What is it about castles that are so alluring to travelers? Aside from getting us one step closer to living out our Fairytale Fantasies, the staggering structures showcase some of the world’s best architecture, most stunning landscapes, and maybe even a ghost story or two. There’s perhaps a no better place on earth to find awe-inspiring castles than in Europe, where it seems like you can’t visit a city or take a road trip without stumbling upon some sort of royal dwelling.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle is easily one of the most recognizable castles on the planet—thanks in large part to the fact that it served as inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Originally built at the behest of reclusive King Ludwig II as a private retreat in 1886, the majestic structure boasts a clifftop location and ornate rooms.
Hohenwerfen Fortress, Austria
Another medieval, mountaintop castle, Hohenwerfen Fortress is one of the most stunning sites in all of Austria. The 900-year-old castle overlooks the scenic Salzach River Valley (about 50 kilometers south of Salzburg), offering quaint Christmas markets and falconry demonstrations along with its daily viewing tours.
Bled Castle, Slovenia
There’s a reason (well, many reasons) why Lake Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular sites: Emerald waters, a church-dotted islet, views of the Julien Alps, and, of course, a Disney-like castle on a hill. Climb your way up the forest trail to see Bled Castle’s orange-roofed towers and 11th-century walls up close, then turn around to be afforded some of the most picture-perfect views of the lake you’ll ever find.
Trakai Island Castle, Lithuania
Reconstructed in the second half of the 14th century, Trakai Island Castle sits on a postcard-perfect island in Lithuania’s Lake Galvė. The town of Trakai is only 22 kilometers west of Vilnius, meaning you can easily drive out to see the castle’s Gothic-style architecture, brick-and-stone chapel, and gorgeous surroundings for yourself.
Castello di Miramare, Italy
Just a 30-minute drive north of Trieste—the photogenic heart of Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Castello di Miramare has one of the most scenic locations of all the castles mentioned here. Formerly home to Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, the 10th-century structure sits above the blue Adriatic on a lush, 54-acre park.
Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark
Built in the early 17th century, this stunning Renaissance castle sits on three lake islets in Hillerød, just north of Copenhagen. The castle complex is known for its exquisite gardens and for housing the Danish Museum of National History.
Hohenzollern Castle, Germany
Situated atop a hilltop in the foothills of the Swabian Alps, this picturesque castle is more than just nice to look at. With its many towers and fortifications, it’s considered a historical site of 19th-century military architecture. It’s perhaps most exceptional on overcast days when it sticks out above the fog—a literal castle on a cloud. There’s a pretty beer garden inside the castle that’s perfect for a German-style rest, too.
Château de Chenonceau, France
The entire Loire Valley is a treasure trove of beautiful castles, but Château de Chenonceau is easily the best of them all —both in terms of beauty and popularity. The current château was built on top of an old mill starting in 1514, while the trademark bridge and gallery were added about 60 years later. Today, the river-spanning structure and surrounding gardens are one of the most-visited attractions in the entire country.
Pena Palace, Portugal
Inspired by German Romantic architecture, Pena Palace—situated on top of a hill in Sintra it looks like a castle from Disneyland with its pink and yellow towers, ornamental buttresses, and cartoonish gargoyles. The interiors are equally dramatic. Don’t miss the intricately carved ceilings and walls of Queen Amelia’s apartments and the striking all-white reception room. Sintra is only 40 minutes from Lisbon!
Kylemore Abbey, Ireland
Mountain and valley, lake and streams, all combine to make Connemara one of the loveliest parts of Ireland. See Kylemore Abbey, in the heart of the Connemara mountains. This impressive structure was built in 1868 as one of the great neo-Gothic castles of the period. It is now a Benedictine abbey run by nuns, and the church and gardens have been completely restored.
Catherine Palace, Russia
An essential stop during any trip to western Russia, the Catherine Palace (located in Pushkin, about 23 kilometers south of St. Petersburg) is one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in the entire world. Commissioned by Catherine I and expanded by her daughter, Empress Elizabeth, in the 18th century, the massive structure showcases the design elements the movement is known for: think curves, pale colors, and secular, light-hearted themes. Oh, and over 220 pounds of gold decorating the building’s facade.
