37 Magical Destinations You Won’t Believe Are Real
Have you ever looked at a travel photo and said, That has to be fake?
Some spots on Earth are so dramatically beautiful they seem to have been dreamed up.
This is the 37 magical destinations that seems storybooky.
From snow-laden hamlets to almost dreamlike terrains, these destinations will fuel your next travel plan and encourage you to pack your bags this very moment.
Whether you seek enchanting forests, dreamy castles or otherworldly coastal escapes, these destinations deliver far more than Instagrammable pictures — they guarantee experiences that stay with you for a lifetime.
So come with us on this list of storybook wonders, each more fabulous than the next.
Magical Villages
1. Hallstatt, Austria
Hallstatt is not just a village, but a vision of tranquility.
Imagine this: pastel-colored houses clinging to the edge of a sparkling lake, towering Alpine peaks mirroring in its depths.
Dating back to the 16th century, this Austrian jewel is so beautiful that there’s a replica of it in China.
Go in the winter for a snowy wonderland, or true fairytale magic in summer with the lush greenery.
2. Giethoorn, Netherlands
Enter a fairytale where cars give way to boats and cobblestone paths.
Giethoorn is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the North,” but it’s even dreamier.
The canals are lined with picture-perfect cottages, some reaching back centuries.
Hire a “whisper boat,” and glide through this peaceful paradise, particularly in spring, when there are flowers everywhere.
3. Shirakawa-go, Japan
Nestled in the Japanese Alps, Shirakawa-go is like a time capsule.
Its traditional Gassho-style houses, with steep thatched roofs built to shed heavy snow, are set against stunning mountain scenery.
And in winter, the village runs an illumination, lighting the snow-covered eaves—it’s magical.
Ethereal Landscapes
4. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Picture walking across a mirror where sky meets earth. After a rainstorm, Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, creates this surreal illusion.
Even during the dry season the infinite stretch of white salt is hypnotic.
Travelers have captured the experience of entering endless time and space, like walking into a dream.
5. Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia’s landscape, a work of art hewn out of rock by the forces of nature. Its “fairy chimneys,” fantastic rock formations, and underground cities evoke wonder.
The highlight?
A sunrise hot air balloon ride in which the colorful balls above the rocky ground reminded me of a storybook.
6. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
If you’ve ever seen Avatar and wondered whether Pandora could exist, head to Zhangjiajie.
Towering sandstone pillars cloaked in mist give it a mystical atmosphere.
Or hike the trails that wind around the park, or take a glass elevator to their up-to-the-minute views — it has a whole otherworldly vibe.
Dreamy Castles
7. Neuschwanstein Castle | Germany
This fairy tale castle in Bavaria inspired Sleeping Beauty’s castle.
Set on a hill and surrounded by woods and mountains, Neuschwanstein could be straight out of a romantic fairytale.
Tour its extravagant interiors or view it from nearby vantage points for the whole fairy-tale experience.
8. Château de Chambord, France
Château de Chambord, with its elaborate towers and sprawling grounds, is the epitome of French elegance.
Constructed in the 16th century, it is enveloped with a verdant forest that enhances its dream-like quality.
You can also explore the double-helix staircase by Leonardo da Vinci, or have a picnic on the castle grounds.
9. Mont Saint-Michel, France
Soaring like a dream from the sea, Mont Saint-Michel is a medieval abbey sitting on an island.
At high tide, the island seems to float on the water, while at low tide, you can walk across the sands to it.
Its older streets and buildings are pure magic.
Mystical Forests
10. Hoh Rain Forest, USA
The Hoh Rain Forest, located in Washington’s Olympic National Park, is a lush paradise dripping with moss and ferns.
Entering this ancient forest is like stepping into another realm.
The thick canopy and colorful flora enhance it to create the ideal decor for a real-life fairytale journey.
11. Crooked Forest, Poland
This enchanted forest in Poland is home to a few hundred strangely bent pine trees.
The trees bend at the base and rise upright, causing an unusual and somewhat creepy scenery.
Scientists have theories about their shape, but no one knows for sure, adding to the forest’s misterio.
12. Black Forest, Germany
The Black Forest has been the muse for innumerable Brothers Grimm stories, and it’s not hard to see why.
This dense thicket in southwest Germany is riddled with winding trails, quaint villages and an air of ancient magic.
Surreal Coastal Escapes
13. Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast is a gorgeous Mediterranean jewel, dotted with cliffside villages in swirling candy colors like Positano and Ravello.
Azure waters lap against rugged cliffs, and the scent of flowering lemon groves wafts in the air.
