Looking for some travel inspiration? Why not visit one of these enchanting castles? From the castle that inspired Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle to Dracula's lair, these are some of the most beautiful castles in the world.
You don't need to venture into the pages of a fairytale book or visit Disneyland to see a castle.
Many of these castles date back to medieval times, while a few are 19th-century dreams built to look the part. Either way, these breathtaking architectural wonders have survived the test of time and are open to the public today.
These enchanting fortresses are so breathtaking, you'll feel like you're living your wildest childhood dreams.
Bran Castle, Romania
Dracula fans will rejoice when they pay a visit to the mysterious Bran Castle in Romania. The castle sits in Transylvania, near the old border with Wallachia, and Transylvania is, of course, the home of the legendary Dracula. In fact, Bran Castle is known as "Dracula's Castle" thanks to Bram Stoker's 1897 novel.
Stoker never actually visited Romania, but his description of Dracula's castle is eerily similar to Bran Castle. Despite the connection, the castle itself was built back in the 1300s (it was finished in 1388). It was gifted to Queen Marie of Romania in 1920 and became her favorite home, and today it's a museum filled with furniture and art pieces that she collected.
At the foot of the castle there's also an open-air village museum that offers guests a preview of what life was like for the local peasants. If you plan on visiting this massive fortress, and you're up for facing your fears, add the Torture Exhibit and the Time Tunnel to your ticket. Bran is an easy day trip from Brasov, which makes a great base for exploring this part of Transylvania.
Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria
Built in the 11th century, Hohenwerfen Castle is perched on a rocky hilltop above the Salzach Valley, surrounded by the breathtaking Berchtesgaden Alps and Tennengebirge mountains. If you're visiting Austria, make sure to stop by this wonderful fortress, which is an easy trip from Salzburg. It's full of rich history, too: over the centuries it has been used as a hunting retreat and a state prison, and movie buffs might recognize it from the 1968 film Where Eagles Dare.
Today, Hohenwerfen Castle is a museum with historic weapons, a creepy torture chamber, the Austrian Falconry Museum, and a rustic castle tavern. This wonderful castle in Austria also takes you back to medieval times with its falconry shows, and there are knights' tournaments for kids, too.
Château de Chenonceau, France
This elegant château in the Loire Valley was built in the early 1500s on the foundations of an old mill, and it's full of history. During WWI, the long gallery that spans the River Cher served as a military hospital. During WWII, the river marked the line between occupied France and the free zone, and the gallery was used to help people escape the Nazis.
Château de Chenonceau is often called the "Château des Dames" because it was shaped by several powerful women over the centuries, including Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de' Medici, and Louise Dupin, who is credited with saving it during the French Revolution.
Today guests can tour the castle and walk across the arched bridge, which was commissioned by Henry II's mistress, Diane de Poitiers. Pay homage to her immaculate taste and take a stroll through the Garden of Diane de Poitiers.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle is believed to be Walt Disney's inspiration behind the Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland. And it's easy to see why! The palace's 19th-century Romanesque Revival architecture, shimmering blue lakes, and Bavarian Alps in the backdrop make it a magical fairytale castle, indeed. In 2025, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List along with King Ludwig II's other palaces.
But the inside of Neuschwanstein Castle is even more impressive, with its ornate throne hall full of pillars and colorful arches, and walls covered in murals of German legends. It's one of the most popular day trips from Munich, so if you're planning a visit, check out our guide to where to stay in Munich.
Predjama Castle, Slovenia
The Renaissance-style Predjama Castle is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It's tucked into the mouth of a cave in the middle of a 123-meter-high cliff, not far from the famous Postojna Cave. Behind the castle is a network of secret tunnels that the knight Erazem of Predjama used to slip out and bring in supplies during a siege. There's even evidence that humans inhabited the caves in the Stone Age.
Over the years, this impressive castle, first mentioned in the 13th century, has suffered serious structural damage and has had to be rebuilt on several occasions. Fortunately, the castle is still standing strong.
Visitors will get to check out a torture chamber, an armory, and experience what medieval life was like for those who once called this beautiful castle home. The cave under the castle is also home to a colony of bats, so it's only open to visitors in the summer (June to August), while the castle itself is open year-round.
Mont Saint Michel, France
Technically, Mont Saint Michel is a medieval abbey and fortified village rather than a castle, but it's far too magical to leave off this list! It sits on a tidal island off the coast of Normandy, and being surrounded by water made it much harder to attack. Its thick fortified walls helped, too, which explains how it held out against the English during the Hundred Years' War.
The abbey's most prominent feature is its soaring spire, topped with a golden statue of Saint Michael. Visitors can also explore spaces dedicated to religious life, like the cloister and the monks' refectory. It's one of the top things to do in Normandy, and it's even better if you can stay overnight once the day-trippers have gone.
Eltz Castle, Germany
Set in the lush Eltz Forest, Eltz Castle has been around for over 850 years and has managed to preserve the ambience of the Middle Ages, which makes a visit here an unforgettable experience.
For starters, the castle is still owned by the same family that built it, more than 30 generations later, and a lot of the furniture you'll find here dates back centuries. But there's also a knights' hall, an armory full of suits of armor, and a treasury with more than 500 pieces of gold and silver work that are just as enchanting as the castle itself.
Château de Chambord, France
Begun in 1519 by King François I, the Château de Chambord is truly fit for a king. This captivating structure in the Loire Valley has more than 400 rooms, 282 fireplaces, and a famous double-spiral staircase that's often linked to Leonardo da Vinci. Visitors can explore around 60 rooms filled with exhibitions, antique furniture, and centuries-old art pieces, with a HistoPad tablet tour available if you want a little extra help bringing it all to life.
And if that's not impressive enough, guests can also bask in the beauty of the French formal gardens, which were restored in 2017 to their original 18th-century design.
Windsor Castle, England
William the Conqueror started building Windsor Castle around 1070, and today the massive 13-acre castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Inside, you'll find grand 19th-century Georgian interiors with elements of medieval architecture here and there, too. And if you see the Royal Standard flag flying from the Round Tower, it means the King is in the castle. Yes!
Windsor is still a working royal residence, but visitors can tour the State Apartments, St George's Chapel, and Queen Mary's Dolls' House, plus the Semi-State Rooms at certain times of year. It's an easy day trip by train if you're visiting London for the first time.
Castle of Lichtenstein, Germany
If the Castle of Lichtenstein (not to be confused with the country of Liechtenstein!) appears to be floating, it's because it's perched on a cliff high above the Echaz Valley in southern Germany. Interestingly enough, the fairytale castle you see today was built in the 1840s, in Gothic Revival style, on the remains of an older medieval castle. Today, guests can browse the large collection of historic weapons and armor stored within its walls.
Guided tours let visitors peek inside the castle's richly decorated 19th-century rooms. But there are lots of things to see and do around the castle, too, like grabbing a bite to eat nearby or setting out on one of the many hiking routes through the surrounding Swabian Alb.
I hope you're inspired to add some of these beautiful castles to your travel bucket list. For more adventures, check out these other travel ideas:
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