Castles have always had a special pull for me. Whenever I travel, I somehow find myself weaving at least one into my itinerary—whether it’s a grand royal residence or a quiet fortress tucked into the mountains. Over the years, and with the help of my lovely readers and fellow travellers, I’ve visited some truly breathtaking places and gathered countless stories along the way.

In this updated guide, I’m sharing a curated list of the most beautiful castles in Europe (well, only some of them as I still have hundreds to tick off). from the iconic ones you’ve seen on postcards to the hidden gems that deserve just as much love. Some enchanted me with their fairytale towers, others with their legends, and a few simply left me speechless. If you’re dreaming of adding a little magic to your next European trip, this list is the perfect place to start.

21 most beautiful castles in Europe you must visit

I love castles. It’s not a secret. Whenever I can I plan on visiting a castle and learn its story and the European ones are incredibly charming. With the help of the lovely readers and fellow travelers I have prepared for you a little list of some castle you might want to visit this summer in Europe. Some of them are vastly famous, so others not so much, but all of them are worth a visit.

Updated November 2025

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

I had heard a story once about a castle that made Walt Disney speechless. I was longing to go there ever since. Then one warm and sunny autumn me and my boyfriend packed a car for a little European road trip and Neuschwanstein had to be on our way. I am finding it difficult to describe the castle. Well, it can make you forget the words.

Book your tour to Neuschwanstein Castle with Get Your Guide. This specific tour has over 7 thousands amazing reviews- I guess you’ll love it too. 

Hohenschwangau, Germany

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

I will risk saying that it is the most romantic castle I have ever seen. It is beautiful surrounded by picturesque Scottish landscapes, it needs to be romantic. Its story though, not so much. Being destroyed and seeing many battles, Eilean Donan keeps a lot of dark secrets. Small, hidden in the Scottish Highlands, Eilean Donan Castle has been portrayed in many movies, for example Highlander.  What makes the castle even more interesting is the fact that it is still being used by the family who owns it, so you can see inside the newest family photos and images of the events that are held there from time to time. If you decide to visit the castle, it would be a good idea to reserve a day or two more for visiting the green lands of the Isle of Skye.

Read more about a trip to Eilean Donan castle in this post: Feel the romance of Eilean Donan Castle. A quick guide.

Kraków, Poland

Wawel Castle is the crown jewel of Kraków and a must-visit if you’re exploring the city. Once the royal residence of Polish kings, it’s full of history, art, and fascinating architecture. Kids (and adults!) will love the legend of the Wawel Dragon, a not-so-friendly creature who lived at the foot of the castle hill during King Krakus’s reign. The dragon caused chaos in the city, demanding weekly offerings of cattle, or sometimes, unfortunate villagers. According to the story, the king’s clever son fed the dragon a sheep stuffed with sulfur, which made it incredibly thirsty. The dragon drank so much water from the Vistula River that it eventually… well, let’s just say it exploded.

Visiting Wawel Castle is easy to add to a Kraków itinerary, and it pairs perfectly with a stroll around the Old Town. You can also book a guided tour (this tour has nearly 2k amazing reviews) to learn all the castle’s secrets and hear the dragon legend come to life.

Kasteel Heeswijk , Holland

This castle was my recent discovery on my trip to the Netherlands, and it honestly surprised me in the best way. This charming 11th-century castle, tucked away in the North Brabant province, feels like stepping into a quiet storybook scene. Surrounded by a moat, peaceful gardens, and walking paths, it’s the kind of place where you naturally slow down and just take it all in. I loved wandering through the rooms—each one decorated with beautiful details and little historical touches that make you feel connected to its past. If you’re exploring the region or road-tripping through the Netherlands, Kasteel Heeswijk is a lovely, easy addition to your itinerary… and a perfect spot for slow travel lovers who appreciate lesser-known gems.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

During my ten years living in Edinburgh, I had the privilege of seeing this iconic castle nearly every day, and honestly, I never got tired of it. Edinburgh Castle is one of those places where every visit feels special, whether it’s exploring the historic halls, admiring the panoramic views over the city, or catching one of the events it hosts. It’s a major highlight during the Fringe Festival, especially the Tattoo show, and if you’re lucky, you can stay for the incredible fireworks display at the end, set against the castle walls with music playing in the background.

If you want to make the most of your visit, I highly recommend joining a guided tour. This one has nearly 9,000 amazing reviews and gives you all the fascinating history, secret corners, and best photo spots in the castle.

