Prythian Courts as European Travel Destinations
When I first read A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, I couldn’t stop imagining what it would be like to actually walk through Prythian. To stand beneath the starlit skies of the Night Court, to wander through the endless blooming meadows of the Spring Court, or to feel the icy wind sweeping across the Winter Court. These places felt so real in my imagination that I began to wonder - could there be echoes of Prythian hidden in our own world?
While I may not have a Suriel to point the way, I realized there are breathtaking destinations all around the world that capture the very essence of each court. For the sake of organization, I decided to tackle some of these magnificent places based in Europe first. From glittering cities to wild coastlines, from ancient castles to snow-capped mountains, these real-life locations mirror the beauty, mystery, and magic we fell in love with on each page.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of stepping through the wall and journeying across the fae courts, here’s a guide to the places that might just make you feel like you’ve found Prythian on Earth. Be sure to check out my other article - Prythian Courts as American Tourists Destinations if Europe is a bit too far for you.
The Spring Court as Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Whenever I picture the Spring Court, I imagine vibrant colors, sun-warmed gardens, and the soft hum of life in every corner - moments that make my heart feel lighter just by existing. I imagine visiting Amsterdam in the spring offers all of that, and more. Tulip fields stretch as far as the eye can see, canals shimmer in the sunlight, and charming streets are lined with cafes, blooming flowers, and hidden courtyards waiting to be discovered. I presume walking through this city feels like stepping into Prythian itself.
The Summer Court as Sicily, Italy
I can almost smell the salt water in the air just by looking at pictures of Sicily. It just embodies the Summer Court with endless coastlines, golden hills, and the scent of food vendors in the air. Sicily sits on the sparkling Mediterranean, and hosts vibrant markets, and charming seaside villages. Every sun-soaked alleyway and rolling vineyard captures the essence of this court, in my humble opinion.
The Autumn Court as Heidelberg, Germany
I may have never stepped foot in Amsterdam or Sicily but I have been to Heidelberg, and it is the Autumn Court in real life! When I think of the Autumn Court, I picture forests ablaze with color, crisp air, and quiet streets lined with the rich scent of baked bread and spice. Now we know Beron rules the Autumn Court so it might not be this magical in the books, but it certainly is in my imagination. Heidelberg in fall embodies all of that. There are even castles!
The Winter Court as Hallstatt, Austria
Originally I wanted to put the Winter Court somewhere in Switzerland, however, this one just fit better! After lots of research, I landed on Hallstatt, Austria. The Winter Court gives off quiet, breathtaking vibes, and so does Hallstatt. Snow-dusted rooftops, frozen lakes reflecting mountains, and mist curling through the small village create this sense of serene magic. Tell me this little village doesn’t feel like stepping into a fairy tale!
The Dawn Court as Paris, France
In the books we only see the Dawn Court once. Its palace is described as being made of sunstone, with towers, balconies, archways, and many courtyards. For this one I wanted a city that felt timeless. Paris just gives off these vibes, plus I couldn’t scroll past these stunning sunrises. Paris is filled with amazing architecture, cobblestone streets, and quiet cafes. I can just picture the Peregryn flying over the city and basking in the early morning light. Just magical.
The Day Court as Prague, Czech Republic
A city with a golden glow, and amazing libraries was the vibe I was going for with The Day Court. The Day Court is a place of luxury, but also of learning. I felt like Prague really embodied this vision. Prague is humming with history and filled with numerous museums, art galleries, and theaters. This just felt like the perfect city for Helion to stroll down for a daily walk, enjoying the weather, and discussing philosophy.
The Dusk Court as Tenerife, Spain (maybe?)
As far as the ACOTAR series goes, we don’t know much about this court, but we do know it existed (for more info read the Crescent City series). We do however know it was called the Dusk Court, it was an island, it’s misty/foggy, and there's at least one mountain, under which lies the Prison. With that being said, I took some liberties with this one. I wanted somewhere with spectacular sunsets, somewhere on an island, and somewhere that embodied the mystery surrounding this court. That brings me to Tenerife, Spain. Tenerife is a volcanic island filled with ancient towns, and natural beauty. This is the Dusk Court for me, for sure.
The Night Court as Zermatt, Switzerland
Last, but certainly not least - The Night Court. After making this graphic I was informed that the Night Court is actually based off this city, confirmed by SJM in an interview so it’s literally perfect the perfect choice. Zermatt, Switzerland is a mountain town, famous for it’s iconic Matterhorn peak. Not only do we have the lone mountain in the background, the town itself is filled with little boutique shops, art galleries, and cafes, reminiscent of The Rainbow of Velaris. Fun fact - Zermatt is also a car-free town, which brings the fantasy town vibes to a whole new level.
For me, part of the joy of reading fantasy is noticing how it brushes against real life in some ways. How a sunrise, a forest, or a quiet street can feel like stepping into another world. The world of fantasy may live in our books, but sometimes, all it takes is the right view, the right season, or the right adventure to step into one of these worlds ourselves. Until we can winnow across realms, maybe a plane ticket will do.
If you enjoyed this article I encourage you to check out Prythian Courts as American Travel Destinations located in the blog section of my page.
Happy Reading!
-Amanda