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.

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.

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.

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.

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.


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.


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.

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.


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.


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.

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.


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.

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.

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For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.

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Spain is full of magical points of interest. There’s Madrid in the center, Barcelona to the northeast and Seville to the south – just to name a few.
All of these places look amazing!
Jennifer
All these places are so so beautiful! Wonderful Post! Have a great day!
I want to visit these places in Spain with my family. It’s such a beautiful country, full of history and mystique.
This places look so stunning and unique. You’re right it is like a fairytale landscape. I love the forest it was my favorite.
Wow, Anna, those places all look amazing! Spain is definitely on my bucket list, now I know exactly where to go. Thank you! 🙂
Thanks, Matt!
These are all such amazing spots. They really do look straight out of a fairy tale. The one sitting over the water is absolutely beautiful.
These photos are amazing! Spain looks absolutely beautiful!
Wwwwooooaaaahhhhhh….the “San Juan de Gaztelugatxe” is simply breath-taking! I have never seen anything like it, I swear!
I would love to visit Spain one day! There are so many incredible places to explore!
wow i had no idea there were so many wonderful places to see in Spain I would love to see that castle, forest and bridge. wow. Joy
Spain is such a beautiful country. I have long wanted to visit Spain and all of its beauty!
Wow! These are breath-taking and really beautiful. Totally agree with you that these are fairy tale places. So, far my favorite is Real Alcazar of Seville — its seems perfect for Alladin (which is my favorite)
I had no idea it was one of the filming locations of GOT. Would love to visit this in the future.
Thanks, Clarice! Alladin is also one of my favorites, so I really enjoyed the Real Alcazar of Seville! Hope you´ll get a chance to visit soon!
These are so surreal. I would love to visit a real castle in Spain one day!
Brings back memories as I have been to six out of the ten. Great locations.
Thanks Anna for this post. Really enjoyed going through and learning about these beautiful places. Next time these would feature in my travel plan. Have only been to Madrid & Barcelona.
Thank you! Spain really has so many amazing places to visit! But Madrid & Barcelona is already a good start!
All those places look absolutely beautiful and I agree with you in it being a fairytale place. I’d totally love to go to that castle or take a stroll through that forest.
It’s so crazy that you’ve just written a post on this – I’m looking for flights to Spain right now! I will definitely be bearing this in mind.
Happy holidays! 🙂
Amy x
Thanks, Amy! Have a great trip to Spain!
Wow. Spain is so beautiful. I never knew such incredible places existed there. Thank you for sharing.
Oooh fab post! We visited Spain last year and I was blown away by the epic mountains, castles, woodlands and medieval villages near Catalonia. It looks like I need to go back again and again as there is sooooo much to see. That new bridge in Ronda is spectacular!!
It is so true! You really can´t see Spain in one visit, but it´s a nice country to come back to, isn´t it?
Thanks Anna for this post. Really enjoyed going through and learning about these beautiful places
Thank you for your kind words, Tarequl!
You nkow how much I love all of these! But I didn’t know that the Sergovia Castle also inspired the Disney one! It is both enchanting and formidable to look at! #FeetDoTravel
Some wonderful examples here! The New Bridge in Ronda looks amazing! Would love to walk along that! #FeetDoTravel
I love fairytale castles and locations! The Alcazars of Segovia and Seville are just the ticket. The Spanish forests you write about are just amazing, and totally new to me. Thanks for introducing me to some dream destinations!
Thanks, Cynthia! hope you´ll get to see the forests for yourself soon, they´re worth a visit!
What a wonderful collection of sights to see! The castle of Morella caught my eye especially. But really, each place is lovely.
There is nothing like a good fairytale and I love finding real places that could be from a fairytale. I’d love to visit some of these places. #FeetDoTravel
Beautiful places. I only visited once Covadonga and Sevilha. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for your comment, Margarida!
Every time I read one of your blog posts and see those beautiful photographs, I wonder why I’m still living in Belgium.
Spain’s nature is marvellous and I would love to spend some time (months, years,…) there.
Haha Yes, Spain has so many cool versatile places! although I wouldn´t mind a few Belgian waffles every once in a while!
Wow we need to go back to Spain and see a lot more! Last year we only visited the big cities and when I was younger I went to the area of Blanes a lot. Thank you for sharing these fairy-tale places. Your pictures are beautiful btw!
What stunning places to see in Spain. You’re right, they really do look straight of a fairytale. Would especially love to see the bridge in Ronda and the Alcazar! So lovely.
I love Spain! It’s one of those countries that I always keep coming back to and reading this has made me realise how there are still so many places that I need to come explore.
Hi there,
I love your list of where to go in Spain. You have some really good ideas about the city, you did a great job. If you are ever back in Barcelona I would love to show you some amazing places to eat in the city. I run a food tour company called Eye on Food Tours drop me a line some time.
all the best,
-A