If you want to visit a real place that feels like Velaris from ACOTAR, start with Zermatt in Switzerland, Annecy in France, Kotor in Montenegro, Ljubljana in Slovenia, or Lucerne in Switzerland. They come closest to the Velaris mix of dramatic mountains, water running through or beside the city, old streets, cafés, beautiful architecture, and that slightly unreal feeling after dark.

There is no official real-life Velaris, and the places below are not confirmed inspirations for Sarah J. Maas. This is an atmosphere-first list: destinations that capture different parts of the City of Starlight aesthetic.

The strongest matches are:

If your mental image of Velaris is mostly mountains and stars, choose Zermatt or Lauterbrunnen. If it is the Sidra River, cafés, art, and evening walks, Annecy, Ljubljana, and Lucerne are better matches. If you picture dramatic stone buildings rising against mountains, Kotor may be the closest.

1. Zermatt, Switzerland: the closest thing to Velaris overall

Dark-timber Zermatt chalets with flower boxes and slate roofs in the foreground, the snow-covered Matterhorn rising directly behind under a deep blue sky

Zermatt is probably the easiest answer to "what real place looks like Velaris?" The village sits deep in the Swiss Alps beneath the Matterhorn, with dark mountain silhouettes surrounding streets full of warm lights, wooden chalets, restaurants, and small hotels.

A river runs through the valley, and the whole place feels especially magical once the sun disappears behind the peaks. On a clear night, move away from the brightest streets and the mountains become black shapes under a huge sky. It is not hard to understand why Zermatt appears again and again in ACOTAR travel discussions.

The best way to experience the Velaris side of Zermatt is not to rush through it as a ski stop. Walk beside the river, explore the older streets, take a mountain railway or cable car for the big panoramic views, then come back down for dinner after dark.

Velaris match: mountains, river, intimate streets, glowing evenings, dramatic night sky.

Best for: couples, mountain lovers, winter trips, hiking, and anyone who wants the strongest overall City of Starlight atmosphere.

2. Annecy, France: the best match for the Sidra River feeling

The Thiou canal in Annecy old town with the turreted Palais de l'Isle, ochre and yellow shuttered houses, a small stone footbridge, café awnings and an Alpine ridge behind

Annecy feels softer and more romantic than Zermatt, but visually it has many of the things people imagine when they think about Velaris. The medieval old town sits between Lake Annecy and the Alps, with canals, tiny bridges, colorful buildings, arcades, restaurant terraces, and narrow streets made for wandering.

The Thiou River and canals are the main reason Annecy works so well for an ACOTAR-inspired trip. Water is part of the city rather than something you travel outside the center to see. You can spend the afternoon moving between cafés and old streets, then walk toward the lake as the light changes over the mountains.

For the full fantasy effect, stay in or near the old town rather than visiting on a fast day trip. Early mornings and evenings are much more atmospheric than the busiest middle of the day.

Velaris match: water through the city, old streets, bridges, mountains, romantic restaurants, artistic atmosphere.

Best for: couples, slow weekends, food, photography, and travelers who picture Velaris as elegant rather than wild.

3. Kotor, Montenegro: Velaris with darker, more dramatic mountains

Kotor's walled old town of red-tiled roofs wedged between the deep teal Bay of Kotor and a sheer grey mountain wall, seen from the fortress trail above

Kotor looks almost too theatrical to be real. The old stone city sits between the calm water of the Bay of Kotor and steep mountains that rise almost immediately behind it. Inside the walls, you get narrow lanes, small squares, churches, stone houses, cats sleeping in doorways, and restaurants tucked into courtyards.

The mountains are what make Kotor feel particularly ACOTAR-like. They do not sit politely in the distance. They seem to close around the city, giving the whole place that hidden, protected feeling that fits the idea of Velaris surprisingly well.

Climb toward the fortress for the classic view over the orange roofs and the bay, but make time for the old town after sunset too. When day visitors leave and the stone streets become quieter, Kotor changes completely.

