Europe is filled with ancient ruins, impressive structures and natural landscapes that look like something straight off a postcard. But Europe is also filled mystery, with sites that still have yet to be explained and places that hold dark secrets that are yet to be revealed.
There are numerous mythical sites across Europe that have intrigued people from all over the world to come and explore. Some of these places look so magical, it feels like you're in a fairytale, while others are so eerie, they can give any visitors the chills. These mythical sites in Europe are so legendary that people have talked about them for hundreds of years and they are still in awe when they visit these particular areas.
Greece is well-known for its mythological sites and planning a trip to the Acropolis and Mount Olympus might make you feel like you're apart of the famous myths that Greeks still regard as part of their rich history. There are also the sites that still hold their medieval charm like in Germany's Rhine River Valley, with stunning castles and fortresses that'll make any visitor feel like they are living in the Middle Ages.
Here are 20 mythical sites so legendary they're worth planning a trip to Europe.
20 The Sintra Mountains In Portugal
Travelers will find themselves among historic castles surrounded by a heavily forested area in this mountain range in Portugal. Many tourists flock to this area because of its picturesque setting and the many mansions, castles and whimsical palaces found here. In addition to the many exquisite gardens and lush greenery, tourists will feel like they're in a fairytale.
19 Rock Of Cashel In Ireland
The Rock of Cashel looks eerie, but this impressive structure takes visitors back to an important part of Ireland's past. Here tourists will find a collection of medieval buildings, including a 12th-century tower and a Gothic cathedral on an ancient royal site.
18 The Plitvice Lakes In Croatia
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is a popular tourist destination in Croatia and it's easy to see why. The lakes are what draws thousands of tourists to this park because of its varying colors from emerald green to turquoise blue, and the 90 waterfalls visitors will find while walking easy trails are just dreamy.
17 The Dolomites In Italy
The Dolomites are a breathtaking mountain range in northeast Italy and covering 350,000 acres, there is a lot to be seen here. Some of the most magical places include Parco Naturale Adamello-Brenta where visitors will hike through some of the prettiest scenery, and Marmolada, the area's highest peak and one of the most spectacular hikes in Europe.
16 Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves In Austria
Tourists who make their way to Werfen, Austria will find themselves surrounded by ice as they walk inside the Hochkogel mountain in the Alps and find themselves in a stunning ice cave. The cave, called Eisriesenwelt, translates to "World of the Ice Giants," where ice formations are named after figures from Norse mythology.
15 The Erechtheion Temple In Greece
This ancient Greek temple was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon and is part of the famous monuments that make up the Acropolis in Athens. According to Greek mythology, the maiden statues that support the roof of the structure were said to be the servants of Athena and would feed her snakes that lived in the eastern part of the temple.
14 Nottinghamshire In England
Everyone knows the story of Robin Hood, the outlaw who lived in Nottingham, England. It is now a very popular tourist destination where visitors will find Sherwood Forest, a former royal hunting ground, and Wollaton Hall, a jaw-dropping Tudor house visitors can explore with beautiful grounds to walk through.
13 The Rhine River Valley In Germany
Visitors will find some of the most scenic spots in all of Europe on the Rhine River in Germany with medieval castles, towering fortresses, and beautiful rock formations. Once visitors make their way to the 12th-century Stahleck Castle, they'll feel like they've gone back to the Middle Ages.
12 Giethoorn In The Netherlands
Giethoorn is a Dutch village made up of small islands where people must either walk along bridges or take a boat through canals to get around. Visitors will be enchanted with its charm, its cute farms, and the nature that surrounds it while walking across wooden bridges or taking narrowboats.
11 Bran Castle In Transylvania
Romania's Bran Castle is infamous with the fictional character Count Dracula, the bloodthirsty vampire behind author Bram Stoker's Gothic horror novel. However, it was the most famous ruler of Wallachia, Vlad the Impaler, whose taste for blood was the inspiration behind Stoker's novel and inspired Dracula. Today, visitors can walk the grounds of the castle and take a tour inside.
10 Hallerbos In Belgium
The Hallerbos Forest is a magical place in Belgium where visitors will find themselves walking through an endless carpet of bluebell flowers. Also named the Blue Forest, tourists will want to go around mid-April and the beginning of May to see these flowers on display.
9 Baker Street In London, U.K.
Sherlock Holmes fans will want to make their way to London to visit 221B Baker Street, where they'll find the Sherlock Holmes Museum that occupies the famous fictional address of the private detective. The museum even has an employee who answers 40-100 letters a week to "Sherlock Holmes."
8 Notre Dame In France
Notre Dame is a magnificent cathedral in Paris, France that has mesmerized people since its completion in 1345. As one of the first Gothic cathedrals in Europe, visitors recognize its huge gargoyle statues and inside, the breathtaking Rose Windows that date back to the 13th century. Unfortunately, after the devastating fires on April 15, 2019, the cathedral remains closed to visitors.
7 Stonehenge In The U.K.
Stonehenge in England is regarded as one of the most mysterious places on Earth. It is one of the oldest and best-preserved megalithic structures on our planet. We still have no idea who built it and why, despite numerous theories surrounding it. While the area has interesting links to astronomy, it's still a great mystery.
6 Mushroom Stones Of Altai In Russia
In the region of Altai, Russia, visitors will find odd stone formations that resemble mushrooms which appear to be the work of supernatural forces. In fact, these mysterious stones came to look this way thanks to weathering and water erosion of rock layers, with the softer rock around the bottom eroding faster than the top, giving it the appearance of a mushroom.
5 Hoia-Baciu Forest In Romania
The Hoia Forest has been referred to as one of the spookiest forest in the world because of the numerous accounts of paranormal activity recorded here by the people who so bravely walk through it. The forest has a reputation for unexplained events such as electronic equipment malfunctioning and people hearing strange voices.
4 Gobekli Tepe In Turkey
Gobekli Tepe is highly regarded as the world's first temple, predating Stonehenge by 6,000 years. Located in Turkey, it is truly a wonder how prehistoric people were able to create several temples of massive megaliths that have weighed upwards of 13,000 pounds, without the help of special tools.
3 Delos In Greece
The island of Delos, Greece is where visitors will find important ancient archaeological ruins like temples, mosaics a theater and more. What makes this island so enchanting is the mythological stories behind it. Referred to as "the sacred island of Delos," this is the place where Leto gave birth to Zeus' twins Artemis and Apollo.
2 Crooked Forest In Poland
Poland's Crooked Forest is named after the 400 or so pines that have full 90-degree curves at their bases and up from the bases form a C-shape before curving back to their straight position. The trees are extremely unique and have sparked many theories as to how they got their shape. One theory states that there is a strange gravitational pull that caused the trees to bend as they do.
1 Mount Olympus In Greece
Mount Olympus is the highest mountain in northeast Greece and in Greek mythology was the home of Zeus and other major Greek gods. The tops of this magnificent mountain was also where Zeus was said to have shot down his thunderbolts. Today, many people hike the trails up this famous mountain for its epic views.