1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle was built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, also known as the “mad king.” As mad as he may have been, his eccentric lifestyle and imagination certainly gave rise to the archetypal fairytale castle. It’s truly one of a kind, even in Germany, which has so many awe-inspiring, real castles. Neuschwanstein Castle is tucked away in Schwangau, Bavaria, which straddles the Germany-Austria border.
2. Bran Castle, Romania
Bran Castle is a 13th-century fortress that majestically looms over a steep cliff. The castle’s dramatic architecture conjures up an image of Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula, hence its nickname – Dracula’s Castle. It’s undoubtedly the most famous and iconic castle in Romania. Bran Castle lies along the border of Transylvania and Wallachia in central Romania.
3. Edinburgh Castle in Scotland
Edinburgh Castle is a 12th-century fortress in the heart of Scotland’s capital. It’s one of the most iconic and Instagram-worthy places in the UK. It’s also the most-visited paid attraction in the country, attracting over 2 million visitors each year. Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Château de Chambord, France
French castles and royal palaces go, this is among the most breathtaking. Château de Chambord is an over-the-top estate that embodies Europe’s finest royalty (and excess). This 16th-century royal palace, designed in the French and Classical Renaissance styles, is the largest château in France’s Loire Valley. Though distinct from the medieval castles of Europe, it is aptly fortified with bastion towers and a nifty moat.
5. Alhambra, Spain
The Alhambra in Granada is a hilltop fortress that’s undoubtedly one of the most Instagrammable places in Spain. This castle-turned-royal-palace is a magnificent display of Islamic art and architecture brought to Spain by the Moors during the Middle Ages. Its intricate architecture and lush gardens make the Alhambra one of the most beautiful castles in Europe and the world. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that epitomizes Spain’s diverse cultural heritage.
6. Windsor Castle in England
Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. This royal residence is Queen Elizabeth’s preferred weekend retreat, where she hosts state events for public figures from around the world. Inside this massive castle complex, you’ll also find St. George’s Chapel, a sacred site for royal ceremonies, weddings, and burials.
Windsor
Castle towers over the old town just south of the River Thames.
7. Tourbillon Castle, Switzerland
Built during the 13th and 14th centuries, Tourbillion Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in the world. This fairytale castle proudly stands atop a hill overlooking the Swiss countryside. The breathtaking views are well worth the strenuous uphill climb. Located in southern Switzerland, Tourbillion Castle is 75 miles (120 km) south of Bern and 93 miles (150 km) east of Geneva.
8. Eltz Castle, Germany
This medieval castle looks like it’s something out of a fairy tale. Eltz Castle is one of Germany’s most magnificent castles. This imposing structure has 100 rooms and eight floors. Despite its age, this Romanesque and Gothic castle is remarkably well-preserved. Eltz Castle is 90 miles (145 km) west of Frankfurt and 68 miles (110 km) south of Cologne, Germany. For Harry Potter fans (and just about everyone else), this is one of the best castles in the world, hands down.
9. Osaka Castle in Japan
The most beautiful castles in the world aren’t just exclusive to Europe. Japan boasts some impressive castles of its own, most notably the 16th-century Osaka Castle. This five-story fortress is surrounded by stone walls and a moat, which acted as a defensive shield for the revered ruler who lived there, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It becomes particularly photogenic during cherry blossom season in early April.
10. Mont Saint-Michel, France
Mont Saint-Michel is one of the best castles in the world that will transport you back to the Middle Ages. Located on a tidal island, it’s not just a rocky fortification, but also an entire medieval city. Here, you’ll find a historic church, restaurants and hotels, museums, and shops, all looking out over the sea. Mont Saint-Michel is also known for its tidal oscillations. Its low and high tides are only 6 hours apart and can reach over 45 feet.
