There are hundreds of stunning castles in Europe and each has its own style and beauty, so my choice is more to inspire rather than rate these heritages. I listed the 10 most beautiful castles in Europe, each built in a characteristic and unique style.
All the places are well worth visiting, not only because of the heritage and rich history behind the walls, but also as a great destination for an adventurous day trip with plenty of things to do in the neighbourhood.
Some of them are known worldwide – like the impressive Alhambra Palace in Spain or the Versailles Palace in France – the most visited attraction in France.
10 most beautiful Castles in Europe!
DID YOU KNOW:
- The oldest castle in Europe is based in France – the Château de Doué-la-Fontaine (also known as Motte de la Chapelle) dates back to the year 950.
- Only in Germany, there are over 25 000 castles.
- France has more than 40 000 castles!
Belfast Castle – Northern Ireland.
Located on the slopes of Cave Hill Country Park in north Belfast. Although there are plenty of impressive, historical castles out there, I want to present this one in the first place, as it surprised me with its unique and charming design.
The original Belfast castle was built in the 12th century by the Normans, although after it was burned down, it was rebuilt as a new castle rather than being rebuilt.
It is open to the public daily with a Visitor Centre, an antiques shop and a restaurant, with outside seating, where you can enjoy a wonderful view over Belfast and a lovely garden with a fountain. Very easy to get there, convenient parking in the shade of the castle. And of course, a great spot for a wedding occasion.
Belfast is a world-famous city and an adventure. There are plenty of extremely interesting sights to visit, don’t skip the Titanic Museum, Whiskey Factory Tasting and Black Cab tour – read my experience.
Malahide Castle – Ireland.
It’s probably Dublin’s most popular historic landmark. Malahide Castle and Gardens attracts foreigners and hundreds of local visitors, as a great destination for adventurous travelers for a day trip 🙂 Only Howth port village would be slightly more crowded on a sunny day! So, bear in mind the place might be a little busy during the weekend.
Malahide Castle is, without a doubt one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. This exceptional medieval castle was built in the 12th century. It was owned by the Talbot family for over 800 years! There are lovely botanical gardens worth visiting and a famous souvenir and fashion boutique shop – Avoca – which is one of the best home brands.
Malahide Castle is easily accessible by bus, train and car. It’s located only 12 km from Dublin on the north side.
BUS: Take Dublin Bus number 42 from Dublin City.
TRAIN: The DART travels to Malahide Rail Station, which is a short walk from the castle
Alhambra – the most visited monument in all of Spain.
Rather a palace than a castle, Alhambra hides a huge piece of Spanish history. Alhambra dates from the 9th century and is one of the most famous castles in Europe.
Originally, it was created for military purposes. Alhambra got this name because of its reddish walls (in Arabic, qa’lat al-Hamra’ means Red Castle). It’s located on the top of the hill, al-Sabika, on the west side of Granada.
The beauty of the place is almost undescribable. Spend few hours exploring this amazing structure. The best perspective view of the palace is accessible from the other side of the hill. You will find numerous small cafés with terraces situated above the cliffs.
Top rated and most popular Alhambra, Granada Tours!
Krasiczyn Castle – Poland.
This Late Renaissance castle lies in the south-eastern corner of Poland and it’s a magnificent medieval heritage. It’s not very famous but definitely one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. It now performs as a heritage with a stunning garden/park but there’s also a hotel with an amazing horse stable.
There is an entrance fee (around €5) for a castle tour.
Lazienki Krolewskie (Royal Baths) – Warsaw, Poland.
This beautiful park with a Royal castle, art gallery and botanical gardens is located in the heart of Warsaw – the capital of Poland. This world-famous site is considered as one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. Hundreds of people gather every day during spring and summer to listen to piano performances. Chopin concerts are the most popular attraction performed beneath the monument of this great composer.
Unforgettable evenings with Frederic Chopin can be followed here: timeforchopin.eu (ticket around 14 euros).
There are also free alfresco recitals taking place every Sunday at Royal Lazienki Park in the summertime.