Velaris match: steep mountains, hidden-city feeling, old stone streets, fortified walls, water, evening atmosphere.

Best for: dramatic scenery, history, couples, road trips, and travelers who want a slightly moodier Night Court feel.

4. Ljubljana, Slovenia: the best Velaris-style city for cafés and creative energy

The Triple Bridge over the Ljubljanica in Ljubljana with the pink Franciscan church behind and café umbrellas lining both embankments under a blue sky

Ljubljana may be one of the best matches if what you love about Velaris is not only the scenery, but the idea of a beautiful city where people actually live, eat, create, and spend time outside.

The Ljubljanica River runs through the center, crossed by elegant bridges and lined with cafés, restaurants, markets, and pedestrian streets. A castle rises above the old town, while creative districts, galleries, design shops, and local events give the city more personality than a simple "fairytale town."

It is compact enough to explore on foot without feeling like an attraction park. Spend time by the river, walk through the old town, go up to Ljubljana Castle for the view, then return to the center for dinner outside.

Velaris match: river, bridges, castle above the city, café culture, art, walkability, relaxed evenings.

Best for: city breaks, food lovers, couples, solo travelers, and anyone who imagines Velaris as a real creative capital.

5. Lucerne, Switzerland: mountains, water, bridges, and old-city elegance

The wooden Chapel Bridge and its octagonal Water Tower on the Reuss at sunset in Lucerne, seen low from the water with golden light along the timber and the old town behind

Lucerne has almost every ingredient needed for a convincing real-life Velaris. Lake Lucerne meets the Reuss River in the center, mountain peaks frame the horizon, historic buildings fill the old town, and beautiful bridges cross the water.

The city feels polished but still easy to explore. You can walk along the river, cross Chapel Bridge, sit outside at a café, explore old squares and painted façades, then take a boat onto the lake or head into the mountains.

Lucerne is especially good if you want the "beautiful city surrounded by something much bigger" feeling. The urban part is elegant and comfortable, but the landscape never disappears.

Velaris match: river, lake, bridges, mountain backdrop, historic center, waterfront restaurants.

Best for: first-time Switzerland trips, couples, scenic train journeys, and travelers who want fantasy atmosphere without giving up city comfort.

6. Salzburg, Austria: a river city made for music, art, and hilltop views

Hohensalzburg Fortress on its wooded hill above the domes and spires of Salzburg's baroque old town, with autumn trees and the Salzach in the foreground under dramatic cloud

Salzburg is a very strong Velaris match for one reason: it combines a beautiful historic city with culture and dramatic geography.

The Salzach River cuts through the center, the old town is full of Baroque architecture, and Hohensalzburg Fortress sits above the rooftops. Hills rise right beside the historic center, so you can move from cafés and shopping streets to panoramic walking paths surprisingly quickly.

Salzburg also has the artistic side that matters to the Velaris fantasy. Music is built into the city's identity, and the combination of performance, architecture, old streets, gardens, and mountain views makes it feel more alive than a destination that is pretty only in photographs.

Velaris match: river, hilltop fortress, arts and music, grand architecture, mountain views.

Best for: culture, romantic weekends, Christmas trips, classical music, and travelers who want a more refined version of the fantasy.

7. Innsbruck, Austria: the city where the mountains feel impossibly close

Brightly coloured rooftops of Innsbruck packed below a vast snow-streaked mountain wall

Innsbruck is what happens when a proper city is placed directly under the Alps. Walk through the historic center and enormous peaks rise behind colorful buildings, church towers, and the famous Golden Roof.

The River Inn adds another layer to the scenery. From the riverbank, you can look across the water toward old houses with the mountains behind them, then be back inside the pedestrian old town within minutes.

What makes Innsbruck different from tiny Alpine villages is that it still feels urban. There are cafés, shops, restaurants, museums, nightlife, and local life, while cable cars can take you high above the city in very little time.

Velaris match: huge mountains directly behind the city, river, old town, colorful architecture, easy access to high viewpoints.