Leeds Castle, Kent England
Often referred to as the “Loveliest Castle in the World”, Visitors never forget their first breathtaking vision of Leeds Castle in Kent, rising majestically from the moat as it has done for 900 years. With 500 acres of beautiful parkland and formal gardens, daily activities, free-flying falconry displays, spectacular events, special tours, and year-round attractions, Leeds Castle is one of the best days out in Kent, you will want to come back time and again!
Alcázar of Segovia, Spain
The Alcázar de Segovia was once a medieval fortress, but it was rebuilt in its current, castle-like style following a fire in 1862. Visitors can explore its many halls and secret passageways, museum, and towers overlooking Segovia’s town square. Once inside, be prepared for some equally impressive interiors. They’re marked by stained glass windows, polished suits of armor, lavish dining and dancing halls, and room after room with canopied beds.
Predjama Castle, Slovenia
The Gothic-style Predjama Castle is easily one of the world’s most dramatic castles, built directly into the side of a 404-foot cliff that hides a network of cave passages. Tours of the castle—located in south-central Slovenia are available year-round, although hibernating bats in the caves restrict underground tours to the months of May to September.
Corvin Castle, Romania
It may not have inspired any vampiric novels, but this 15th-century Gothic fortress has enough nightmarish features to rival Bran Castle. Ogle at the exterior of doubly thick impenetrable walls, colossal drawbridge, and countless rectangular and circular towers used to keep watch and house prisoners. Inside, view the massive dungeon and torture chamber, plus the remains of the “bear pit,” where human remains were fed to the castle’s resident bears. Fun times all around.
Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland
Scotland practically overflows with ancient stone castles and ruins, but there’s something extra special about Eilean Donan Castle. Perhaps it’s the castle’s charming bridge and moss-covered walls, or its spectacular location among the lochs of the Highlands. Or perhaps it’s because it served as inspiration for DunBroch Castle in the Pixar movie Brave.
Château de Chillon, Switzerland
An architectural jewel located in the most beautiful setting imaginable. The medieval fortress on the shores of Lake Geneva near Montreux is the most visited monument in Switzerland.
Schönbrunn Palace, Austria
Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, is Vienna’s most popular tourist attraction, with more than 2.7 million visitors annually. Join the crowds to appreciate the palace’s Baroque architecture, spectacular gardens, and on-site children’s museum.
Château de Chambord, France
While it’s not one of the best-known French palaces, Château de Chambord is certainly one of the loveliest. Located inside a wooded park in the Loire Valley, the majestic building brings plenty of drama to the landscape—and that’s before you have a chance to see the swirled staircase, intricate ceilings, and 17th- and 18th-century furnishings inside.
Bran Castle, Romania
Romania has its fair share of beautiful castles, but none are quite as legendary as Bran Castle. The former residence of Queen Marie of Romania and the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, Dracula, the national landmark sits high up on a hill along the border Transylvania and Wallachia, with prime views of the surrounding mountains and forests.
Alcázar of Seville, Spain
Moorish influences can be seen all over the city of Seville, but the UNESCO listed Alcázar of Seville is one of its best-known landmarks—and not just because it’s used as the royal palace of the House Martell in Game of Thrones.
Örebro Castle, Sweden
It’s impossible to miss Örebro Castle, an ancient-looking fortress sitting on an islet in the middle of Örebro (the seventh-largest city in Sweden). The castle was originally used as a fortress in the 1300s, as evidenced by its tall, granite towers, thick walls, and surrounding moat. It also served as a prison from the time of construction, meaning it has all the windowless dungeons and creepy torture chambers that make these ancient castles even more spooky.
Bodiam Castle, England
An easy day trip from London, the small village of Bodiam contains one of the country’s best-preserved castles. The 14th-century castle is about as storybook-perfect as they come. Here, you’ll find stone towers with spiral staircases, wooden portcullis, and an all-encompassing moat.
Castel del Monte, Italy
Proving that castles don’t need moats and pointed turrets to be beautiful, Castel del Monte sits pretty on a rocky hill in southern Italy (about three hours from Naples ). The citadel and castle were built in the 13th century by Emperor Frederick II, whose culture and creative vision shine through the merging of classical and Muslim architectural influences, and the complex’s perfectly octagonal towers.