From medieval fortresses to a Japanese palace, these are the 13 most breathtaking castles that needs to be on each traveler’s bucket checklist. Spread throughout Europe and past, they provide a glimpse right into a bygone period of knights, nobles, and lavish structure.
| Place | Description | Google Reviews | User Rating |
| Alhambra of Granada 🇪🇸 | Medieval advanced housing palaces, carved Moorish throne room & cloistered courtyards with fountains. | 130,038 | 4.8 |
| Prague Castle within the Czech Republic 🇨🇿 | Vast fortress advanced with buildings revealing structure from Roman-style to Gothic & twentieth century. | 160,897 | 4.7 |
| Alcázar of Segovia, Segovia, Spain 🇪🇸 | Romantic medieval fortress restored after hearth with ornately adorned rooms & an armoury museum. | 50,866 | 4.7 |
| Bojnice Castle, Bojnice, Slovakia 🇸🇰 | Daily & night time excursions of a hilltop, neo-gothic fortress with a museum, landscaped gardens & cave. | 13,981 | 4.7 |
| St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, England 🇬🇧 | Island house to a medieval fortress, reached by causeway, with Norman church and sub-tropical gardens. | 8,270 | 4.7 |
| Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany 🇩🇪 | Turreted, Nineteenth-century, hilltop fortress constructed for King Ludwig II, with excursions of furnished rooms. | 85,837 | 4.6 |
| Himeji Castle, Himeji, Japan 🇯🇵 | Iconic circa-1613 fortress recognized for a white facade, plus towers, moats, passageways & cherry bushes. | 45,262 | 4.6 |
| Corvin Castle, Hunedoara, Romania 🇷🇴 | Renaissance fortress rebuilt within the Nineteenth century, with Gothic towers & a historical past museum. | 41,347 | 4.6 |
| Eltz Castle, Wierschem, Germany 🇩🇪 | Twelfth-century fortress with towers and turrets, surrounded by forest, with treasury and Knights’ Hall. | 24,471 | 4.6 |
| Hohenzollern Castle, Baden-Württemberg, Germany 🇩🇪 | Art assortment & the Prussian king’s crown housed in mountaintop, turreted, Nineteenth-century fortress. | 16,277 | 4.6 |
| Château de Pierrefonds, Oise, France 🇫🇷 | Castle, with medieval origins & a parapet stroll, redesigned within the Nineteenth-century by Viollet-le-Duc. | 13,032 | 4.6 |
| Hohenwerfen Castle, Werfen, Austria 🇦🇹 | Hilltop medieval fortress & historical past museum, reached by funicular, with falconry middle & guided excursions. | 10,037 | 4.6 |
| Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal 🇵🇹 | Nineteenth-century, Romanticist palace on a excessive rock & former monastery website, surrounded by parkland. | 82,204 | 4.4 |
Alhambra of Granada
The prime spot goes to Spain’s Alhambra, the ornate 14th century palace and fortress advanced in Granada. With over 130,000 Google critiques and a 4.8-star ranking, its intricately carved courtyards and fountains proceed to enchant guests right this moment.
Prague Castle, Czech Republic
The sprawling Prague Castle dates again over a thousand years. As the most important fortress advanced on this planet, its Gothic spires, Romanesque halls and Baroque gardens reveal the evolving kinds of Czech structure throughout the ages.
Alcázar of Segovia, Spain
Perched atop a rocky crag, this regal Twelfth century fortress appears to be like like one thing straight out of a storybook. After a devastating hearth in 1862, it was painstakingly restored and now homes a museum of armor and weaponry.
Bojnice Castle, Slovakia
The magnificent Bojnice Castle hosts over 50,000 guests per 12 months. By day, vacationers flock to this neo-Gothic hilltop fortress to traverse its medieval inside and manicured gardens. By night time, its silhouette makes an unforgettable fairytale backdrop.
St Michael’s Mount, England
At excessive tide, this iconic island fortress seems to drift magically on the ocean. A medieval priory nonetheless stays from the Twelfth century, complemented by later additions just like the stately manor home.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
The hovering Neuschwanstein Castle was constructed as a retreat for reclusive king Ludwig II within the late 1800s. Though extra trendy than most on this checklist, its towers and turrets look each bit the storybook fortress surrounded by Bavarian countryside.
Himeji Castle, Japan
Nicknamed the “White Egret Castle”, the seventeenth century Himeji Castle is taken into account a masterpiece of Japanese fortress structure. Despite surviving civil battle, earthquakes and World War II, its white plaster partitions and labyrinth of passageways stay remarkably intact.
Corvin Castle, Romania
With tall pointed towers, Corvin Castle is taken into account one of many largest and most eye-catching Gothic buildings in Eastern Europe. First constructed within the 14th century, it nonetheless retains its medieval aura regardless of Nineteenth century restoration.
Eltz Castle, Germany
Nestled throughout the forests of western Germany for over 850 years, Eltz Castle is the uncommon European fortress to nonetheless be owned by the identical noble household for the reason that Twelfth century. The medieval furnishings, turrets and frescoes transport you lots of of years into the previous.
Hohenzollern Castle, Germany
Dramatically perched atop a lone mountain peak, Hohenzollern Castle appears to be like like one thing straight out of a Grimm’s fairytale. While principally a Nineteenth century reconstruction, it nonetheless homes a powerful assortment of Prussian royal artifacts.
Château de Pierrefonds, France
The majestic Château de Pierrefonds in northern France underwent a significant rebuild within the 1800s. Despite its turbulent historical past over 8 centuries, Viollet-le-Duc’s redesign made it one of the vital completely preserved medieval castles right this moment.
Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria
Reached by a dramatic funicular experience, Hohenwerfen Castle has defended mountain passes for the reason that eleventh century. Falconry shows at this mountaintop fortress reveal centuries-old looking strategies match for an emperor.
Pena Palace, Portugal
The vibrant Pena Palace caps our checklist as a riot of colours and architectural kinds. The fortress, monastery and palace fused collectively right here make it one of many main expressions of Nineteenth century Romanticism in Europe.