Built atop windswept cliffs or rising from the misty waters of tidal seas, coastal castles have long had a heady sense of drama. Constructed as formidable front-line defenders, they keep watch over vital shipping lanes, harbors, coastal towns, and kingdoms. From the tidal island castle of Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy to the Caribbean fortress of El Morro, they have felt the briny breath of centuries while fending off the attacks of invading armies, pirates, and the elements.
What also makes them so powerful is the fact that raw power collides headlong with poetry. Whether founded as a purely military fortress, many of these castles became layered with art, literature, myth, and romance over time. Some became extravagantly royal playgrounds, some are in ruins, and some still reverberate with the echoes of the sieges that once raged at their walls.
Visiting one of these coastal castles is an experience like no other. The sea itself is part of the architecture, and the structure’s relationship to it is often poetic – a living moat that never dries, a tidal backdrop that changes with each shifting light, and a natural amphitheater. Whether visiting Kronborg and strolling in the footsteps of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in Denmark or Helsingør, ascending the tidal steps of Mont-Saint-Michel, or stopping where Scotland’s Crown Jewels were once buried to hide them from Cromwell, these coastal fortresses connect you to history in a way that is simultaneously exciting and haunting.
Here are ten of the most epic coastal fortresses and castles from around the world.
1. Mont-Saint-Michel, France – The Marvel on the Tides
In the tidal waters off the coast of Normandy sits the wonder of Mont-Saint-Michel. A breathtaking vision that rises out of the sea like the stone heart of a great bird, this awe-inspiring mount and ancient abbey-cum-castle is one of Europe’s most memorable landmarks. Seen on maps and in pictures, it seems almost imaginary, an impossible blend of architecture, magic, history, and art.
Pilgrims, conquerors, and kings all looked to Mont-Saint-Michel and its towering spire, but very few dared to attempt an invasion, and even fewer managed to get in.
Founded as a monastery by Benedictine monks in 966, it slowly gained ground and influence. During the Hundred Years’ War, the English attempted multiple sieges of Mont-Saint-Michel but could not take it. The most significant sieges occurred in 1423-1424 and again in 1433-1434, when English forces under Thomas de Scales launched major assaults that ultimately failed. Fortifications were gradually built up, and during the highest tides, the site becomes completely isolated as an island when the waters surge into the bay, lapping around it like a silver cloak.
Approaching the island today is just as dramatic as it must have been in centuries past. The medieval ramparts hugging the village below, with that incredible Gothic sight growing towards the heavens above. There’s something otherworldly about Mont-Saint-Michel. It’s a citadel, an abbey, a place where the very stone appears to be alive. From up on top, where the gargoyles snarl at invaders, the view is as boundless as the water and it once was, as far as the eye can see over the bay. A monument to isolation, yes, but also a monument to power.
Mont-Saint-Michel Quick Facts
📍 Location: Normandy, France
🏗️ Construction Period: Founded in 966 and Major fortification period during the Hundred Years’ War (14th-15th centuries)
🏰 Architectural Style: Romanesque & Gothic with extensive defensive ramparts
🎭 Famous For: Withstanding English sieges (1423-24, 1433-34), tidal island defenses
👑 Notable Figures: Benedictine monks, French defenders of the Hundred Years’ War
🏆 UNESCO Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site as Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay since 1979.
🌐 Official Website: ot-montsaintmichel.com
Travel Tips
The trip to get there is half the fun, as with many French coastal sites. There’s parking on the mainland with shuttles or a long walk over the causeway, but be sure to check tide times, as it’s quite a spectacle. The Mont becomes completely surrounded by water only during the highest tides (coefficient above 110), which occur approximately every two weeks during spring tides. Regular daily tides may not fully isolate the island.
As for the village itself, bring good walking shoes, as the streets are steep and cobblestoned, and the abbey means lots of stairs to climb, but it’s worth it for the view. Try to get there as early as possible or stay until the evening when the day-trippers leave, as the island is nearly magical when it’s empty.
Best time to visit? Probably spring or autumn for the lower crowds, but it can be quite hauntingly beautiful in the winter, and summer allows for longer days (but expect to share the narrow lanes with hordes of other people). It’s not really accessible for those with mobility issues, given the terrain and cobbles.
Mont-Saint-Michel is one of those sites that you can visit for medieval history, art, or for a nice walk, but for me, it’s all about the feel of the place. It’s not often that I come across a site that feels like it’s got magic in the air, or the stones. A place that mixes medieval history, geography, and myth, but in Europe, that’s often the case. To watch the tide rush in and cloak the ancient fortress is an incredible experience, and that alone makes it worth the visit.
👉 For a deeper dive into visiting this tidal wonder, check out our full guide: Mont Saint-Michel: Complete Travel Guide to France’s Legendary Island Abbey
2. Krak des Chevaliers, Syria – The Ultimate Crusader Fortress
If Mont-Saint-Michel is the poetry of the pilgrimage, the Krak des Chevaliers is its military science. Perched on the mountain above the “Gap of Homs,” a natural bottleneck between the Mediterranean coast and the hinterland of Syria, this sprawling Crusader fortress is often hailed as the ultimate medieval castle. Even today, the sheer scale of its fortifications looms over the surrounding hills as a testament to a time when faith, power, and survival were etched into this rocky outcrop.
