Wanderlust-worthy destinations appeal to travelers in many different ways. Landscapes and natural attractions are awe-inspiring, cities captivate us with their history and buzz, while other places make us swoon simply because they feel like they were ripped from the pages of the storybooks-and in many instances, these places have served as the real-world inspiration for fantastical films and books.

These fairytale destinations combine a special combination of allure and romance that captures our imagination in a special way and the following 50 places are some of the best places on the planet to be swept away.

Spoiler alert: there's going to be a lot of castles.

Romantic lake with an island church? Check. Clifftop castle overlooking the aforementioned island church? Check. Yes, Slovenia's Lake Bled ticks all the boxes and also sits on the doorstep of spectacular scenery that served as a filming location for the Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

The island of Madagascar's location off the coast of Africa has made it home to unique flora and fauna, and this unassuming road shows off some of its beautiful baobab trees. While you can find these trees in other countries, you won't find them so enchantingly arranged as you will here.

This scenic stretch of a rural train line near the town of Klevan is completely encircled by trees, appearing to look like a mystical tunnel. True love is said to reward couples who make a wish here, but all visitors must be careful as a real transport train heads down the tracks three times daily.

A beautiful and bewitching castle, Burg Eltz and its pointed spires give it a slightly more moody feel than other European castles. Visit the castle in autumn to see the surrounding landscape splashed with orange and yellow leaves, which only adds to the castle's appeal.

The distinctive design of these wooden stave churches are a signature of Scandinavia and helped inspire much of the imagery in Frozen. The impressive Gol Stave Church, which dates from around 1200, is a national treasure and can be viewed at the Norweigan Folk Museum in Oslo.

Hardly any other city is as synonymous with a single architect as Barcelona is with the fanciful creations of Antoni Gaudi. His works can be spotted all over town, but this Candyland-esque park overlooking the city will sweep you off your feet and fully into this kaleidoscopic world.

Bold colors and whimsical design features serve as the perfect contrast to the surrounding forest to make Pena Palace the pride of Sintra, Portugal. A mish-mash of styles and statues gives visitors a vivid experience and insight into a fine example of Romanticism.

A wonderland of snow-white travertine terraces overflowing with hot springs, Pamukkale means "cotton castle" and this place feels like something from a fantasy. Admire the views before exploring the adjoining ruins of the Roman city of Hieropolis.

Its name may mean "Devil's Bridge" in German, but this graceful ruined stone bridge in Eastern Germany's Kramlauer Park is as romantic as it gets. The design is such that when reflected in the pond below, it forms a perfect circle. Be aware that the bridge and lake are currently undergoing renovations.

Arguably the most dramatic of Wale's coastal castles, Conwy comes complete with eight towers that show off its impressive battlements and soaring views to Wales' iconic national park Snowdonia.

This small village in the Japanese Alps is acclaimed for the unique architecture of its buildings and for the tremendous amount of snow that falls here each year. Visit in winter to be swept away into a legend about "praying houses" (their local nickname) and the people who call the area home.

Even if it hadn't had a star turn in Game of Thrones, this shadowy passage bordered by beech trees would have captured the world's imagination. Whether you are a fan of the show or not, these trees will move you.

The game reserve in western Kenya is home to a stunning range of wildlife and will make you feel like you've stepped onto the set of Out of Africa, the epic 1985 film. That's because much of the movie was shot here, forever linking this majestic space with that storybook film.

The seat of Moorish monarchs for centuries, this majestic palace overlooks Granada, Spain and is home to fascinating architecture and tranquil gardens. Expect to be taken by the colorful tiles, serene ponds and breathtaking views over the city.

This island crowned by a monastery-complete with a spire reaching for the heavens-is one of the utmost symbols of France. While Mont Saint Michel is usually connected to the mainland, when the tide is high it becomes one of the most surreal island settings in all of the world.

This South Pacific island nation is home to lush jungles, green mountains and breathtaking beaches that helped to inspire the animated adventure Moana.

