Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
40 Of The Most Beautiful Historic Castles Discovered Around The World, As Shared By This Online Group
According to this year's surveys, 11 percent of Americans who are planning to travel internationally right now are considering a trip to the United Kingdom. Of those travelers, one-in-four intends to explore the country beyond London, showing an interest in its history and heritage.
A similar curiosity fuels trips to villages throughout Europe and other continents that otherwise might've ended up being forgotten. Settlements abandoned by developers that never became suburbs.
However, there is a way to visit these wonderful places even without leaving your home. The subreddit r/Castles and its 149k members constantly share pictures of wonderful historic palaces and fortifications. So pack your thumbs, we're scrolling!
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Edinburgh, Scotland Is Like A Real Life Harry Potter World
Alex 3 years ago
Yep, the weather looks right. Dark clouds, drizzle and cold every day of the year 😆
Bob Bobbs 3 years ago
I went there on a holiday. Non stop sun and 30° C. I felt cheated. Was amazing though.
Load More Replies...
Anna Banana 3 years ago
I've found Edinburgh unbelievable! I mean, I literally couldn't believe what I saw when I exited the train station. It's like a different world. The weather checked out, too.
Tamra 3 years ago
Scotland is number one on my bucket list. Wanted to visit there most of my life. It looks so beautiful!
Trish Smith 3 years ago
Same here! I'm getting to old now to go. It breaks my heart! :(
Load More Replies... RELATED:
#2
Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, Scotland
A lot of the allure of these places comes from the history and human drama that played out within their walls, as well as the astonishing architecture that features on so many castles. They're also romantic and somewhat mystical, places that spark our imagination and conjure visions of knights in shining armor and powerful queens.
"Because they combine two functions, they are far more interesting than fortresses or palaces," Marc Morris, the author of 'Castles: Their History and Evolution in Medieval Britain' told CNN Travel.
#3
Mont St-Michel, France
A random girl on the internet 3 years ago
We wanted to go there this year, but ppl say it's booming with too many tourists at such a small place, you don't even have space to walk. :(
François Carré 3 years ago
Taken from afar so you don't get to see the hordes of tourists in there ;-)
julien 3 years ago
Not a castle though. thousands of castles in France : SALIGNAC-6...d79dde.jpg 
Potato Puffin 3 years ago
It's a monestary isn't it? I've been here when I was a young teenager and remember the winding streets with expensive cafes and restaurants leading up to it
Load More Replies... #4
Kylemore Abbey In The Fog, Connemara, Galway, Ireland
Rage Of Aquarius II 3 years ago
Mm one of the most incredible places I've been. Friends and I spent four hours wandering the grounds, taking in the 360 degree vistas, and playing with the sheep. Heaven on earth.
Tracey Kneasel 3 years ago
Breath taking and heart breaking at the same time. Beautiful place that I will never be able to travel to see.
Kenny Kulbiski 3 years ago
My favorite. I may like the greenery and water as much as the castle.
#5
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Yayheterogeneity 3 years ago
I hate it. The interior is dreadful, the exterior overloaded. There are so many more beautiful castles in Germany. Why always this tourist trap? If you are really interested in castles visit Burg Eltz or Herrenchiemsee oder Marxburg oder oder!
stacyh 3 years ago
Are these in the same area? I’ll be in Germany soon and want to visit a couple castles.
Load More Replies... 
"What makes a castle a castle is that it combines the functions of defense and dwelling — it's a fortification and a stately home rolled into one," Morris said.
The author highlighted that creating a building which is both comfortable and defensible is difficult. "The ingenious ways in which castle-designers reconciled this balance is always intriguing."
#6
Hohenzollern Castle, Germany
BetterBitterButter 3 years ago
So Germans took inspiration for their fairy tale castles from these?
GoodWolf 3 years ago
Yes, absolutely. Fairy tales were stories that have been told for many generations before the brothers Grimm started to write them down.
Load More Replies...
