Some corners of Europe will make you do a double take—because they don’t look or feel European at all. Imagine trekking across dunes that belong in the Sahara or wandering through villages that seem plucked from a Japanese anime. From volcanic moonscapes off the coast of Spain to medieval streets that inspired Hollywood set designers, these 11 spots flip the script on what you thought Europe was. Pack your passport and your sense of wonder—this isn’t the usual cobblestone-and-château tour. It’s a passport punch through continents without boarding another flight. Ready to explore the Europe you never expected? Let’s go.
Canary Islands, Spain
Think: Mars meets the Tropics. Located off the northwest coast of Africa, these volcanic islands feel more like a surreal desert landscape than part of Europe. Palm trees, black sand beaches, and year-round warmth make this archipelago feel more like the Caribbean—or even parts of Morocco—than mainland Spain.
Hallstatt, Austria (in Winter)
Fairytale Asia vibes. This frozen lakeside village can feel more like a Japanese postcard than the Alps. In fact, it inspired a full-scale replica in China. The snow-draped rooftops, steep cliffs, and glassy lake offer an atmosphere that feels almost surreal.
San Marino
More medieval fortress than modern state. This tiny mountaintop microstate looks like a movie set. With stone towers perched above the clouds, it feels more like a scene from ‘Game of Thrones’ than a functioning European capital.
Cabo de Gata, Spain
Welcome to the Wild West. This rugged corner of southern Spain has arid deserts, empty coastlines, and towering red cliffs—so cinematic, they’ve been used in spaghetti westerns. It’s more Monument Valley than Mediterranean.
Akureyri, Iceland
Otherworldly and unearthly. Northern Iceland’s lava fields, geothermal pools, and eerie silence make Akureyri feel more like an alien planet than a European town. Think lunar landscapes, steaming earth, and purple skies in summer.
Giethoorn, Netherlands
Europe’s own Venice… minus roads. This fairytale town is a floating world of canals, thatched-roof homes, and boat-only transportation. No cars. No traffic lights. Just silence, water, and flowers—feeling more like Southeast Asia’s river villages than the Netherlands.
Ceuta and Melilla, Spain
Geographically in Africa, politically in Europe. These two Spanish enclaves are physically in North Africa, bordering Morocco, and blend Arab, Berber, and Spanish cultures. Expect minarets, souks, and a Mediterranean-African fusion that’s unlike anywhere else in Europe.
Faroe Islands, Denmark
Where Nordic meets alien wilderness. Fog-drenched cliffs, turf-roof houses, and sheep outnumbering people make this place feel more like Middle-earth than Scandinavia. The isolation and raw natural drama are unmatched.
Matera, Italy
Biblical and bizarre. Built into cliffs with cave dwellings and stone alleys, Matera feels ancient and untouched. It was used to film ‘The Passion of the Christ’ due to its resemblance to Jerusalem, not your average Italian village.
Lofoten Islands, Norway
Arctic Thailand? Despite their frigid location, these islands have white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and jagged peaks that oddly resemble tropical coastlines—just with snow instead of heat.
Tenerife’s Teide National Park, Spain
Straight out of a sci-fi movie. The lunar landscapes surrounding Mount Teide are so otherworldly that they’ve been used as stand-ins for Mars. Walking these dusty plains feels like hiking another planet, not a European nature reserve.