I’ve always had a thing for castles. As a kid, they were the backdrop to every adventure I imagined—knights, dragons, secret rooms, and tapestries that hid escape tunnels. As an adult, that obsession never really went away. I just swapped out plastic swords for train tickets.
Over the years, I’ve wandered through foggy fortresses in Scotland, sun-drenched towers in Spain, and ivy-draped ruins in the middle of German forests. Each one left a mark. Some are wildly famous, others are quiet surprises—but every single one reminded me of why I love exploring Europe.
This isn’t a ranking. It’s a travel journal of sorts—a collection of the 25 most unforgettable castles I’ve come across. Some are epic. Some are eerie. All are worth the detour.
Let’s start the adventure.
🏰 1. Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany): The Fairytale That Became Real
This one doesn’t need an introduction—it’s the poster child for European castles. But nothing, and I mean nothing, prepares you for the moment you see Neuschwanstein in person. Tucked high in the Bavarian Alps, it rises like a dream, all turrets and fog and impossibly good lighting.
King Ludwig II built it in the 1800s as his personal escape—a love letter to Romanticism and the operas of Wagner. He died before it was finished, which makes the whole place feel even more like a beautiful, tragic daydream that somehow came true.
🎯 Don’t Miss: The view from Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge). It’s that iconic shot, but it’s also where the castle feels most unreal.
👉 Want to dive deeper into the story of Neuschwanstein Castle? Check out our full guide to Neuschwanstein Castle for history, travel tips, and insider insights.
🏰 2. Château de Chambord (France): A Renaissance Daydream in the Loire
Some castles are defensive. Chambord is theatrical. Built by King Francis I in the 16th century—allegedly with some help from Leonardo da Vinci—it’s the architectural version of a royal mic drop.
It was meant to impress. And it does. The double-helix staircase. The symmetry. The rooftop that feels like a skyline of chimneys and spires. But what really got me was how empty it feels. Chambord was never really lived in, and wandering its vast halls alone makes it feel like a forgotten film set waiting for its next scene.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Climb up to the terraces. The view over the surrounding forest is pure Renaissance grandeur.
👉 Want to dive deeper into the story of Château de Chambord? Check out our full guide to Château de Chambord for history, travel tips, and insider insights.
🏰 3. Bran Castle (Romania): Dracula’s Maybe-Home, Definitely Gothic
I’ll be honest—I went for the vampire connection. I stayed for the atmosphere. Perched on a cliff at the edge of Transylvania, Bran Castle is every bit as moody as you want it to be.
It probably isn’t the real Dracula’s Castle. Vlad the Impaler might’ve passed through, but this wasn’t his pad. Still, between the candlelit rooms, the creaking wood floors, and the mist that hugs the mountains, it’s easy to suspend disbelief.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Visit in autumn. The leaves, the chill, the folklore—it all clicks into place.
👉 Want to dive deeper into the story of Bran Castle? Check out our full guide to Bran Castle for history, travel tips, and insider insights.
🏰 4. Pena Palace (Portugal): The Dreamlike Crown of Sintra
Nothing about Pena Palace makes sense—and that’s what makes it amazing. It’s a palace painted in yellows and reds, perched above Sintra like it grew out of a fairy tale. Moorish arches meet Renaissance towers. Tiles meet domes. The fog rolls in, and suddenly it’s like being inside someone’s very colorful dream.
Ferdinand II was the mastermind behind it all, and you can tell he had fun. Walking around the terraces, I found myself grinning at how delightfully over-the-top it all is.
But it’s not just the palace. The entire surrounding park is filled with misty forest trails, hidden pavilions, and dramatic viewpoints. It’s easy to wander off into the trees and feel like you’re in another world. My favorite moment? Sitting alone at the High Cross, looking out at the clouds parting over the Atlantic.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Hike the forest trails around the palace and make your way up to the High Cross. The view is breathtaking—and usually quiet.
👉 Want to dive deeper into the story of Pena Palace? Check out our full guide to Pena Palace for history, travel tips, and insider insights.
🏰 5. Prague Castle (Czech Republic): Where History Is Layered in Stone
Prague Castle isn’t one castle—it’s a complex. A city within a city. And walking through it feels like flipping through the pages of European history. Romanesque foundations. Gothic cathedrals. Baroque facades. Every ruler left a mark.
What hit me most was how alive it felt. Tourists shuffle through, yes—but so do locals, priests, guards, and schoolkids. It’s not just a monument. It’s still a heartbeat in the middle of Prague.
🎯 Don’t Miss: The climb to the top of St. Vitus Cathedral’s tower. It’s a hike, but the view over the red roofs and the river is unforgettable.
👉 Want to dive deeper into the story of Prague Castle? Check out our full guide to Prague Castle for history, travel tips, and insider insights.
