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15 Amazing Castles in Europe Worth Driving To
We have selected what we believe to be 15 Amazing Castles in Europe, highlighting castles in Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Denmark, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia. Next time you're visiting any of these incredible countries, be sure to take a drive to all these amazing castles, you definitely won't be disappointed.
Use this map for locations of all the castles listed below.
Easily one of the most recognizable castles in Europe, Neuschwanstein Castle is just a short drive (around 2 hours) from Munich, and definitely worth the visit. Commissioned as a personal retreat by Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1869 - using personal funding - and opened to the public upon his death in 1886, Neuschwanstein Castle has appeared in multiple films, and is the architectural inspiration behind Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Commissioned by King Carol 1 in 1873, Peles Castle is nestled within the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, and much like Bavaria's Neuschwanstein Castle, the exterior displays a blend of Neo-Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles. The interior on the other hand, is primarily inspired by Baroque architecture, featuring hand-carved woods, and handcrafted fabrics.
This Medieval castle is one of the most visited castles in Slovakia, and for good reason. Combining elements of both Gothic and Renaissance architecture, Bojnice Castle radiates a fairy-tale energy, and also happens to be the venue for many fantasy films including World Without End, and Princess Alisea.
Designated as a national monument and landmark in Romania, Bran Castle is most famously known as 'Dracula's Castle,' Bran Castle was the fictional home of Bram Stoker's Dracula - a character inspired by brutal Wallachian (current day Romania) military commander, Vlad the Impaler.
Easily one of France's most recognizable and visited landmarks, Mont Saint-Michel is visited by over 3 million people each year, and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated on an island located just off the coast of Normandy, the fortification of Mont Saint-Michel have been around since at least the 8th century.
This culturally significant fortress rests above the Edinburgh skyline on the aptly named Castle Rock, where archaeologists claim human settlements have existed since at least 2AD. Edinburgh Castle is the most visited monument in Scotland, bringing over 1.4 million tourists a year, and today contains a variety of intriguing attractions including Medieval era reenactments, historic displays, and a few restaurants and cafes.
Nestled atop the Sintra Mountains, Pena Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the countries Seven Wonders of Portugal. Designed in an epic combination of architectural styles including Neo-Gothic, and Neo-Renaissance, Pena Palace is instantly recognizable by its distinct yellow, gray, and clay colored facade.
Considered by UNESCO to be one of 'the finest examples of 13th to 14th century architecture in Europe,' Conwy Castle was built by King Edward I and used during his conquest of Wales in 1283 to 1289. Famed British historian Jeremy Ashbee called Conwy, the 'best preserved suite of medieval private royal chambers in England and Wales.'
Built by the younger brother of Austria's Emperor Franz Joseph, Miramare Castle reflects its Austrian influence using many architectural styles hailing from Austria, Germany, and England. The castle itself is home to a vast, 55-acre, cliff-side park featuring numerous species of tropical plants and trees.
Known most notably as the largest castle in the world, Prague Castle occupies over 750,000 square feet, and contains 4 churches, 4 palaces, and 5 botanical gardens, all representing nearly all architectural styles of the last 2000 plus years. Also inside is a display of the Czech Crown Jewels, the fourth oldest crown jewels in Europe.
Located in Helsingør, Denmark, Kronborg Castle is most famously known for being the location inspiration of Elsinore in Shakespeare's famed play, Hamlet. To this day, Hamlet is performed on various occasions in the castle courtyard and other fortifications. Within the Kronborg Castle itself visitors will find a ballroom, chapel, great hall, and many royal chambers.
The first historical mention of Alnwick Castle dates back to 1136 when King David I of Scotland captured the structure. Since then the castle has been involved in numerous sieges throughout UK history, and now exists as the family home of Ralph George Algernon Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland. Throughout the summer months, Alnwick Castle is open to the public and includes a number of attractions including ancient relics of Egypt, frescoes from Pompeii, and was used for exterior and interior filming as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter film series.
Located in the town of Vincennes - now a suburb of Paris - the Château de Vincennes has great historical significance in France. Originally constructed by Louis VII as a hunting lodge, and later the wedding venue for both Philippe III and Philippe IV, Château de Vincennes exists today with a slightly updated facade, but retains all its rich history.
Dating back to 973 AD, the site of Schwerin Castle has a long and complicated history, including being the home of the Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg during the 14th through 19th century. Today the castle is home to a museum, and used as the seat of Mecklenburg-Vorpommen State Parliament. Legend has it a ghost named 'Little Peterman' roams the halls, in dress resembling a cavalier.
Located in Parco Adriano, Rome, Italy, Castel Sant'Angelo is a cylindrical structure originally designed as a mausoleum for Roman Emperor Hadrian. Later used by numerous Popes as a fortified castle, the current day Castel Sant'Angelo is home to a museum.
Use this map for locations of all the castles listed below.
1. Neuschwanstein Castle - Germany
Address: Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, GermanyEasily one of the most recognizable castles in Europe, Neuschwanstein Castle is just a short drive (around 2 hours) from Munich, and definitely worth the visit. Commissioned as a personal retreat by Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1869 - using personal funding - and opened to the public upon his death in 1886, Neuschwanstein Castle has appeared in multiple films, and is the architectural inspiration behind Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle.
