While it can be nice to cuddle up at home and enjoy some cozy fantasy favorites, you may sometimes yearn for experiencing the same comfort out in the world. Maybe some cozy travel is what you need!
There are lots of places that may remind you of your favorite cozy fantasy story. I’ve put together a list of just a few of the ones that I know of. (Including some hidden gems that may not show up on your typical “places-to-go” lists!)
So if you’ve been looking for adventure, add one of these cozy travel destinations as a stop to bring a little magic to your trip!
1. Strasbourg, France
Photo by monikawl999 on Pixabay
Sitting just barely on the French side of the Rhine River, Strasbourg is an excellent choice if you’re looking for cozy travel with a riverside charm.
This city has a population of 300,000 but feels relatively small. It has a modern downtown with all of the amenities you need. But the real gem of this city is its historic district called “La Petite France”.
Narrow streets let out to beautiful riverside cottages with flowers in the windowsills. The food is delightful with both French and German options.
I would also recommend checking out the astronomical clock in the city’s biggest church. It features a mechanical performance every 15 minutes.
2. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
In an American list of cozy travel hotspots, the top of the list has to be California’s Carmel-by-the-Sea.
This town is still built specifically to maintain a cozy charm. The City’s general plan notes that travelers called the area “a village in a forest above a white ocean beach.” Others described it as “a town whose citizens love trees.”
The town is conveniently walkable and features an eclectic mix of architecture. Some shops and houses look like they’re straight out of a storybook, like the iconic Cottage of Sweets.
And if you’re an ocean-lover, the town sits on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. This town has attracted famous writers, musicians, and artists who were all inspired by its charm.
3. Biei, Hokkaido
Photo by T_Kohei on Pixabay
If one of your cozy fantasy dreams is to be surrounded by flowers, look no further than Biei in Hokkaido, Japan.
Biei is a small town of about 10,000 people. But it is known far and wide as a tourist destination thanks to the discovery of its hot springs in the 1950’s.
The official brand of the town is “Biei, the Town of the Hills.” It’s no wonder why – rolling hills of flowers are found as far as the eye can see. The town is known throughout Japan as a popular place to film commercials and take pictures.
If you visit Biei, be mindful of where you’re stepping! The flower fields have been trampled occasionally by tourists. Being a polite tourist requires being mindful of the land and people that call it home.
4. The Black Forest
Photo by MWolf89 on Wikipedia
Ok, so this isn’t a specific town or city, but you can’t go wrong adding anywhere in the Black Forest to your list of cozy travel goals.
The Black Forest is a region of Germany that comes straight out of a storybook. Tall trees bring an almost foreboding darkness to some areas. Sunny meadows and rolling hills break up the trees. The contrast creates isolated pockets of villages that feel peacefully removed from the world.
The Black Forest has a little something for everyone. There are regional cuisines like Black Forest Cake and Black Forest Ham, winter sports, hiking, museums, and culturally significant trades such as the making of cuckoo clocks.
If you’d like to see multiple areas in the Black Forest, I’d recommend traveling by rail. There is an extensive railway system that will allow you to see the deep forest, rolling plains, and cascading rivers of this fantasy grove.
5. Hobbiton Set, New Zealand
Photo by yanjing on Pixabay
Alright, this is for all of the lovers of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Did you know that Hobbiton is a real place that you can visit?
The Hobbiton Movie Set is in New Zealand. Daily tours will treat you to the cozy comforts that all true Hobbits know and love. This includes visiting Bilbo’s own Bag End, a drink at the Green Dragon Inn, and a cafe that serves breakfast AND second breakfast. What more could you ask for?
There are several Hobbit holes that you can actually enter. They are built to different scales, since Hobbits are notably small. There are even fully furnished interiors to tour!
And while you’re here, make sure to enjoy the rest of the New Zealand countryside. It’s a stunning country and it’s no wonder that Peter Jackson chose it to represent the cozy home of the Hobbits.
6. Banff, Canada
Photo by Ethan Sahagun on Wikipedia
Bundle up for this next cozy travel destination. If you’re looking for a winter wonderland, look no further than Banff!
