From German castles worthy of a Disney princess to tiny French towns laden with cobbled streets and timber houses, Europe is home to many fairytale-like locations.Whether you’re on the hunt for a city break in one of the prettiest spots on the continent or are seeking an adventure further afield, choosing a holiday based on the magic you could find upon arrival is as sensible a decision as any.And now you can get a little inspiration for your travels. In a ranking from European Best Destinations, the top fairytale spots to visit for 2026 have been revealed.If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, take a peek at some of these magical marvels – and find out how you can get there on a budget, too.1. Eltz Castle, Germany Eltz Castle is a medieval castle nestled in the hills in GermanySet against a backdrop of Germany’s hills and the Eltz Forest, this castle has been crowned Europe’s destination most reminiscent of a fairytale.Owned by the House of Eltz, which has owned the castle since the 12th century, the castle was even used as the setting for the 1979 cult-classic film, The Ninth Configuration.’Excellent experience, really like you’re in a fairytale,’ one visitor wrote on Google Reviews. ‘The castle sitting next to the forest is really impressive when you see it for the first time.’You should definitely try out the guided tour, you will get an exceptional authentic experience of the castle. It feels like you travelled back in time.’HOW TO VISIT: A three-hour drive from the castle, Frankfurt Airport is the nearest international hub. Return flights from Stansted from £29.2. Mont-Saint-Michel, France Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey on its tidal island is one of France’s most spectacular attractions The tidal island of Mont-Saint-Michel has attracted tourists from all over the world with its Gothic architecture and UNESCO status.In fact, it’s often considered one of France’s best tourist attractions – and photos show why. One visitor wrote of the attraction on Tripadvisor: ‘First impression, coming off the bus, was astonishingly impressive! It gave Lord of the Rings vibes.’It is steep, it is high up and it’s totally worth it, despite my knees going jelly most of the visit… It’s an exceptionally unique experience for sure!’HOW TO VISIT: The nearest airport to Mont-Saint-Michel is Rennes Airport (RNS). Return easyJet flights from Gatwick start from £71.3. Tossa de Mar, Spain The town of Tossa de Mar is the next fairytale destination on the listThe medieval coastal town of Tossa de Mar on the Costa Brava is home to gorgeous beaches, hidden coves and a 12th-century Old Town.Highlights here include seafood galore and beaches alongside the historic centre, such as Platja Gran and Cala Es Codolar.’Tossa de Mar offers sea and mountain, a unique landscape with a history which inspires art and culture, traditions, gastronomy and Mediterranean hospitality,’ says the official tourism office. HOW TO VISIT: Return flights from Manchester to Girona-Costa Brava Airport start from £70 with Ryanair.4. Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland The Dark Hedges tree tunnel in Northern Ireland lures in intrigued touristsThe Dark Hedges are a collection of beech trees that were planted around 1775 on both sides of a long avenue near Gracehill House, creating an eerie and fairytale-like framing effect.Located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, the location was used for filming the popular TV show Game of Thrones.’?This place is a total dream for Game of Thrones fans,’ one visitor said, adding: ‘The trees are massive and twisted, and because the road is closed to cars and bikes, you can really soak in the atmosphere without traffic ruining the vibe.’HOW TO VISIT: Return flights from Manchester to Belfast from £41 with Ryanair. 5. Riga, Latvia Next up is Baltic gem Riga, with its famous House of the Blackheads Latvia, one of Europe’s least populous countries, is more often associated with cheap stag dos and budget beer than glamorous getaways – but that’s a mistake.With its cobbled streets and historic buildings, Riga is widely considered one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.With an art and culture scene to rival many other capitals (it has previously been dubbed the ‘Paris of the North’), it is well worth the journey, especially with flights available from around £50 each way.Comfortable temperatures and great attractions – such as the House of the Blackheads, Riga Art Nouveau Centre and the central market – make for a great weekend away, too.HOW TO VISIT: Return flights from London to Riga from £42 with Ryanair.6. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany Another German destination joining the list is Neuschwanstein Castle in BavariaGermany’s southern region of Bavaria is another top fairytale destination for travellers.Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria is thought to have inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle – and is a standout spot in the area.One holidaymaker commented: ‘It is the best castle in the world for a reason. The hike there builds anticipation. Entering the courtyard and the castle itself is the ultimate reward. The details inside are astonishing, unreal even.’HOW TO VISIT: Return flights from Stansted to Memmingen Allgäu Airport from £32 with Ryanair.7. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany The chocolate box town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is well worth a visitIf exploring historic villages is your thing, one of Germany’s best-known medieval towns should top your list: Rothenburg ob der Tauber. ‘Two and a half hours to the north-west of Munich lies Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a place which is seen abroad as the prototypical medieval German town,’ according to Simply Munich. ‘Its intricate alleyways, enchanted towers and little squares with timber-framed houses have provided the backdrop for films about Martin Luther and the Brothers Grimm.’HOW TO VISIT: Flights from Stansted to Nuremberg, from £29 with Ryanair.8. Bled, Slovenia Slovenia’s Lake Bled is all clear waters, greenery and majestic mountainsSlovenia is one of the most under-the-radar holiday spots in Europe – and Lake Bled is its crown jewel.Situated in the Julian Alps, it’s a great place to explore hiking trails and viewpoints, as well as the nearby Triglav National Park.One reviewer wrote: ‘One of the most beautiful lakes I have ever visited. There are some nice beaches where you can swim or picnic with an amazing view. Try the famous cream cake in Park Hotel.’HOW TO VISIT: Flights from London Gatwick to Ljubljana, from £32 with easyJet. 