Hever Castle, England

Hever Castle is a double moated building that is nearly 700 years old. Built in 1270, it was primarily a medieval defensive castle and then came into the ownership of the famous Boleyn family. It subsequently became the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, who was wife of notorious king Henry VIII and mother to Elizabeth I, arguably one of Britain’s strongest queens. The castle has been kept fantastically, and is exactly how you would imagine a regal Tudor residence to be. It’s just an hour for London and always open for visitors!

Leeds Castle, England

There are few castles that look as aesthetically pleasing as the prestigious Leeds Castle. It stands in the centre of a moat and still looks remarkably unspoilt despite being nearly 1000 years old! It has been a Norman stronghold, the home of medieval queens and the palace of Catherine of Aragon and Henry. Visitors to the castle can enjoy the notable blend of Medieval and Tudor history and the fascinating stories that it tells of its residents. If you’re searching for something quirky, check out the on-site dog collar museum; it’s the world’s oldest collection, some of which date back to the 15^th century!

Trakošćan Castle, Croatia

Trakošćan Castle is one of those places that instantly sweeps you into a fairytale. We visited it as part of a road trip around Central Europe, and it quickly became one of my favourite stops. Set on a hill above a quiet, mirror-like lake and wrapped in lush forest, it has that dreamy, slightly nostalgic charm that I absolutely adore in European castles. Inside, the rooms feel wonderfully preserved, full of old paintings, creaky wooden floors, and historic furniture that makes you imagine what life looked like centuries ago. What I loved most, though, was simply walking around the lake. On a calm day, the castle reflects so perfectly on the water that it almost doesn’t feel real. If you’re exploring northern Croatia, Trakošćan is a peaceful, romantic stop that’s well worth the detour.

Pena Castle, Portugal

Bursting with colours, the Pena Castle in Sintra easily became the highlight of my trip to Portugal. Being highly addicted to rainbow-coloured objects, this colourful 19th-century Romanticist palace was high on my bucket list. From Lisbon we took a train to Sintra. The castle is located on top of a tremendous hill with beautiful parklands surrounding it. The walk from the town center is quite steep and time-consuming, so taking a bus might be a good idea if you are visiting the place with kids or elderly. Bus fare is 3 euro. I highly recommend visiting the vintage chambers inside the castle and ending your visit by enjoying an unobstructed breathtaking view from the top of the castle.

Eltz Castle, Germany

Eltz Castle attracted my attention because it is still owned by a branch of the same Eltz family that lived there in the 12th century, 33 generations ago! In addition Bürresheim Castle, Eltz Castle and Lissingen Castle are the only castles that have never been destroyed on the left bank of the Rhine River. It is easy half a day trip from Koblenz. I had a nice stroll from the parking lot to the castle with gorgeous views on the way. For getting inside the castle you have to join a guided tour.

Peles Castle, Romania

Overlooking the beautiful Andalusian town of Granada, Alhambra brings many curious tourists to visit this Arabic fortress complex. Apart from the fact that Granada is absolutely stunning (and I think my favourite town in the whole Spain), Alhambra is one of those places that can put a spell on you and make you speechless…and I am not exaggerating. It is beautiful on the inside, decorated with the amount of details that is hard to apprehend and on the outside surrounded by gardens where the peacocks live. Being so beautiful and iconic, the queue is long, so book your ticket in advance as you might not be able to get your spot.

Book your Alhambra tour through these options that I think are really good:

• Alhambra night tour
• Alhambra and Nasrid palace skip the line tour (it has over 8 thousands 5 start reviews)

Castillo Jadraque, Spain

A short drive away from Madrid, you enter a beautiful landscape that feels almost untouched, and if you’re lucky enough to visit after a rare rain, everything turns a vivid green. Perched atop a perfect hill, the 15th-century Castillo Jadraque stands proudly, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Walking around the castle walls, I felt like I had stepped back in time, imagining the history and battles that once unfolded here.

The interior is small but charming, with narrow corridors and stone staircases that whisper stories of centuries past. If you’re planning a day trip from Madrid, Castillo Jadraque is a peaceful and atmospheric stop, and you can even book a guided tour to learn all the fascinating tales behind this historic fortress.

Caernarvon Castle, North Wales

Malbork Castle, Poland

Did you like the post? Pin it for later.