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There are some real-life fairy-tale places in Spain that will make you travel through time. Have you ever been tired of all those duties and routines that daily work-life entitles? How about jumping into the pages of a storybook for a while?

Magical castles, enchanted forests, medieval walls, incredible palaces, and other-worldly rock formations – if you think those exist only in children’s books, you’re quite mistaken!

Fairy-tale places in Spain are my favorite kind of sights. There’s no other way to literally travel to a different dimension except stepping into a magical palace, hiking through the enchanted forest, or reading one of the fascinating Spanish legends.

Therefore, I’ve handpicked for you a few of my favorite fairy-tale places in Spain where children’s storybooks come to life.

Top Fairy-Tale Places in Spain

1.Alcazar de Segovia

No list of fairy-tale places in Spain could persist without dreamy Spanish castes. With a diverse history and traces of different civilizations, Spain is currently home to more than 2500 of them. Some are ranked in between the most beautiful ones in Europe.

A few of the Spanish Castles have recently gained world fame as Game of Thrones filming locations, but GOT just cannot cover it all.

Also read: The Most Colorful Villages in Spain

If I am to choose the most fairytale one of all – I´d go with the Alcazar of Segovia. It is said to have inspired Cinderella´s Castle, the eternal symbol of Disney. And there’s even more to the story here. Unlike many other Spanish Castles that simply served as fortresses, Alcazar de Segovia was home to the Spanish Royalty and has never been defeated. This castle is definitely one of the top Spanish landmarks.

You can´t give me an argument on the fairytale look this place has, can you?!

Alcazar de Segovia

2.Parque Rural de Anaga

Did you know that there are a few magical forests in Spain that look completely out of this world? Parque Rural de Anaga (Tenerife, Spain) is the most enchanted-like one of all.

It is a beautiful natural park, full of top Spanish hiking trails with distinct 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 one to pull up the fairy-tale comparison after all.

Also read: Best Places to Channel Your Inner Christopher Columbus

By the way, if you’re into natural wonders and out-of-this-world landscapes, my all-time favorites here are definitely Iceland, New Zealand, Canary Islands, and Hawaii. Any other suggestions?!

Parque Rural de Anaga

3.San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

During my trip to the Basque Country, Gaztelugatxe for sure was a bucket list number one. It is one of those places you should definitely experience at least once in a lifetime. 241 steps (dating back to the X century) will take you to the Church of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe.

This place is surrounded by myths, legends, and historical events, starting from the saint San Joan (after whom the church was named) to the pirates, wars, and times of witch-hunting during the Spanish Saint Inquisition (witches would unite in the area to cast their spells).

Keep in mind that it is actually quite a hike all the way to the top. Influencers wearing pretty dresses might look good in photos, but the truth is that you’d better be wearing comfortable shoes ( it rains quite often and the path might be slippery). Also, as the place has become very touristic lately, you should book your entrance online in advance. Besides, it’s been recently on the radar a lot as one of the most epic Game of Thrones filming locations in Spain.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

4. The New Bridge in Ronda

Ronda is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and the third most visited city in the province of Andalucia. Ronda´s diverse history started with the Romans when it was first declared a city by Julius Caesar (I century AD). Afterward, it went on through the Islamic era with the moors, who invaded the region in the VIII century and remained in the area until the Spanish Reconquista in1492.

Also read: The Most Beautiful Cathedrals in Spain

This multicultural history has left its traces on the city’s architecture. Some of the places you can’t miss: Acinipo Ruins, The Arabic baths (one of the best-preserved in Spain), Duquesa de Parcent Square, The BullringArabic walls, and city gates, Mirador de Aldehuela.

But, of course, the most famous place in Ronda is its 98m high bridge. Puente Nuevo or The New Bridge (finished in 1793) is definitely one of the top photo locations in the area and one of the most popular Spanish landmarks. There are several locations to get the best views of the New Bridge in Ronda, make sure you don´t miss them.

If you´re a history geek – there are lots of impressive Spanish Roman Ruins in Andalusia (a few of which are close to Ronda) to make you travel back to the times of the Great Roman Empire.

The New Bridge in Ronda, Spain
The New Bridge in Ronda

5. The Enchanted city of Cuenca

The Enchanted city of Cuenca is one of my personal favorites. A walk through this place felt like something supernatural, I´d even say even other-worldly. All the rock figures looked like humans, objects, or animals. I mean, Mother Nature is definitely the best decorator on Earth – you still have any doubts about that?!

Also read: 5 Must-See in Cuenca

As a huge bonus comes the fact that The Enchanted city of Cuenca is still quite unknown internationally. This natural phenomenon is located 28 km from the city of Cuenca in the Spanish Province of Castile-La Mancha.

