10 fabulous places in Europe that amaze travelers

These places look like they've just stepped off the pages of a fairy tale - but who knows, maybe that's what inspired them? All of them are quite accessible to tourists - the selection includes European towns that are close to the most popular places.

1. Faroe Islands

Not an overly popular destination for the mass tourist, but there's definitely a lot to see here. For example, the tiny but very unusual village of Kvivik. The village was once home to brave Vikings, and reminders of them have been found during excavations nearby.

Today the most entertaining sights of the village are the unusual igloos, some of them were built back in the XVIII century, others are children of the modern age, so they can amaze you with amazing design and technical findings. There are daily flights from Copenhagen to the Faroe Islands, usually 2-3 times a day. Please note that to visit the Faroe Islands you will need a visa, which can be obtained at the Danish embassy.

2. Masca, Tenerife, Spain

And this little corner of Spain boasts of the amazing beauty of its surroundings. Located on the island of Tenerife, the village of Masca is bordered by an extremely picturesque gorge that leads directly to the sea coast.

The way here is not easy: to get to the village, you have to make a difficult journey up a steep mountain serpentine. It's no wonder that this hidden village is where legend has it that the famous pirate Barbarossa hid his treasure.

3. Wengen, Switzerland

Wengen's popularity is nothing short of remarkable, as it has been a firm favorite for winter holidays and stunning mountain scenery for many years. Not far from Wengen are two beautiful alpine peaks, the Monck and the Jungfrau, some parts of which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the village is surrounded on all sides by the hills of the Bernese Alps.

The local authorities are passionate about preserving these natural treasures, so you can only get here by train or car. The journey from Zurich to Wengen takes 2 hours.

4. Monsanto, Portugal

One of the best ways to get a solid introduction to sunny Portugal is to visit one of its colorful villages. We suggest a stop at Monsanto and check out why it's called the country's most "Portuguese" village.

The peculiarity of the settlement is that all its ancient houses and buildings are literally squeezed between huge centuries-old boulders and natural rock ledges. The line between them is sometimes so elusive that it is difficult to make out where the house ends and where the giant stone begins.

Monsanto is located 277 kilometers northeast of Lisbon.

5. Rocamadour, France

This small French village has also found a very secluded place - on a steep cliff. The first inhabitants here, according to some evidence, appeared almost a thousand years ago, so the village is full of all kinds of historical sights.

It is worth noting that while Rocamadour is not very famous in our country, French tourists have long loved this place, especially popular with religious pilgrims and those seeking spiritual enlightenment.

From Toulouse to Rocamadour there is first an expressway, then a highway, the travel time is about 2 hours.

6. Milotice, Czech Republic

This Czech village could well be the inspiration for Disney cartoons. Just drive about six kilometers from the town of Kiov and you will find yourself in the fairy-tale baroque town of Milotice. Here you will find one of the most beautiful sights of the region - the majestic Milotice Castle.

In addition, do not refuse yourself the pleasure of visiting the Church of All Saints and tasting the wonderful wine, which is a kind of local calling card.

From Prague to Milotice can be reached by car in about 3 hours.

7. Barnsley, UK

Famed for its love of tradition, England is predictably rich in all sorts of peaceful places. The Cotswold region of Gloucestershire is particularly teeming with such beautiful symbols of good old England, it is also home to Shakespeare's small homeland, the famous Stratford-upon-Avon. One of the many villages to visit when touring the region is Barnsley.

By the way, here is one of the most colorful hotels in the country - Barnsley House, located in an old English mansion.

The distance from Manchester Airport to Barnsley is 124 km.

8. Castellfollit de la Roca, Spain

Nature itself was directly involved in the creation of the stunning Castellfollit de la Roca. This place came into being after two flows of solidified lava collided, which was later successfully used by the locals as material to build houses. Today, these houses are hidden away from the mundane on a high cliff just over a kilometer long.

It takes 1.5 hours to get from Barcelona to Castellfollit de la Roca by car.

9. Wengelsdorf, Germany

This peaceful German village near the Austrian border has managed to preserve its identity and cultural heritage despite the inexorable passage of time and an impressive flow of tourists. More than half a million guests visit Wengelsdorf every year.

It was once thought to be the home of the best woodcarvers and sculptors. Painted and carved bas-reliefs of residential houses and architectural (mostly religious) sights serve as a beautiful reminder of this.

It takes about 2 hours to get from Berlin to Wengelsdorf by car.

10. Zalipie, Poland

The Polish village of Zalipie may seem very familiar and therefore dear to your heart. Travelers from Eastern Europe unanimously say that this village is the most beautiful in Poland, if not in the whole region.

The main highlight and pride of the place are the houses painted with bright floral patterns, a tradition that has been preserved here since ancient times. Entire "flowery" streets give the impression of a real fairy-tale village.

From Katowice to Zalipie is about 2 hours by car.