Genny McD 3 years ago
I've been to this castle 4 times. The 3rd time I went, one of the family members that still lived in a small part of the castle. There was a wedding for the daughter. Wow. It was spectacular! It is SO BIG it can easily hold thousands of people. That walk up the the top is a killer. They do have a shuttle service up too
NicNor5560 3 years ago
I'm pretty sure that's the one on my 10,000 piece puzzle but more zoomed in (the castle takes most of the space).
Deborah Harris 3 years ago
This is how I imagined the Castle of Sleeping Beauty to look, gorgeous
Abby Ryder 3 years ago
Sleeping Beauty is actually based on Neuschwanstein
Load More Replies...
Charles Chamiux 3 years ago
This was the setting for the TV series "The Worst Witch". I've visited this castle and it's gorgeous. It's a long walk up from the parking lot at the base of the hill, but worth it.
#7
At The End Of A 2.64 Mile Long Avenue Lined With Chestnut Trees And Flanked By Grazing Deer Awaits Windsor Castle A Truly Magnificent Sight
Pat Bond 3 years ago
It's called "The Long Walk" and the deer are looking at a huge statue of George III on his horse, better known as the Copper Horse. This is inside the gated deer park, within the 5000 acres of Windsor Great Park. copper_hor...d17a36.jpg 
OnlySometimes 3 years ago
While this is a great photo, it doesn't do the castle justice. Add to that the fact it is still a fully working residence (QE2 lived there throughout COVID) makes it truly special.
#8
The Rock Of Cashel, An Ancient Royal Site For The Kings Of Munster In County Tipperary, Ireland
BetterBitterButter 3 years ago
When I was younger , I saw photographs of some Irish castles on the internet. I fell in love with those. It has been a dream of mine to visit the Emerald Isle one day. Hope someday things work out for me to visit these places(from what I know Ireland is quite expensive but maybe countryside not so much?) from thousands of kilometers away.
Fintan Lawton 3 years ago
Hope you get here some day and yes the country side is cheaper 😁
Load More Replies...
#9
Château De Pierrefonds, France. It Is Such An Overwhelming Feeling Just Standing In Front Of It
Even though we normally associate castles with European history, as you can see from this list, it's actually an architectural form found around the globe — in nations as varied as Japan and India, Morocco and Mexico.
Many are now hubs of living history where modern visitors can watch jousting and other ancient combat forms, listen to medieval music or watch artisans demonstrate the arts, crafts and everyday skills of a century from years ago.
#10
Scaligero Castle, Italy
Kathi Schäffer 3 years ago
Yes, this is at Lake Garda. Definitely worth a visit. There's also an ancient Roman village on a cliff.
#11
Peleș Castle - Carpathian Mountains - Sinaia, Romania
#12
Wooden Church On Kizhi Island, Russia, Builts Without Nails
Jihana 3 years ago
All made of wood without nails? Impressive. And incredible that it never burnt down.
Bianca Saville 3 years ago
Wooden buildings and furniture were often pegged/dowel jointed back in the day.
Load More Replies...
RoseAnne Hutchence 3 years ago
Is anyone still alive who can perform such artistry? I fear we (globally) are losing these skills by placing more value on emerging artificial intelligence and machine-made replicas.
Jennifer Knight 3 years ago
Utterly amazing. Hat's off to the brilliant architectural engineers!!
#13
Stalker, Scotland. Stalker Castle Was First Built In 1320 By Clan Macdougall
It took on the form we see today in the 1440's after the Stewarts took over. The Stewarts lost the castle in a drunken bet around 1620 to Clan Campbell
They also make great backdrops for outdoor events, such as concerts, films, plays and military performances, or for the on-location filming of movies and television shows.
"With a castle, you get not only the stories of sieges, but also stories of the domestic lives of the rich and famous," Morris said.
#14
Cochem Castle, Germany
Jennifer Knight 3 years ago
"Very nice"??? Kinda lame description of one of the world's most awe-inspiring edifices, no?
Load More Replies... 