Resting on a rocky outcrop that juts into Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle has been part of the heritage of this gorgeous region for nearly 1000 years. The castle was used as a base from which to oversee trade that passed through Switzerland and later became legendary after its starring role in Lord Byron's poem The Prisoner of Chillon. The castle also served as inspiration for Prince Eric's castle in The Little Mermaid.

The world's tallest waterfall, Angel Falls owns an isolated locale that only adds to its allure. You may recognize the falls as they served as inspiration for Paradise Falls in the wanderlust-inducing computer-animated film Up.

It might be located on Red Square, but St. Basil's Cathedral owns a rainbow of colors and curved onion domes that make it look like the backdrop for a tale about tsars and snow princesses.

Udaipur is known as the "White City" for its impressive array of ivory facades, but it's the exquisite City Palace that feels the most like a fairytale. Take in its stately beauty before strolling along the pretty Lake Pichola.

The third castle to be located on this site, Hohenzollern is famous for having a perch high above the surrounding countryside and for its enchanting design features. Along with its Bavarian cousin Neuschwanstein, it is arguably Germany's most iconic castle.

You'll find this mesmerizing place on the outskirts of Kyoto, offering a breath of fresh air and the soothing reverberations of swaying bamboo leaves to visitors. The sound is so calming that is has been officially recognized by the government as one of the "100 Soundscapes of Japan".

This romantic town in the hills of the Rif Mountains is known the world over for the moody shades of indigo its buildings are painted. Wander the alley to see the light play off the paint and imagine yourself in a fanciful tale about a marooned Moroccan princess wandering the blue alleys trying to find her one true love.

Located on an island at the point where three grand Scottish lakes come together, Eilean Donan has a long and storied history. A fortification has stood on the site since the sixth century and today the castle has come to symbolize the beauty of Scotland to the world.

This theme park in the heart of Copenhagen-the city of noted fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen- has served as the inspiration for Disneyland and many other of the world's happiest places. In addition to the classic rides, you will find a replica statue of Andersen's beloved little mermaid.

A thoroughly modern marvel, the Castle of Ravadino-also known as the "Castle in Love With The Wind" was established in 1996 with the mission of bringing a fairytale-esque castle to Bulgaria, and it has quickly become a cherished sight. Walk among the meticulously-landscaped grounds, past statues and fountains while admiring the fact that the entire structure is made of a local stone that changes hue depending on light conditions.

A result of weathered limestone and various environmental factors? The solidified tears of a heartbroken giant? The wreckage of two giants who got into a tussle? While the scientists will tell you the answer is the former, it doesn't take away from the otherworldly feel of these thousands of hills in Bohol.

The largest of the lovely chateaux of the Loire Valley, Chateau de Chambord is known the world over for its romantic French Renaissance architecture and idyllic moat.

Surely you've seen the fairytale film about the prince kept hidden away in the belfry overlooking Kotor Bay? He longs to escape and swim in the water below once more with his true love Okay, that's not a movie (yet!) but with scenery like this, it only seems a matter of time before Montenegro inspires a modern-day legend.

New Zealand is covered in natural wonders and the splendor doesn't stop when you go underground. At Waitomo, glowworms are visible on the roof of the caves making for a truly unforgettable experience.

This town in the rolling hills of western Czech Republic is one of Europe's grandest spa towns, and many of the graceful buildings here sport a fairytale-esque frontage. In fact, the Palace Bristol Hotel (pictured) was used as inspiration for Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Located on a rocky outcrop on England's rugged northeast coast, this castle is only connected to the mainland at low tide and most certainly looks like the type of place an evil fairy stepmother would send away a princess to live in. Lindisfarne has served as the backdrop for several television shows and movies.

Located just outside the town of Jaipur in India's fabled Rajasthan region, the Amber Palace is made of atmospheric marble and sandstone which changes hue with the sunlight. Visit for sweeping views of the Maota Lake and a dizzying array of fetching architectural features.

