15 Mythical Places You Can Actually Visit
Do you believe that mythical places exist only in the movies? These actual destinations tell you otherwise – pick up your things and maybe your dragon repellent just for good measure. Wouldn’t you want to travel to the same worlds that produced the ancient legends and fairytales?
The time has come to exchange your couch for a passport since these mythical places are not only tales for bedtime; they exist, and you can visit them. From sunken cities to misty mountain peaks once believed to be inhabited by gods, these 15 spots drip with legend and are ready to flick on your explorer switch.
Each is dripping in mythology of secrets and rich in ancient legends, providing an awe-striking combination of culture and amazement. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, international tourism exceeded 1.3 billion in 2023 – a considerable amount not in pursuit of sun and selfies but more than just that.
Willing to confuse the myth and reality line? Find out how ancient tales come to life in earth-shattering landscapes and throbbing cultures. Take the heroes’ steps, inhale the magic, and perhaps even return home with an epic story to tell yourself.
El Dorado, Lake Guatavita, Colombia
El Dorado—the golden city—spurred a thousand quests for riches and glory. Legends say that a king covered with gold dust dived into Lake Guatavita as a sacrifice to the gods. Now, the emerald waters of the lake glitter under the Andean rays, with misty green hills around.
Go to the site just outside Bogotá, where you can take scenic hikes and learn about the Muisca people who imparted the myth. Archaeologists have discovered objects made of gold, but the real treasures are the views and the feeling of mysticism floating around in the air. Even if you don’t leave with gold, you’ll leave rich in invaluable experiences.
Atlantis, Santorini, Greece
The lost city of Atlantis has been lighting imaginations for centuries. Plato called Atlantis a utopia that was swallowed by the sea. Some say today that Santorini is a crescent that shaped the Aegean Sea and inspired Atlantis in the real world.
Just looking at Santorini’s whitewashed villages perched on top of the volcanic cliffs and sapphire waters chairs below, one feels like he entered the myth before laying a hand on the ground.
The island’s Akrotiri archaeological site shows an active Bronze Age community destroyed in a cataclysmic eruption about 1600 BCE, giving great weight to the Atlantis theory. According to the most recent report, Akrotiri is one of the best-preserved prehistoric settlements in the Mediterranean.
Wander in its ancient streets or look out at the caldera and wonder what whole civilizations lost to the waves. But don’t look for tridents – Poseidon is gone on eternal vacation.
Camelot, Glastonbury, England
Splendid Camelot, King Arthur’s kingly domain, triggers images of gallant knights, mysterious swords, and adventurous quests. However, is there a “real world” Camelot? Many say the town of Glastonbury holds the key. Walk the Somerset, misty green hills, with their Glastonbury tower and ancient and expansive views.
Go into Glastonbury Abbey’s ruins where e Arthu is supposed to be presupposed to be d. While in the pubs, you will always meet quirky locals who tell tales of Avalon and secret kingdoms.
Glastonbury Festival has a record attendance of over 200,000 visitors, but the town’s mix of myth, music, and mysticism ensures visitors return year after year. It is somewhere fantasy and reality meet (occasionally in chain mail).
Valhalla, Oslo, Norway
Valhalla was the Viking paradise only for the bravest warriors, but you can still get a small taste of its pomp in Norway. Oslo’s Viking Ship Museum displays actual dragon-prowed ships that bring about the storytelling magnificence of Norse mythology.
Go outside, and you’ll make a small jump from fjords that reflect the intimacy of old sagas, especially if you enjoy a kayak tour in the morning.
Natives combine old traditions with up-to-date flavor, and you may even witness a festival dedicated to Odin. A horn of mead has years of courage just waiting for you to sail into the unknown.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq
Tales of great terraced gardens, an emerald green oasis amid the desert bleakness, throng ancient texts. National Geographic report states that it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; “these gardens were said to be a king’s breathtaking gift to his beloved queen.
Although the real Hanging Gardens are still controversial, you can see their possible location among the ruins of Babylon near Hillah. Walk between the walls of the reconstructed Ishtar Gate, listen to the archaeologists arguing over their discovery, and stare at the Euphrates winding through the landscape.
The local guides add discoveries to the legend, and springtime ignites the imagination with bursts of green. You may not be surprised at the start, scribbling poetry when the plane gets home.
Shangri-La, Zhongdian, Yunnan, China
The “hidden paradise” of James Hilton’s novel, Shangri-La, became a real search. Zhongdian, a Chinese city, proclaimed its name from Shangri-La in 2001, and the old town is now decorated with Tibetan prayer flags, magnificent temples, and towering snow-capped mountains.
Inhale fresher mountain air as you walk through Du Ke Zong Ancient Town or climb up Songzanlin Monastery. The divine balance of nature and culture here can be almost tasted, and you’ll begin to suspect that paradise may not be impossible after all. If peace and adventure are what you’re looking for, you’ll get much of both.
The Garden of Eden, Al-Qurna, Iraq
Commonly conceived as a lost paradise, the Garden of Eden is purported to have been located in the lush marshlands of Southern Iraq by some people. Think about high reed beds, labyrinthine rivers, and masses of wildlife.
