Over my 15+ years in Spain, I was fortunate to explore its top national landmarks and natural wonders. However, some places I visited felt like they were straight out of a storybook. Here’s a list of fairy-tale places in Spain that will make you feel like you’re traveling through time.

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Top Storybook Locations in Spain

While Spain is a popular destination for great beaches and delicious food, not many visitors realize that the Iberian Peninsula is actually full of places you’d expect to see in a children’s storybook, not in real life. Thanks to its far-reaching history of royals, Spain is home to stunning castles and medieval villages. Additionally, its diverse landscapes offer endless natural wonders – from magical forests to otherworldly rock formations and the majestic Pyrenees mountain range. The country is also known for mysterious legends and stunning novels, making it a perfect destination for book-themed road trips and storybook travel adventures.

In this article, I’ve handpicked a few of my favorite fairy-tale places in Spain where the storybook vibe struck me the most.

Top Fairy-Tale Places in Spain

1. Alcazar of Segovia

No list of fairy-tale places in Spain would be complete without its dreamy castles. With a diverse history and traces of different civilizations, Spain is currently home to more than 2,500 castles. Some are ranked among the most beautiful in Europe. The Alcazar of Segovia is rumored to have inspired Cinderella’s Castle, the iconic symbol of Disney. Unlike many other Spanish castles that served solely as fortresses, the Alcazar of Segovia was a royal residence and has never been conquered. It is one of Spain’s top landmarks, often visited on a day trip from Madrid.

fairy-tale places in Spain
Alcazar de Segovia is often often visited on a day trip from Madrid

2. Parque Rural de Anaga

While there are many magical forests in Spain that look completely out of this world, Parque Rural de Anaga in Tenerife has impressed me the most. It is a beautiful natural setting, full of unique Spanish hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty and length. One of them is even called Sendero El Bosque Encantado (The Enchanted Forest Trail), so I was not the first to make the fairy-tale comparison after all. This forest feels so surreal – straight out of a storybook, so it is a must-stop on any Tenerife itinerary.

fairy-tale places in Spain Forests
Parque Rural de Anaga is a must-stop on any Tenerife itinerary

3. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

During my trip to the Basque Country, Gaztelugatxe was the place I was most excited to see. The medieval bridge to the isle and 241 steps (dating back to the 10th century) will take you to the Church of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe at the top. This location offers unmatched views and is known for some of the most stunning cliffs in Spain. No wonder Gaztelugatxe is considered the most epic Game of Thrones filming location in Spain. Additionally, Gaztelugatxe is surrounded by mysterious legends and historical events: from the saint San Juan (after whom the church was named) to pirates, wars, and even witch-hunting during the Spanish Inquisition (witches would gather in the area to cast their spells). It is easy to visit Gaztelugatxe on a day trip from Bilbao, but you should wear comfortable shoes (it rains quite often, and the path might be slippery) and preferably book your entrance in advance.

fairy-tale places in Spain Storybook locations
San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

4. The New Bridge in Ronda

Ronda is one of the most beautiful places in Southern Spain. Its diverse history can be traced back to the Romans on the Iberian Peninsula, when it was first declared a city by Julius Caesar in the 1st century AD. Later, it went through the Islamic era, when the Moors invaded the region in the 8th century, until the Spanish Reconquista of 1492 (you can learn more about this historical event through my list of Spanish documentaries). This multicultural history has left its mark on the city’s architecture. However, the most famous place in Ronda is its 98-meter-high bridge, often considered one of the most unique Spanish landmarks.

The New Bridge in Ronda Spain
The New Bridge in Ronda

5. The Enchanted city of Cuenca

The Enchanted City of Cuenca is a fascinating storybook destination to visit in Spain with kids. Our experience felt like stepping into a fairytale, with rock formations resembling humans, objects, and animals, while the kids had fun trying to identify the shapes of the rocks. A great bonus is that the Enchanted City of Cuenca is still relatively unknown internationally. This natural wonder is located 28 km from the city of Cuenca and is definitely one of the top places to visit in Central Spain. The Cuenca region is a popular stop on any Madrid-to-Valencia road trip, but if you’re into discovering hidden gems in Spain, it’s truly worth planning an entire Cuenca road trip. You can check out more photos from my visit in this post.

Traveling with a baby to The Enchanted city of Cuenca in Spain
The Enchanted City of Cuenca
Peculiar rock formations at The Enchanted city of Cuenca in Spain
This natural wonder is located 28 km from the city of Cuenca

6. The Castle of Morella

Morella is one of the hidden gems of the Valencian Community, as the whole setting of this medieval town seems to come straight out of a storybook. Rising 984 meters above sea level and fortified by 2 km of walls, Morella is a picture-perfect destination, often visited on day trips from Valencia or Castellon road trips. You can read more about my recent visit in this post.