Ashley Piasecki 3 years ago
I've been there and it's in the German wine country. Vineyards everywhere. Not pictured is the river just to the right, which cuts through the village.
#15
Sanctuary Of Truth In Pattaya, Thailand
Anthony Arons 3 years ago
Should be called sanctuary of beauty. It's the most beautiful of all to me
#16
Osaka Castle At Night
Randolph Croft 3 years ago
It's unreal during the cherry blossom (sakura) time of year. Google it.
Giovanni 3 years ago
Building brick and stone castles on heavily seismic land is a bad move
Load More Replies...
Cory Tollman 3 years ago
IIRC this one got all sorts of jacked during King Kong vs Godzilla (1962).
#17
Hohenzollern Castle At Sunrise On A Winter Morning In The Sea Of Clouds, Germany
"Castles are places where plots were hatched, marriages were consummated, murders carried out, royal babies born, and so on. With castles, you are never short of fascinating things to talk about," Morris added.
Maybe that's why after all these years they still excite even children. For example, Lego just revealed a new set at LegoCon 2022 called The Lion Knights' Castle, which takes inspiration from the 1970s Yellow and Black Knight's castles. However, something tells me quite a few adults will be playing with them too.
#18
Abandoned Castle In Lough Key, Ireland
Robert Williams 3 years ago
I see what you did there and it's much appreciated
Load More Replies... Fintan Lawton 3 years ago
It is actually a folly (was always ment to look abadoned) that was built to provide an interesting view from the estate house.
Russell Tilling 3 years ago
Lough meaning loch or lake. I don't think it's a crater, just darker vegetation.
Lisa Gibson 3 years ago
Sinkhole? I see only one pic of it with that crater, all others appear solid. 🤔
Load More Replies... #19
The Bojnice Castle Was Built In The 12th Century, It's Located In Slovakia And Has Romantic,gothic And Renaissance Elements
Jayne Kyra 3 years ago
We have lots of castles here! One of the good parts about Slovakia! Also, another view of Bojnice: bojnice-62...7d09c0.jpg 
#20
Wernigerode Castle, Germany
#21
Fort Bourtange, Groningen, Netherlands
Stephanie Austin 3 years ago
I was there last week doing a 17th century battle re-enactment. It is a star fort not a castle.
Whether you want battlements or baronial glamor, it's also possible to stay in the U.K.'s oldest buildings.
Some are part of organizations such as the National Trust, the Landmark Trust, or English Heritage while private owners tend to use Loyd & Townsend Rose.
Staying in one of L&TR properties allows you to soak up history in a way that's not possible on a day trip. Its extensive portfolio includes such beauties as the Inveraray Castle on the banks of Loch Fyne.
#22
I Didn't Notice Any Japanese Castles, So Here Is Himeji Castle
Shauna Hicken 3 years ago
Its beautiful. (Osaka Castle, earlier in this collection, is also in Japan)
#23
Butrón Castle, Spain
UpupaEpops 3 years ago
Wow! Must have been nice to have such a workplace. Can you tell us what it's like?
Load More Replies...
Jayne Kyra 3 years ago
Powerwash Simulator should get on this... but I also really like the abandoned look.
Laura Mandado Cacho 3 years ago
Went severa times as a child, it's in the north, Basque Country specifically
Lady Cadaver 3 years ago
This is gorgeous. So eerie. It looks like it would or rather, should be haunted and I love it! <3
#24
The Castle Of Wijnendale, Belgium
#25
Quinta Da Regaleira In Sintra Portugal. This Place Is Surreal
João Sebastião 3 years ago
It is not a castle, it's a XIX century revival palace. Th real castle is up the hill, build by the moors in the VIIIth century.
#26
Tantallon Castle, Scotland
Almarako94 3 years ago
Looks like it's the only wall left of an once way bigger Castle. Guess the walls on the side fell to the storming sea and where now the yard ends into a cliff the actual castle started.
