5 road trips & regions in Europe that feel like a fairytale + 5 bonus routes

If you're like me and love castles, history and quaint villages, with the freedom to explore more by car, a road trip through Europe is perfect, as it's still safe and the ideal destination to explore more in a short period of time!

That's why I have rounded up 5 road trips and regions in Europe that feel like a fairytale and should definitely be on your bucket list this year!

All filled with quaint towns, castles and landscapes that come straight out of a storybook.

Ideal if you enjoy unique architecture and charming landscapes, from Sweden’s forests to northern Italy’s Alps, each region offers a mix of well-preserved heritage and natural beauty.

A road trip is one of the most practical ways to visit these regions, letting you decide on the route and speed and enabling you to wander and also discover smaller spots and hidden gems along the way.

In this blog I will share 5 of my favourite routes to fairytale regions in Europe, based on my own experiences, accompanied by many of my own pictures, as always!

Including 5 or 6 bonus routes, since I did so many road trips throughout Europe over the years already.

Why road trips are perfect to explore fairytale regions in Europe

Road trips give you flexibility that other travel styles often lack. You can stop at viewpoints, spend extra time in a village, or take a short detour to a castle without worrying about schedules. In Europe, good road networks connect these areas efficiently, making self-drive itineraries a breeze.

To rent a car easily I can recommend using Discover Cars.

The platform compares offers from over 1,000 suppliers across more than 10,000 locations worldwide, including all the countries in this guide. Prices are clear and include taxes, with no hidden fees at pickup. Discover Cars often provides lower rates and better insurance options than when booking directly at the rental companies.

Many bookings offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before collection, and 24/7 customer support is available in many languages.

It’s a multi award-winning car rental site, trusted by millions of travelers with over 250,000 excellent Trustpilot reviews, something I always check before I book something online!

You can choose from compact cars suitable for village streets to larger vehicles for mountain roads, just enter your dates and pickup point to compare options quickly.

5 road trips to fairytale regions in Europe

But now on to the list, because these 5 stunning European regions, ranging from lesser-known to popular for a reason, should not be missed:

1. Småland - Sweden

This quaint area in southern Sweden is known for its dense forests, abundant lakes, and traditional red wooden houses. Also famous as the setting for Astrid Lindgren’s stories, such as Pippi Longstocking.

We drove to this Swedish region straight from the Netherlands via Denmark in about 13 hours.

But you can also fly directly to Copenhagen in 1,5 hours from the Netherlands, and rent a car there. Or take the train to cross the bridge to Sweden and rent a car in Malmö and drive on to Småland.

Upon arrival we explored many quaint towns and beautiful cities like Kalmar. Worth a visit for its authentic neighborhoods and the iconic Kalmar Castle, a Renaissance fortress with a moat that feels like a real life fairytale.

Key stops in this region are the Glass Kingdom (Glasriket) for glassblowing demonstrations and Vimmerby for sites linked to Lindgren’s books.

Roads in Småland are well-maintained and quiet, making it easy to drive between lakeside villages and forested areas. The region is ideal if you're interested in nature, as well as cultural history.

Read all about my own road trip here, including many quaint hotels and restaurants in these blogs: Småland Road Trip and 15 Hotels & Restaurants-Småland

Bonus tip: extend your Sweden trip easily by also visiting the neighboring region Halland, about which you can read more in this road trip combination blog: South Sweden Road Trip or check my Sweden page for even more beauty in regions like Skåne.

2. Alsace - France

Located along the France-Germany border this region is famous for its half-timbered houses, flower-decorated balconies, and wine villages. Places such as Colmar, Eguisheim, Riquewihr, and Kaysersberg are super photogenic, yet quaint with this unique mix of French and German influences.

The Alsace Wine Route offers a scenic drive through vineyards and medieval villages, even more stunning in autumn, just before harvesting. Here you can stop at small wine cellars for wine tastings and explore the colorful villages and the canals in Colmar’s 'Little Venice' district.

The many castles and towers on the hills add a historic touch and provide a photogenic backdrop. The area is compact enough for a relaxed multi-day drive and can be reached by car in just 6-7 hours from the Netherlands.

Find the perfect route, even better combined with a stopover in Metz, in this blog: Road Trip Alsace.

This area becomes extra magical in winter, especially around Christmas, as you can see in this blog: Ultimate pre-Christmas Road Trip Alsace.

Bonus tip: for even more road trips through France make sure to check this amazing route in the northwest: Road Trip Normandy-Brittany, or my France page.

3. Northern Ireland

This region of Ireland has dramatic coastal scenery, green hills, and historic sites. Castle ruins like Dunluce, set on a cliff edge, and the mysterious Dark Hedges are featured in the 'Game of Thrones' series.

And the Unesco-listed Giant’s Causeway, with its unusual rock formations is iconic and famous for its local legends.

The Causeway Coastal Route is renowned as one of the most beautiful routes in Europe, passing by cliffs, harbors, and small villages with colorful buildings, a great mix of natural landmarks and cultural stops.