The Marshes of Mesopotamia, which were included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, stretch thousands of square kilometers and are the habitat of the Ma’dan, or Marsh Arabs, whose way of life is interwoven with this landscape.
These wetlands have some of the highest levels of pollution and have been given a clean bill of health after recent restoration, saving them from decades of devastation. Birdwatchers come in their multitudes to glimpse such rarities as the Basra reed warbler.
Glide through the marshes in an old canoe, and there’s a possibility that you’ll end up feeling that you are right into some ancient genesis. No apples but lots to savour – stories.
Mount Olympus, Greece
The Aegean coast is graced by tall Mount Olympus, the abode of the thunderous Zeus and the Greek pantheon. Ghosts of cloud still hover over the peaks, encouraging climbers and myth lovers at the same time.
You can walk in lush trails through forested slopes, find rare orchids, and if you are lucky, see mountain goats jumping from rock to rock. To go further into it, stay overnight in a rustic mountain refuge, telling stories with fellow adventurers.
The feeling of reverence while climbing creates a heroic mission, regardless of every step you take. The summit is not just a place to go but a journey—it’s a rite of passage.
Tir na nÓg, Skellig Michael, Ireland
In Irish mythology, Tir na nÓg, “the land of eternal youth,” shines as something just out of mortals’ grasp. Skellig Michael, a rocky island in County Kerry, has been said to be an entrance into the magical world.
Stone beehive cottages huddle up to windswept cliffs, reminiscent of a monastic life of centuries bygone. Board a ferry to the island and pay close attention to see puffins and dolphins.
The surreal setting shown in recent Star Wars movies, but the plot is in the absence of noise, the fragrance of wildflowers, and salt spray. Stories spring from these stones, and curiosity pulls you further.
The Fountain of Youth, St. Augustine, Florida, USA
Perhaps Ponce de León would never have discovered the mythical Fountain of Youth, but you can take a walk through what is said to be its location in St. Augustine, the country’s oldest city.
According to Expedia, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park offers an immersive glimpse into Spanish colonial history (remains of the first European settlement in the United States) through captivating trinkets and engaging live demonstrations.
Taste the mythical spring water (results may change!), Wander over moss-covered oaks and see the peacocks prance in the Florida sun. Real Timucua artifacts have been found here, providing grounds for myth and history. You may not lose years, but you will have new memories.
The Underworld, Derinkuyu, Turkey
The Underworld in ancient myths is represented as a labyrinth under our feet, more so in Derinkuyu, where a multi-leveled underground city was constructed by carving a city in volcanic rock in Turkey.
Dark tunnels run for miles, echoing the footsteps of ancient Hittites and Christians who hid there. You will feel like a hero, discovering a secret world intruding between old stables and chapels.
Guided tours help us understand how thousands lived here in hiding behind the legend by explaining the grit behind it. Each corridor opens up another of your mysteries.
The Isle of the Blessed, Madeira, Portugal
Greek sailors had written of the Isle of the Blessed, where the heroes went after death to enjoy never-ending daylight. The wild, rugged island of Madeira, out in the west of Africa, matches the image with its subtropical forests, waterfalls, and sheer cliffs.
Hike on the Levada trails and sample fortified wine amidst the sound of palm fronds being blown by Atlantic trade winds. Madeira’s rare flora is famed among botanists, and its Laurisilva forest, supposedly 90% primary forest, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You will be utterly transported, feeling like you have also sailed further than the known edge of the world. You may not waste years, but you’ll get new memories.
The City of the Djinn, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Eastern Bukhara, one of the oldest cities on the Silk Road, is sometimes called the City of the Djinn due to legends about spirits and magical beings living in the labyrinth of its winding alleys.
Sandstone minarets punctuate the blue sky, and the smell of spices blows from busy bazaars. Walking at dusk brings up stories of hidden palaces and secretive wishes acted upon by invisible hands. Modern Bukhara is a UNESCO masterpiece with high blue domes of mosques and caravanserais. If you listen closely, you can hear the hum of the magic beneath your feet.
The Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Selkies and fae are said to twirl in their graceful underwater manner through Majestic waterfalls and gorgeous pockets of the Isle of Skye’s Fairy Pools. Every step in this well-worn path places you in wild scenery covered with green, violet, and gray.
The water is unbearably cold, but this does not deter daring swimmers who take a swim. Bystanders tell tales of shape-shifting spirits and sweet music whirled by the wind. Bring a picnic and lie on the ground, watching the clouds roll by.
King Solomon’s Mines, Timna Valley, Israel
The grand mines of King Solomon have fueled countless explorations and adventurous tales. The Timna Valley brings these biblical legends to life with its copper-rich sandstone pillars and ancient mining shafts.
Archaeologists have unearthed mining tools and smelting camps, and the landscape glows red and gold at sunrise. Guided tours and light shows inside Solomon’s Pillars make history feel immediate and interactive. The thrill of adventure lingers long after you shake the desert sand from your shoes.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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