Legendary Journeys: the rise of legend tourism

Tourism isn’t just made up of monuments, beaches, and scenic views. In recent years, a new trend has begun to emerge ,one that appeals to imagination, cinema, oral tradition, and the stories we were told as children: legend tourism. This type of travel invites us to explore destinations through the mythical, popular, or fantastical tales that have accompanied them for centuries.

What is legend tourism?

It’s a way of traveling that blends history, local identity, and storytelling. Unlike conventional (or mass) tourism, legend tourism isn’t just about showing emblematic landmarks , it’s about giving value to the stories that make those places unique: apparitions, impossible loves, tragic heroes, magical beings, and curses that have endured through time.

In many places around the world, legends are part of the intangible cultural heritage. For the traveler, the experience lies in diving into those tales , hearing them told by local guides, experiencing them through festivals, or walking through places where myth and reality blur.

Legend tourism(or legendary) is perfect for repeat destinations. Should we return to a place we’ve already visited? What better way than to see it through a different lens?

How many times have we seen(as tourists)  bored children on cultural tours? Let them live the legend firsthand!

Legends that inspire us to travel

Legend tourism is gaining ground across the globe, with iconic examples such as:

• Ireland, Wales, and Scotland: lands of druids, fairies, and monsters like the famous Nessie… and of course, King Arthur.

• Mexico: with La Llorona, the Island of the Dolls, and a rich heritage of pre-Hispanic and colonial legends kept alive through oral tradition.

• Japan: populated by ancient spirits known as "yokai", and modern urban legends.

• Greece: cradle of classical mythology and oracles , still alive today in temples and islands.

• Romania: where the myth of Dracula turned Transylvania into a world-renowned destination.

• Turkey: with stories ranging from the epic of Troy to tales of Byzantine and Ottoman princes, princesses, and emperors.

The appeal of mystery

Why are we so drawn to legends? Because they spark curiosity and allow travelers to enter a parallel universe. A place visited during the day can, by night, become the setting of apparitions or ancient myths. Moreover, this kind of tourism strengthens local cultural identity, helping to preserve and share community stories that might otherwise be lost.

A series to travel through myths

This article is the first installment in a series dedicated to legend tourism in various countries. In the upcoming articles, we’ll take an in-depth journey through destinations where myth and history intertwine, starting with Turkey, then moving on to Romania, Greece, Mexico, Japan, and other corners of the world where the fantastic still lives on in the voices of locals.

Because at the end of the day, traveling isn’t only about seeing , it’s about listening to stories.And why not… rediscovering our childhood?

Hernán Mazza Martins