.
This castle inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty palace—and one look explains why. Perched high in the Bavarian Alps, it’s the ultimate fairytale fortress.
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This list is incomplete without Mont Saint-Michel
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