Banff is a small town of less than 10,000 people but is one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations. The cold-weather town boasts the distinction of having snowfall recorded in every month of the year!
One of the most popular spots to visit in Banff are the hot springs. These hot springs are a great way to enjoy the cold weather while keeping comfortably warm.
I’d also recommend taking the gondola up Sulphur Mountain. There is an incredible view of the town and surrounding mountains.
7. Boseong, South Korea
Photo by YHBae on Pixabay
This next cozy travel destination is for green tea lovers!
Boseong is a temperate area in South Korea that is ideal for growing world-class green tea. The town and countryside are filled with rolling hills of green tea plants.
There are less than 40,000 people in the County so it is a peaceful place for a nature-filled retreat. There are hiking trails that go through the green tea plantations, as well as beachside access for ocean lovers.
And if you like green tea, there are so many thematic local foods to try! There is specialized green tea ice cream and green tea rice made here.
8. Kinderdijk, Netherlands
Photo by FeelHype on Pixabay
If you enjoy wondering at the marvels of historic engineers, then this cozy travel destination is for you!
Kinderdijk is a tiny village in the Netherlands. There are less than 1,000 people! The Rhine River hugs it on one side so it makes for a peaceful riverside retreat.
The main draw of this village, though, are definitely the windmills! These windmills were built to help pump water from the area to keep it from flooding. The row of windmills at the waterside provides picturesque fantasy-esque views.
Some of the windmills are still in operation today, and I absolutely recommend taking a tour of one while it is running. It is incredible to see the wooden craftsmanship of the interior mechanism that keeps the windmill running!
9. The Biltmore, North Carolina
Photo by pendletone55 on Pixabay
For cozy fantasy with more grandeur, look no further than the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.
This estate is relatively modern compared to the other places on this list. It was built in the late 1800’s. But that doesn’t stop it from having that old-world charm that lends itself to a fantasy setting.
The Biltmore is an impressive estate with more than 4 acres of interior floor space and 250 rooms in the house. There are tours to help navigate the dizzying area.
The Biltmore is open year-round, but often has special decor around Christmas if you’re looking for some holiday spirit!
10. Cartagena, Colombia
Photo by Makalu on Pixabay
Do your dreams involve pirates, romance, and swashbuckling adventures? If so, then Cartagena has to be on your cozy travel destination list.
This port city is one of the larger metropolitan areas on this list with a population of just around one million. But the Spanish-colonial architecture of the old town gives this place a fantasy adventure charm.
This City boasts a rich history of battles on sea and land. The culture is also lovely and inviting, and every day can feel like a festival.
If you’re looking to take a cruise, check to see if Cartagena is on the port list.
11. Porto, Portugal
Photo by nathsegato on Pixabay
If history is your thing, look no further than the beautiful city of Porto.
This city is one of the oldest European Centers, and features four UNESCO World Heritage sites within a couple hours’ drive. Like many European cities, it features a historic cathedral that many tourists visit annually.
There is also a bookstore that is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most beautiful – Livraria Lello. With over one hundred years of storytelling and the historic architecture to match, this has got to be a bucket list cozy fantasy destination for book lovers
12. Rüdesheim, Germany
Photo by Riley Gail
I wanted to end the list with my personal favorite cozy fantasy destination – Rüdesheim, Germany.
This town, known officially as Rüdesheim am Rhein, is small at just about 10,000 people. But it has BIG character – the streets are dense and packed with cozy shops.
Some of the highlights of the town include a Christmas shop that is own all-year-round called The Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas store and Die Drosselgasse, a street that is filled with taverns and local musicians as well a historic chimes that play every hour.
But the absolute must-do in Rüdesheim is the cable car. It takes you up to the top of the town and gives you an enchanting view of the town and vineyards below. (I took the photo above on the ride up!)
These are just a few places to add to your cozy fantasy destination list. But please comment with any that I may have missed!
And if you’re looking for a way to enjoy cozy fantasy without having to leave the comfort of your own home, check out my article about Cozy Towns in Videogames that are Filled with Life!