The castle first fell into the hands of the Knights Hospitaller in 1142. From that point on until 1271, the fortress was constantly enlarged and fortified into a veritable power unto itself, with provisions and garrisons numbering more than 2,000 men at its height. As opposed to more bluff-your-opponent-out-of-town castles of the period, Krak was built to literally hold out against a siege that could last years on end. The two concentric walls (inner and outer) were separated by a deep moat hewn from the bedrock itself. Capturing the outer wall was just the first hurdle. The enemy could still see an even taller line of defenses lurking behind.
Krak des Chevaliers would remain for over a century the safest, most impregnable fortress of the Crusader states in the region. Saladin himself failed to capture it. It would eventually fall to subterfuge (if the story is to be believed) rather than military force: in 1271, the Mamluk Sultan Baybars reportedly convinced the entire garrison to surrender by way of a forged letter from their own commander.
The extraordinary part about Krak is not just its size, but the elegance and attention to military detail in its construction. Arrow slits cover every surface, the towers extend for enfilading crossfire, and the underground storage chambers were so capacious that Krak could be stocked for years with supplies and provisions. Climbing around on the ramparts today, it’s not difficult to imagine the clashing of steel, the acrid smell of tar and burning pitch, and that ominous hush just before the call to battle.
Krak des Chevaliers Quick Facts
📍 Location: Near Homs, Syria
🏗️ Construction Period: 11th-century origins, expanded 1142–1271
🏰 Architectural Style: Crusader military architecture, concentric design
🎭 Famous For: Iconic Crusader castle, notable for withstanding Saladin
👑 Notable Figures: Knights Hospitaller, Sultan Baybars
🏆 UNESCO Status: Yes, since 2006 (listed as “Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din”)
🌐 Official Website: Wikipedia page on Krak des Chevaliers
Travel Tips
Krak is in a region of current military conflict. Check your government’s travel warnings before visiting. In more peaceful times, this is a must-visit Crusader castle for any trip to the Levant and was very commonly visited from Homs or Tartus. It was often a stop along with several other Crusader castles nearby in one day. Allow a few hours to explore. The site is enormous and, while not a labyrinth by any means, has many levels of towers, courtyards, and halls to explore. Bring water, as it can be hot and dry, and wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven stone surfaces.
The best time to visit is in the spring and autumn when the weather is less punishing. If you’re a medieval military history buff, I’d recommend hiring a local guide. The stories and explanations the guides have to offer make the walls and structures truly come alive with a richness of history from Crusader strategy to Mamluk counterattacks. Even in its current ruined state, Krak still impresses. It’s hard not to stand in awe on the ramparts, gazing over the hills toward the Mediterranean and grasping why this castle became a veritable symbol for medieval warfare on the Levantine coast.
3. Kronborg Castle, Denmark – Hamlet’s Legendary Fortress
Kronborg Castle perches on the neck of Denmark’s body where it is closest to Sweden across the Øresund Strait. Constructed in the late 16th century by King Frederik II, Kronborg was not only a lavish Renaissance palace but also a toll station. Ships entering or leaving the Baltic Sea were required to stop at Kronborg and pay the “Sound Dues,” a toll that kept the Danish treasury full. It was, in fact, the most heavily fortified castle in Northern Europe.
Position was everything. A broad array of cannons covered the bastions and stared out menacingly over the strait. Any ship that refused to stop or pay its dues was bombarded with cannon fire. Kronborg is both a work of art and a military fortress, combining military might and architectural beauty. Its soaring sandstone walls, copper roofs, and graceful spires reflect the power of the Danish monarchy at its peak, while the dank underground casemates speak of the soldiers who spent their days on sentry duty below.
Kronborg is, of course, famous worldwide as the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet, where it is immortalized as Elsinore Castle. The castle has been the setting for many performances since then, and actors as distinguished as Laurence Olivier, Derek Jacobi, and Jude Law have rehearsed on its grounds. Wander through the courtyards and halls today, and you may hear echoes of “To be, or not to be.”
Kronborg is also shrouded in myth and legend. According to Danish folklore, a heroic warrior named Holger the Dane lies sleeping beneath the castle. Legend has it that he only awakens when Denmark is in mortal danger.
Kronborg Castle Quick Facts
📍 Location: Helsingør, Denmark
🏗️ Construction Period: 1574–1585, rebuilt after a fire in 1629
🏰 Architectural Style: Renaissance with strong defensive bastions
🎭 Famous For: Shakespeare’s Hamlet, tolls on ships
👑 Notable Figures: King Frederik II, Holger the Dane (legend)
🏆 UNESCO Status: Yes, since 2000
🌐 Official Website: Kronborg Castle
Travel Tips
Kronborg is easily reached from Copenhagen by train in just 45 minutes. From Helsingør station, it’s a short walk across the harbor to the castle.
