Some of Europe’s most magical destinations look like they’ve been lifted straight from a fairytale – from hilltop castles rising above forests to medieval villages glowing under Christmas lights.
Rather than carefully built film sets, though, they’re real places where people still live, work and go about everyday life among centuries-old streets and landscapes.
Travel website European Best Destinations has revealed its 2026 ranking of Europe’s fairytale destinations, combining expert picks with votes from travellers around the world.
Starting with more than 4,200 places across the continent, the list was narrowed down to 68 based on factors including history, atmosphere, originality, culture and the overall visitor experience.
Travellers then had their say, selecting their top three destinations and helping decide the final ranking. The result is a mix of famous landmarks and under-the-radar escapes, with 12 new entries making the shortlist this year – including Riga in Latvia and Craiova in Romania for the first time.