You may know it from the Harry Potter films, but the Glenfinnan Viaduct has been turning Highland train trips into forays into the fairytale realm for 120 years. Hike to one of the local viewpoints to see the vintage train take the route over the bridge or take a ride on the train yourself to experience the stunning Scottish scenery.

These mesmerizing monolithic churches were carved out of rock in the 13th-century and they certainly look like they would be perfect as part of a plotline in a book by Dan Brown.

At this intriguing sight in Northern Ireland, you'll find tens of thousands of hexagonal stacks of rocks intertwined. While the science folks say Giant's Causeway is the result of ancient volcanic explosions, the locals are fond of saying they are the work of Finn McCool, a local giant who ripped them off the mainland in an attempt to form a bridge to Scotland. That Finn McCool has animated movie star written all over him, doesn't he?

Built half on the mainland and half on a slither of rock sticking into the wilds of the Atlantic in the maritime country of Cornwall, Tintagel is the epitome of dramatic. It is the tales of legendary supposed former resident King Arthur that adds the magic dust to this special place.

Serving as a major inspiration for the castles of Disneyland and Walt Disney World, Neuschwanstein sits perched on the doorstep of the Bavarian Alps in Germany. Although it looks ancient, it was actually built in the 19th-century and has become a cherished symbol of the Romanticism movement.

This romantic colonial town in Mexico has more than a few connections to the magical world of the movie Coco. The town features a statue of beloved Mexican singer and actor Jorge Negrete (very similar to the statue of the fictional Ernesto De La Cruz in the movie) and the city's atmospheric cobbled streets and colorful balconied buildings resemble the vibrant Land of the Dead in the movie.

This castle was used a filming location for the first two Harry Potter films, most famously the scene where Hogwarts students were taught how to ride a broomstick. It is England's second-largest inhabited castle (behind the Royals' home at Windsor) and has also featured in Downtown Abbey and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.

This landscape in this rugged section of central Turkey is covered with what the locals call "fairy chimneys". While it's still undetermined if these unique rock formations have actually hosted any Turkish Tinkerbells, they have played an integral role in the unique culture of this fascinating region and are sure to captivate you.

Highclere is the fictional home of the Granthams in Downtown Abbey and while their lives did meet a few challenges over the years, it was still a fairly fairytale existence. Even if you haven't seen the show, the house may look familiar as one of the architects behind the home also worked on the Houses of Parliament in London.

If you feel like you've seen this lake on the silver screen, it's because you have; aerial shots of the lake feature in Black Panther. While much of Wakanda was filmed on a sound stage, seeing this gorgeous Ugandan lake will still bring the rush of the movie's magic back to you.

This castle sits high above the beautiful town of Beynac-et-Cazenac in the romantic French region of Dordogne. The unique position perched above the region's iconic namesake river separates this fairytale chateau from the others in the region.

One of the prettiest small towns anywhere, Hallstatt is full of wooden chalets and pastel-painted buildings that tumble down to a serene alpine lake. Arrive via ferry to maximize the fairytale vibes.

This forest reserve is home to scores of towering rock formations that have captured the imaginations of both Chinese artists and local visitors for centuries. Their "big international break" came when they were credited as inspiring the fantastical world of Avatar.

Chateau de Chenonceau is another example of a lovely Loire Valley chateau and it stands out from the crowd with a unique design that includes a span over the river Cher.

Surely this mountain is the place where rainbow sunk into the ground, trapping a prince above ground until another rainbow appears or he receives a kiss from his one true love? Or perhaps it's just an unusual work of Andean mountain rock weathering? Either way, it's deserving of its place on our list, and since it was only just revealed by melting snow in 2015 it's officially the youngest fairytale destination in the world.

If an ancient trading town carved into rocks in the middle of the Jordanian desert isn't the perfect setting for a tale of adventure, nothing is. Sure enough, this striking "lost city" had its star turn in Indiana Jones and the Lost Crusade.

This castle overlooks the pretty town of Segovia, Spain and was the direct inspiration for the castle in Disney's 1937 film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Then, along with the aforementioned Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, went on to be one of the main inspirations for the castles at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.