Ten real-world places that have inspired fairy tales and folklore:
1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany -
This fairy-tale castle inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle and is often associated with the romanticism of fairy tales.
 |
| Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany |
2. Black Forest, Germany -
This dense, dark forest inspired many of the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tales, including "Hansel and Gretel" and "Little Red Riding Hood."
 |
| Black Forest, Germany |
3. Blarney Castle, Ireland -
Known for the Blarney Stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence, this castle is surrounded by various legends and myths.
 |
| Blarney Castle, Ireland |
4. Mont Saint-Michel, France -
This island commune has inspired many magical stories and legends, including the Disney film "Tangled."
 |
| Mont Saint-Michel, France |
5. Bran Castle, Romania -
Often referred to as Dracula’s Castle, this castle inspired Bram Stoker’s "Dracula" and various vampire legends.
 |
| Bran Castle, Romania |
6. Skellig Michael, Ireland -
This rugged island with its ancient monastery inspired parts of the Star Wars series and is surrounded by Celtic legends.
 |
| Skellig Michael, Ireland |
7. Aokigahara Forest, Japan -
Known as the Sea of Trees, this forest at the base of Mount Fuji is steeped in myth and has inspired numerous ghost stories and legends.
 |
| Aokigahara Forest, Japan |
8. Tintagel Castle, England -
Associated with the legend of King Arthur, this castle and the surrounding area have inspired numerous tales of knights and magic.
 |
| Tintagel Castle, England |
9. Isle of Skye, Scotland -
With its dramatic landscapes and rich folklore, the Isle of Skye has inspired numerous Celtic myths and fairy tales.
 |
| Isle of Skye, Scotland |
10. Transylvania, Romania -
This region’s history, landscape, and cultural myths have inspired countless vampire stories, most notably Bram Stoker’s "Dracula."
 |
| Transylvania, Romania |
These places have rich histories and enchanting atmospheres that have fueled the imagination of storytellers for centuries.
