This French Island Is the Most Fairy-tale Destination in the World, According to Travelers

Itineraries and logistics often hamper the magic of travel — how do we see x, y, and z and still make lunch reservations? But every now and then, in certain places and certain moments, all that fades and you find yourself in a world that feels as if it belongs to another time or another realm that looks and feels like a fairy tale. 

In these rare fairy-tale destinations, cobblestone streets wind through medieval villages, castle turrets pierce misty skies, and sparkling lakes remain so still they feel enchanted. Scenes from storybooks and movies come alive, inviting us to throw away the itinerary and be wide-eyed children again.

But where exactly does one find these “fairy-tale destinations”? It’s a great question, and one Reddit user posed to the r/travel community on the platform. 

At the very top of Reddit users’ suggestions, with over 160 upvotes, was Mont-Saint-Michel, France. It’s a tiny island topped by a Gothic abbey that looks more like a castle. Surrounding the abbey is a steep hillside village and a stone wall with turrets. At first glance, you’d think it was inspiration for the iconic Disney castle and it’s all set just off the coast of Normandy.

In addition to feeling and looking like it belongs in a fairy tale, Mont-Saint-Michel is considered to be the “Wonder of the West” and is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in France outside of Paris. Centuries before travelers discovered the fairytale destination, it was a major European pilgrimage destination and has long been one of the most important sites of medieval Christian civilization. The island, abbey, and the bay that surrounds it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

For the full fairy-tale effect, Reddit travelers recommend going in the late fall, winter, or early spring, when there are fewer tourists. July and August tend to be high tourist season in France and one Redditor said, “I was there in September a few years ago, and it was packed from the entrance all the way to the cathedral at the top, so much so that you could barely walk. That didn’t feel so fairy-tale-like.” If you go in the winter just make sure to dress warmly.

The second most upvoted suggestion on Reddit was a recommendation to visit the ancient city of Toledo in central Spain. Like Mont-Saint-Michel, there is a castle-like structure perched at the city’s highest point. Surrounding the castle, which is actually the Alcázar of Toledo, a stone building framed by towers and spires, are a handful of medieval Arab, Christian, and Jewish monuments. Toledo is known as the “city of three cultures” and the medieval monuments and plazas are connected by narrow, winding streets that feel right out of a fairy tale. 

A wall and elaborate gates surround the UNESCO-preserved old city, adding to the fairy-tale effect. One Reddit user noted that “depending on the day, you can find yourself completely alone on a little medieval backstreet.”

Following Mont-Saint-Michel and Toledo were recommendations for Iceland; the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park in Canada; and Cappadocia, Turkey.