The Enchanted City rises almost 1,500 meters above sea level and it is a circular route full of impressive rock formations, sculpted over the centuries by ice, wind, and water. 

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

6.Castle of Morella

There are many beautiful castles in Spain, but none of them has this epic setting that Morella does. The whole landscape of this hidden gem in the Spanish province of Castellon belongs in a storybook.

Rising 984 meters above sea level and fortified by 2 km of walls, Morella has always been of great strategical importance throughout history. Its murals have seen various civilizations – Romans, Arabs, Christians… Therefore, all these cultural influences have given Morella its uniqueness. Gothic buildings, handicrafts, artisans, and antiques – the streets of Morella are full of alluring details.

Also read: Medieval Fairs in Spain

For such a small town, Morella is surprisingly full of monuments and museums, revealing its magnificent historical past. Tiempo de Dinosaurios Museum, Sant Francesc Castle, Sant Miquel Towers, Sexenni Museum, La Fuente Vieja Tower – all of the following places can be visited in a day. Besides, The City Council often hosts temporary expositions.

The Morella Castle looks amazing from the distance, but basically, the only remains are the murals themselves. For an extra fee, you could go all the way to the top and get some panoramic views.

Castle of Morella in Castellon, Spain
Castle of Morella

7.Medieval walls of Avila

We´ve already seen castles, forests, and bridges on this list of fairy-tale places in Spain. But how about walking the Medieval walls of Avila?!

Many castles and medieval villages in Spain are surrounded by walls, but none are as impressive as those of Avila. Avila’s city walls are considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval walls in Europe and the city itself is one of Spain’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The walls of Avila lead the list of the top national landmarks in Spain.

Also read: Historical Valencia – The Borgia Route

This photo was made from the Cuatro Postes viewpoint, which offers a fantastic view of the city and its walls. You can’t miss it because of the tourist buses, but the stop is worth it anyway.

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

8. The Holy Cave of Covadonga in Asturias

Famous for its stunning natural landscapes and charming fishing villages, the Province of Asturias in Northern Spain is one of my favorite regions in the whole country. Many call Asturias one of Spain´s best-kept secrets. Despite the unfriendly weather, there are so many stunning things to do in the area – you´ll be spoilt for choices.

The Holy Cave of Covadonga, The Collegiate Church, and The Roman Bridge in Cangas de Onis are the most fairy-tale places in the area. Although, the first one – the historic Cristian holy place nestled within a spectacular natural cave – was the natural wonder that has grabbed my attention the most.

Also read: The Most Beautiful Villages in Asturias, Spain

Besides, in real life, Covadonga has a huge place in Spanish history. It was where Christian forces in Iberia defeated the Moorish army, setting the beginning of the famous Reconquista. There’s a version of history telling that the statue of the Virgin Mary from this cave has miraculously helped Christians to defeat their enemies.

Nowadays, the Holy Cave of Covadonga is still a place for religious pilgrimages.

The Holy Cave of Covadonga

9.Real Alcazar of Seville

Despite the grandiose structure of most Spanish castles, most of them are empty once you get inside. But there’s one place where you will definitely feel the magic flowing through your system – Real Alcazar of Seville. The lively geometry of decorations and Alcazar´s Devine gardens will teleport you to the pages of One Thousand and One Night.

Real Alcazar of Seville is the residence of the Spanish Royal family in Seville, a UNESCO world heritage site and of course, one of the prettiest Game of Thrones filming locations in Spain. The complex was a work in process from XI to the XVI century to gain its current look. Art lovers will definitely end up in awe of the Mudejar architecture, which in my case, I’ve first seen in Teruel and admired ever since.

Although the rooms inside the Real Alcazar are not furnished, this only highlights the stunningness of the magical interiors and some of the most beautiful gardens in Spain.

Real Alcazar of Seville in Spain
Real Alcazar of Seville

10. El Hayedo de Otzarreta

Even though I could go on with castles and medieval villages while trying to showcase my personal top fairy-tale places in Spain for a long while, there’s still one natural place that will cause you some serious wanderlust – El Hayedo de Otzarreta. It is a must-stop on every Basque Country Itinerary.

Also read: Must-See Magical Forests in Spain

If you’re lucky enough to visit El Hayedo de Otzarreta (located in Gorbea Natural Park) during the fall season – this location might be the most magical one of the fairy-tale places in Spain. Photos simply don’t do this place justice.

So far, I’ve only been to El Hayedo de Otzarreta in August, but the landscape was still quite epic.

hayedo de otzarreta nature spain

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