Sandra Morison 3 years ago
Some people forget how old these castles actually are and the wild weather takes it's toll
Jihana 3 years ago
There's some weird architectural choices there. It's practically all fortified wall guarding an empty courtyard and a cliff. Awesome looking though.
Laura Ketteridge 3 years ago
This is a ruin. You are not seeing this castle how it would have been when it was functioning as a fortified place. The wall is very thick, and there are chambers within the walls. The courtyard that is now empty would have various wooden structures required for the upkeep of the castle. At the same time, there would have been enough space left free to allow the various people who lived around the castle to retreat into the courtyard, with their animals, when the area was under attack.
Load More Replies... 
#27
Borrekens Castle - Antwerp - Construction Began 1270
#28
This Oberhofen Castle, With Its Tower On The Water, Lies On The Right Shore Of The Lake Of Thun, In Switzerland. It Dates Back To The 13th Century
Francis 3 years ago
this is where i live :) but i haven't seen Castle of Thun itself in this list (yet) Schloss Thun is also really nice :)
Scotira 3 years ago
True, I always thought the (now former) prison on the Schlossberg gave a nice touch to it 🤣😅🙈
Load More Replies...
Scotira 3 years ago
This picture is not at the best angle, it shows the smallest part of it. Try "Oberhofen Schloss" in google, there you get the whole building. Still it's a smaller castle, so in Swiss German one could say "Schlössli" 😁
Load More Replies... #29
The Imperial Castle In Cochem, Germany
Merea Osthagen 3 years ago
My jaw is now dislocated from dropping so hard...lol. Absolutely beautiful!
Ashley Piasecki 3 years ago
This castle is on the list twice. Once, photographed from the village below, and this shot from above
L̸1̶z̵ 3 years ago
Looks like it's #10 now but from a very different angle, if it is the same castle.
Load More Replies...
#30
The Ezra Pound Castle, Schloss Brunnenburg Or Castel Fontana. Built In 1241 It Is Situated Above The City Of Merano, On The Outskirts Of The Municipality Of Tirol, Italy
Randolph Croft 3 years ago
Ezra Pound - influential poet, fascist supporter and Naxzi sympathizer.
Jennifer Knight 3 years ago
Utterly breathtaking. Heart goes out to all the men who undoubtedly lost their lives in its construction.
#31
Château Miranda - Belgium
#32
Spiš Castle, Slovakia
Christa-Mari Bentham 3 years ago
OK boys, that's enough drinking for one morning...let's go build that wall!!!!
Robbert Michel 3 years ago (edited)
The castle was build in response to the first Mongolian invasion (locally called Tatars) the large area is so that all the villagers and allies from the surrounding area could camp inside and if necessary grow a crop during a siege.
Load More Replies...
#33
The Garibaldi Castle In Khryashchevka, Russia, Is Named By Its Owner In The Honor Of His Father - Garibaldi Arcadievich Kuzichkin
The castle was built in the Neo-Gothic style and it's more of an architectural fantasy on the theme of European Gothic and Romanticism
Derek Clark 3 years ago
I don't think anything Russia related should be on a positive list right now. That country doesn't deserve praise.
#34
Penrhyn Castle, Wales
#35
The Royal Castle Of Olite Is A Former Castle Of The Kings Of Navarre, Situated In Northern Spain. The Silhouette Of The Castle, Is Not Only Imposing, It Is Also Unique For Its Architectural Chaos
#36
Pena Palace - Sintra, Portugal
Jihana 3 years ago
And here I was thinking: love the architecture, but too colorful for my liking LOL
Load More Replies... #37
Scotny Castle Built Around 1370. Kent UK
#38
Neuschwanstein Castle On Winter, In Germany
#39
Fenis Castle, Italy
#40
Kalavantin Durg, India. Fortress Atop A Steep Hill
Kate 3 years ago
Assuming there's a source of water in the walls, yeah...
Load More Replies... Charles Chamiux 3 years ago
Kalavantin Durg is so many times older than the castles we see in Europe, and it tells us that we need to look outside of the histories we've been taught to know the history of humans.
