The World's 35 Most Captivating Castles

Located around the world, these grand, historic, real-life castles are the original mega-mansions. Check out some of the most beautiful castles in the world.

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August 12, 2021

By: Ben Breslerman

Mont Saint-Michel, France

Built high on a peak, Mont Saint Michel near Normandy, France, is one of medieval architecture's greatest achievements.

Highclere Castle, England

You’ve already seen some of Highclere’s rooms and grounds if you were a fan of the popular TV drama Downton Abbey. Built around 1679 in Hampshire, England, as a country home, Highclere is owned by the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. Brides dress in the elegant bedrooms before descending the oak staircase to the saloon, with its 50-foot ceiling.

Ashford Castle, Ireland

Once owned by Ireland's beer dynasty, the Guinness family, as a vacation home, the circa 1228 Anglo-Norman Ashford Castle on Cong's stunning Loch Corrib may be as close as you can get to spending the night at Downton Abbey. The property is epic in its many appointments, including the 350-acre grounds featuring an Instagram-ready formal garden and a variety of American tree specimens. Ashford is now a hotel which underwent a $75 million renovation in 2015 and Red Carnation Hotel owners Stanley and Beatrice Tollman have spared no expense to make sure guests feel nestled in the lap of luxury. For active, outdoorsy types, the options are endless from trout and salmon fishing to horseback riding, and deliciously aristocratic pursuits like falconry and archery. Foodies can stage a private dinner or tasting in the dramatic wine cellar or watch a film in the plush red velvet and vintage-film poster-appointed screening room where the free popcorn and candy flows. The hotel owners have gone to great efforts to make their hotel feel not just grand but fun and unapproachable. Staff is never haughty and there is fun built into many of the offerings, whether the grownup fun of cocktails and billiards in the man cave Billiards Room or the retro time warp of an American-style diner with a soda fountain where you can dine on Elvis's favorite sammie. Visiting in the off-season post-summer means prices for a stay decrease significantly, and there is much to recommend scraping together your dollars or pounds for even one magical night at this one-of-a-kind property.

Learn More: Ireland Vacations: Amazing Things to Do, See and Experience

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

While not technically on Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan Castle is just across the bridge from the island, and worth a stop if you are driving the A87 to get to Skye. Built on a small tidal island, it is a picturesque stop along the way, or if time permits you can tour the stone fortress for around a $5 admission fee.

Peles Castle, Romania

Located near the scenic mountain town of Sinai, Peles Castle’s architecture reflects both Neo-Renaissance and Gothic Revival style. Peles Castle was the first European castle to be powered by electricity and has over 160 rooms filled with paintings, sculptures and medieval arms.

St. Michael's Mount, England

St. Michaels Mount is a medieval castle on a tidal island in Mount's Bay, Cornwall, United Kingdom and is owned by the National Trust. It can only be accessed during low tide by walking over the causeway.

Bran Castle, Romania

Romania’s most notorious castle? None other than Bran Castle, legendary home to Bram Stocker’s mythical Count Dracula. Vampire fan or not, you can’t help but feel the aura of mystery that surrounds this castle hovering high atop a 200-foot rock with its foreboding towers. Bran Castle is surrounded by myth, magic and intrigue. Vlad the Impaler and his army passed through Bran Castle in 1459 to settle a conflict over customs taxes. Today, this beautiful, yet eerie castle is open for tours, ensuring you’ll have a trip that you will never forget.

Hampton Court Palace, England

Hampton Court Palace was made famous by Henry VIII in the 16th century, who used it as one of his primary residences. Now, tourists spend time in its beautiful garden and enjoy the sunny weather.

Hearst Castle, California

This Mediterranean Revival-style mansion in San Simeon, California was designed for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst by Julia Morgan, the first woman architect licensed in California. Morgan’s vision, shaped over the course of a 28-year collaboration with Hearst, features 56 bedrooms, 61 bathrooms, 19 sitting rooms, 127 acres of gardens and so much more — including the world’s largest private zoo.

Tintagel Castle , England

Best known for King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, Tintagel Castle is situated in Cornwall, in the northwest corner of England. Tintagel Castle was built 800 years ago by the Earl of Cornwall, brother of the King of England. The earl was intrigued by the legends of King Arthur and his infamous Camelot. The castle was constructed to resemble the court where it's believed King Arthur reigned for so many years.

And what would make a castle complete? Like America, with its Civil War re-enactments, England has its King Arthur mock battles. Each summer, hundreds of enthusiasts come to relive the days of King Arthur and his knights.