Best for: active city breaks, skiing, hiking, couples, and travelers who want mountains without staying in a small village.

8. Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland: the fantasy landscape version of Velaris

The Lauterbrunnen valley floor: a flower-dotted green meadow and wooden chalets beneath sheer limestone cliffs with waterfalls dropping down the rock, snow peaks closing the valley under blue sky and cumulus

Lauterbrunnen does not look like the city of Velaris itself as much as the landscape around it. The valley is enclosed by towering cliffs and Alpine peaks, with waterfalls dropping from the rock walls and a small village sitting on the valley floor.

If your favorite part of the ACOTAR aesthetic is the sense of a hidden place protected by enormous mountains, Lauterbrunnen is hard to beat. The scale is what makes it feel unreal. Photos are beautiful, but being inside the valley feels much more dramatic.

Use Lauterbrunnen as a base for walks, mountain railways, and nearby villages such as Wengen or Mürren. Stay overnight if you can. The atmosphere changes once the day-trip crowds disappear and the valley becomes quiet.

Velaris match: enclosed mountain valley, waterfalls, mist, dramatic peaks, hidden-world feeling.

Best for: hiking, nature, photography, quiet trips, and travelers who care more about fantasy scenery than city life.

9. Lake Bled, Slovenia: castle-on-a-cliff fantasy with an Alpine lake

Lake Bled from a high viewpoint: the island with its church tower in the middle of the teal lake, Bled Castle on its cliff above the far shore, and the Julian Alps ranged behind

Lake Bled looks like the setting of a fantasy novel before you even try to connect it to ACOTAR. A small island sits in the middle of the lake, a medieval castle rises on a cliff above the water, and the Julian Alps form the background.

It is more peaceful and compact than Velaris, but it gets the "beautiful protected place surrounded by mountains" part right. The lake path is easy to explore slowly, and the higher viewpoints give you the kind of wide landscape that makes the whole destination feel deliberately designed.

For the best experience, spend at least one night rather than treating Bled only as a quick stop from Ljubljana. Early morning and evening are when the lake feels most magical.

Velaris match: water, clifftop castle, mountains, island, misty mornings, romantic scenery.

Best for: couples, easy nature trips, photography, Slovenia road trips, and travelers who want a softer fairytale atmosphere.

10. Hallstatt, Austria: a tiny lakeside village that looks illustrated

Hallstatt in autumn: wooden houses and the tall church spire stacked along the lakeshore, golden larches on the slope above and a grey mountain wall behind, reflected in the still Hallstätter See

Hallstatt is much smaller than Velaris, but visually it belongs on this list. Traditional houses sit between a deep lake and steep mountains, with a church tower rising above the waterfront and forests climbing behind the village.

It is one of those destinations where the classic view really does look like a fantasy illustration. The downside is that this is not a hidden secret anymore. Hallstatt can be extremely busy, especially in the middle of the day.

If you want the atmosphere rather than just the photo, stay overnight or visit early. Walk beyond the most photographed waterfront corner, explore the village lanes, take in the lake from different angles, and give yourself time to enjoy the mountains.

Velaris match: lake, steep mountains, old houses, romantic waterfront, compact hidden-village feeling.

Best for: short Alpine trips, couples, photographers, and travelers who want one of Europe's most instantly fantastical landscapes.

11. Český Krumlov, Czechia: a river curling around a storybook old town

Český Krumlov from above in summer: red-tiled roofs and church spire of the old town with the Vltava curling around them past a weir and riverside terraces, under a bright blue sky

Český Krumlov looks almost designed for fantasy readers. The Vltava River bends tightly around the historic center, while a huge castle complex rises above red roofs, narrow streets, courtyards, and old houses.

The river is what makes the city especially interesting for a Velaris comparison. Instead of being a backdrop, it wraps around the old town and shapes the way you move through it. Cross bridges, walk along the water, climb toward the castle, then look back over the rooftops from above.