Jennifer Knight 3 years ago
Be a rough morning to discover you're out of eggs for breakfast, eh?
#41
30 B.c Roman Fortress Masada (Near The Dead Sea Israel)
ADHORTATOR 3 years ago (edited)
not a roman fortress....but taken by the Legio X Fretensis in the jewish war
#42
Lichtenstein Castle, Germany
Genny McD 3 years ago
I went to this castle as a kid. It was both fascinating and eerie. I didn't read German but my mom is from Germany. She said that a former inhabitant of this castle was disturbed. There were cells not in the dungeon, but on ground level and I guess he liked to torture people.... at least that's what my mom told me
#43
Castillo De Loarre Is One Of Spain's Best Preserved Romanesque Castles. The Castle Appeared In The Epic Movie "Kingdom Of Heaven"
#44
Island Fortress Of Murud-Janzira, Off The West Coast Of India
Lady Cadaver 3 years ago
Its a pity this has not been maintained, I bet it was beautiful to behold
#45
Le Mont Saint Michel, France— One Of The Inspirations For Minas Tirith
#47
Road To Mont-Saint-Michel, France
#48
Le Mont-Saint-Michel
Christof Irran 3 years ago
What about Hohensalzburg? Should have been included, no? hohensalzb...51e29e.jpg 
#49
Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy France
gerard julien 3 years ago
where I live in southwest France practically every single small town has a castle. this one in a village population : 360. ccc-62db9a...e8b6dc.jpg 
gerard julien 3 years ago (edited)
"The number of castles in France is estimated to about 45,000, a bit more than 1 for France's 36,000 communities.This number includes palaces, private mansions, and medieval strongholds, which usually French people define with one word : chateau." and this one is NOT even a chateau !!!
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Jayne Kyra 3 years ago
Also Orava castle (Slovakia), that was used in the classic vampire film Nosferatu. Oravs-62b4...26d9bb.jpg 
Hańka 3 years ago
The biggest pile of bricks is Malbork castle - very impressive. GoldenPins...e4bb1d.jpg 
julien 3 years ago
" The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Cecilia in Albi, France : It is claimed to be the largest brick building in the world " ALBI1-62c6...18b0d9.jpg 
Shubham Rathod 3 years ago
India only have some most beautiful castles and forts, I am glad you guys added two of them in the list.
Bored Retsuko 3 years ago
Actually I think it would be cool and interesting to see another list with non-European castles only. 😊
Load More Replies...
Andrea Steinacher 3 years ago
not one from Austria, Hungary or Czech Republic, but the 19th century fantasy castle Neuschwanstein twice? why?
Krásnoočko 3 years ago
My thoughts exactly. That was a very geographically narrow list - basically western Europe only. Also, I hate Neuschwanstein... it's a kitch artificial bs with no history and soul. Sorry. 😬
Load More Replies... Nami Tantrum 3 years ago
all of these castles are older then a mayority of cities in the US and i think it is mindblowing
J. F. 3 years ago
A lot of settlements in Europe are older than the US - the little village I live in was founded in 1158 A.D
Load More Replies...
John Dilligaf 3 years ago
kind of disappointed that no one mentioned Predjama Castle in Slovenia. First built in the 11th century, the current castle was built in 1570. It occupies the mouth of a cave with a large natural stone arch overhead, Attackers can only come from one direction and secret passages through the cave behind it means it can be resupplied and reinforced during sieges. Castle-Pre...a0bff4.jpg 
ADHORTATOR 3 years ago
Been there many many times - and was always impressed
Load More Replies... censor 3 years ago
Three castles in south africa: the original Castle of Good Hope: https://www.castleofgoodhope.co.za/ .. then a copy of liechtenstein castle: https://lichtensteincastle.co.za/ ... then kyalami castle : sadly it's occupied by a cult: https://www.castlekyalami.org.za/about-us/inside-our-church/
GFSTaylor 3 years ago
Only one Welsh castle, and not even one of the best ? Harlech or Beaumaris should have been on this list.