Wander down narrow, cobblestone streets, sip freshly made limoncello, and gaze at panoramic views of the sea.
The Amalfi Coast is not a journey, it is a painting.
14. Navagio Beach, Greece
Set on the island of Zakynthos, Navagio Beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach, is an unspoiled slice of natural beauty that’s hard to beat.
Surrounded by limestone cliffs, this secluded cove is home to a stranded freighter that sits on powdery-white sands.
Only accessible by boat, the turquoise water is so clear, it looks as if it’s glowing.
It’s a moment you won’t forget — the ideal mix of unfamiliarity and dreamlike tranquillity.
15. Wharariki Beach, New Zealand
Wharariki Beach, at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, is an otherworldly landscape carved by wind and waves.
Enormous rock arches jut up from the sea dramatically, the sand dunes windswept and continually in flux, producing mesmerizing, inimitable designs.
With seals sunning themselves on the beach and no crowds, it’s a quiet escape where nature’s art takes the limelight.
Otherworldly Desert Dreams
16. Wadi Rum, Jordan
Dubbed the “Valley of the Moon,” Wadi Rum’s red dunes and lofty sandstone formations conjure a Martian tableau.
Here, you can search for ancient petroglyphs, gaze at the stars in an unpolluted sky or spend a night experiencing Bedouin hospitality in a traditional tented camp.
Its surreal beauty has made it the setting for countless films and a bucket-list destination for adventurers in search of both serenity and awe.
17. Sahara Desert, Morocco
The Sahara: Golden Dunes in the Iconic DesertLandscaping of the World
Try camel treks through the sand, spend the night sleeping under a starlit sky or rise early to see the sun turning the dunes shades of orange and pink.
You’ll never feel the humble, steep magic of nature more than in the Sahara, which isn’t merely a desert.
18. U.S.A. | White Sands National Park
The brilliant white gypsum dunes of New Mexico’s White Sands National Park create a shimmering sea of ethereal escape.
Sand and sky stood out so brilliantly it seemed out of this world.
Great for both exploration and contemplation, guests can hike the dunes or simply slide down their slopes.
This extraordinary juxtaposition creates an impression that you have entered another dimension.
Enchanting Waterways
19. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Imagine a series of sixteen interconnected lakes, each more brilliant than the last, all turquoise, and flanked by thick woods.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a fairy tale brought to life.
Wooden walkways weave between waterfalls, providing visitors with an up-close look at nature’s unrefined beauty.
It draws photographers and nature lovers alike.
20. Brazil/Argentina: Iguazu Falls
Jungles surround what I consider one of the most powerful natural spectacles on the planet, a series of over 270 waterfalls that pour simultaneously across the borders of Brazil and Argentina: Iguazu Falls.
The roar of the rushing water, mist rising into the air and the surrounding rainforest alive with wildlife bring on a visceral experience that borders on mythical.
It’s a sight to be seen, and it stays with you.
21. Lake Bled, Slovenia
A serene and charming Lake Bled. Nestled in the Julian Alps, its emerald waters envelop a small island topped by a church.
And a medieval castle on a cliff seals the idyllic tale.
Hop on a wooden pletna boat and sail to the island, ring the wishing bell and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Lake Bled.
Snow-Covered Wonders
22. Banff National Park, Canada
Banff National Park is a winter wonderland where thermally heated turquoise glacial lakes such as Lake Louise mirror snow-dusted peaks.
Visitors can ski, ice skate or simply snuggle up in a rustic lodge.
Wildlife meanders and the star-sprinkled night skies contribute to the enchantment.
It’s a place that brings together adventure and jawdropping beauty.
23. Tromsø, Norway
The Northern Lights dominate in Tromsø, dazzling the Arctic skies with bright arcs of green, pink, and purple.
This picturesque town is the portal to winter activities like husky sledding and whale watching.
With its mix of natural wonder and cozy Nordic charm, Tromsø is a must-see for winter wonder-seekers.
24. Lofoten Islands, Norway
The Lofoten Islands feel like a Norse fairy tale.
Rugged peaks block rise dramatically from icy fjords, and red fishing cabins are clustered along the shoreline.
The auroras paint the skies in winter; summer’s midnight sun washes over them in gold.
As we circled the islands, the pristine beauty of the Lofoten archipelago was humbling and exhilarating.
Urban Fairytales
25. Santorini, Greece
Santorini has all the makings of your ultimate dream destination: whitewashed buildings, iconic blue-domed churches, volcanic cliffs above the Aegean Sea.
Stroll along narrow cobbled streets while a golden sunset casts the island in gentle warmth.