Perfect if you like coastal views and stories from history and folklore, so intriguing that we did it twice already! Easy to reach by plane, in just a 1,5 hour flight from the Netherlands to Belfast. And after renting a car it's just a 1 hour drive to the Causeway Coast!

Find everything you need to know for your own Northern Ireland adventure in this blog: Exploring Northern Ireland in style.

Bonus tip: if you like to see more of Ireland, I can highly recommend the rugged Wild Atlantic Way and the southwest too, about which you can read more in this blog: Top 5 South West Ireland, or check my Ireland page.

4. Bavaria - Germany

Home to several well-known castles built by King Ludwig II, like Neuschwanstein. The epitome of a fairytale, often called the inspiration for Disney's castles.

With many other historic sites like Hohenschwangau adding to the royal heritage, Bavaria has an abundance of famous and lesser-known fairytale castles and palaces.

The Romantic Road (Romantische Straße) runs through medieval towns such as Rothenburg ob der Tauber, with its preserved city walls and picturesque half-timbered houses that truly mesmerized me! 

The route also passes alpine meadows and forests. This area is suitable for year-round road trips, with different seasons highlighting various aspects of the landscape.

Reachable in just 8 hours driving from the Netherlands you can find the perfect Bavaria route here: Road Trip 3 Hidden Gems Bavaria.

Bonus tip: for even more fairytale magic in Germany extend your Bavaria trip with the Franconia region via this route: Road trip Franconia-Germany

Or check out my other Germany blogs for more quaint towns and cities and the best Christmas markets.

5. South Tyrol - Northern Italy

This region, locally known as Alto Adige, near the Austrian border has a unique mix of alpine scenery with a strong Germanic heritage. Famous for its dramatic Dolomite peaks (a UNESCO World Heritage site), traditional wooden chalets, flower-filled meadows, and crystal-clear lakes.

Villages like Castelrotto, Glorenza (a walled medieval gem), and Vipiteno feel storybook-like, with colorful houses and mountain backdrops.

South Tyrol has over 800 castles and fortresses, more than anywhere else in Europe, including highlights like Tyrol Castle (Castel Tirolo) perched on a hill and others clinging to cliffs.

Here you can drive scenic routes through valleys, past vineyards, along mountain passes and stunning lakes, that make the best views.

In summer this region provides the perfect setting for hiking and outdoor activities and in winter, ski resorts and Christmas markets take over.

Fans of the 'Sound of Music’ will appreciate the connection: the film's iconic alpine scenes were shot in nearby Salzburg in Austria, and South Tyrol's similar mountain villages, meadows, and family-oriented alpine culture evoke the same magical, hills-alive-with-music atmosphere.

You can drive there straight from the Netherlands in about 11 hours, with also a great option to break up the route in Germany and combine your trip with a few-day stopover in some of the fairytale towns of Bavaria. Or fly straight to Innsbruck in just 1,5 hours from the Netherlands and rent a car to cross the border.

Read all about our road trip from the Netherlands all the way to South Tyrol in this blog: Ultimate Dolomites South Tyrol road trip.

Bonus tip: you can easily combine a South Tyrol road trip with a quick border hop to Salzburg and Innsbruck for full Sound of Music tours. Or drive on to the north of Austria for even more hidden gems.

Check these blogs for more Austrian hotspots, including a lesser-known region filled with fairytale vibes: Innsbruck Travel Guide and Exploring Upper Austria or any of my other Austria blogs.

Planning your fairytale road trip in Europe

These 5 regions cover a range of landscapes and experiences, while remaining accessible by car. You can combine 2 or 3 in one trip or focus on a single area for a shorter break.

Start by checking current road conditions, environmental stickers needed for driving through Germany, Austria and France and any seasonal requirements (such as winter tires in alpine areas).

Practical tips

• Book your rental car in advance to secure the best rates and vehicle type for your route

• Check the car rental's cross-border rules if driving between countries

• Consider one-way rentals if you plan to end in a different country or city

• Check for other qualifications and vignettes needed on your route

• Allow extra time for scenic stops and village exploration

• Look for gas stations in the smaller towns and away from the highway to save on fuel costs

• Generally fuel is less expensive in Austria than in Germany, good to know on a longer road trip

• And Sweden still has relatively low fuel prices too

• Pack layers, as weather can change quickly in mountainous or coastal zones.

Which of these fairytale regions in Europe appealed to you most? All 5 have a great mix of quaint charm, rich history and wide landscapes, providing plenty of photo opportunities. From castles and vineyards, to cobblestone streets with picturesque and colorful houses, these regions will surely mesmerize you.

You can find even more inspiration on my Europe page, or check my social media accounts via the links below for daily inspiration and more detailed advice.

I hope that these 5 road trips to fairytale regions in Europe will inspire your next road trip adventure and can help you explore Europe and its many hidden gems with ease!