Europe · Castles
The most beautiful castles in Europe
The castle that inspired Disney, the fortress linked to the Dracula legend, Renaissance palaces on a river, an abbey surrounded by the tide and colourful castles in the mist: the most beautiful castles in Europe.
Updated 20 October 2026 · How we make our guides
Fairy-tale castles
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GermanyFüssen
Neuschwanstein, Ludwig II of Bavaria's castle above the Alps, which inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle.
What to see in Füssen -
PortugalSintra
The colourful Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle among forests and mist.
What to see in Sintra -
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SpainSegovia
The Alcázar, where two rivers meet, with the profile of a ship's prow.
What to see in Segovia
Great fortresses
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PolandMalbork
The largest brick castle in the world, built by the Teutonic Knights, a World Heritage Site.
What to see in Malbork -
United KingdomEdinburgh
The castle on a volcanic rock that dominates the whole city.
What to see in Edinburgh -
FranceCarcassonne
La Cité, a medieval city with double walls and dozens of towers.
What to see in Carcassonne -
Czech RepublicČeský Krumlov
A castle with a painted tower above a bend of the Vltava.
What to see in Český Krumlov
Palaces and abbeys
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FranceLoire Valley châteaux
Chambord, Chenonceau and other Renaissance palaces on the banks of the Loire.
What to see in Loire Valley châteaux -
FranceMont-Saint-Michel
A fortified abbey on an islet surrounded by the tide.
What to see in Mont-Saint-Michel
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most beautiful castle in Europe?
Neuschwanstein, in Germany, usually tops the lists; the Pena Palace in Sintra, Bran in Romania and the Loire châteaux are not far behind.
Which is the largest castle in Europe?
Malbork, in Poland, is the largest castle in the world by area, built of brick by the Teutonic Order.
Do you need to book?
For the most famous ones, such as Neuschwanstein or the Pena Palace, it is best to buy tickets in advance, especially in summer.
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Reviewed 20 October 2026. Dates and seasonal warnings: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.
Cover photo: Wilfredor (CC0), Wikimedia Commons.