If you’re like us, you grew up watching movies and reading books about princes and princesses who lived in beautiful castles in faraway lands. While most of these settings were fictional, some of them were either directly or loosely based on real-life towns in Europe. With unique features such as historic castles, colorful houses and cobblestone streets, many also make for great destinations for travel-minded photographers in particular. We love a big city adventure, but if you’re looking to get away to a quieter location with a bit of quaint charm, consider planning your next trip to one of these towns.
Colmar, France
Located in northeast France near the German border, Colmar looks as if it could have jumped straight off the pages of a Brothers Grimm story. Its winding canals and cobblestone streets are lined with colorful medieval houses and cafes. Some even speculate that Colmar is the town that the location of Beauty and the Beast is based on.
Reine, Norway
Reine is a teeny, little fishing village located north of the Arctic Circle—so teeny, in fact, that only about 300 Norwegians call it home. A gorgeous landscape of mountains and water is peppered with scarlet fishing cabins and at night you may even be able to catch a glimpse of the northern lights.
Gruyeres, Switzerland
Yes, Gruyeres like the cheese. This town nestled into the Swiss Alps is full of medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and castles dating back as far as the 13th century. What more does a fairytale town need?