A full visit can easily take two hours or more. Highlights include the royal chambers and the impressive ballroom (the largest in Northern Europe when it was built). Be sure to explore the underground tunnels and see if you can find Holger the Dane sleeping in the casemates.
For a truly unique experience, time your visit to see one of the summer performances of Hamlet in the castle courtyard. Remember a jacket – it can be windy and quite cool on the castle grounds even in the height of summer. Kronborg Castle is a hit with kids, and there are plenty of interactive exhibitions as well as costumed guides to keep history alive and interesting.
The best time to visit is spring and summer, when the weather is comfortable and Helsingør's old town has a bustling café culture and maritime feel. Do not miss a chance to climb the towers: panoramic views of the Øresund reveal why Kronborg was so strategically important – whoever controlled the narrowest part of this sea channel controlled access to the Baltic Sea.
4. Castel Sant’Angelo, Italy – From Imperial Tomb to Papal Fortress
Few castles in the world have had as many lives as Castel Sant’Angelo. Perched on the banks of the Tiber River in Rome, the gigantic round fortress was originally built in 139 AD as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian. It would go on to serve as one of the Eternal City’s most significant defensive strongholds, changing hands and its purpose throughout its almost two millennia of history, helping to shape Rome.
The round building’s most obvious feature is its enormous cylindrical shape, which was highly unusual at the time. Hadrian initially built the tomb to grandly accommodate his ashes in the round mausoleum at the center. Still, its use changed as Rome fell from imperial power to medieval strongman politics in the 5th century. At that point, the mausoleum, or what was left of the structure after a millennium, became a fortress with its thick walls and strategic riverside location. It was a natural point of defense against invasions. In the 13th century, a secret 800-meter-long fortified corridor called the Passetto di Borgo was built to connect the castle with the Vatican. The path allowed the popes to escape there in times of siege, with ample storage to protect church treasures.
Legend has it that one of these papal flights was in 590 AD when the plague hit Rome. Pope Gregory I took sanctuary inside, and allegedly saw the Archangel Michael atop the fortress sheathing his sword. The Angel’s gesture signaled the end of the epidemic and led to the renaming of the structure as Castel Sant’Angelo, the Castle of the Holy Angel.
Over the centuries, it served as a papal residence, treasury, prison, and even an execution site. The castle’s layered and long history is reflected in its architecture — from the ancient Roman foundations to the lavish Renaissance papal apartments, with frescoes throughout and a statue of the Archangel Michael gazing over Rome.
Castel Sant’Angelo Quick Facts
📍 Location: Rome, Italy
🏗️ Construction Period: 139 AD, as Hadrian’s mausoleum
🏰 Architectural Style: Roman imperial mausoleum, medieval and Renaissance fortress
🎭 Famous For: Papal refuge, vision of Archangel Michael ending the plague
👑 Notable Figures: Emperor Hadrian, Pope Gregory I, multiple Renaissance popes
🏆 UNESCO Status: Yes (Part of the Historic Centre of Rome, listed 1980)
🌐 Official Website: Castel Sant’Angelo
Travel Tips
Castel Sant’Angelo is right in the center of Rome, a mere 10-minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica. It is often combined with a riverside walk along the Tiber or as part of a Vatican tour. Visitors should allow two to three hours to see everything inside: key features include Hadrian’s original tomb chamber in the basement, the papal apartments with Renaissance frescoes, and the dungeons. The roof terrace is a must-see for one of the best panoramas in Rome, especially at sunset, when the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica glows in the distance.
Tickets can be bought online to avoid lines, particularly in the summer. The castle is open year-round, but spring and autumn offer the most pleasant weather for visiting. Wear comfortable shoes — the interior features numerous uneven staircases and narrow passages.
Even if you are pressed for time, a visit to Castel Sant’Angelo is still worth it. At the very least, it can be viewed from outside. The bridge that leads to the castle’s entrance is a sight in itself, lined with angel statues sculpted by pupils of Bernini. The walk to the castle is one of Rome’s most photogenic routes, especially in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is low. Whether you enter its walls or enjoy it from the riverside, Castel Sant’Angelo has stories to tell about power, faith, and survival at Rome’s very heart.
👉 Want to explore its secrets in detail? Don’t miss our full feature: Castel Sant’Angelo: Rome’s Most Surprising Fortress
5. Miramare Castle, Italy – The Romantic Cliffside Palace
Situated on a rocky outcrop at the edge of the Gulf of Trieste, Miramare Castle perches, mid-air, as if suspended between the sea and the sky. Miramare is very different from medieval castles, built to defend lands and people. This one, built in the mid-19th century, was the very opposite: a romantic dream home — full of power, politics, yet the touch of personal vision.
Miramare was built between 1856 and 1860 by Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria, a younger brother of the Emperor Franz Joseph, as a summer home for himself and his wife Charlotte, Princess of Belgium. Maximilian chose the name ‘Miramare’ for the castle, inspired by the Italian and Spanish words meaning ‘look at the sea,’ reflecting the castle’s connection to its maritime setting.
