Unreal Places · Four countries · Series
4 real towns that look like a fairytale
These four towns look like a fairytale and are all real: Quebec City with the Château Frontenac above its old walls, the canals of Bruges, the red fishing cabins of Lofoten below sharp peaks, and the half-timbered houses of Colmar. All four are easy to visit.
The places in this film
- 1
Quebec City, Canada
The Château Frontenac rises above the only walled city in North America north of Mexico. Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it looks most like a storybook under winter snow, when the city also holds its winter carnival.
- 2
Bruges, Belgium
Canals, brick gables and cobbled lanes fill a medieval centre that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Canal boat tours run for most of the year, and the belfry above the Markt has wide views over the rooftops.
- 3
Lofoten, Norway
Red fishermen's cabins sit below sharp peaks on islands far north of the Arctic Circle. Reine is the best-known village. In winter the northern lights often appear over the fjords, and in summer the sun never sets.
- 4
Colmar, France
Half-timbered houses in bright colours line the canals of the Little Venice quarter. Colmar sits on the Alsace wine route, and its old town fills with Christmas markets from late November.
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Plan it
- Best time
- Quebec City and Lofoten for winter scenery and northern lights; Bruges and Colmar from April to October, or in December for Christmas markets.
- How long
- Two or three days in each town. Lofoten deserves four days or more to drive between the islands.
- Getting around
- Bruges and Colmar are best on foot and reached by train. Quebec City's old town is walkable. Lofoten needs a rental car.
Good to know
- In Lofoten, roads can be icy in winter: drive slowly and check the weather.
- Visit Bruges early or late in the day to avoid the busiest hours.
- Colmar's Little Venice is prettiest from the canal boats or at dusk.
Frequently asked
Is Quebec City worth visiting in winter? +
Yes. Snow makes the old town and the Château Frontenac look their most dramatic, and the city holds its famous winter carnival. It is very cold, so dress in layers.
Can you see the northern lights in Lofoten? +
Yes, on clear dark nights from about September to April. The islands lie far north of the Arctic Circle, under the auroral zone.
Is Colmar the town from a fairytale film? +
Colmar is often compared to a fairytale town for its colourful half-timbered houses and canals. It is a real town in Alsace, France, and easy to visit by train from Strasbourg.
