For Travellers Who Like To Feel Royal

One thing that Europe has in abundance that North America just lacks is medieval castles. They're majestic structures with usually extensive and awe-inspiring histories. It's a wonder how they've stayed standing for so many centuries, surviving multiple wars, weather events, and other disasters. From uber famous to hidden gems, here are some of the most impressive castles in Europe to add to your bucket list.

1. Alcázar of Segovia

Situated on the top of a cliff overlooking Segovia is this 12th-century castle that looks straight out of a fairytale. A day trip from Madrid, visitors can walk through the majestic rooms and grounds.

Rafa Esteve on Wikimedia

2. Neuschwanstein Castle

Located in Southern Germany, on the foothills of the Alps is this stately white palace that inspired Disney's Cinderella Castle. It was built in the 19th century as a residence for Ludwig II but is now open to the public. 

Nico Benedickt on Unsplash

3. Château de Chambord 

This picturesque castle in the Loire Valley originally served as a hunting lodge for Francis I. It was built in the 16th century and stands today as an example of French renaissance architecture. Today, visitors can take a day trip from Paris to visit the palace grounds and attend the events sometimes held there including DJ sets.

Jordi Vich Navarro on Unsplash

4. Edinburgh Castle

This mighty fortress situated atop a volcanic rock in Edinburgh has everything you need to get your medieval history fix. It was built in the 11th century as a residence for the royal family and has since played a prominent part in Scottish history as an armoury, prison, mint, and treasury. 

Jörg Angeli on Unsplash

5. Prague Castle

Prague castle has served as the residence of presidents and kings since it was built in the 9th century. It's the largest ancient castle in the world and presents a unique blend of architectural styles including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque. Visitors can enjoy a marvellous view of the city from the castle's high vantage point.

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6. Windsor Castle

The official residence of the British royal family, built in the 11th century is the longest-occupied castle in Europe. The castle has undergone many redesigns due to its long history. As such, it has an interesting mix of architectural styles including Rococo, Gothic, and Classical. 

Wyatt Simpson on Unsplash

7. Pena Palace

Located in the Sintra mountains a short day trip from Lisbon is Pena Palace. It was originally a monastery but was transformed into a royal residence by King Ferdinand II. Visitors can take a gander at the ornate stylings, lavish rooms, and picturesque views.

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8. Château de Chenonceau

Built in the 11th century on the River Cher is this stupendous castle which presents a blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles. It acted as a hospital ward in WWI and survived the German blitzes of WWII.

Shaun Rainer on Unsplash

9. Conwy Castle

Conwy Castle overlooking Conwy River in Scotland is one of the best examples of 13th century architecture in Europe. It served as an important fortification during Edward I's conquest of Wales and played an important part in many proceeding wars.

Michael Tomlinson on Unsplash

10. Peleș Castle

This Neo-Renaissance masterpiece was commissioned in the 19th century by King Carol I. Situated in Romania's Carpathian Mountains. Visitors can wander around the magnificent rooms adorned with impressive hand-carved woodwork, stained glass windows, and paintings. 

Adrian Mag on Unsplash

11. Bojnice Castle 

This Romanesque castle is one of the most visited sites in Slovakia. Many fantasy and fairytale movies were filmed in its magical interior which is also home to a popular arts and history museum.

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12. Castel Sant'Angelo

Rome's Castel Sant'Angelo was originally built as a grand mausoleum all the way back in the the 2nd century. Over its long history, it has been used as a fortress, papal residence, and prison but is now a museum with one of the best viewpoints over Rome. 

Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de on Wikimedia

13. Corvin Castle

This remarkable Romanian castle was built in the 15th century as a gift from King Sigismund of Hungary. It's a classic example of Gothic architecture complete with a moat and drawbridge. 

Pudelek on Wikimedia

14. Caerphilly Castle

One of the largest fortresses in Europe, Caerphilly Castle in Wales is a medieval spectacle. It was built in the 13th century by Gilbert de Clare as a way of staking his claim on the area. It features an intricate network of boats and dams built as a water defence system. 

Maxwell Andrews on Unsplash

15. Heidelberg Palace

This 14th century castle is perched 300 feet above the German city of Heidelberg. It was destroyed in the 17th century by the French and rebuilt in a mix of German architectural styles. The gardens, with views on the Neckar Valley, are one of the most special parts. 

Pumuckel42 (Reinhard Wolf) at de:Wikipedia on Wikimedia

16. Palace of Versailles

No list of castles would be complete without the Palace of Versailles. Each of its 2,300 rooms from the Hall of Mirrors to the queen's chamber epitomize opulence and extravagance, symbolizing the height of the French monarchy. 

Joan Costa on Pexels

17. Hohenwerfen Castle

Perched on a cliff at 2,000 feet elevation in Austria is this stunning castle. It was built in the 11th century by the archbishops of Salzburg as a strategic outpost. It's now open to the public for tours where visitors get to see the extensive weapons collection. 

Arne Müseler on Wikimedia

18. Eltz Castle

One of the prettiest and best-preserved castles in Europe, Eltz Castle is nestled in the thick forest of Germany, surrounded by a canopy of trees. It was built in the 12th century as a fortress protecting trade routes. It's now a museum featuring a spectacular collection of artefacts and antique furniture. 

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19. Citadel of Carcassonne

This castle spanning all the way back to Roman times is France's most iconic. It was built in the 12th century but was abandoned a few centuries later, falling into disrepair but was thankfully restored in the 19th century due to public outcry. 

Pelayo Arbués on Unsplash

20. Eilean Donan Castle

This 14th century Scottish castle is the most spectacular in all of Scotland. Situated on a small island against a spectacular mountainous backdrop, it's one of the most remote castles in Scotland but well worth the visit. 

George Hiles on Unsplash