Architecturally, Miramare is neo-Gothic, with romantic accents: white walls, turrets, and large windows overlooking an unending sea horizon. Inside, the decoration is every bit as spectacular. Maximilian’s bedroom was decorated as if it were a ship’s cabin, while the sumptuous reception halls were lined with silk wallpaper and covered in gilt furniture. Visiting Miramare is like stepping inside a 19th-century romance novel, except that the love story was, in real life, tragically short.
Miramare’s original owner, Maximilian, is a tragic figure. In 1864, he was offered the throne of Mexico. In 1867, he was executed when his Mexican regime fell to rebels. After Maximilian’s death, Charlotte spent most of her life in Belgium and elsewhere in Europe, rarely returning to Miramare, which nevertheless remained closely associated with her in memory.
Miramare is not only a castle, but also a public park. Maximilian also designed the 22-hectare gardens, which are a significant part of the site’s attraction. He personally ordered many of the exotic plants, shipped over from every part of the world. Take a walk on the well-groomed paths, and you will encounter rare trees, formal garden terraces, and quiet nooks that frame the castle in the foreground and the sea in the distance. Miramare’s park is a kind of living botanical museum that also reflects its owner’s love of the sea.
Miramare Castle Quick Facts
📍 Location: Trieste, Italy
🏗️ Construction Period: 1856–1860
🏰 Architectural Style: Neo-Gothic with romantic/eclectic interiors
🎭 Famous For: Romantic/Tragic history, seaside park gardens
👑 Notable Figures: Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, Empress Charlotte of Mexico
🏆 UNESCO Status: Not a UNESCO site, but a protected cultural monument
🌐 Official Website: Miramare Castle
Travel Tips
Miramare is a short bus or train ride from Trieste and is a popular day-trip destination. Allow at least half a day to enjoy both the palace and the gardens. Admission is required for the inside, while the park is free and great for picnics or walks. Photography is allowed, although the lighting indoors is dim. Miramare Castle is open year-round, but spring and early summer are best to see the gardens in bloom.
Shoes with a good tread are recommended, as the park’s paths are extensive and can be uneven. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the big tour groups. It is also worth lingering on the seafront promenade at sunset. The castle’s white walls are aglow in the golden light, and the sound of the sea can be heard below on the rocks. It’s romantic — in every sense of the word.
6. Conwy Castle, Wales – Edward I’s Welsh Stronghold
Built in the teeth of Welsh resistance by the most notorious of English kings, few castles scream military might with quite the same vigour as Conwy. Constructed in 1283-1287 to cement King Edward I’s conquest of north Wales, it still towers over the Conwy estuary on the north coast, a forbidding behemoth of grey stone, built from local sandstone and limestone. The scale of Conwy is breathtaking – its size and stark beauty making it one of the most impressive examples of military architecture in all of Europe.
The castle formed part of Edward’s “iron ring” of fortifications, a string of powerful garrisons that encircled north Wales and locked English authority on the most rebellious part of the island. Sited to dominate the River Conwy and an important crossing, Conwy was supplied by sea through a postern gate to its base, enabling supplies and reinforcements to reach the garrison even under siege. Eight towers and its extensive curtain walls and almost-complete circuit of 1,400 yards of town walls still make Conwy look fearsome, enclosing a rectangular plan that could accommodate both soldiers and visiting monarchs.
But Conwy has the distinction of preserving the most complete set of medieval royal apartments in Wales, and one of the best-preserved in England or Wales. Walk the great hall, kitchens, and private chambers, and it is easy to imagine Edward I or Richard II taking refuge within these walls, or even waiting, as if the castle had simply paused between tenants. The sense of history is palpable.
Edward’s garrisons were not invincible, however. The Welsh rebel leader Madog ap Llywelyn staged a short-lived uprising in 1294-5 and even besieged Conwy itself, although Edward’s forces held firm. It was the symbolism of the castle and its peers that mattered; harbingers of English domination, rather than civilisation.
Today, the garrison town itself is almost as impressive as the castle walls. The almost-complete town walls, an unbroken circuit of 1,400 yards, are one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval urban defence system in Europe, as perfectly maintained as the castle above. The curtain wall features imposing medieval towers and defensive structures dating from the late 13th and early 14th centuries, but what remains today is very much Edward I’s castle in Edward I’s conquest.
Conwy Castle Quick Facts
📍 Location: Conwy, North Wales
🏗️ Construction Period: 1283–1287 by Edward I
🏰 Architectural Style: Late 13th-century military architecture, with eight towers, curtain walls, and town walls
🎭 Famous For: Edward’s “iron ring” of Welsh castles, contains most complete set of medieval royal apartments in England or Wales
👑 Notable Figures: Edward I, Richard II
🏆 UNESCO Status: Yes, as part of the “Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd” (1986)
🌐 Official Website: Cadw – Conwy Castle
Travel Tips
Conwy is served by train from Llandudno Junction, and the castle is a short walk from the station. The walls are a must and will take at least two hours to explore properly, along with the castle itself – views from the battlements over the estuary and mountains are breathtaking. Inside the castle, be prepared for steep and uneven staircases, so take good walking shoes.