🏰 6. Eltz Castle (Germany): The Forest Fortress That Time Forgot
The first time I saw Eltz Castle, I was alone on a forest trail, soaked from a surprise rain shower, and slightly lost. Then the trees thinned out—and there it was. A medieval castle perched above a valley, half hidden by mist. I swear I stopped breathing for a second.
What makes Eltz so special isn’t just its fairytale vibe—it’s that it feels untouched. The same family has lived here for over 850 years. It was never destroyed. Never abandoned. It’s as if it stepped out of the Middle Ages and into the 21st century, unchanged.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Take the hiking trail in from the parking area. That first reveal of the castle through the trees? Worth every muddy step.
👉 Want to dive deeper into the story of Eltz Castle? Check out our full guide to Eltz Castle for history, travel tips, and insider insights.
🏰 7. Alcázar of Segovia (Spain): A Stone Ship on a Hill
Spain knows how to build drama, and the Alcázar of Segovia is proof. It sits on a rocky cliff like a stone ship sailing toward the horizon. Tall slate towers, white walls, and pointed turrets that could inspire any fantasy novel—it’s no wonder Disney took notes here.
Its history is as varied as its silhouette: fortress, palace, prison, artillery school. Walking through its halls, I couldn’t help but marvel at how many lives passed through. Every stone seemed to hold a different story.
🎯 Don’t Miss: The Tower of Juan II. Climb to the top and take in the whole of Segovia—cathedral, aqueduct, countryside.
🏰 8. Hohenzollern Castle (Germany): Cloud-Crowned Royal Roots
Perched on a peak like a crown on a mountaintop, Hohenzollern Castle was one of those places I hadn’t planned to visit—and ended up thinking about for weeks. The air up there is crisp. The view rolls for miles. And the castle? All turrets and triumph.
It’s the ancestral home of the Hohenzollern dynasty—Prussian kings and German emperors—but what I loved most was how theatrical it felt. Like someone built it just to prove fairy tales are real.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Go early, especially if the fog’s rolling in. Watching the castle appear out of the clouds is pure magic.
🏰 9. Edinburgh Castle (Scotland): A Castle with a City at Its Feet
If you’ve ever been to Edinburgh, you’ve seen the castle. You can’t miss it—it looms over everything. Built atop an extinct volcano, it’s the anchor of the city’s skyline and the heart of Scottish history.
Inside, it’s a museum of power: royal jewels, the Stone of Destiny, war memorials. But it’s also alive. The wind howls. The cannons fire. The stone is worn smooth by centuries of boots.
🎯 Don’t Miss: The One O’Clock Gun. It’s loud, yes—but it’s tradition, and up there, it feels like time itself pauses for a beat.
👉 Want to dive deeper into the story of Edinburgh Castle? Check out our full guide to Edinburgh Castle for history, travel tips, and insider insights.
🏰 10. Château de Chenonceau (France): The Castle of Women and Water
Chenonceau isn’t just a castle—it’s a reflection, literally and figuratively. Built across the River Cher, it glows in the water and in memory. And its story? It’s one of women—Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Medici, and others who shaped its design, expansion, and soul.
There’s a quiet grace to this château. Floral arrangements in every room. Light filtering through tall windows. Long galleries over the river where you half expect to see someone in 16th-century silk passing by.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Rent a rowboat and float underneath the arches. Looking up at the castle like that—it stays with you.
🏰 11. Conwy Castle (Wales): Walls That Whisper with the Wind
There’s something rugged and raw about Conwy. Maybe it’s the way the towers rise like teeth above the river. Or how the sea breeze carries stories through the narrow stairwells. Edward I didn’t build it to be pretty—he built it to dominate. And centuries later, it still does.
I walked the entire perimeter on the wall walk, looking out over slate-roofed homes, green hills, and the estuary beyond. The castle feels lived-in—not in a polished way, but in a ghostly, echoing, unforgettable way.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Walk across Telford’s Suspension Bridge. It gives you a cinematic approach straight toward the main gate.
🏰 12. Trakai Island Castle (Lithuania): The Red-Brick Dream on the Water
I wasn’t expecting much when I added Trakai to my itinerary. I just needed a day trip from Vilnius. But when I stepped off the bus and saw a red castle floating on a lake, I froze. It looked like it had emerged from a Baltic bedtime story.
Trakai feels peaceful in a way few castles do. There’s water on all sides. A wooden bridge to reach it. Swans drifting past. And inside, quiet rooms filled with centuries of stories from a time when this was a seat of grand ducal power.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Arrive in the late afternoon and catch the sunset from the far side of the lake. The golden light makes the castle glow.
🏰 13. Burg Kreuzenstein (Austria): A Perfect Medieval Stage Set
Burg Kreuzenstein is a bit of a cheat. It looks medieval—and parts of it are—but much of what you see was reconstructed in the 19th century from salvaged pieces of other historic buildings. It’s a puzzle made of real history, reassembled with flair.
