Sometimes the best vacation spot isn’t a big city or fancy resort. Sometimes it’s a place that feels almost magical. For 2026 we’re thinking about a different style of travel. We want to find beautiful alternatives to the usual tourist destinations. We’re looking for places with a mysterious quality that shows us how amazing nature can be. We’ve put together a list of stunning locations to consider for your next trip. These range from beautiful forests that seem like fairy tale settings to dramatic fjords that look like something from ancient mythology. Get ready to feel inspired to travel.
1. Sintra, Portugal – A Fairytale Realm of Palaces, Palms, and Misty Hills
Less than an hour outside Lisbon you will find Sintra a UNESCO World Heritage site that looks like something from a fairytale. The town is known for its castles that could belong in a Disney movie. Quinta da Regaleira is the most famous one and has an internal spiral staircase covered in ivy and moss that you have probably seen in photos before.
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2. Stuðlagil Canyon, Iceland – A Basalt Wonderland Carved by Glacial Waters
Arguably most of Iceland deserves a spot on any list of the most ethereal places in the world. This island nation contains some of the most breathtaking scenery anywhere on Earth thanks to its volcanic origins. Studlagil Canyon stands out especially because of its unusual stick-like rock formations and brilliant blue waters that make it look like a location pulled straight from a fantasy novel.
3. Lysefjord, Norway – Sheer Cliffs, Deep Fjords, and Nordic Drama
Lysefjord: Norway’s Stunning Natural Wonder All Norwegian fjords are beautiful but Lysefjord stands out as something truly special. When you first lay eyes on this natural wonder you might feel like you have stepped into a fairy tale landscape. The dramatic scenery resembles something from an animated adventure film. This remarkable fjord stretches for 42 kilometers through the Norwegian countryside. Massive cliffs rise up on both sides of the water creating an impressive corridor of rock and nature.
4. Milford Sound, New Zealand – Where Waterfalls Meet Ancient Rainforests
Milford Sound: New Zealand’s Natural Wonder Milford Sound stands as one of New Zealand’s most celebrated natural attractions. This stunning fiord sits within Fiordland National Park on the South Island. The landscape features towering peaks that descend directly into pristine waters below. The scenery here captures the raw beauty that made New Zealand the perfect filming location for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Steep mountain faces rise dramatically from the fiord’s edge. Dense rainforest clings to the lower slopes while bare rock dominates the upper reaches.
5. Overland Track, Tasmania – A Wild Journey Through Untouched Wilderness
The Overland Track is a challenging multi-day alpine route that demands serious commitment from hikers. This demanding 65-kilometer journey cuts straight through the wilderness of Cradle Mountain and showcases some of the planet’s most stunning scenery. Walking this trail often creates the sensation of stepping onto another planet entirely. The track requires proper preparation and physical fitness due to its length & the rugged terrain it crosses.
6. Scottish Highlands, Scotland – Timeless Mountains Wrapped in Myth and Mist
This mountainous region in northern Scotland features some of the most dramatic landscapes anywhere on Earth. The area contains deep icy lochs alongside green forest glens and numerous rolling hills. It makes perfect sense that this scenery inspired the fictional setting of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series. The natural beauty of this Scottish landscape provided the ideal backdrop for creating the magical world that millions of readers and viewers have come to love. The combination of rugged terrain and mystical atmosphere made it a natural choice for filmmakers seeking authentic locations.
7. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Japan – A Whispering Green Tunnel of Serenity
Just outside of Kyoto you will find Arashiyama where one of Japan’s largest bamboo groves grows. Visitors can walk through many different paths that are surrounded by tall bamboo stalks on both sides. The other parts of Arashiyama have their own special beauty with a long blue river flowing through the area. Trees line the riverbanks & their leaves change to bronze colors when autumn arrives.
8. Waitomo Caves, New Zealand – Glowworm Galaxies Beneath the Earth
Have you ever seen a cave glow without any artificial lighting? The Waitomo Caves in New Zealand are famous for their blue starry ceiling that gets naturally lit up by a colony of glow worms. It truly looks like a scene straight out of Fern Gully.
9. Pamukkale, Türkiye – Snow-White Terraces Formed by Thermal Springs
Pamukkale stands out as one of the most unusual places you can visit anywhere in the world. The site features white travertine terraces that hold flowing mineral springs and creates a landscape you cannot find anywhere else. Located in Western Türkiye this destination has earned UNESCO World Heritage status and attracts travelers who want to experience something truly different. The natural formation draws visitors from around the globe who come to see the striking white calcium deposits that have built up over thousands of years.
10. Stonehenge, England – A Prehistoric Mystery Standing Against Time
The world-famous prehistoric site stands as one of the most magical destinations on Earth. Experts believe it served as an ancient temple for sun & moon ceremonies that date back to 3000 BC. The location has become a pillar of folklore over the centuries. Many travelers who visit report feeling a powerful and magical sensation when they stand among the ancient stones. This remarkable monument continues to draw visitors from across the globe who want to experience its mysterious atmosphere firsthand. The site holds deep historical significance & remains an important part of human heritage. People often describe an overwhelming sense of connection to the past when they walk through the monument grounds.
11. Otzarreta Forest, Spain – A Moss-Covered Dreamscape Straight From Fantasy
This eerie forest sits in the Basque region of Spain and resembles a scene straight from a gothic novel. Located roughly 45 kilometers from Bilbao which is the Basque capital this dark and mysterious place forms the backdrop for many local folk tales & legends.
12. Dragon’s Blood Forest, Yemen – Alien Trees on a Lost Island Landscape
The Dragon’s Blood Forest sits on Socotra island and has become well known for its unusual Dragon’s Blood trees. This UNESCO World Heritage site has such a strange appearance that it could easily be mistaken for a landscape from a science fiction movie set on another planet. The forest gets its name from the distinctive trees that grow there. These trees have an umbrella-shaped crown and produce a dark red resin that people have called dragon’s blood for centuries. The trees have adapted to survive in the harsh climate of the island by developing their unique mushroom-like shape which helps them capture moisture from the fog. Visitors to the forest often describe feeling like they have stepped into another world. The landscape looks so different from typical forests that it challenges what most people expect to see in nature. The combination of the unusual tree shapes and the isolated location creates an environment that seems almost unreal.
13. Atacama Lakes, Chile – Surreal Salt Lagoons Under Endless Skies
The Atacama Salt Flats contain a region filled with high-altitude lagoons. The water in these lakes remains so calm that they create mirror-like surfaces that reflect the distinctive mountain scenery around them. This creates an eerie & expansive beauty that resembles something you might find on Mars.