Like Hallstatt, Český Krumlov is much better when you experience it outside peak day-trip hours. Stay late enough to see the streets after sunset, when the town becomes quieter and the old architecture feels more atmospheric.

Velaris match: winding river, castle above the city, old rooftops, bridges, small streets, evening glow.

Best for: romantic weekends, Central Europe itineraries, history, photography, and travelers who love classic storybook towns.

12. Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina: a bright river through stone and mountains

The stone arch of Mostar's Stari Most framing the old town and the turquoise Neretva below

Mostar has a completely different architectural style from Alpine destinations, but it captures one of the strongest Velaris images: an old city gathered around a beautiful river and an iconic bridge.

The Neretva runs through a deep valley, with the reconstructed Stari Most arching between the historic sides of the city. Stone streets, Ottoman-era architecture, market lanes, minarets, terraces, and surrounding mountains give Mostar a strong sense of place.

Go beyond the single bridge photo. Walk the riverbanks, explore both sides of the old town, find a terrace overlooking the water, and stay into the evening if your route allows.

Velaris match: vivid river, old stone architecture, dramatic bridge, mountains, layered historic atmosphere.

Best for: Balkan road trips, history, food, photography, and travelers who want a warmer, more distinctive version of the fantasy aesthetic.

13. Positano, Italy: the colorful cliffside version of Velaris

Pastel houses of Positano stacked up the cliff above the sea, seen from the water with boats moored below

Positano does not have the Sidra River or an Alpine valley, but it has something else that makes it fit: a cityscape climbing dramatically up the landscape.

Pastel houses, tiled roofs, staircases, hotels, restaurants, gardens, and boutiques stack above the sea with the Lattari Mountains behind them. From the water, the whole town looks almost impossible, as if the buildings have been placed one above another for maximum visual effect.

For an ACOTAR-inspired trip, focus less on the beach-club side of Positano and more on the views. Walk higher into town, take the Path of the Gods, eat somewhere with a panorama, and see the buildings glow after sunset.

Velaris match: dramatic vertical city, mountains, lights, romantic restaurants, artisan shops, grand views.

Best for: couples, luxury trips, food, summer travel, and travelers whose Velaris is colorful, glamorous, and Mediterranean.

14. Dubrovnik, Croatia: stone walls, sea cliffs, and grand old-city energy

Dubrovnik's terracotta rooftops from the city walls at sunset, with the Franciscan bell tower, the sea beyond and Fort Lovrijenac on its cliff under an orange and blue sky

Dubrovnik is a good choice if your mental version of Velaris is built from pale stone and protected by huge walls. The historic center is enclosed by fortifications and filled with polished stone streets, staircases, churches, courtyards, and rooftops that glow in warm light.

The Adriatic replaces the Sidra River, but the city's relationship with the water is still central. Walk the walls for the big view, explore the quieter side streets, then see the old town again from above.

Dubrovnik can be crowded, so timing matters. Early mornings, later evenings, and shoulder-season trips make it much easier to feel the atmosphere instead of simply moving with the crowds.

Velaris match: fortified old city, dramatic stone architecture, cliffs, water, glowing rooftops, elevated viewpoints.

Best for: history, Mediterranean trips, couples, architecture, and travelers who want a grand fantasy-city feel.

15. Québec City, Canada: a fan-favorite real-world Velaris outside Europe

Château Frontenac's copper turrets and brick facade rising above the steep grey roofs and dormer windows of Old Québec in warm afternoon light, hills across the St Lawrence in the distance

Québec City is one of the most convincing non-European answers. Old Québec is a walkable fortified historic district with cobblestone streets, stone buildings, steep lanes, cafés, terraces, and the huge Château Frontenac rising above the city.

It does not have Alpine peaks directly around the old town, but it makes up for that with atmosphere. In autumn, winter, and around the holiday season especially, the streets can feel almost absurdly storybook.

Québec City also comes up often in fan conversations about real-life Velaris, which makes it a fun choice if you want a destination other ACOTAR readers may immediately recognize as fitting the mood.