I loved it. The drawbridge creaks, the armory gleams, and the whole place feels like it’s waiting for a joust to start. If you’ve ever dreamed of walking through a movie set and having it actually be good—this is the one.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Book a guided tour. The stories they tell bring the walls to life.
🏰 14. Arundel Castle (England): Where Heritage Still Has a Pulse
Some castles feel like museums. Arundel feels like a home. Granted, it’s a home with battlements, state rooms, and a killer view over the River Arun—but it’s still lived in by the Dukes of Norfolk, and it shows.
The gardens are stunning. The library is the kind you want to get locked in overnight. And if you catch it during one of their reenactment weekends? You’re in for a show.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Climb the Keep. It’s a bit of a haul, but the view across Sussex is spectacular.
🏰 15. Bojnice Castle (Slovakia): A Pastel Dream with a Dark Twist
Bojnice Castle looks like it was sketched by a child with a love for fairy tales. Pastel towers. Pointed spires. A setting among trees and lakes that’s just… perfect. And yet, there’s an edge to it—a bit of ghostly folklore and old-world strangeness that keeps it from being too sweet.
Inside, you’ll find romantic halls, chandeliers, and the kind of staged opulence that makes you whisper instead of speak. But Bojnice isn’t just for show—it’s a place of legends, both charming and chilling.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Visit during the Festival of Ghosts and Spirits if you can. It’s theatrical, eerie, and utterly unforgettable.
🏰 16. Kronborg Castle (Denmark): Hamlet’s Wind-Swept Stage
You can practically hear the soliloquies echoing through the halls. Kronborg Castle—Shakespeare’s Elsinore—is perched at the edge of Denmark, watching over the Øresund Strait like it’s been waiting for centuries to deliver its next dramatic line.
I remember standing in the courtyard, feeling the sea wind and thinking: this is where fiction and history blur. Kronborg is regal but austere, elegant but fortress-like. And deep in the casemates—those damp, low-ceilinged stone corridors—you’ll understand why it was the perfect setting for a tale of ghosts and revenge.
🎯 Don’t Miss: If you visit in summer, catch the live Hamlet performances in the courtyard. Shakespeare under the Scandinavian sky? Yes, please.
🏰 17. Hohenwerfen Castle (Austria): An Eagle’s-Eye View of the Alps
High above the Salzach Valley, Hohenwerfen looks like it was built by someone who really, really liked dramatic entrances. You see it long before you arrive—guarding the mountains like a sentinel in stone.
It’s steeped in military history, but what I loved most was the sense of place. There’s falconry here (yes, actual birds of prey), panoramic towers, and views that stretch deep into the heart of Austria. The hike up is a pilgrimage in itself, and when you finally reach the gates, it feels earned.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Skip the elevator. Take the walking trail up. It’s steep but beautiful—and makes the arrival feel cinematic.
🏰 18. Predjama Castle (Slovenia): The Cliffside Fortress with a Secret
I thought I’d seen every kind of castle. Then I arrived at Predjama. Built into the gaping mouth of a cave halfway up a cliff, it looks like a fantasy painting brought to life. Even when you’re standing right in front of it, you have to squint to believe it’s real.
Its most famous resident, the knight Erazem, supposedly held off a siege for months using a secret tunnel to smuggle in supplies. That tunnel still exists. The drama. The isolation. The sheer weirdness of it—it all adds up to one of the most unforgettable castles in Europe.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Pair it with a visit to nearby Postojna Cave. One minute you’re exploring a castle in a cliff, the next you’re on an underground train.
🏰 19. Windsor Castle (England): Where Royalty Sleeps
Windsor is old. Really old. And somehow, it’s still one of the most relevant royal residences on the planet. It’s a working palace, a tourist magnet, and a history book all rolled into one sprawling estate.
I wandered through its grand halls trying to imagine what it must be like to actually live here—then walked out to the Long Walk and stared back in awe. Everything about Windsor is larger than life, but not in a flashy way. It’s proud. It’s enduring. It’s England in castle form.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Don’t skip St. George’s Chapel. It’s beautiful, historic, and the final resting place of monarchs—including Queen Elizabeth II.
👉 Want to dive deeper into the story of Windsor Castle? Check out our full guide to Windsor Castle for history, travel tips, and insider insights.
🏰 20. Castel del Monte (Italy): Geometry, Mystery, and a Crown of Stone
Tucked away in the Apulian countryside, Castel del Monte isn’t like any other castle on this list. There are no moats. No drawbridges. Just a perfect octagon crowned by eight octagonal towers. It’s mathematical. Symbolic. Slightly unsettling.