The castle is open year-round, but visit in the spring and summer for the best hours of access and to coincide with more vibrant events in the town below. The castle is very family-friendly with hands-on displays and even occasional medieval re-enactments, which add to the experience. For photography, it is a beautiful spot, as the low-angled sunrise and sunset light the grey walls in gold, and the estuary is a wonderful backdrop.
Conwy is not just a castle, it’s a medieval town almost entirely preserved in stone. There are a few other places to step so completely into the world of the kings, rebels, and soldiers who fought and died for control of North Wales’ rugged coastline.
7. Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Puerto Rico – Guardian of the Caribbean
Guarding the entrance to San Juan Bay, El Morro stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Easily one of the most recognizable Spanish fortresses in the Americas, San Felipe del Morro was built over 250 years (1539–1790), with a straightforward aim: keeping enemy ships out of Puerto Rico’s most valuable harbor. It largely worked.
A key part of Spain’s defense system in the Caribbean, this coastal citadel is a menacing expanse of six levels of walls, up to 25 feet (7.6 meters) thick in some areas, and lined with gun emplacements overlooking the sea. The site couldn’t have been better chosen: Ships had no option but to enter San Juan Bay under the looming presence of El Morro’s cannons. This location made the site virtually impregnable by sea, and over the centuries, El Morro saw off many famous attacks, from Sir Francis Drake in 1595 to a Dutch invasion in 1625. The only time it fell was when English troops took San Juan from the landward side in 1598.
Exploring El Morro today, you get a sense of the sheer size and clever design of the place. Wide ramps snake from level to level, intended for cannons and horse-drawn carts, while networks of tunnels and storerooms tell you how Spanish soldiers managed to live and sleep in the steamy heat of the Caribbean. Iconic garitas (sentry boxes) sit over the sea with panoramic views over the Atlantic. For much of its history, El Morro was not just a fortress but almost a small city, with hundreds of soldiers, officers, and supplies to withstand prolonged sieges.
Castillo San Felipe del Morro Quick Facts
📍 Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico
🏗️ Construction Period: 1539–1790
🏰 Architectural Style: Spanish colonial military architecture
🎭 Famous For: Defending San Juan Bay; thwarting Drake’s attack in 1595
👑 Notable Figures: Spanish colonial governors; Sir Francis Drake (enemy)
🏆 UNESCO Status: Yes, part of the “San Juan National Historic Site” (1983)
🌐 Official Website: Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Travel Tips
El Morro is run by the U.S. National Park Service and is one of the most tourist-friendly fortresses in the Caribbean. Tickets are reasonably priced and cover access to both El Morro and the nearby Castillo San Cristóbal. Plan two to three hours to explore, from the lower batteries at sea level to the museum at street level, and up to the stunning rooftop, with panoramas in all directions over the ocean.
The fortress is within walking distance of the Old Town of San Juan. The approach is often hot and windy, so take water, sunscreen, and a hat. Families sometimes enjoy the big green lawn in front of the castle, where children fly kites. Parts of the interior are wheelchair-accessible, thanks to ramps that are a boon in comparison with many European castles. There are also steps and some uneven surfaces.
Visiting first thing or later in the day has its advantages, in terms of less heat and fewer crowds. You might also spot one of the cultural demonstrations put on by the park (depending on the season): cannon drills, soldiers, and costumed re-enactors that make the past seem very real. Standing on the ramparts, with the waves crashing below and the city at your back, it’s no wonder El Morro has protected Puerto Rico for nearly five centuries.
8. Dunnottar Castle, Scotland – Scotland’s Dramatic Cliff-top Fortress
There are few castles more thrillingly dramatic than Dunnottar. Perched on a rocky headland near Stonehaven in northeast Scotland, its ruins clamber over the cliffs, with the North Sea lashing at the base on three sides. The approach is unforgettable — a steep path down and back up again to the castle gates, the ocean thundering beneath you. It feels remote, rebellious, and wild; a place that seems made for the fierce history it has seen.
Dunnottar has a story of survival against all odds. The site has seen fortifications since early medieval times, though the surviving ruins largely date from the 14th to 16th centuries, but the events for which it is best known happened in the 17th century. As Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army crushed Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, the Honours of Scotland — the crown, scepter and sword of state — were smuggled into Dunnottar for protection. Cromwell besieged the fortress for eight months in 1651–52, but the jewels were smuggled out again, hidden in nearby Kinneff Church. This was how Scotland’s royal regalia survived a time when the English crown jewels were melted down and destroyed.
The castle is substantial for a Scottish cliff-top fortress, with ruins of halls, chapels, and living quarters sprawling across the windswept promontory. It is ruinous, but the location makes it come vividly to life. You can almost see sentries scanning the sea for enemy ships, or courtiers huddled in the windswept castle ward against the cold sea air. The massive natural defenses of the site made it almost impossible to take from the sea, while the narrow landward approach was easily defended against attack.