Velaris match: fortified city, elevated views, cobblestones, romantic architecture, cozy lights, old-world streets.

Best for: North American travelers, winter trips, food, couples, and anyone who wants the fantasy-city feeling without flying to Europe.

How to make a real trip feel more like an ACOTAR escape

The Milky Way arching over a dark Alpine valley, with cloud bands lit gold and the warm lights of a mountain village glowing far below

The destination matters, but the way you plan the trip matters just as much. A rushed checklist of landmarks can make even the most magical place feel ordinary.

  • Stay somewhere walkable. Velaris feels like a place you experience on foot, so choose accommodation close to the old town, river, lakefront, or main pedestrian area when possible.
  • Plan for sunrise and evening. These destinations are at their best when the light changes, the streets become quieter, and the mountains or rooftops start to glow.
  • Add one high viewpoint. A big part of the Velaris fantasy is seeing the city from above. Look for a castle, fortress, cable car, hill walk, mountain railway, or panoramic terrace.
  • Leave room for food and cafés. Do not build a fantasy-inspired trip entirely around sightseeing. Slow lunches, bakeries, wine bars, terraces, and local restaurants are part of the atmosphere.
  • Travel in shoulder season when possible. Late spring and early autumn can give you softer crowds and more space to actually enjoy old streets, viewpoints, and waterfront walks.
  • Stay at least one night in the smaller destinations. Hallstatt, Lake Bled, Lauterbrunnen, and Český Krumlov often feel completely different once the day-trip traffic disappears.

FAQ: real places that feel like ACOTAR and Velaris

Is Velaris a real place?

No. Velaris is a fictional city in Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses series. There is no officially confirmed real-world Velaris that travelers can visit.

What real place looks the most like Velaris?

Zermatt, Switzerland is one of the strongest overall matches because it combines dramatic Alpine mountains, a river valley, a walkable village, cozy streets, restaurants, and beautiful night views. Annecy and Ljubljana are stronger if you picture Velaris as a larger riverside city.

Is Zermatt the inspiration for Velaris?

There is no confirmed information that Zermatt was the direct inspiration for Velaris. It is simply a popular real-world comparison because the scenery matches many readers' mental image of the city.

What European cities feel like Velaris?

Some of the best European places for the Velaris aesthetic are Annecy, Kotor, Ljubljana, Lucerne, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Český Krumlov, Mostar, Dubrovnik, and Positano.

Where should ACOTAR fans travel in Switzerland?

Start with Zermatt if you want the strongest Velaris atmosphere. Add Lucerne for an elegant old city on the water, Lauterbrunnen for dramatic fantasy landscapes, and nearby mountain villages if you have more time.

What place has the best Starfall-like atmosphere?

For a clear mountain night, Zermatt and Lauterbrunnen are hard to beat. For a city filled with warm lights and old streets, Lucerne, Salzburg, and Québec City create a stronger urban version of the feeling.

What destination feels most like the Night Court?

Kotor has the strongest darker, mountain-enclosed atmosphere, while Zermatt is better for stars and Alpine drama. Dubrovnik works if you imagine the Night Court as grand, stone-built, and heavily fortified.

Plan your ACOTAR-inspired trip with EasyMiles

Choosing the destination is the fun part. Turning it into a trip that actually feels magical takes more work.

EasyMiles builds a complete itinerary around your city, dates, interests, food preferences, and travel pace. Instead of handing you the same list of famous sights everyone gets, it helps combine the places you will actually enjoy into realistic days.

For a Velaris-inspired trip, you can build your itinerary around riverside walks, mountain viewpoints, beautiful old streets, atmospheric restaurants, hidden courtyards, cafés, sunset spots, and places that are worth seeing after dark. EasyMiles can factor in opening hours, weather, and travel time, help you decide where to eat and what to order, and handle restaurant planning so you spend less time organizing and more time enjoying the trip.

Pick your real-life Velaris. EasyMiles can help plan the rest.