2. Peles Castle - Romania
Address: Aleea Peleșului 2, Sinaia 106100, RomaniaCommissioned by King Carol 1 in 1873, Peles Castle is nestled within the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, and much like Bavaria's Neuschwanstein Castle, the exterior displays a blend of Neo-Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles. The interior on the other hand, is primarily inspired by Baroque architecture, featuring hand-carved woods, and handcrafted fabrics.
3. Bojnice Castle - Slovakia
Address: Zámok a okolie 1, 972 01 Bojnice, SlovakiaThis Medieval castle is one of the most visited castles in Slovakia, and for good reason. Combining elements of both Gothic and Renaissance architecture, Bojnice Castle radiates a fairy-tale energy, and also happens to be the venue for many fantasy films including World Without End, and Princess Alisea.
4. Bran Castle - Romania
Address: Strada General Traian Moșoiu 24, Bran 507025, RomaniaDesignated as a national monument and landmark in Romania, Bran Castle is most famously known as 'Dracula's Castle,' Bran Castle was the fictional home of Bram Stoker's Dracula - a character inspired by brutal Wallachian (current day Romania) military commander, Vlad the Impaler.
5. Mont Saint-Michel - France
Address: 50170 Mont Saint-Michel, FranceEasily one of France's most recognizable and visited landmarks, Mont Saint-Michel is visited by over 3 million people each year, and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated on an island located just off the coast of Normandy, the fortification of Mont Saint-Michel have been around since at least the 8th century.
6. Edinburgh Castle - Scotland
Address: Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, United KingdomThis culturally significant fortress rests above the Edinburgh skyline on the aptly named Castle Rock, where archaeologists claim human settlements have existed since at least 2AD. Edinburgh Castle is the most visited monument in Scotland, bringing over 1.4 million tourists a year, and today contains a variety of intriguing attractions including Medieval era reenactments, historic displays, and a few restaurants and cafes.
7. Pena Palace - Portugal
Address: Estrada da Pena, 2710-609 Sintra, PortugalNestled atop the Sintra Mountains, Pena Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the countries Seven Wonders of Portugal. Designed in an epic combination of architectural styles including Neo-Gothic, and Neo-Renaissance, Pena Palace is instantly recognizable by its distinct yellow, gray, and clay colored facade.
8. Conwy Castle - Wales
Address: Rose Hill St, Conwy LL32 8AY, United KingdomConsidered by UNESCO to be one of 'the finest examples of 13th to 14th century architecture in Europe,' Conwy Castle was built by King Edward I and used during his conquest of Wales in 1283 to 1289. Famed British historian Jeremy Ashbee called Conwy, the 'best preserved suite of medieval private royal chambers in England and Wales.'
9. Miramare Castle - Italy
Address: Viale Miramare, 34151 Trieste, ItalyBuilt by the younger brother of Austria's Emperor Franz Joseph, Miramare Castle reflects its Austrian influence using many architectural styles hailing from Austria, Germany, and England. The castle itself is home to a vast, 55-acre, cliff-side park featuring numerous species of tropical plants and trees.
10. Prague Castle - Czech Republic
Address: 119 08 Prague 1, Czech RepublicKnown most notably as the largest castle in the world, Prague Castle occupies over 750,000 square feet, and contains 4 churches, 4 palaces, and 5 botanical gardens, all representing nearly all architectural styles of the last 2000 plus years. Also inside is a display of the Czech Crown Jewels, the fourth oldest crown jewels in Europe.
11. Kronborg Castle - Denmark
Address: Kronborg 2C, 3000 Helsingør, DenmarkLocated in Helsingør, Denmark, Kronborg Castle is most famously known for being the location inspiration of Elsinore in Shakespeare's famed play, Hamlet. To this day, Hamlet is performed on various occasions in the castle courtyard and other fortifications. Within the Kronborg Castle itself visitors will find a ballroom, chapel, great hall, and many royal chambers.
12. Alnwick Castle - England
Address: Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1NQ, United KingdomThe first historical mention of Alnwick Castle dates back to 1136 when King David I of Scotland captured the structure. Since then the castle has been involved in numerous sieges throughout UK history, and now exists as the family home of Ralph George Algernon Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland. Throughout the summer months, Alnwick Castle is open to the public and includes a number of attractions including ancient relics of Egypt, frescoes from Pompeii, and was used for exterior and interior filming as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter film series.
13. Château de Vincennes – France
Address: Avenue de Paris, 94300 Vincennes, FranceLocated in the town of Vincennes - now a suburb of Paris - the Château de Vincennes has great historical significance in France. Originally constructed by Louis VII as a hunting lodge, and later the wedding venue for both Philippe III and Philippe IV, Château de Vincennes exists today with a slightly updated facade, but retains all its rich history.
14. Schwerin Castle - Germany
Address: Lennéstraße 1, 19053 Schwerin, GermanyDating back to 973 AD, the site of Schwerin Castle has a long and complicated history, including being the home of the Grand Dukes of Mecklenburg during the 14th through 19th century. Today the castle is home to a museum, and used as the seat of Mecklenburg-Vorpommen State Parliament. Legend has it a ghost named 'Little Peterman' roams the halls, in dress resembling a cavalier.
15. Castel Sant'Angelo - Italy
Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00193 Roma, ItalyLocated in Parco Adriano, Rome, Italy, Castel Sant'Angelo is a cylindrical structure originally designed as a mausoleum for Roman Emperor Hadrian. Later used by numerous Popes as a fortified castle, the current day Castel Sant'Angelo is home to a museum.
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