11. Hohensalzburg Fortress, Austria
Located in the heart of Salzburg, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, lies the Hohensalzburg Fortress. Built between 1077 and 1519, the Hohensalzburg Fortress is one of the largest medieval castles in all of Europe. It’s perched 1,660 feet (506 m) above the old town, offering sweeping views of the Austrian countryside. The Hohensalzburg Fortress is the centerpiece of Salzburg’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
12. National Palace of Pena, Portugal
Nestled near the shores of the Portuguese Riviera is the National Palace of Pena. This flamboyant, 19th-century castle is among the top attractions in Portugal. The palace is so mesmerizing that it’s even considered one of the 7 wonders of Portugal. The National Palace of Pena looks out on the city of Sintra, just 17 miles (27 km) west of Lisbon.
13. De Haar Castle, Netherlands
Comprising 200 rooms and 30 bathrooms, De Haar Castle is the largest castle in the Netherlands. This Neo-Gothic castle was built in the 19th century to embody the glorious fortresses of medieval times. De Haar Castle in Utrecht is just a half-hour drive south of Amsterdam.
14. Vianden Castle, Luxembourg
With only 590,000 people, Luxembourg is often overshadowed by its Benelux neighbors, namely Belgium and the Netherlands. However, Luxembourg makes up for its small size with its grandiose castles. Built between the 11th and 14th centuries, Vianden Castle is one of the largest castles from the Roman and Gothic periods in Europe.
15. Kylemore Abbey, Ireland
This is one of the most beautiful castles in the world, and definitely a top tourist attraction in Ireland. Though a Benedictine monastery today, Kylemore Abbey was originally built as a castle and private residence. Dating back to the Victorian era, this castle had 33 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and pretty much all the modern amenities of the day.
16. Prague Castle, Czech Republic
Built in the 9th century, Prague Castle is a Romanesque and Gothic masterpiece that embodies Prague’s timeless charm. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Prague Castle is the largest coherent castle complex in the world. Overlooking the Vltava River, this massive and seemingly ancient castle is one of the most iconic structures in Prague.
17. Highclere Castle in England
Downton Abbey fans will know this grand estate in the UK. Built in 1679, Highclere Castle is set on a 5,000-acre property with stunning views as far as the eye can see. There are over 300 rooms on 30,000 square feet of living space, making it one of the largest castles of the world not belonging to a king or queen.
18. Bojnice Castle, Slovakia
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Bojnice Castle showcases a dazzling mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. This impressive castle is chock-full of lavish artwork and furniture. Today, it’s considered one of the oldest and most historically significant monuments in all of Slovakia. It’s also one of the best and most beautiful castles in Europe.
19. Örebro Castle, Sweden
Örebro Castle is one of the most striking fortifications in Scandinavia. Its name derives from “ör” (small stones) and “bro” (bridge). Since its construction nearly 700 years ago, Örebro Castle was expanded on multiple occasions to include more rooms and fortified towers. Today, this castle is a popular venue for tours and exhibitions, where you’ll learn about the famous Vasa family who once lived there.
20. Amer Fort, India
Amer (“Amber”) Fort is a castle complex unlike any other in Eurasia. The fort’s ramparts trace back to the 16th century, containing a hodgepodge of Hindu and Muslim architectural elements from those times. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site among the six Hill Forts of Rajasthan in northern India.Amer Fort is 8 miles (13 km) north of Jaipur and 150 miles (241 km) southwest of New Delhi.
21. Wawel Castle, Poland
Wawel Castle in Kraków, Poland definitely has the wow factor. Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, this castle exhibits a potpourri of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. Today, it stands as a symbol of national identity for Poland.
22. Conwy Castle, Wales
Built in the late 1200s, Conwy Castle is the quintessential Welsh castle. UNESCO considers this limestone and sandstone fortress to be one of the “finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe.” Conwy Castle is 56 miles (90 km) from Liverpool, England and 178 miles (286 km) north of Cardiff, Wales.
23. Buda Castle in Hungary
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Buda Castle is an iconic castle and palace complex that sits on top of a plateau in Hungary’s capital, Budapest. Though the original castle was built in the 13th century, much of the Baroque palace today was built during the mid-1700s. Today, Buda Castle is home to the Budapest History Museum and Hungarian National Gallery.