Throughout the centuries, it has been home to figures as different as William Wallace (who attacked and destroyed the English garrison at Dunnottar in 1297 during the Wars of Scottish Independence) to the Scottish kings who recognized its security. It fell into ruin in the 18th century, deserted and left to the elements. It has since taken on a romantic reputation, inspiring artists and poets over the years, and today welcomes thousands of visitors a year for its unique combination of history and vertiginous views.
Dunnottar Castle Quick Facts
📍 Location: Near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
🏗️ Construction Period: Medieval origin with 14th–16th century expansion
🏰 Architectural Style: Medieval fortress with later domestic buildings
🎭 Famous For: Sheltering the Scottish Crown Jewels, dramatic clifftop location
👑 Notable Figures: William Wallace, Scottish royalty, Cromwell’s forces
🏆 UNESCO Status: Not listed, but a scheduled monument
🌐 Official Website: Dunnottar Castle
Travel Tips
Dunnottar is around two miles south of Stonehaven, with parking nearby. There is a coastal walk from Stonehaven, which is one of the most scenic approaches. Be warned, the path is a very steep descent to the castle and then a climb back up. Wear good shoes, and take extra care in wet weather as the path can be slippery. Inside the site, you should allow at least an hour to explore the ruins and enjoy the views from different angles.
The castle is open for most of the year, but the opening times vary by season. Check ahead to be sure. Summer is the best time to visit, but misty spring or autumn days can be hauntingly atmospheric, and well-suited to the ruins. Winter is an option, but the wind can be very strong.
Take a camera: sunrise or sunset will light up the stone against the sea in a riot of colors. Dunnottar is an ideal family castle, with the open site giving plenty of space to explore (take care, though, there are some steep drops and children should be supervised). Visiting Dunnottar is more than a history lesson; it’s an encounter with the wildest of Scotland’s coast, where legend, defiance, and the forces of nature come together in one remarkable place.
9. Caernarfon Castle, Wales – Fortress to Overawe the Welsh
Caernarfon Castle dominates the banks of the Menai Strait, one of the most massive and grandiose fortresses the medieval world had ever seen. Construction began in 1283 under the orders of one of medieval Britain’s most powerful kings, Edward I of England, and continued into the early 1300s as the castle took shape. He intended it to be more than just a military base, though. Caernarfon was a potent symbol of English domination of their newly conquered Welsh territories, a stone-and-mortar reminder that the English king was also the Prince of Wales.
But Caernarfon is also one of the most unique-looking castles in Britain and Europe, partly for that reason. Edward wanted it to dominate the landscape by sheer size and impressiveness of design, so he had polygonal towers sheathed in colored stone. Edward’s architects drew deliberate stylistic inspiration from the towers of Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire, invoking a visual language of imperial power for this Welsh stronghold. Edward’s architects took that powerful visual language and applied it to the castles of North Wales.
Caernarfon also features enormous curtain walls broken by towers at intervals. It sits mainly on the waterfront, with long battlements on each face of the castle. Among its key features, the massive ‘Eagle Tower’ served as a strong keep and royal residential area within the fortress.
Caernarfon was a stage for English royal power even in the modern era. Edward I used the fortress to invest his son as the first English Prince of Wales in 1301, establishing a tradition that has continued, albeit with some interruptions, to the present day. More recently, in living memory, Prince Charles was invested at Caernarfon in 1969 in a televised ceremony that was watched by millions worldwide.
Like many medieval castles, Caernarfon served real military purposes as well. The fortress was well supplied during uprisings, since the Menai Strait allowed easy shipping from the sea. During one of the periodic Welsh rebellions against Edward, the Welsh besieged the castle during 1294–95, although Caernarfon held. Over the next few centuries, it was garrisoned and even used as an administrative center, although much fell into ruin. It was partially restored in the 19th and 20th centuries, and today its curtain walls and towers are some of the most complete in Britain.
Caernarfon Castle Quick Facts
📍 Location: Caernarfon, North Wales
🏗️ Construction Period: Begun 1283, under Edward I
🏰 Architectural Style: Medieval military fortress, polygonal towers
🎭 Famous For: Investiture of Princes of Wales, Byzantine-style architecture
👑 Notable Figures: Edward I, Edward II, Prince Charles
🏆 UNESCO Status: Yes, part of “Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd” (1986)
🌐 Official Website: Cadw – Caernarfon Castle
Travel Tips
Caernarfon is easily accessible by road or bus from Bangor and Snowdonia, so it’s easy to visit with other north Wales castles. Allow two to three hours to explore the site and its grounds, towers, and exhibitions. An on-site museum and learning center highlight the military and royal history of the castle. Be sure to visit the towers if you can for fantastic views across the Menai Strait and to the mountains of Snowdonia, especially on clear days.
The castle is open year-round, but it can be cold and windswept in winter. Festivals and reenactments are often held in the summer months to bring this ancient site to life. It is family-friendly, with interactive exhibits and lots of space to explore. Steep staircases inside the castle mean you’ll need good shoes to explore.
