5 European Castles You Need To Visit

Sometimes romantic, sometimes sinister, Europe’s best castles evoke a palpable sense of both melancholy and wonder. Their ancient stones brim with mystery and history but not the stodgy old history of musty textbooks.

Castles are the past brought to life, a visceral reminder that quests and battles and chivalry weren’t always the exclusive province of fantasy novels. Go medieval on your next trip with a visit to one of these castles where ancient history is alive and well.

# Carreg Cennen Castle, Wales

Never trust any list of Europe’s best castles that doesn’t include at least one entry from Wales. Owing to its tumultuous history of war and rebellion, the Welsh countryside is home to more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Our favorite is Carreg Cennen, the only ruined stronghold to make this list. Actually, we like that Carreg Cennen has been in a ruinous state since 1462. Perched on a lonely limestone hilltop in Brecon Beacons National Park and often shrouded in mist, Carreg Cennen is easily the most evocative castle in the land. And while it may not be quite as popular as the larger Caerphilly Castle, Carreg Cennen will always be first in our hearts.

# Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria

Brooding high above Austria’s Salzachtal Valley amid the dramatic peaks of the Berchtesgaden Alps, this stronghold has served alternately as a home to kings, archbishops, and prisoners (it was a state prison for a period of time) for more than 900 years. Today, Hohenwerfen Castle is a popular tourist draw and the site of Austria’s foremost falconry center, where the royal hunting art is on full display with daily demonstrations.

# Predjama Castle, Slovenia

Predjama Castle is an easy sell to castle lovers. Most famous for being built into the side of a 400-foot cliff, it may also call to mind visions of Tolkien’s Helm’s Deep. But this real-world stronghold has the requisite dungeons, secret tunnels, and bloody history to make it a must-see on its own merits. Visit Predjama Castle during the annual medieval tournament, held each July, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

# Guedelon Castle, France

Who says the age of castles is over? Take a trip back in time at Guedelon Castle in Burgundy, France, where a team of 50 craftspeople and laborers are currently using 13th-century building techniques and technology (think: horses) to construct an authentic castle from scratch, deep within a secluded forest. The project has been running since 1997 and hopes to reach completion in the 2020s.

# Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

It might be the most photographed castle in the world, but there’s still nothing quite like seeing Germany’s fairy-tale castle in person. The brainchild of “Mad King Ludwig” (or, more generously, “The Fairy-Tale King”), Neuschwanstein has influenced everything from Disney attractions (note the similarity to Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle) to books and computer games. Take a tour of the castle grounds, but leave time for an off-site walk along the myriad nearby trails. That’s where you’ll find the most stunning views for photographs.