More information on: warsawtour.pl Fall in love with Warsaw 😉
Wilanow Royal Palace – Poland.
It’s a wonderful baroque yellow royal residence, which you absolutely have to visit while in Warsaw. This royal palace is located in the Wilanów district of Warsaw – the capital of Poland, only 10 km outside the city centre. It’s easily accessible by bus from any point in Warsaw.
This magnificent heritage has survived both World Wars. The Wilanow Palace was used as a summer residence in the 17th century by King Jan III Sobieski, whose museum is inside the palace. The entry ticket is about €5.
The Palace becomes magical during Christmas time when the walls and the garden are coloured by lights. Christmas lights usually last from December till February, but be aware that during a busy Christmas time, the queues are enormous! Tickets (4 Euro for adults).
Malbork Castle – Poland.
Well, probably the most famous Polish castle in Europe. This 13th-century Gothic castle is the largest brick castle in the world. It’s absolutely magnificent, very special to me, as my family comes from Malbork 🙂 So I probably might have seen a bit more of the castle that is accessible for regular visitors.
You can capture a panoramic view of the castle from the other side of the river Nogat.
The castle dates back to the 13th century and was built by the Teutonic Knights – German Roman-Catholic crusaders. Malbork Castle is located in the north of Poland, about 30km from the Baltic Sea coast. The unique architecture places the castle among one of the most beautiful castles in Europe.
Eastwell Manor – County Kent, England.
One of the most beautiful places I have been to in England. I had the pleasure of winning a scholarship in England, so aside from the research framework, we organised several trips around County Kent.
It’s hard to believe how beautiful the English countryside is, with local farms, stylish restaurants and festivals. One of the greatest local festivals was a classic and vintage motor car event. The summer of classic car events usually runs in August and September. People from all over England drive to display or sell their classic, shiny vehicles. It’s a fantastic picnic day with lots of games and facilities organised for visitors.
Château de Fontainebleau – France.
This is one of the most interesting destinations near Paris. It’s an overwhelming palace located 65 km southeast of Paris. The château welcomes around half a million visitors per year. The rooms that date from the 16th century are among the most breathtaking in France.
There are 1530 rooms in the château and 4 museums where you can find Marie Antoinette’s Turkish boudoir, the imperial theatre of Napoleon III and Napoleon I’s opulent throne room.
Palais de Versailles – Paris, France.
Palais de Versailles – A symbol of the French monarchy. It’s definitely a destination for a one-day trip, especially if you want to spend the afternoon in the impressive royal gardens. The history of Versailles is strongly associated with the figure of Louis XIV.
He took the role of an architect and built a masterpiece of the chateau and the surrounding forest. If you are looking to explore this historic landmark Europe Tour Packages are a great option!
Louis XV did not spend much time in Versailles but often resided at Fontainebleau. After his death, Versailles entered a long period of neglect. In the late 18th century, Louis XVI organised a huge wedding ceremony in Versailles.
His wife – Marie Antoinette – made it her exclusive domain. Versailles remained mostly untouched during the French Revolution, it was closed during World War II to reopen and remain the greatest world attraction. Check below for the best tour options and combined tickets.
Versailles Palace – book one of the top tours and skip-the-Line.
German Alps from Schloss Elmau.
On top of those 10 castles, I had to place Shloss Elamu – this luxury castle in Germany was chosen to host G7 summits in 2022 and 2015.
One and only Schloss Elmau, the Bavarian castle built in 1916, offers access to an exceptional panoramic landscape of the German Alps and top luxury retreats. You may relax in the warm waters of outdoor pools, tennis courts and sophisticated spa complexes.
It is one of the best castles to stay in for truly exceptional body and mind retreats. Staying in a European castle is more than just an accommodation, it’s a journey into history. Each castle offers a unique adventure that goes beyond the ordinary travel experience.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, which are at absolutely no cost to you – I can earn a small commission on sales generated through this website and thanks to that I can share travel guides and inspirations that may help you reach your dream destinations and discover our unique world. I only recommend sites I actually use and have traveled to. Thank you for your support!