9. Riquewihr, France Riquewihr is a little-known French town with colourful lanes to exploreLocated between the Vosges mountains and the Plain of Alsace, Riquewihr is a medieval town like no other.In the heart of the vineyards, it has been ranked among the Most Beautiful Villages in France.Preserving its authentic character, it’s an ideal destination for wine lovers, as well as those seeking the picturesque landscape of half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. HOW TO VISIT: Return flights from London Gatwick to Strasbourg, the nearest airport, from £116.10. Craiova, Romania Craiova, Romania’s seventh-largest city, is not on many tourist maps – but it should beCraiova is one of Romania’s lesser-known cities but is well worth a visit for its events, from the Easter fair to the Puppets Occupy Street Festival.If you’re looking ahead, the Craiova Christmas Market is Europe’s largest Christmas event by area, spanning over 280,000 square metres.Each year, the market – which runs from mid-November through to early January – transforms the city into a glowing winter wonderland, with millions of twinkling lights, dozens of rides and an endless variety of food stalls.HOW TO VISIT: Return flights from Luton to Craiova from £22 with Wizz Air. 11. Orcus Mouth Gardens of Bomarzo, Italy The Orcus Mouth Gardens of Bomarzo are one of the more unique attractions on the listThe Gardens of Bomarzo, created during the 16th century, contain a whole host of weird and wonderful statues – not least the Orcus Mouth, equal parts charming and unsettling. One visitor said: ‘Sacro Bosco is basically a surreal sculpture park where every statue looks like it escaped from someone’s very weird dream. ‘You wander around, stare at a random monster or tilted house, and everyone suddenly has a different idea of what it ‘really means’. The best part is just walking through the trees, laughing, guessing what on earth went through the sculptor’s mind.’HOW TO VISIT: Return flights from London to Perugia from £42 with Ryanair. 12. Popeye Village, Mellieha, Malta Next up is Popeye Village, located in Mellieha, MaltaPurpose-built film set village-turned-theme park Popeye Village, in Malta, is like nowhere else in the world.With a collection of old wooden buildings, attractions for children and more, the former film set of the 1980s production of Popeye is now a destination in and of itself. ‘Popeye Village is absolutely worth the drive, especially if you’re even remotely a cinema fan,’ one visitor wrote, adding: ‘Seeing the actual movie set built into the cliffs of Malta feels surreal, and honestly, you don’t even need to care about Popeye to appreciate how unique the entire place is.’HOW TO VISIT: Return flights from Newcastle to Malta, from £65 with easyJet.13. Prague, Czech Republic Prague has long been considered one of the most beautiful European capitalsWith week-long holidays costing around £427 (as little as £61 per day), Prague is not just easy on the eyes – it’s easy on the wallet, too.In fact, so abundant is the city’s Gothic and Baroque architecture in this favourite European spot that it’s often nicknamed the ‘city of a hundred spires’.Known for its impressive beer culture, the Czech Republic offers some of Europe’s cheapest beer, with a full pint usually coming in at around £2.10.Millions flock to the landlocked country every year to sample some of the local booze – and gorgeous sights to boot, including Prague Castle and the 14th-century Charles Bridge.HOW TO VISIT: Return flights from London Stansted to Prague from £34.14. Kaysersberg, France In France, Kaysersberg on the Alsace Wine Route is the place to be for a fairytale getawayKaysersberg, situated on the Alsace Wine Route, is home to historic treasures aplenty, including the Church of the Holy Cross and colourful half-timbered houses.For outdoor enthusiasts, there are also plenty of cycling and walking routes snaking between vineyards and mountains to enjoy. Independent shops, handicrafts and artisanal goods are on offer. Kaysersberg was even voted ‘France’s favourite village’ in 2017, according to Visit Alsace. HOW TO VISIT: Return flights from London Gatwick to Strasbourg, the nearest airport, from £116.15. Alcazar Castle, Segovia, Spain The impressive Alcazar Castle in Spain joins the rankingAlcazar Castle is a medieval castle that has stood tall since the 12th century.Among Spain’s most popular landmarks, the UNESCO World Heritage castle brings Spanish Gothic architecture to the fore.One visitor wrote: ‘Highly recommend check[ing] out the Alcázar in Segovia. It’s not as large as other alcázars in Spain, but it’s not as crowded either. The grounds are immaculate and it has a very authentic feel.’HOW TO VISIT: Return flights from Stansted to Madrid from £37 with Ryanair. 16. Isola Bella, Italy For beaches and seaside scenery, look no further than Isola Bella in Italy Isola Bella in Tropea is famed for its beauty and pretty pebble beach.One of Italy’s most coveted coastal spots, this unique location is reachable by cable car or steps, and can be hard to get to during high tide.The small tidal island has received much acclaim over the years, and more recently has grown even more popular thanks to photos and videos of the beach shared on social media.HOW TO VISIT: Flights to Lamezia Terme from £21 with Ryanair.17. Sintra, Portugal Rounding out the list is Sintra, one of Portugal’s top attractionsPortugal’s Pena Palace Gardens in Sintra, as well as the magnificent palace itself, have long topped many travellers’ bucket lists.With 200 hectares of exotic trees and open picnic areas, the greenery is a landmark that families with young children can immerse themselves in, rather than simply pass through.The gardens also feature lakes with ducks and picnic areas, meaning this landmark is ideal for children to explore.The terrain is notably steep in places, so while pushchairs are allowed, baby carriers might be the more practical choice.HOW TO VISIT: Return flights from London to Lisbon from £40 with Ryanair, then take the train to Sintra from £2.17.