Leeds Castle, England

Located in Kent, England and built in the 16th century, Leeds castle was used by Henry VIII as a residence for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

Lyndhurst Castle, New York

The Lyndhurst estate in Tarrytown, New York, sits on 67 acres by the Hudson River. The estate was last owned by railroad tycoon, Jay Gould, who was known as the “Wizard of Wall Street.”

A striking example of Gothic Revival architecture, Lyndhurst Castle is famous for its dizzying ornamentation, four-story tower and impressive vaulted ceilings. It’s open to the public these days — guests can observe the perfectly preserved interiors, which remain much as they were in the late 19th and early 20th century. Also on offer: A massive steel-framed conservatory, the country’s first of its kind.

Windsor Castle, England

With a Queen Victoria statue and a flow of tourists in the foreground, Windsor Castle is the official residence of the royal British family in Berkshire and the oldest castle in the world. At 900 years old, Britain's Windsor Castle is the largest occupied castle and oldest royal residence in the world.

Prague Castle, Czech Republic

Back when it was first built, Prague Castle provided a political and spiritual center for a country struggling toward unification. Prague Castle has been called the largest castle in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Glamis Castle, Scotland

Glamis Castle is situated beside the village of Glamis in Angus, Scotland. It is the home of the Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne, and is open to the public. It also has the reputation of being the most haunted castle in Scotland.

Ross Castle, Ireland

Ross Castle in County Kerry was built in 1536 by local ruling clan the O'Donoghues; today, it’s run as a bed and breakfast. Paranormal believers say the spirit of an English lord’s daughter haunts the castle, as does the ghost of Irish folk hero Myles “The Slasher” O’Reilly. Discover More Haunted Spots in Ireland on TravelChannel.com

Biltmore Estate, North Carolina

Built between 1889 and 1895, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, clocks in at 178,926 square feet, making it the largest privately owned home in America. A staggering example of Gilded Age extravagance, the home features 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, a banquet hall with a 70-foot ceiling and a bowling alley. Today, guests can stroll through the estate’s many rooms, taking in the elegant period furniture and other furnishings, which include 16th-century tapestries and a thousand-year-old Chinese porcelain bowl.

Corvinesti Castle, Romania

One of the most stunning Gothic-style castles in Romania, Corvinesti Castle was built on the site of a former Roman camp. With a drawbridge, 100-foot well, towering buttresses and more than 50 rooms filled with medieval art, this is one of the must-see castles in Transylvania.

Stari Grad, Croatia

The shining star in the Baroque town of Varazdin (coined "Little Vienna") is its sprawling white castle, Stari Grad. This medieval fortress was first built in the 12th century, and modified with additions such as rounded towers during the 14th to 16th centuries, when it was eventually transformed into a Renaissance-style fortress. Throughout its history, a number of aristocratic families owned the castle, including the Vitovec family, the Counts of Celje and Baron Ivan Ungnad. Stari Grad is also one of northeastern Croatia's most popular tourist attractions; the well-preserved castle houses the town's historical museum,which displays furniture, weapons and paintings. Today, Stari Grad castle enjoys the status of a UNESCO protected site.

Daniel Castle Hotel, Romania

Located in Haromsxzek, Daniel Castle may not be what you think of when castles come to mind. Castles in this region of Transylvania were significantly smaller than castles in other parts of Europe, but this 374-year-old castle turned hotel is beautifully crafted and full of history.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh from its position on the Castle Rock. Through sieges, invasions, power struggles and murder, Edinburgh Castle in Scotland has stood the test of time.

Trakošćan Castle, Croatia

One of northern Croatia's premier attractions, Trakošćan Castle's exterior is truly breathtaking — carefully maintained stone walls rise to the heavens, topped with red-tile-capped roofs and turrets. To add to the fairytale spectacle, there's even a drawbridge. The castle was built in the 13th century, and according to legend, was named after a fortification that had stood in the same spot during antiquity. Still, the castle's origins remain fuzzy, and its first known owners were the Counts of Celje in the 14th century.

A tour of the castle will take visitors past restored 19th-century furnishings bearing the castle's coat of arms, as well as centuries-old weapons, tapestries and portraits in the knight's room, hunting room and music salon.

