Fairytale destinations for your Europe bucket list
No matter the time of the year, whether I’m back from vacation or planning a new one, I always dream about those pretty places I’ve seen or am still to see. I know you also have your fairytale destinations Europe bucket list, and there’s enough time for everything.
Let me share my fairytale destinations list for when you’ll be looking for your next holiday destination.
From sunny sandy beaches to towns packed with history or the less-known hidden gems – you’ll find a bit of everything here!
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Table of Contents
- Fairytale destinations for your Europe bucket list
- The Amalfi Coast
- Germany’s Romantic Road
- Colmar, Alsace
- Alberobello, Puglia
- Bruges, Belgium
- The tulip fields in The Netherlands
- Santorini Island, Greece
- Giethoorn, The Netherlands
- Groot Bijgaarden Castle and the Tulip Festival, Belgium
- Sintra, Portugal
- Go island hopping in Greece
- Discover Romania
- Montenegro
- Stockholm – castles and cherry trees
- Plitvice Lakes & the island of Krk
- Cefalu, authentic Sicily
- Barcelona – sangria and seafood
- The Cotswolds, England
- Lofoten Islands, Norway
- The Dolomites in Italy
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Fairytale destinations for your Europe bucket list
The Amalfi Coast
My love for Italy is undying, and the country boasts countless amazing destinations. Even so, the Amalfi Coast might be the most romantic place in the world.
I’ve been on the Amalfi Coast twice, and I would go back over and over again; there’s just something about these places that don’t get old. The stunning views, colorful buildings, delicious food, and much more.
Germany’s Romantic Road
Castles, colorful medieval villages, vineyards, and, of course, delicious wine. Germany was so low on my list until I started going back over and over again for work and discovered how stunning it actually is.
Many go to France to see castles and palaces, but Germany is filled with those as well. Drive Germany’s Romantic Road, and you’ll come across many stunning little towns, castles, and much more.
Rothenburg ob den Tauber is only one of the famous places, but there are plenty more hidden from the crowds and just as lovely.
Colmar, Alsace
No matter the time of the year, there’s always something to do in Colmar. This place has been on my list forever, and I’m so happy I’ve finally managed to get to see it, even though I’ve only spent one day in Colmar.
Summer is amazing and filled with colors and flowers, while the Christmas Marker in Colmar is one of the most famous and beautiful in the world.
Moreover, the whole region is filled with small, colorful villages set between vineyards and old citadels on hilltops.
Alberobello, Puglia
The whole Puglia region in Southern Italy is stunning, but Alberobello is just torn from fairytales.
This small village is unique for its small trulli houses you see everywhere in the central part. Wandering around on an early August morning, I fell hopelessly for each and every corner of this paradise.
Bruges, Belgium
No matter if you will only spend one day in Bruges, make every minute count because this is such a place out of a storybook.
Just one hour outside of Brussels, this town on the canals has so much in store! I even liked it more than Brussels itself, and I think it should be on everyone’s bucket list. If and when I will be back someday, I’ll make sure to stay overnight.
The tulip fields in The Netherlands
I’ve been watching all those amazing tulip field pictures on Instagram for a few years already, and I’ve decided I must make it true! And when I want something, I make it happen!
So, I booked one of the best tours to see the tulip fields north of Amsterdam without the crowds.
We roamed around brightly colored fields, found the perfect combination of tulips and windmills, and took hundreds of stunning pictures to remember for a lifetime.
Santorini Island, Greece
The famous Greek island was high on my bucket list, but I wasn’t planning to go so soon. We spent one week there in a hot August, and I will say the place is not at all overrated.
Of course, you should know where to stay in Santorini and plan to spend at least one night with a caldera view. Those white streets with a pinch of blue, caldera views, and the most remarkable sunset you will ever see.
Plan for the most romantic dinners, wine tastings, and sunset boat rides around the island.
Giethoorn, The Netherlands
Such a hidden gem of The Netherlands, even though getting from Amsterdam to Giethoorn is not at all hard. No matter how long you stay in Amsterdam, you must allocate one day to this fairytale village on the canals.
With only a few permanent residents, Giethoorn is a village without cars, where you will feel like you have stepped out of this world.
Groot Bijgaarden Castle and the Tulip Festival, Belgium
Only 7 kilometers outside of Brussels, who wouldn’t want to get there and see a castle and hundreds of flowers?
While looking for tulips in Belgium, I stumbled upon the Groot Bijgaarden Castle and Tulip Festival, which takes place every spring. If you visit the country in April and have half a day to spare, head here!
