20 Iconic Castles You Must Explore at Least Once

Each year, millions of visitors flock to renowned castles around the globe to glimpse royal history. Whether you're exploring the enchanting Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany or the opulent Grand Palace in Bangkok, strolling through beautifully landscaped gardens, temples, and exquisite rooms draws travelers back time and again. We've curated a list of 20 iconic castles that are definitely worth a visit — some serve as museums, while others still host royalty from time to time.

The Forbidden City, Beijing, China

Every day, tens of thousands flock to the Forbidden City, a sprawling 180-acre walled complex that once concealed the Imperial Palace from view, housing Chinese emperors and their grand retinues. Its vibrant red structures topped with golden pagodas exemplify classic Chinese architecture, while the Palace Museum displays an array of art, furniture, and more.

The Louvre Museum, Paris, France

As the largest and most renowned museum globally, showcasing masterpieces like La Gioconda (the Mona Lisa) and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the U-shaped Louvre originated as a palace. It served as the residence for generations of French kings and emperors starting in the 12th century, with remnants of the original fortress built for King Philippe II in 1190 visible in the museum's basement. The structure underwent numerous expansions and renovations over time. Don't miss the decorative arts wing, where you can see the lavish state apartments of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, constructed between 1854 and 1861.

Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand

Royal offices continue to operate within the Grand Palace, hosting state visits and royal ceremonies annually. It served as the official residence of Thai kings from 1782 to 1925, featuring numerous buildings, halls, and pavilions arranged around lush lawns and meticulously maintained gardens. The palace’s Temple of the Emerald Buddha is regarded as one of Thailand's holiest sites. The statue, carved from a single block of stone, is adorned with garments made of pure gold, which are ceremonially changed three times a year to reflect the seasons in Thailand.

Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey

The Topkapi Palace served as a royal residence for nearly 400 years until the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the 1920s. Don't miss the Privy Chamber, featuring a gilded fireplace and walls adorned with stunning blue, white, and coral Iznik tiles from the 16th century. The palace complex also boasts courtyards, gazebos, gardens, and the Imperial Treasury.

Palace of Versailles, Versailles, France

Constructed by Louis XIV in the late 1600s, the Versailles estate became a model of envy among European monarchs and continues to exude an undeniable charm. It attracts more visitors than any other château in France (aside from the Louvre) due to its proximity to Paris. No palace in the world rivals the splendor of Versailles’s Hall of Mirrors, adorned with cascading chandeliers, and Marie Antoinette’s bedroom, featuring intricately hand-stitched floral designs. The expansive grounds, typically free to access, offer their own attractions, including 50 water fountains, a formal garden (parterre), a grand canal, and sites like the Grand Trianon, a retreat for Louis XIV, and Marie Antoinette’s Petit Trianon.

The Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia

Catherine the Great and Nicholas I are among the Russian monarchs who resided in this stunning green-and-white baroque palace along the Neva River from 1762 until 1917. Today, it functions as a museum housing one of Europe’s finest collections, featuring masterpieces by Titian, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci. Although much of the palace was devastated by fire in 1837, the exquisitely restored interiors reflect the lavish tastes of the Russian aristocracy. St. George Hall, a grand throne room, boasts two tiers of windows, double Corinthian pink marble columns, intricately patterned parquet floors, and gilt bronze accents.

Tower of London, London, England

This medieval fortress on the northern bank of the River Thames was constructed to intimidate the people of London and deter foreign invaders. The oldest section of the building, the White Tower, dates back to the 12th century. Originally a royal residence, the tower has gained infamy for its role as a prison and the site of notable executions, including those of Henry VI and Lady Jane Grey. Today, millions visit to witness historical reenactments and view the British Crown Jewels, including the Sovereign’s Sceptre, which features the Great Star of Africa, the largest colorless cut diamond in existence.

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

Austria’s most popular attraction is thisRococo palace, which served as a summer residence for Hapsburg emperors from the 1700s until 1918. Among its 1,441 rooms, the Mirror Room stands out, featuring elegant white and gold Rococo decor and crystal mirrors, where Mozart is rumored to have performed his first concert at the age of six. The Grand Tour grants access to all 40 public rooms, including the Gobelin Salon, adorned with tapestries from Brussels, and the Millions Room, an office finished in exquisite rosewood.

Shuri Castle, Naha, Japan

For over 400 years, Shuri Castle was the royal seat of the kings of Ryukyu. The castle was entirely destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, with reconstruction only completed in the early 1990s. Tragically, it suffered further damage in 2019 due to a fire, but restoration efforts are currently ongoing, and it remains closed to visitors.

