Legendary Tourism: 6 Mythical European Locations You Can Visit

If you love mythology and legends, you’re probably curious about the real places those stories come from. Not only are these places rich in history and culture, but they are also stunning and offer rare experiences you won't find anywhere else. From the castle where King Arthur was born to legends of mythical creatures, here are some legendary tourist spots in Europe you can visit. 

1. Tintagel Castle, England

Stretching dramatically along the cliffs of Cornwall, this castle is believed to be the birthplace of King Arthur, according to Geoffrey of Monmouth’s work. Besides the 13th-century castle ruins, you can see the copper statue of Gallos, which displays an aura of power and mystery on the cliffs. Don’t miss the chance to explore Merlin’s Cave, a sea cavern beneath the castle that you can reach during low tide. 

If you want to visit Tintagel Castle, you can start from Exeter, the nearest major city in southwest England. From Exeter St. David Station, take the train to Bodmin Parkway. Once you arrive at Bodmin Parkway, continue your journey by local bus to Tintagel. The bus ride takes about 1.5 hours. 

2.Loch Ness Lake, Scotland 

 This iconic lake is where the legendary Loch Ness monster (commonly called “Nessie”) is said to appear. From the 6th-century tales to the viral 1943 controversial photo, Nessie remains a public mystery. Visiting Loch Ness Lake isn’t just about hoping to meet the legendary creature, but also enjoying the captivating scenery and local cultural history.

Loch Ness Lake is located about 273 km from Edinburgh. To get there, you can take the Megabus from Inverness city, which takes about 3 to 4 hours. Alternatively, you can book a travel service that often comes with a packaged tour of Scotland.

3.Dinas Emrys Castle, Wales 

 This hilltop castle is famous for the legend of two dragons: the red Welsh dragon and the white Saxon dragon. According to legend, the two dragons battled underground, and a castle was later built there to honor the reign of Ambrosius and Merlin. Dinas Emrys symbolizes the legend of the founding of the Welsh kingdom and the magical myth about the dragons’ power hidden beneath the grand castle.

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To visit Dinas Emrys from Cardiff, the capital of Wales, you can take a train from Cardiff Central to Bangor. From Bangor, continue by local bus to the village of Beddgelert, which takes around 1.5 hours. Once in Beddgelert, you need to walk about 20–30 minutes to reach the castle site. 

4.Mont Saint-Michel, France

According to legend, the church dome on this rocky island was built by the order of Archangel Michael, who appeared in a monk’s dream. Today, Mont Saint-Michel stands as a medieval religious icon as well as a spiritual and visual landmark on the Normandy coast. To visit this church from Paris, take a train from Gare Montparnasse to Rennes (about 2 hours), then continue with a shuttle bus directly to Mont Saint-Michel, which takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

5.Athens, Greece 

 This city is considered the birthplace of Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, according to Greek mythology. Here, you can explore the Acropolis and the Parthenon, as well as museums that house legendary artifacts telling the story of the goddess Athena and her life.

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From Athens International Airport, the best ways to reach the city center are by taxi, metro, or express bus. You can take the Blue Line metro from the airport terminal directly to the city center,such as Syntagma or Monastiraki, in about 40 minutes.

6.Alba Longa, Italy

According to legend, Romulus and Remus were born in Alba Longa before founding Rome—which eventually grew into the greatest empire in history. Though the original site is now mostly archaeological with very few original buildings left, the myth’s aura can still be felt, especially when visiting museums and ancient ruins. 

To visit Alba Longa from Rome or the Vatican, you can take the Trenitalia train to Castel Gandolfo Station (Rome–Velletri line). The trip takes about 50–55 minutes.

Exploring mythological and legendary places in Europe not only makes you feel like stepping into a fantasy world but also invites us to appreciate how mythology and history intertwine to shape unique cultures. Ready to immerse yourself in legendary tales as you travel? Start preparing your travel itinerary and don’t forget to get Travel Insurance from MSIG Indonesia to make your adventure into legendary tales go smoothly and hassle-free!