Castle of Morella in Castellon Spain
The Castle of Morella
morella fairy-tale places in spain
Visiting Morrella, one of the top gems of the Castellon Province

7. The Medieval walls of Avila

Avila is one of the most unique small towns near Madrid, known for some of the best-preserved medieval walls in Europe. Avila’s walls are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the top Spanish landmarks. It is a great place to enjoy medieval architecture and walk along the ancient city walls. This photo was taken from the Cuatro Postes viewpoint near the city, a popular stop on any road trip around Madrid.

Medieval Walls of Avila in Spain, as seen from Cuatro Postes Viewpoint
The Medieval walls of Avila

8. The Holy Cave of Covadonga in Asturias

Famous for its picturesque beaches and charming fishing villages, the region of Asturias captured my heart during our last road trip there. While often overlooked by international travelers, Covadonga in Asturias holds a significant place in Spanish history and should be on any Spain bucket list. It was here that Christian forces defeated the Moorish army for the first time, marking the beginning of the famous Reconquista. There’s a legend that the statue of the Virgin Mary from this cave miraculously helped Christians defeat their enemies. Today, the Holy Cave of Covadonga remains a site for religious pilgrimages and holds great significance for the Spanish people. I often feel that there’s always some truth behind every local legend, no matter how surreal it may sound – but in places like the Holy Cave of Covadonga, you even don’t need to know the story to feel like you’re in the pages of a storybook.

Covadonga Holy cave picture perfect location
The Holy Cave of Covadonga
Visiting Covadonga during my last Asturias Road Trip
Visiting Covadonga during my last Asturias Road Trip

9. The Real Alcazar of Seville

The Real Alcazar of Seville was one of the highlights of my magical weekend in Seville. This landmark is a must-visit on every Southern Spain road trip, and in fact, I enjoyed it even more than the famous Alhambra of Granada. Despite the grandiose structures of most Spanish castles, many of them have empty walls once you get inside. However, the Real Alcazar of Seville is filled with vibrant decorations, colorful ceramics, and beautiful gardens that will transport you to the pages of One Thousand and One Nights. The Real Alcazar is the residence of the Spanish Royal Family in Seville, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it was also one of the most beautiful Game of Thrones filming locations in Spain.

Real Alcazar of Seville in Spain
Real Alcazar of Seville
alcazar seville spain travel
Inside the Real Alcazar of Seville

10. El Hayedo de Otzarreta

El Hayedo de Otzarreta is a magical natural setting full of giant trees that look out of this world. I enjoyed visiting it during our last Basque Country road trip. Located in Gorbea Natural Park, it is considered one of the most magical spots to enjoy fall foliage in Spain. It also reminded me of Bosque de Carlac in the Pyrenees of Catalonia. Although my trip took place in August, the location had such a fairytale feel, and I hope to return in autumn one day.

hayedo de otzarreta nature spain
El Hayedo de Otzarreta in The Basque Country

11. The Peracense Castle

The Peracense Castle is one of the most beautiful places in the Aragon region and one of the top hidden gems in all of Spain. The Castle was built in the 13th century on the site of a former Muslim fortress. Throughout Spanish history, it served as a feudal castle, a prison, and an important stronghold during the Carlist Wars. The most striking feature of Peracense Castle is how it blends into the local red-colored landscapes. The best views of the castle can be enjoyed from San Gines hill.

favourite travel experiences in Spain Peracense castle
The Peracense Castle is one of the most unique castles in Spain
fairytale places in spain travel blog
The Peracense Castle is one of the top landmarks in the Aragon region

12. Alarcon

Alarcon is a hidden village in the Spanish province of Cuenca, conveniently set on the road between Madrid and Valencia. While it often appears on lists of secret villages and isn’t as established on the tourist track as other small towns in Spain, its storybook appeal is undeniable. On top of that, you can stay overnight in a local castle converted into the unique hotel of Parador de Alarcon. While the town itself is tiny and does not offer much to do, I always recommend visiting Alarcon on any Cuenca road trip across central Spain.

secret small towns in spain cuenca alarcon
Alarcon is one of the secret villages in Spain

13. Xavier Castle

One of the most unique Spanish castles often overlooked by international travelers is Xavier Castle, one of the top attractions in the Navarra region. Located 52 km from the city of Pamplona, the Castle of Xavier was originally built in the 10th century as a watchtower but evolved over time into a fully fortified castle owned by the noble Azpilicueta family. Besides its fairytale architecture and beautiful interiors full of medieval artifacts, one of the castle’s most famous features is the Capilla del Santo Cristo, a chapel adorned with Danse Macabre paintings, also known as the Dance of Death. This artistic genre, popular in the late Middle Ages across Europe, served as a reminder of the fragility of life. Unfortunately, very few examples of this art style remain in Spain, making Xavier Castle a must-stop on any Northern Spain road trip.

xavier castle spain navarra
Xavier Castle in Navarra

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