Take me to a castle: Europe's most magical fairytale towns

Seven most magical towns in Europe where fairytales come alive. Even today.

Bled, Slovenia

Set at the foot of snow-capped mountains near the Austrian border, this gorgeous little town sits on a turquoise lake warmed by mild thermal springs. Take a hand-made wooden pletna (gondola) out to tiny Bled Island and climb the 99 steps up to 17th century Church of the Assumption, a dreamy locale, worthy of its many weddings and Insta posts. On a precipice overlooking the lake, medieval Bled Castle is surrounded by a moat with a drawbridge. More buildings were added during the renaissance, including a 16th-century chapel painted with illusionist frescoes, and a restaurant where you must try a magical cremeschnitte (vanilla slice).

Bruges, Belgium

A fairytale city out of central casting, Bruges is one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in Europe. Winding canals and cobblestone streets lead you to historic churches, towering landmarks, market squares and endless lanes filled with whitewashed houses. At The Church of Our Lady, the brick spire stretches 115 metres towards the heavens and Michelangelo's sculpture Madonna and Child stands in the transept. Make your way to the famed 13th-century Belfry of Bruges where the resident carillonneur peels off tunes on the 47 bells, and have a happy ending with a refreshing Brugse Straffe Hendrik beer.

Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Straddling the Vltava river in the Bohemian Forest foothills, the street layout of the Old Town hasn't changed since the Middle Ages, and most of the architecture - Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque - dates from the 14th to the 17th centuries. Svornosti square is defined by the 16th-century Town Hall and a column topped with the statue of the Virgin Mary and various saints, who protect the city from the plague. The seven-hectare Cesky Krumlov Castle complex, blanketed by snow in winter, features 40 buildings and palaces, and the surrounding moat contains bears rather than water.

Hallstatt, Austria

As the inspiration for the village of Arendelle in the Frozen movies, this tiny mountain hamlet became "the most Instagrammable town in the world". Hallstatt was so loved in China they created a replica in the province of Guangdong. Perched between an eponymous lake and the Dachstein Massif, you can take the funicular railway up to the Skywalk 350 metres above the rooftops, explore the 13th-century Rudolf's Tower, tour the 3000-year-old salt mines, and tour ongoing archaeological excavations in the prehistoric necropolis.

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mostar is named for the bridge keepers (mostari) who guarded the Stari Most (Old Bridge), a fabled arc of stone between medieval towers on the river Neretva. Many of the mosques, bridges, public baths and houses (such as the 400-year-old Bievi) were built during the Ottoman era. The Old Town is also home to Kujundziluk (Old Bazaar), the Mostar Clock Tower and the Turkish public bath near the Tabacica mosque.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

The "Red castle above the Tauber" river sits on Bavaria's "Romantic Road", a string of similarly picturesque towns and castles. The original city walls are still fully intact and, if they could talk, would recount a fascinating 1000-year history which, more recently, has included movie cameos in Pinocchio, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Start at the photogenic Plonlein and explore the Old Quarter, wander through the medieval Marktplatz, and munch your schneeball (sugary spherical doughnut) among the statues and flower beds in Castle Garden.

Sintra, Portugal

Lord Byron described Sintra as a "glorious Eden" and this eclectic town on the Portuguese Riviera is an almost mythical world of mountains, forests, colourful manors and - most particularly - stately palaces. Those built in the hills are often shrouded in mist, such as the exuberant Pena Palace, the prototype of European Romanticism, and the ruins of the 10th-century Castle of the Moors. Back in town, the National Palace on the main square boasts tall, conical chimneys and grand chambers, including the Swans Room with its ceiling of octagonal panels decorated with swans.

Hawa Mahal, in the "Pink City" of Jaipur, is a five-story pyramid-shaped palace constructed in 1799 from red and pink sandstone, with 953 small windows decorated with intricate latticework. The nearby City Palace is a unique complex of courtyards, pavilions, gardens and temples, and is noted for its clocktower and museum.

Jodhpur's old city is bounded by a wall, which contains the 486-hectare Mehrangarh Fort, erected on a hilltop 120-metres above the surrounding plain between the 15th and 17th centuries. Seven gates lead sightseers to the ornately decorated Pearl Palace, Flower Palace and Mirror Palace, as well as the museum, which portrays the rich history and culture of the monument.

Jaisalmer Fort, in the city of the same name (aka The Golden City), is still home to a quarter of the population. Built in the 12th century, it wasn't until 500 years later that people lived outside its walls. Four massive gateways welcome visitors to the Raj Mahal Palace, seven yellow sandstone Jain temples, as well as a temple dedicated to Sambhavanatha hosting more than 600 idols and old scriptures.

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