Sintra, Portugal
It is hands down the most magical place in Portugal, so taking a day trip from Lisbon to Sintra should be mandatory for everyone.
Sintra not only has the most popular and colorful castle in Portugal, but it actually has more castles. On top of that, the ocean and some pretty hidden beaches are not far away.
Go island hopping in Greece
Of course, everyone has heard about Santorini and Mykonos, but there are plenty of less-known, more authentic Greek islands. And you don’t even have to leave the Cyclades for that.
A dream vacation for me would be to explore 3 or more of these islands and spend some time on each. That’s the only way to discover a place’s true charm, taste delicious, true local food, and meet people. And when it comes to all of that, Greece is tops!
Discover Romania
Romania is a hidden gem, skipped by many, but worth a visit. Whether you stay only in Bucharest and take some day trips or go on a longer itinerary and explore Transylvania, you will be surprised.
I’m not saying that because Romania is my country of birth, but I really think it has so much in store: from castles to pristine nature, well-kept local traditions, one of the most epic roads in Europe, wineries, hyp cafes, and delicious food!
I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who didn’t enjoy spending some time in Romania, and that’s why you should give it a try or at least add it to your Europe bucket list.
Montenegro
When we decided to visit Kotor in Montenegro, I must admit I had no knowledge about it. However, that was one of the best vacations ever, not only because I hooked up with Alex but also because Kotor is an incredibly charming place.
Set on the hills, with a citadel packed with enchanting restaurants serving fresh seafood and much more, a small pebble beach, and the possibility to take plenty of day trips – Kotor is the place to be in Europe next.
A vacation here is not only affordable but will place you close to Dubrovnik, Perast, and many more stunning locations.
Stockholm – castles and cherry trees
If you only choose one place to visit in Scandinavia, that should be Stockholm and Sweden for sure. Especially if you go during spring, you’ll be charmed by the mix of colorful buildings, clear blue skies, and flowers in bloom.
I loved this place so much, and from cruising on the canals to exploring charming castles outside of town or simply enjoying the stunning nature they respect so much, I couldn’t have asked for more from a place.
For nature lovers, there are plenty of physical activities to be experienced in Sweden!
Plitvice Lakes & the island of Krk
While studying in Italy, I went on a road trip through Croatia, all the way to the Plitvice Lakes and the island of Krk.
We drove around, stopped, and slept in different places by the sea in our tent, ate pasta and drank wine, visited Zagreb, and fell in love with the natural wonderland of the Plitvice Lakes. It was such a perfect Balkans road trip.
Even though many might have already heard about the Plitvice Lakes, I bet this is the first time you’ve stumbled upon Krk Island. You’ll be surprised to see its beauty and learn it is pretty much similar to the more popular Dubrovnik, but yet much less crowded.
Cefalu, authentic Sicily
I visited Cefalu on a day trip from Palermo during our Mediterranean Cruise and loved it so much that I dreamed about going back and staying there for some time.
As soon as we got off the bus, we saw the crystal blue water, people going about their business, the vegetable seller driving his small car on the narrow streets and screaming about the freshness of his produce, and the colorful small stores on the corners—the real Sicily!
Perhaps because the beaches are small here, not many tourists choose to linger in this small town, which contributes even more to its authenticity.
Barcelona – sangria and seafood
The first foreign destination I ever visited was Barcelona. Needless to say, I was smitten by the vibe and views of the city. I’ve since returned several times, and with every visit, I love the town even more.
Spain has so many stunning destinations to discover; however, Barcelona will always be at the top of my list.
The wide Barceloneta beach where people come to relax and have fun, the seafood and sangria served at all the restaurants along the harbor, the narrow streets, and gothic buildings in the Barri Gothic neighborhood, the way the city transforms itself from day to night.
These are only a few reasons why I love Barcelona so much, and I think it should be on every European bucket list!
The Cotswolds, England
Maybe the most charming small villages in the world, the Cotswolds are a day trip to a fairytale. Choose to spend just one day driving from one village to the other or plan a longer vacation in the British countryside, but just don’t miss out on these charming places.
Lofoten Islands, Norway
I’m sure you’ve seen them before—the rugged landscapes, mountain peaks, and colorful small houses contrasting with the setting.
Come here to see the Northern Lights and the midnight sun, kayak between the islands, go fishing for the catch of your life, or look for sea eagles soaring in the sky. This destination is perfect for nature lovers!
The Dolomites in Italy
Northern Italy still awaits discovery and exploration. Read more about the breathtaking destinations in the huge Italy bucket list I put together. I will never run out of places I want to see in Italy, no matter how many times I visit.
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