29 places in Wales that could be straight out of a fairytale

Wales is a simply stunning place to visit.

There are breathtaking beaches, magnificent buildings and little havens of such beauty they could come right out of the pages of a fantasy novel.

From top to bottom, east to west, there are so many fairy-tale views you have to try REALLY hard to remember they're not figments of someone's imagination.

Some of them don't even look real.

But there good news is each and every one is and ALL of them are right here.

1. Portmeirion

Go to Gwynedd and find the Mediterranean when you visit the Italianate village that is Portmeirion.

2. Llyn Ogwen

With majestic mountains on all sides Ogwen in Gwynedd is straight out of a King Arthur tale.

If you look really, really closely, you can just see an arm coming out of the middle of the lake, holding a sword.... (ok, we're fibbing, but we bet you had a cheeky look...)

3. Southerndown

The other-worldliness of Southerndown in the Vale of Glamorgan hasn't gone unnoticed by the makers of Doctor Who, who have shot numerous scenes of the hugely popular show on the beaches and rocks.

4. Llanrwst

The cottage. The ivy. The bridge. Just how lush?

Home to the flowering 15th century cottage Ty Hwnt i'r Bont (House Beyond the Bridge), this small Welsh town is steeped in natural beauty, well beyond its famous bridge.

5. Fairy Glen, Conwy

Look, it's actually called Fairy Glen, for heaven's sake.

That tells you EVERYONE thinks it looks like a place where fairies live.

If you have a little girl who dreams of meeting a fairy, this beautiful place near Betws-y-Coed in Conwy is definitely worth a visit.

As well as its beauty, this atmospheric gorge is a protected wildlife site and has a large population of rare ferns and lichens.

6. Castell Coch

If anyone were to describe a fairy-tale castle, then they would probably describe Castell Coch. And of course, it's a location LOVED by TV and film crews.

Surely Rapunzel used to live here, didn't she?

Overlooking the village of Tongwynlais, this Disney-esque revival castle was rebuilt in the 19th-century – a whole 500 years after its destruction.

7. Cregennan lakes, near Dolgellau

This tranquil gem is in the southern region of Snowdonia National Park, just outside a town called Arthog.

One look at the green hillsides and the gorgeous lake will make you just want to stop and breathe in the beautiful scenery.

There's got to be a lady of the lake there surely?

8. Lake Vyrnwy

Don't be fooled into thinking we've used a picture from Switzerland to illustrate the beauty of Lake Vyrnwy. Nope, this beautiful and tranquil spot is right here, in Powys. We're just waiting for a giant to come crashing through the trees.

9. Carreg Cennen Castle

Perched on a Carmarthenshire hilltop, 13th century Carreg Cennen is surrounded by nothing but farmland and mountains.

The view today can't be much different than it was 800 years ago.

10. Llyn Padarn

We can't take our eyes off the picture, either. Llyn Padarn looks out-of-this-world, but, luckily for us, we can gawp at it for real just by going to Llanberis.

10. Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park 

It's hard not to stare at and lose yourself in the deep blue waters of this Pembrokeshire lagoon. We think we saw a mermaid... but maybe the light was playing tricks.

11. Devil's Bridge

Once again, the name gives this one away. You don't call it Devil's Bridge without stoking the fires of mystery and intrigue.

And we totally expect trolls to be living under at least one of the bridges.

12. Chirk Castle

If we needed to hole up in a castle for protection from an evil troll, then Chirk would be top of our list.

Look. It just has to be the home of a princess doesn't it?

13. Tintern Abbey

Most places of worship have a certain mystical air about them and Tintern Abbey is no exception.

It is also really, really old and the fact that any of it is still standing is nothing short of a miracle. Which is, come to think of it, pretty apt.

14. Mwnt

A small but perfectly formed beach unadorned by the usual seaside paraphernalia. Sometimes we're happy there's no candyfloss or chippy.

But you can imagine a mermaid emerging out of the sea, can't you?

15. Aber Falls

You need to walk a short while to reach the falls at Abergwyngregyn, but they're totally worth it.

They're in a secluded spot, surrounded by trees and luscious countryside and when the water is at its peak, they look fabulous.

16. Capel Curig

Poetry in a picture.

17. Llanddwyn Island

If you've ever been to Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey then you'll appreciate just how special the area is.

You stand by an old, picturesque lighthouse on a craggy rock looking out over a rolling sea and the might of Snowdon. It's truly magical.

18. Snowdon

Again, truly stunning. It was where they filmed for the movie King Arthur starring Jude Law and Eric Bana. The location is a shoe-in.

19. Pen y Fan

With views like this Pen y Fan stands supreme in South Wales, the lord of all it surveys.

20. St Govan's Chapel

Just look where it is!

You'd think a chapel like this would exist only in someone's imagination but it exists, built into the side of a limestone cliff in Pembrokeshire.

20. Beddgelert

A gorgeous village in Gwynedd which looks mythical enough to be the birthplace of Gelert, the dog slain by a prince who believed he killed his infant.

While the jury's out on whether the 'legendary' tale was fabricated by a hotel landlord, the area still retains an air of mystery.

21. Swallow Falls

High on the to-do list of every tourist to North Wales are the falls in Betws-y-Coed. In full flow, they are magnificent.

22. Castell y Gwynt, Snowdonia

Just look at it.

The stuff of dreams.

23. Pistyll Rhaeadr

Another stupendous waterfall that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of modern life into another world.

24. Dan yr Ogof caves

These Swansea caves really are amazing. They are also ancient and most of us can only stand in awe at how brilliant they are when we go inside. 

25. Monnow Bridge

The medieval fortified bridge and gatehouse over the River Monnow dates from the 13th century and it's not too hard to imagine horsemen galloping across. These days you'll only see pedestrians admiring the Grade 1 listed building.

26. Porth Wen Brickworks, Anglesey

(Image: Charmaine)

Porth Wen is a forgotten relic of Anglesey's industrial heritage. The brickworks have long since fallen into misuse and decay but it's an impressive site, overlooking the sea below.

27. The rooftop garden at Cardiff Castle

Even if you've been into the castle grounds you may not have found this lovely space. You need to head high up the spiral staircase to find this rooftop garden complete with painted tiles and water fountains.

28. Dinorwic Slate Quarry

Dinorwic quarry stands frozen in time as an atmospheric relic of Wales' once thriving slate industry.

29. Llyn Y Fan, Carmarthenshire

(Image: David Pugh)

Steeped in Welsh legend, this stunning lake is the location of one of Wales' best known folk stories: The Lady of the Lake.