24. Moszna Castle, Poland
Moszna Castle is a treasure trove of Baroque and Neo-Gothic architecture with striking similarities to Hogwarts from Harry Potter. This castle has 99 spires, undoubtedly making it one of the most unique castles in Europe. Today, it’s used as a hotel, museum, and restaurant. Moszna Castle is 115 miles (185 km) west of Kraków and 71 miles (115 km) south of Wroclaw.
25. Scaligero Castle, Italy
Scaligero Castle is a prized fortification mounted on the shores of Lake Garda in northern Italy. With its charming drawbridge and tall towers, this 13th century fortress is among the best-preserved castles from its time. Scaligero Castle in Sirmione is just an hour bus ride from Verona and 93 miles (150 km) from Venice.
26. Hearst Castle, California
Hearst Castle is one of the most famous castles around the world. It was built in 1919 for William Randolph Hearst who owned a massive newspaper chain at the time. Hearst Castle was built in the Mediterranean Revival style and has over 50 bedrooms. This mansion is also home to the world’s largest private zoo. It’s truly a gem in Southern California!
27. Trakai Island Castle, Lithuania
Trakai Island Castle is located on a small island on Lake Galvė. This castle dates back to the 14th century, and has assumed several roles since then. It was a residence and prison prior to becoming a museum. Today, this island castle is used for exhibitions, concerts, and other special events. Trakai Island Castle is only 16 miles (26 km) from Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius.
28. Heidelberg Castle, Germany
Heidelberg Castle is a classic display of German Renaissance architecture. Perched above Heidelberg’s Old Town, this breathtaking castle offers sweeping vistas of the city and Neckar River below.
29. Óbidos Castle, Portugal
Óbidos Castle is considered one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal. Surrounded by medieval walls, cobblestone streets, and colorful houses,this 13th-century castle is one of the top attractions in central Portugal. Óbidos Castle is just 52 miles (84 km) north of Lisbon, making it the perfect day trip from Portugal’s capital.
30. Corvin Castle in Romania
Corvin Castle is definitely among the world’s coolest castles. It was built in 1440 in the Gothic-Renaissance style and is considered one of the largest castles in Europe. This fortification was most notably used to protect Central and Western Europe from the Ottoman Empire during the 15th century. Since then, it’s been a royal residence and museum in the heart of Transylvania.
31. Sunshine Castle, Australia
Sunshine Castle gleams with beauty at every turn. With its towers, turrets, drawbridge, and moat, Sunshine Castle resembles the medieval castles of Europe, though
it was only built in 1972. For over 45 years, this enormous and
eccentric castle has been used as a museum and event venue.
32. Egeskov Castle, Denmark
Egeskov Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Denmark and Europe as a whole. Built during the mid-1500s, this Late Gothic and Renaissance castle juts right out of the water. It’s widely considered one of the best-preserved water castles. Egeskov Castle sits on Denmark’s third-largest island, Funen, which is roughly 100 miles (160 km) from Copenhagen.
33. Matsumoto Castle, Japan
Matsumoto Castle is a historic castle that dates back to the early 1500s. Surrounded by a sophisticated system of moats and walls, it’s one of the largest and most complete castles in Japan. It’s also one of the best and most beautiful castles in the world. Located in central Japan, Matsumoto Castle is within close proximity (135 miles/217 km) of Tokyo.
34. Alcázar of Segovia, Spain
The Alcázar of Segovia is a magical castle in central Spain that dates back to the 12th century. The castle was first used as an Arab fort before becoming a palace. In the centuries that followed, the Alcázar of Segovia was converted into a prison, and later, a military academy. It’s believed that this castle—in addition to Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany—inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle.
35. Peleș Castle, Romania
Peles Castle falls on the newer end of the castle spectrum. However, with its Neo-Renaissance architecture and mountainside scenery, the Peles Castle definitely earns a spot among the most beautiful castles in the world. Peles Castle is less than 80 miles (128 km) north of Romania’s capital, Bucharest.