Caernarfon can be pretty busy at times, especially during holiday weekends, so it’s worth getting there early if you can. Photographers will note that the setting sun casts the walls in a golden hue as it sets across the water. A fitting end to a castle built to impress, intimidate, and, as it has done, endure.
10. Bodiam Castle, England – England’s Fairy-Tale Fortress
If there’s one castle that seems like it belongs in a fairytale, it’s Bodiam. Set in the middle of a wide moat in East Sussex, the quadrangular fortress is one of the most photographed in England, if not all of Britain, as beautiful as it is historically significant. Built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a knight who had fought in France in the Hundred Years’ War, the castle was built both as a bulwark against French raiders, but also as a status symbol to show off his prestige.
It lacks the gritty feel of many coastal fortresses that were built to absorb wave after wave of besiegers’ attacks. Instead, there’s an elegant symmetry to the castle, with four sides of tall stone walls connected by corner towers, all reflected in the mirror-smooth moat. The moat, fed by a local river, was more than an aesthetic choice: by encircling the castle with water, it created an additional defensive barrier and made frontal assaults more difficult. There are keyhole-shaped gunports for early cannons and multiple drawbridges at a fortified gatehouse that show that Bodiam’s design was as much about anticipating a new age of warfare as it was about providing a show of strength.
Still, like Chambord, Bodiam never really had its time to shine in battle like Krak des Chevaliers or Conwy. Sir Edward died in relative peace, and over the centuries, the castle became less garrisoned than a comfortable country home for the English nobility. It fell into a picturesque state of ruin in the 17th century, when it became a favorite of painters and tourists who wanted to capture the perfect reflection of medieval chivalry.
In some ways, it’s even better this way. Partial ruins mean that visitors can roam around the remains of the great hall, kitchens, and private chambers, giving us a window into how the castle would have been lived in. The towers also offer sweeping views over the surrounding Sussex countryside, while in the moat and surrounding fields, there are ducks, swans, and wildflowers to spot. Bodiam may not have seen epic battles, but it has defined in many ways how the general public imagines what a “true” castle should be like.
Bodiam Castle Quick Facts
📍 Location: East Sussex, England
🏗️ Construction Period: 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge
🏰 Architectural Style: Quadrangular medieval castle with full moat
🎭 Famous For: Iconic fairy-tale appearance, moated design
👑 Notable Figures: Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, later English nobility
🏆 UNESCO Status: Not UNESCO-listed, but a Scheduled Ancient Monument
🌐 Official Website: National Trust – Bodiam Castle
Travel Tips
Bodiam is run by the National Trust and is open most of the year. It’s easiest to access by car, but in the summer, there’s a vintage steam railway that runs between nearby stations to the site, giving a wonderfully atmospheric arrival. Allow one to two hours to walk around the ruins and moat-side paths at your own pace.
Families will particularly enjoy the site: children like to try to spot fish and ducks in the water, and the castle often has medieval-themed events, replete with costumed reenactors. Wear good shoes as the climb up to the towers is steep, and bring a camera: the reflections in the moat are an icon in their own right.
As with many castles, Bodiam can be particularly enchanting in the autumn when the morning mists rise off the water or in the spring when the grounds are full of color. Despite not being built directly on the coast, the river-fed moat also connects Bodiam to England’s maritime defenses in the imagination, and for that reason, it feels fitting to include Bodiam in a list of great coastal fortresses.
11. Preservation and Legacy
It may seem strange to think that these fortresses, which have often withstood the tests of time and war, can be fragile and endangered, but their very situation makes them among the most precarious historic sites on the planet. Built to dominate the sea and ports, these castles are in constant contact with salt-laden air, harsh winds, and rising tides. Ramparts that once repelled cannons are now subject to erosion, crumbling mortar, and the effects of climate change. In some cases, preservation has become an urgent battle against time.
Recognition by UNESCO has been a lifeline for some. Mont-Saint-Michel, El Morro, Conwy, and Caernarfon are all UNESCO World Heritage sites, which means they have the backing of the international community for conservation and restoration efforts. Regular restoration projects help to buttress walls, stabilize towers, and replace weathered stone. Miramare’s gardens in Trieste are meticulously maintained, while Dunnottar, listed as a scheduled monument, is protected for its cultural and historical significance. Preservation work is always a delicate dance between historical fidelity and modern realities – maintaining safe visitor access, for example – without stripping away the patina of age that gives each fortress its unique character.
Tourism has also given many of these sites a new lease on life and a new purpose. Mont-Saint-Michel receives around 2.5 million visitors a year, while El Morro welcomes almost two million. Kronborg regularly hosts Shakespeare festivals, keeping its association with Hamlet alive and well, and Conwy stages medieval pageants on its town walls. Far from being abandoned ruins, these castles have become active cultural venues where history is not just remembered but performed, retold, and reimagined for new audiences.