The views are nothing short of magical — the picturesque cliffs of Oia or Fira appear almost surreal, with an astounding mix of beauty, history, and serenity reminiscent of fantasy.
26. Chefchaouen, Morocco
Chefchaouen, popularly known as the “Blue Pearl” of Morocco is famous for its winding streets painted in different shades of blue.
This special tradition casts an ethereal glow, turning every corner into a photo-op-worthy scene.
Set amid the Rif Mountains, the city offers an unusual combination of peaceful scenery, traditional Moroccan culture and an almost surreal atmosphere.
27. Venice, Italy
Venice is a city in which time appears to stand still. Its maze of canals, romantic gondola rides and ornate bridges feel like something out of a living fairytale.
At sunset particularly, the pastel colored buildings are beautifully reflected on the shimmering water.
From the breathtaking St. Mark’s Basilica to the magical Rialto Market, Venice is a timeless city for every moment.
Hidden Gems
28. Faroe Islands, Denmark
This remote archipelago is a secret treasure, of lush green cliffs and the turbulent North Atlantic.
Waterfalls tumble straight into the ocean, and puffins roost on the craggy coasts.
For a return to nature and a taste of the fantastical, the Faroe Islands provide serenity and wilderness like nowhere else.
29. Colmar, France
Colmar, with its colorful half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, looks like a storybook come to life.
Wandering through the “Little Venice” sector where flower-lined canals meander through the village can be downright magical.
It’s a place that exudes charm and whimsical beauty.
30. Reine, Norway
Reine is a picturesque fishing town in the fjords of Norway’s Lofoten Islands.
Its bright red cabins are scattered along the shoreline, hemmed in by dramatic peaks plunging into the sea.
The tranquil atmosphere and beautiful Arctic landscape create an idyllic escape, like a hidden piece of paradise.
Tropical Paradises
31. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora is a tropical dream personified, with its turquoise lagoons, white-sand beaches, and luxurious overwater bungalows.
The verdant volcanic hills are the most dramatic backdrop, and the surrounding waters are alive with marine life.
It’s a dreamy destination where you feel like living postcards every hour.
32. Palawan, Philippines
The island of Palawan is home to hidden lagoons, dramatic limestone cliffs and coral reefs teeming with sea life, ranking it among the most beautiful places on the planet.
Paddle through hidden coves, visit unspoiled beaches or plunge into the azure sea.
The untouched beauty of Palawan is a reminder of nature’s most dazzling creations.
33. Kauai, Hawaii
The “Garden Island” of Kauai is a tropical paradise with its lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls and timeless cliffs such as the Nā Pali Coast.
From pulling on hiking shoes and trekking through jade green valleys to taking a helicopter tour for high above views of its moody coastline, Kauai is a destination that marries adventure and serenity in ways that feel downright magical.
Hot Springs and Magical Geothermal Areas
34. Blue Lagoon, Iceland
The Blue Lagoon’s cerulean waters, flanked by barbed volcanic hills, provide a surreal spa experience.
The mineral-rich waters have soothing properties, making it both a therapeutic and magical escape.
Whether it’s under the midnight sun or the northern lights, the lagoon is pure magicalness.
35. Pamukkale, Turkey
While Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces are filled with warm, mineral-rich waters, the result is a landscape that resembles a frozen waterfall.
Its name translates to “Cotton Castle,” and the site does not disappoint in its ethereal beauty.
Bathing in these natural pools is like entering another world, a peaceful oasis.
Final Fairytale Escapes
36. Hobbiton, New Zealand
Explore Tolkien’s world, too, with a trip to Hobbiton, a meticulously preserved movie set in New Zealand’s rolling hills.
The colorful gardens and cozy hobbit holes, including that lush greenery are straight out of the Shire.
It’s a dream come true for fans of The Lord of the Rings and dreamers everywhere.
37. Jiufen, Taiwan
Jiufen’s lantern-strewn streets and mountain-clinging teahouses give it a dreamlike feel that was said to have inspired the animated classic Spirited Away.
Lose yourself in winding backstreets with local delicacies and artisan shops, and feast your eyes on the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
I rode Jiufen like one would ride a dream, a culture and charm amalgamation.
Conclusion
These ultimate destinations serve as a reminder of all the magic our planet has to offer wherever you’re located in the world.
They prompt the that bit of pause, that space for dreaming, of thinking beyond the horizon.
Whether you’re chasing sunsets above vibrant, surreal landscapes, or exploring through authentic fairytale villages, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped inside your own story in each of these places.
Anything better than to make your travel fantasies into the most mesmerizing journey?
Begin to plan, and allow the world to surprise you.
Because every great adventure starts with a dream.