Caernarfon Castle, Wales

Two hundred and fifty miles from London, on the Welsh coast, sits Caernarfon Castle. It was built 800 years ago, after King Edward I of England conquered North Wales. Edward I took the title of Prince of Wales from the Welsh. Since that time, the eldest son of the King or Queen of England has been known as the Prince of Wales. In 1969, during a ceremony at Caernarfon, Prince Charles was dubbed the 21st Prince of Wales by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Blarney Castle, Ireland

Sure, thousands of tourists swarm Blarney Castle in southern Ireland every year, but it's still worth a visit. Here, you can kiss the notorious Blarney Stone and, as legend has it, get the "gift of the gab." Climb 10 flights of stairs to reach the stone at the top of the castle's main tower. Grip 2 metal bars, lie backwards and a castle worker will hold your legs while you reach out, upside down, over a sheer 10-story drop to kiss the stone. Don't forget to have someone take your picture. Kissing stone aside, the best part of this castle is its floral gardens, spread over 60 acres. Take time to walk the paths for a 360-degree view of the tower built 600 years ago by Irish chieftain Cormac MacCarthy.

Learn More: Ireland Vacations: Amazing Things to Do, See and Experience

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

The world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace built for King Ludwig II. The castle is set on a rugged cliff with a scenic mountain landscape near Fussen, Southwest Bavaria, Germany.

Bunratty Castle, Ireland

Each year, thousands of people pass through the gates of the 15th century Bunratty Castle, a large tower house in County Clare. A folk park, near the castle, is particularly popular with families, tourists and schools because it features reconstructed cottages and buildings from the 19th century. Ireland has several castles if that’s what you fancy doing. Visit Trim Castle, Cahir Castle, Blarney Castle, Dunluce Castle, Doe Castle, Carrickfergus Castle or KilKenny Castle.

Doe Castle, Ireland

The Doe Castle features high outer walls and four major defense towers that surround an interior building with a four-story tower and keep. It's surrounded on 3 sides by water, and was built on a peninsula with a moat cleaved into the rock of the landward side.The best view of this castle is actually from a distance on the wide spot on the Carrigart–Creeslough road about 10 miles from the village of Dunfanaghy. While the interior isn't technically open to the public, locals open the castle gates daily so you can meander inside. It's one of Ireland's more rustic castles, so don't expect audio guides and tours. You're on your own here.

Castello di Amorosa, California

This Tuscan-style castle took 15 years to build. But the result is an awe-inspiring 121,000 square foot castle winery with 5 defensive towers, 1,000 pound hand-hewn doors from Italy, 8 levels, and 107 rooms (95 of which are devoted to winemaking), creating more than 15 types of wine. Castello di Amorosa, designed by Dario Sautti, also boasts a church, drawbridge, courtyard, watch tower, torture chamber, and secret passage ways.

Stirling Castle, Scotland

Stirling Castle, situated 450 miles from London, is a well-known symbol of Scotland. Just outside the walls of Stirling stands a monument to Scotland's great national hero, William Wallace, who led a small army against the English king, Edward I, at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. Seven hundred-plus years later, the memorial for Wallace continues to remind people of the victory at Stirling.

Among the 8 centuries of battles and murders at Stirling, something very positive and enlightening did occur at this castle — one of the first attempts at flight. Roughly 500 years ago, during the reign of King James IV in Scotland, scientist John Damian announced he would fly from Stirling Castle to France. Assembling strips of wood, chicken feathers and glue, Damian performed his brief flight by jumping off a stone wall and then gracefully flew straight down, dropping like a stone.

Augill Castle, Ireland

The magnificent exterior of Augill Castle in Northern England. Built in 1841, this castle has been turned into a hotel where you too can lodge like a royal.

Warwick Castle, England

Situated less than 100 miles from London, Warwick Castle is known for its beautiful interior and the medieval re-enactments that take place there. Until 25 years ago, generations of Earls of Warwick had resided in the castle. At the turn of the 20th century, Frances, Countess of Warwick, also known as Daisy, was known around England for her lavish, high-society parties. Some of her guests included Winston Churchill; Edward, Prince of Wales; and the future King Edward VII.

Six hundred years ago, Europe's most famous jousting champion was the Earl of Warwick. Each year, thousands of people arrive at Warwick Castle to watch re-enacted jousting competitions.

Château de Chambord, France

The castle of Chambord is the largest of the Loire castles. It was built between 1519 and 1547 near a bend in the river Cosson, a tributary river of Beuvron which then throws itself into the Loire. In 1981, it was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Translvania Castle, Romania

We love Count Kalnoky's castle because it paints a true picture of Transylvania life. The castle itself has been turned into a museum with artifacts and tapestries from the Count’s ancestors. The guestrooms are furnished with antique Transylvanian furniture. Daily tours and events are held to help you immerse yourself in Transylvanian history and culture.

Hume Castle, California

California's Hume Castle is surrounded by lush foliage and olive trees. With Mediterranean-style architecture infused with gothic and medieval elements, this massive estate features vaulted ceilings, spiral staircases and stunning wrought-iron chandeliers.