The legacy of these maritime fortresses is more than their stone walls and cannon placements. These are the reminders of the points where human ambition and natural topography intersected. What were once instruments of control and fear now inspire awe and wonder. Their commanding positions, whether on straits and bays or on cliff tops and promontories, still give some of the most stunning views a traveler could hope for.
Preserving them is a way to protect not just relics, but a connection to our maritime history, to the lives of the kings, knights, monks, and soldiers who built and inhabited them. These fortresses tell us stories of ingenuity and endurance, and their survival into the 21st century is a testament to the power of history when it is cared for and the endurance of these structures in the face of the harshest storms.
12. Why They Still Matter
Coastal castles differ from their inland counterparts in a significant way: the natural landscape around them is not just a backdrop but an integrated part of their defenses. The sea itself acts as a moat, the tides as a barrier, the cliffs as a wall. When you stand on the ramparts of one, it’s not just the height of the walls that commands your attention, but the way the land and sea combine to form a strategic masterpiece. It’s a humbling reminder of how much medieval and early modern powers relied on geography to project their might.
These fortresses also have an emotional resonance. Watching Mont-Saint-Michel emerge from the tide, or Dunnottar clinging to its cliffs against the North Sea, or El Morro defiantly facing down Atlantic swells, it’s impossible not to feel a frisson of awe. These aren’t just castles, they’re fortresses built for survival, for control of the seas that dictated trade, war, and wealth. Their histories — of audacious escapes, unbroken sieges, pirates’ last stands, and even the ruins of Hamlet’s Elsinore — connect us to a time when the coast was as much a highway as a battlefield.
For the casual visitor, there’s also an undeniable drama in these sites that their inland counterparts can’t always match. There’s something visceral about walking the battlements with the salt wind in your face, the cries of gulls in your ears, the sweep of horizon around you. At Caernarfon or Conwy in Wales, the tide still laps at the castle walls as it did 700 years ago. At Kronborg in Denmark, ships still pass through the strait, reenacting the days when their tolls filled royal coffers.
In the end, though, coastal castles matter because they are a testament to the dynamism of history itself. Once built to command and control, now they invite exploration. Once symbols of conquest and colonial might, they are now celebrated as part of a shared global heritage. Coastal castles remind us that even as tides turn and empires crumble, human ingenuity and ambition leave their mark on the world — beautiful, awe-inspiring, and forever tied to the sea.
13. Best Coastal Fortresses and Castles FAQ
Which is the most visited coastal castle in the world?
Mont-Saint-Michel in France comes out on top here, with approximately 2.5 million visitors a year.
What’s the oldest coastal fortress still standing?
The Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome was first constructed as the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian in 139 AD.
Which fortress is the hardest to reach?
Dunnottar Castle in Scotland has a steep descent and ascent to reach the entrance, but the clifftop views are worth it.
Are these castles still in use today?
Not for military purposes, though many function as museums, cultural sites, or tourist attractions. Kronborg, for example, is still used to stage performances of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Which castle is best for families?
Castillo San Felipe del Morro in Puerto Rico offers plenty of space for kids to run around on its wide lawns, has ramps for easy access, and also features kid-focused educational and entertainment activities.
What’s the most romantic coastal castle?
Miramare Castle in Italy is hard to beat, with its seaside gardens and tragic history of love and loss.
Which fortress offers the most dramatic sea views?
Dunnottar Castle in Scotland perches high above the North Sea, offering truly unforgettable panoramas.
Can you stay overnight in any of them?
For the most part, these are day-trip sites. However, there are often historic inns and hotels in nearby towns where you can get a view of the castle and spend the night.
How much time should you plan for a visit?
Smaller sites such as Bodiam can be covered in 1–2 hours, while large and complex sites such as Krak des Chevaliers or Conwy might take up to half a day.
What other coastal fortresses are worth mentioning?
Spain’s Alcázar of Segovia, Croatia’s seaside castles, and the forts that line America’s Atlantic seaboard all have their own stories to tell in the global history of maritime defense.
Final Thoughts
A castle or fortress by the sea is a different animal entirely. A collision of history, humanity, and sheer nature. A testament to those who built them as much as a warning to those who seek to besiege. Each one has its own story to tell: royalty, or religion, traders, or vikings. Some, like the Abbaye aux Hommes and Abbaye aux Dames at Mont-Saint-Michel, are still alive with history. Pilgrims and ghost stories still cling to the walls. Others are ruins, like Dunnottar Castle, where nature and time complete the story.
Whichever you visit, they are a stark reminder that history is both fragile and lasting. That even as the very waves that served to protect these sites are now slowly destroying them, their walls stand proud and tall, cutting against the horizon. You stand on the battlements and feel the breeze, just as the original defenders would have done. The sheer vastness of the ocean, and you feel the urge to defend it against all that would come from those waves.
💬 So what’s your favourite? Bodiam Castle’s fairytale moat, the Elizabethan stage of Kronborg Castle, or perhaps the tropical battlements of El Morro? Let us know in the comments below. We love hearing from you.
👉 And if you want more castle adventures, check out these guides on the “Best Castles to Visit in Italy” and on the “Top Castles in Germany”.
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