Frederick II built it in the 13th century, and historians still argue over why. A fortress? An observatory? A philosophical statement? Whatever the reason, standing in the center of that geometric puzzle gave me chills. It’s one of the most quietly fascinating castles I’ve ever seen.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Aerial photos are stunning—but being there, watching how the sunlight hits those clean stone lines, is something else entirely.
🏰 21. Mont Saint-Michel (France): The Island Abbey That Defies the Sea
I’ve never seen anything quite like Mont Saint-Michel. One minute it’s connected to the mainland by a causeway, the next it’s an island surrounded by water, mist, and mystery. Perched high above the shifting tides of Normandy, this abbey-turned-fortress looks like it belongs in a legend.
The climb through its winding medieval streets felt like ascending through time—shops, chapels, and ancient stone walls guiding you to the top where the abbey stands like a crown. The views? Epic. The vibe? Spiritual.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Time your visit with the tide schedule. Watching the water creep back in and surround the island is an experience you won’t forget.
👉 Want to dive deeper into the story of Mont Saint-Michel? Check out our full guide to Mont Saint-Michel for history, travel tips, and insider insights.
🏰 22. Peles Castle (Romania): A Jewel in the Carpathians
Peles Castle wasn’t what I expected. Hidden in the Carpathian Mountains, it’s not imposing or ancient—it’s elegant, detailed, almost delicate. Built in the late 19th century, it feels like a personal retreat rather than a seat of power.
Every room is different. Stained glass, carved wood, Murano chandeliers—it’s all there. There’s a warmth to the design, as if the place was meant to be enjoyed, not just admired. I wandered slowly, letting the details pull me deeper.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Look for the secret door hidden in the library bookshelf. It’s a small thing, but it makes the whole place feel even more storybook.
🏰 23. Pierrefonds Castle (France): A Gothic Revival Dream in the Forest of Compiègne
Nestled on the edge of the forest north of Paris, Pierrefonds Castle is one of those places that feels both real and cinematic—because, well, it is. Rebuilt in the 19th century by architect Viollet-le-Duc after lying in ruins, it’s a blend of medieval fantasy and historical ambition.
The castle is imposing, theatrical, and filled with details that feel tailor-made for a film set (which is probably why the BBC series Merlin was filmed here). Wander the drawbridge, the towers, and the massive central courtyard—and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto a stage.
🎯 Don’t Miss: Visit midweek in spring or fall. Fewer crowds, better lighting, and a peaceful vibe in the surrounding woods.
🏰 24. Malbork Castle (Poland): The Fortress That Swallowed a Kingdom
Malbork doesn’t do subtle. This castle is massive—so big it feels like a city unto itself. Built by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century, it was their headquarters, stronghold, and symbol of power.
Walking through Malbork is like tracing the lines of medieval ambition. Towers. Courtyards. Endless halls of brick and shadow. It’s not warm, but it is powerful. And somehow, even with all its scale, it feels human—like the stone still remembers the people who built and defended it.
🎯 Don’t Miss: The audio guide here is excellent. Use it. It brings the castle’s layers to life.
👉 Want to dive deeper into the story of Malbork Castle? Check out our full guide to Malbork Castle for history, travel tips, and insider insights.
🏰 25. Trencin Castle (Slovakia): A Hilltop Sentinel Overlooking Centuries
Towering above the charming town of Trencin in western Slovakia, Trencin Castle feels like a stronghold with stories etched into every stone. Perched on a rocky hill and visible from miles away, it once guarded the important trade route known as the “Amber Road.”
Exploring it means climbing steep paths, walking along weathered walls, and stepping into rooms that echo with history—from Roman inscriptions to noble feasts and military strategy. The view from the top? It stretches across the Váh River and the patchwork countryside beyond.
🎯 Don’t Miss: The ancient Roman inscription carved into the rock below the castle—the northernmost known Roman writing in Central Europe.
Final Thoughts: Why We Chase Castles
If you’d asked me ten years ago what I’d be doing with my life, I never would’ve guessed it would involve crisscrossing Europe in search of castles. But here I am—twenty-five deep and still hungry for more.
There’s something about castles that taps into something old inside us. They’re not just stone and battlements. They’re stories. Some feel like stepping into a storybook. Others remind you how brutal the past really was. But each one has a moment—a view, a staircase, a sound—that sticks with you long after you’ve left.
These aren’t just places to check off a list. They’re portals. Time machines. And sometimes, they’re exactly the kind of wonder we need.
So go. Walk the walls. Climb the towers. Lose yourself in the legend. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll feel the same pull I did.
🗨️ Got a favorite castle I missed? Or a memory from one of these spots? Share it with me. I’m always looking for the next adventure.
📸 And if this list sparked your curiosity, follow along. We are on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and X, too. More castles (and more stories) are just around the bend. Explore all our castle adventures here!
