20 European towns that look like they're straight out of a fairytale

There’s no bad time to visit Hallstatt, Austria. The most iconic vantage point features picturesque buildings against a mountainous backdrop, making for something so beautiful it looks like it was made by AI. The town is so dreamy that it attracts over 10,000 visitors per day. 

Grindelwald, Switzerland looks like it could be the backdrop for a live-action remake of Tangled. Nestled at the base of the Swiss Alps, Grindelwald is cheerful and cozy in the winter yet vast and bright in the summer. It always looks unreal. 

If you were walking through Riquewihr, France, and didn’t know any better, you might think that you’ve somehow transported yourself inside the town from Beauty and the Beast. Funnily enough, you wouldn’t be too far off. Riquewihr is one of the villages that was used as inspiration for the animation in the film. 

The coast of Italy gets plenty of love (and deservedly so), but there are dozens of other dreamy towns inland to see, like Bellagio. Located on the ritzy Lake Como, visiting Bellagio will make you feel like legitimate royalty. 

There are hundreds of beautiful cities in Eastern Europe, too, like Sighnaghi, Georgia. Many of its centuries-old buildings are topped with red roofs, and in the country surrounding the town is Georgia’s wine region, so if nothing else, you can drink yourself into a fairy tale. 

If visiting Quedlinburg, Germany, doesn’t make you feel like you’re living inside a fairy tale, it will inspire you to find a beer garden costume and a stein. It has a quintessentially German feel that you can’t find in the United States. 

Not all fairy tale-esque European towns are small and off the beaten path. Some are major cities, like Amsterdam. This Netherlands city boasts the perfect combination of history, modern amenities, and charm. Plus, it’s got an international airport. 

Dubrovnik, Croatia is another major European city with a decidedly old feeling to it. A coastal town, Dubrovnik looks as if it were assembled as a plastic town before coming to life in real-time. If your ideal fairy tale has palm trees, Dubrovnik is your ideal city. 

If your ideal fairy tale is gothic in nature, Ghent, Belgium is the place for you. This city features stunning buildings, especially those along the old Graslei harbor, and St. Bavo’s Cathedral is a can’t-miss feature. You’ll be absolutely stunned by the beauty. 

Óbidos, Portugal isn’t quite ancient, but it is from medieval times. Seriously, it’s preserved from medieval times, so it’s one of the best cities to visit to learn what it was like to live in those times (minus plumbing, electricity, cars - all the things that are decidedly not medieval). 

Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic is a town you don’t want to miss if you’re touring the country. The city boasts buildings of beautiful pastel colors, and it’s rife with gorgeous trees that perfectly complement the architecture. It’s set along the Vltava River to make it even more stunning. 

Montenegro doesn’t get enough credit for its beauty as a nation, but one especially gorgeous city is Kotor. It’s a coastal town with all the features you want in a city that’s been around for centuries. Its Old Town architecture is from medieval times. 

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is beautiful from every angle. Its best view is quite possibly its famous bridge, Stari Most, which straddles the Neretva River. The rest of the city is comprised of quaint, charming vistas, each of which is lovelier than the last.  

Bled doesn’t sound like a fairy tale city, but don’t let the name fool you. The Slovenian city is about perfect visually. The cornerstones of its views are Bled Island and Bled Castle, both of which shine amid the turquoise waters of Lake Bled. 

Edinburgh, Scotland is another major city with the charm and quirk of a small city. Even compared to modern European cities, Edinburgh is special. It’s especially hard to believe it’s a real city in the rain. 

Plenty of English villages can be labeled as fairytale-like, but Castle Combe is in a class of its own. From the water it sits next to and the layout of its streets to its buildings and overall color scheme, Castle Combe is a sight to behold. 

Another beautiful town on the British Isles, Kilkenny, Ireland has a very noble look to it. The tone of the town is set in stone by Kilkenny Castle, a castle built in 1260 and surrounded by stately grounds. 

Fairy tales can be snowy, too. Rovaniemi is proof. The Finnish town is quite scenic, boasting gorgeous evergreens and darling buildings. It’s been deemed the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, and it’s got stellar views of the Northern Lights, so it’s especially fun to visit in the winter. 

Corfu is an island in Greece. On it sits the city of Corfu, a colorful town with buildings of Venetian style. Its position on the water makes the hues of the buildings pop that much more, creating an absolutely stunning coast. 

Bergen, Norway is one of the cities said to have inspired Disney’s Frozen (that and Hallstatt, Austria). It’s been dubbed the “capital of the fjords,” making it the perfect location for those who love a cheerful city and stunning natural landscapes.