Have you ever read or watched a work of speculative fiction where its fictional universe had you captivated? So much so that you wish you could live in it? Whether it’s a forebodingly beautiful landscape, a world powered by alternative technology, or a city in a faraway galaxy, these imaginary worlds conjured up by storytellers can evoke a sense of wonder and adventure in us.

Well, it’s time to heed that call to adventure and discover wondrous places that will have you believe you’ve stepped into another world. Here are some real-world destinations that, uncannily, resemble fiction.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Genre: Gothic

Emerging from the Romantic literary movement in 18th-century Europe, gothic literature is characterised by mystery, macabre, cynicism, and a fascination with death. Stories of this genre often juxtapose the beautiful and romantic with the grotesque and eerie, with speculative elements as narrative devices.

Several exemplary works in the genre are beloved literary classics, including Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (1886), The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (1898), and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818).

The genre famously derives its name and aesthetics from the architectural style of the same name. A gothic tale is usually set against an atmospheric landscape of perpetually cloudy skies, foggy streets, and ornate buildings that are as enchanting as they are ominous.

As travel destinations go, it doesn’t get any more gothic than Edinburgh, with its cobblestone streets, old buildings, and the many impressive structures that exemplify the aesthetic.

Things to do: Visit gothic architectural landmarks like the St Giles’ Cathedral, The Hub, and the Scott Monument. Take a leisurely stroll along the cobblestone-paved streets of Edinburgh Old Town, including the Royal Mile, Victoria Street, and Mary King’s Close. For the full gothic atmosphere, go around fall or winter.

Prague, Czech Republic

Genre: Dark fantasy

Combining elements of high fantasy and horror, dark fantasy explores darker and more unnerving themes relevant to the real world through a fantastical lens. Stories in this vein often feature morally grey characters, magic systems with dire consequences, and a world on the brink of collapse under the oppression of diabolical forces.

Among the popular works that fall into this subgenre are the Mistborn series of novels by Brandon Sanderson, the His Dark Material trilogy, and The Witcher saga by Andrzej Sapkowski.

The city of Prague may not be inhabited by blood-thirsty creatures and evil sorcerers that usually terrorise fantasy worlds, but with its vibrant atmosphere and imposing buildings of diverse architectural styles, it’s easy to imagine the city as the seat of a dark lord’s magical empire. Prague is not called “the City of a Hundred Spires” for nothing.

Things to do: Prague is a city for history, art, and architecture buffs. Experience the heart of the city at the Old Town Square, with its astronomical clock, bustling markets, and stunning historic buildings. Take a walk across the Vltava River on the iconic Charles Bridge and explore Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle in the world.

Oamaru, New Zealand

Genre: Steampunk

Inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery, steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates retro-futuristic technology, fantastical inventions, and Victorian-era aesthetics. In fact, the steampunk aesthetic – think frills, corsets, bustles, buckles, and goggles – has garnered an ardent following, inspiring a number of costumed events and festivals around the world.

Notable examples of steampunk works include Jules Verne’s adventure novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, The Time Machine by H.G. Wells, and Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve.

Oamaru, the largest town in the Waitaki District of New Zealand, is the place to get a slice of the steampunk life. With the country’s oldest public gardens, Victorian architecture, and two penguin colonies, the town is the perfect backdrop for an alternate 19th-century England.

Things to do: Visiting the Steampunk HQ, an interactive art museum in the Victorian Precinct, is a must. For the full steampunk experience, time your trip to coincide with the annual Steampunk New Zealand Festival, held over King’s Birthday weekend. Show up in costume!

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Genre: Space opera

We’ve all looked up at a starry night sky at some point and wondered if there is life in galaxies far, far away. It is no wonder that space operas like Frank Herbert’s Dune and the Star Wars film franchise have captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults for decades. This popular subgenre of science fiction has it all: memorable characters, imaginative settings, high-stakes conflict, adventure, and romance.

While interplanetary travel may not be a reality for us common folk anytime soon, places like Marina Bay Sands in Singapore offer the closest experience we can get to being on another planet. The district’s spectacular futuristic architecture and man-made gardens will make it feel like you have just landed on a much-advanced galactic civilisation.

Thing to do: Visit the ArtScience Museum and discover the intersectionality of art, science, and technology. Catch Spectra – A Light & Water Show, a nightly spectacle that combines fountains, lasers, and visual effects. Take a walk along Gardens by the Bay, where features like the Supertree Grove, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome will have you wonder if you are still on planet Earth.

New York, USA

Genre: Superhero fiction

Superheroes need no introduction; these fictional individuals with superhuman abilities who use their powers to fight crime are modern-day mythological figures. What do superheroes like Spider-Man, Captain America, Daredevil, and many other cape-and-tights-wearing crime fighters have in common? They are based in the Big Apple.

In superhero stories, New York is often the setting for battles between good and evil of any scale, from street crimes to alien invasions. This is because the two comic book giants, Marvel and DC Comics, operated in New York during the medium’s formative decades. Hence, many New York-based writers and artists drew inspiration from the city that never sleeps.

Things to do: Visit all the many landmarks that are also familiar settings in comic book events, including Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Times Square.

Jiufen, Taiwan

Genre: Isekai

Imagine being transported into a fantastical, video game-like world where you have to adapt, survive, and go on a quest of self-discovery and personal growth. That is the premise of a subgenre in Japanese media known as isekai, which translates to “different world”.

The appeal of isekai stories stems from the element of escapism. The mountain town of Jiufen, east of Taipei, may just be the ideal destination for a brief retreat from the real world. Known for its otherworldly old streets, teahouses, and street food shacks, this quaint town is often mistakenly attributed as the inspiration for the world of the beloved isekai anime, Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (but it’s not, as denied by Miyazaki himself).

Things to do: Besides having you believe you have been spirited away into another world, Jiufen is a foodies’ paradise, where all sorts of Taiwanese street food can be found. After a day of on-foot exploration, have tea at the famous Amei Teahouse to a scenic view of Keelung Bay.

Whatever your favourite speculative fiction genre may be, these destinations have something extraordinary to offer imaginative and inquisitive travellers. So, pack your bags and embark on a journey where every destination feels like stepping into a story waiting to be told.