James G. Currie 3 years ago (edited)
Loved the architecture and photos... But, with the inclusions of chateaus, churches, forts and strongholds, not quite "Historic Castles"... lol Even enjoyed the photo of the one that appeared to have fallen into the sea. All told, some of them are quite visually stunning.
Timmy Pillinger 3 years ago (edited)
In England a lot of the most castle-y looking castles are late medieval fortified country houses, rather than true military installations - but spectacular anyway. I like Tattershall and Bodiam. There are very few cases in the UK where where we had fortifications built in the age of Canon. The few we do have our sometimes built-in rather beautiful coastal locations like St Mawes and Pendennis. When it comes to fortifications however very little can beat the Roman wall that stretches from Carlisle to Newcastle and is still quite noticeable in some places.
Jayne Kyra 3 years ago
Also Orava castle (Slovakia), that was used in the classic vampire film Nosferatu. Oravs-62b4...26d9bb.jpg
Hańka 3 years ago
The biggest pile of bricks is Malbork castle - very impressive. GoldenPins...e4bb1d.jpg
julien 3 years ago
" The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Cecilia in Albi, France : It is claimed to be the largest brick building in the world " ALBI1-62c6...18b0d9.jpg
Shubham Rathod 3 years ago
India only have some most beautiful castles and forts, I am glad you guys added two of them in the list.
Bored Retsuko 3 years ago
Actually I think it would be cool and interesting to see another list with non-European castles only. 😊
Load More Replies... Andrea Steinacher 3 years ago
not one from Austria, Hungary or Czech Republic, but the 19th century fantasy castle Neuschwanstein twice? why?
Krásnoočko 3 years ago
My thoughts exactly. That was a very geographically narrow list - basically western Europe only. Also, I hate Neuschwanstein... it's a kitch artificial bs with no history and soul. Sorry. 😬
Load More Replies... Nami Tantrum 3 years ago
all of these castles are older then a mayority of cities in the US and i think it is mindblowing
J. F. 3 years ago
A lot of settlements in Europe are older than the US - the little village I live in was founded in 1158 A.D
Load More Replies... John Dilligaf 3 years ago
kind of disappointed that no one mentioned Predjama Castle in Slovenia. First built in the 11th century, the current castle was built in 1570. It occupies the mouth of a cave with a large natural stone arch overhead, Attackers can only come from one direction and secret passages through the cave behind it means it can be resupplied and reinforced during sieges. Castle-Pre...a0bff4.jpg
ADHORTATOR 3 years ago
Been there many many times - and was always impressed
Load More Replies... censor 3 years ago
Three castles in south africa: the original Castle of Good Hope: https://www.castleofgoodhope.co.za/ .. then a copy of liechtenstein castle: https://lichtensteincastle.co.za/ ... then kyalami castle : sadly it's occupied by a cult: https://www.castlekyalami.org.za/about-us/inside-our-church/
GFSTaylor 3 years ago
Only one Welsh castle, and not even one of the best ? Harlech or Beaumaris should have been on this list.
James G. Currie 3 years ago (edited)
Loved the architecture and photos... But, with the inclusions of chateaus, churches, forts and strongholds, not quite "Historic Castles"... lol Even enjoyed the photo of the one that appeared to have fallen into the sea. All told, some of them are quite visually stunning.
Timmy Pillinger 3 years ago (edited)
In England a lot of the most castle-y looking castles are late medieval fortified country houses, rather than true military installations - but spectacular anyway. I like Tattershall and Bodiam. There are very few cases in the UK where where we had fortifications built in the age of Canon. The few we do have our sometimes built-in rather beautiful coastal locations like St Mawes and Pendennis. When it comes to fortifications however very little can beat the Roman wall that stretches from Carlisle to Newcastle and is still quite noticeable in some places.
Related on Bored Panda
