Pretend you’re royalty for a day at the most stunning castles throughout Europe.
Hundreds of thousands of these imposing fortresses are scattered across the continent, from the Transylvanian hills to the Lake Geneva shores.
Discover the stories and secrets hidden at these fairytale-like destinations:
Chȃteau du Haut-Koenigsbourg, France
Chȃteau du Haut-Koenigsbourg is a must-see when visiting France. This beloved attraction is located in the Alsace region on a hilltop overlooking the Upper Rhine Plain. Though the castle was constructed in the 12th century, it was abandoned until undergoing an extensive renovation in the early 1900s.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Neuschwanstein is one of the most famous castles in Germany and Europe. This 19th-century palace sits atop a hill in Schwangau amidst the Alps.
You may recognize Neuschwanstein, as it’s said to have inspired the Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella castles. With picturesque turrets and spires, Neuschwanstein Castle is nothing short of magical.
Bran Castle, Romania
Did you know you can visit the real Dracula’s Castle? The medieval building, officially named Bran Castle, is located in Transylvania. While the author of Dracula likely never knew about this castle, the imposing architecture makes it seem like it was pulled straight from a Gothic fairytale.
Pena Palace, Portugal
High above Sintra sits Pena Palace, a lavish Romanticist castle. On a clear day, you can even see the magnificent castle from Lisbon.
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pena Palace holds great historical significance. The castle was originally a religious site in the 12th century before being converted to a royal palace in the mid-1800s.
De Haar Castle, The Netherlands
Next time you visit the Netherlands, consider spending an afternoon at De Haar Castle. It’s located in Utrecht and is the country’s largest castle.
The oldest reference to De Haar dates back to the 1390s, though the structure underwent an extensive restoration in the late 1800s. Today, visitors can enjoy strolling around the grand castle and expertly manicured gardens.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
Edinburgh Castle is undoubtedly the most iconic in Scotland. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a rich past as a royal home, prison, and military fortress.
Every year, over a million tourists travel worldwide to visit the famous site. You could spend a whole day touring the castle grounds—there’s even a cafe and multiple tea rooms to enhance your experience.
Alcázar de Segovia, Spain
Alcázar de Segovia has been a captivating Spanish landmark since the 12th century. Located slightly over an hour outside Madrid, the castle is a popular day trip destination.
It towers above Segovia and has served the town as a military fortress and royal residence for centuries. Today, Alcázar de Segovia operates as a fascinating and immersive museum.
Windsor Castle, England
Windsor Castle is famous for being the world’s longest-occupied castle. Various English monarchs have called the sprawling estate home for nearly a millennium.
Around 150 people currently reside and work in Windsor Castle, which boasts over 1,000 rooms, 300 fireplaces, and 92 offices. The sprawling property is only about 22 miles outside London, making it a convenient day trip.
Chillon Castle, Switzerland
The medieval Chillon Castle is located on an island in Lake Geneva. This idyllic Swiss landmark has a distinct oval shape designed around the rock it’s built upon.
The surrounding lake waters form a natural moat, and the castle is connected to land only by a bridge. Embark on a guided or self-led tour to see Chillon Castle’s opulent interior rooms, courtyards, and artifact collections.
Rosenborg Castle, Denmark
Copenhagen boasts the stunning Rosenborg Castle, constructed in the early 1600s. It initially served as a summer home for Danish kings and queens.
Rosenborg Castle features striking Danish Renaissance architecture, with impressive towers and brick walls. Walking through the grand halls and chambers will transport you back in time.
Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria
Hochosterwitz Castle in Austria will bring your vacation dreams to life. The castle was built on an over-560-foot Dolomite rock, adding to its allure. Highlights of the property include its 14 gates, church, and armory.
Wawel Royal Castle, Poland
You must visit Wawel Royal Castle when in Kraków. Its history stretches back to the 11th century, though a few ruins are all that remain of the original structure.
Today’s Wawel Royal Castle was constructed in the early 1500s and is a beautiful example of the Renaissance style. Since 1930, it’s hosted a renowned art collection of paintings, tapestries, pottery, furniture, and written works.
Rocca Maggiore, Italy
Located in Assisi, Rocca Maggiore is among the most spectacular local landmarks. Historical records first mention it in the early 1100s, but the current castle was built in the 14th century.
Rocca Maggiore’s striking design dominates the Assisi skyline, overlooking the valley below. Visitors are welcome to tour the castle and admire its grand hilltop views.
Gripsholm Castle, Sweden
Make the roughly one-hour trip to Gripsholm Castle during your next Stockholm vacation. It housed Swedish kings and queens for hundreds of years, and the historical site is now open to visitors. Highlights of Gripsholm Castle include the Swedish State Portrait Collection and King Gustav III’s Theatre.
Vajdahunyad Castle, Hungary
The Hungarian Vajdahunyad Castle is instantly recognizable for its ornate facade. Despite appearing centuries old, Vajdahunyad was built relatively recently in 1896.
The castle was designed with Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance elements. It’s also home to Europe’s largest agricultural museum, which features informational exhibits about winemaking, fishing, forestry, and more.
Gravensteen, Belgium
Gravensteen, also known as Castle of the Counts, is a dramatic structure with a dark past. Though a Belgian monarch built it in the 1100s, it later served as a prison and a cotton factory. Gravensteen is now famous for its torture museum, which demonstrates the twisted ways its inmates were coerced into confessing their crimes.
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