Alhambra, Granada, Spain

Refined and expanded over the centuries, this hilltop palace and fortress complex features a blend of fortifications, gardens, churches, and several palaces, most notably the Alhambra and the Generalife, the royal country estate of the kings of Granada and Andalusia. Both structures showcase remarkable examples of Islamic architecture from Spain’s medieval era. Expect to see intricate arabesques, honeycomb vaulted ceilings, and courtyards adorned with pools and fountains. The Moorish gardens of the Generalife are filled with large boxwood trees, rosebushes, willows, and cypresses. Visitor numbers peak in spring and summer; to avoid crowds, consider a visit in January.

Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic

Today, the Czech president resides in Prague Castle, yet many areas remain accessible to tourists who wander through the palace, various buildings, and museums, including the Prague Castle Picture Gallery. With a history stretching back to the 800s, the castle still safeguards the Bohemian Crown Jewels, particularly the St. Wenceslas Crown, crafted from pure gold and adorned with pearls and precious stones. Spanning 753,474 square feet, Prague Castle is recognized as the largest ancient castle in the world.

Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto, Japan

This castle, built in the 17th century by a feudal lord, boasts impressive 44-foot-high stone walls designed to deter invaders. Many structures within the castle were lost to fire during the Seinan War of 1877. The Main Tower was reconstructed in 1960 using original techniques and materials. It now houses a museum showcasing the castle's history, its construction, and an array of weapons, armor, and furniture. Plan your visit in spring to enjoy the surrounding cherry trees in full bloom.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

This appears to be the ultimate fairy-tale castle, yet its history is anything but charming. The reclusive King Ludwig II was deemed insane and deposed before the castle’s completion, dying shortly after under mysterious circumstances. Neuschwanstein Castle is a testament to his vision, featuring a two-story throne room inspired by Byzantine churches and a bedroom adorned with murals illustrating the legend of Tristan and Isolde, furnished with an intricately carved oak bed draped in blue silk.

Osaka Castle, Osaka, Japan

Although skyscrapers loom nearby, this 16th-century castle remains an oasis, thanks to its 15 acres of parkland filled with cherry trees and waterways. Built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a significant political figure in Japan’s unification, Osaka Castle served as a center of power until the mid-1800s. Having suffered from war and fire, it has been rebuilt numerous times, most recently in the 1990s. The five-story donjon, erected on a stone foundation for defense against invaders, now showcases art and armor from the 16th century.

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland

This historic fortress has provided refuge for Scottish monarchs, including Queen Margaret and Mary, Queen of Scots, during turbulent times. In the 1600s, the castle transformed into a military base and served as a prison for war captives. Perched on Castle Rock, it dominates the Edinburgh skyline. Much like the Tower of London, the history of Edinburgh Castle is fraught with turmoil and bloodshed — hundreds of alleged witches were executed at the site now known as the esplanade. Visitors can explore the Great Hall, featuring its medieval wooden ceiling, view the purported biblical relic, the Stone of Destiny, and admire the Scottish Crown Jewels.

Nagoya Castle, Nagoya, Japan

Golden dolphins, thought to have the power to summon water, grace the roof of Nagoya Castle, which was constructed in 1612 by General Ieyasu Tokugawa to defend against attacks from Osaka. The castle thrived until the late 1800s and even served as a temporary residence for the Emperor of Japan. Sadly, many structures were lost to air raids during World War II; the main tower was reconstructed in 1959 but is currently closed due to structural concerns. The Hommaru Palace’s entrance hall, featuring black lacquer and intricate metal details, and the main hall with its tiger screen paintings, reopened to the public in 2013, while restoration efforts continue throughout the estate.

Catherine Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, Russia

This palace, located southeast of St. Petersburg, served as a summer retreat for Russian tsars and is named after Catherine I, the wife of Peter the Great, who ruled for two years after his death. However, it was Empress Elizabeth, his daughter, who commissioned the extravagant Rococo renovations to rival those of Versailles. The palace boasts a circumference of over half a mile, adorned with a stunning blue and white façade and gilded reliefs. It is best known for the Amber Room, a stunning chamber entirely crafted from amber panels set against gold leaf and mirrors.

Windsor Castle, Windsor, England

Windsor Castle, the longest-inhabited palace in Europe, has welcomed thirty-nine British monarchs. In the 1600s, Charles II sought to match the grandeur of his cousin Louis XIV at Versailles by transforming the castle’s 11th-century interiors with stunning painted ceilings and intricate wood carvings. The magnificent Waterloo Chamber commemorates Napoleon Bonaparte’s defeat in 1815, while the State Apartments are adorned with exquisite artworks from the Royal Collection, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Canaletto.

Nijo Castle, Kyoto, Japan

Constructed during the late 1500s to early 1600s, a period of intense conflict among Japanese city-states, Nijo Castle was commissioned by Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1603. This flatland castle features two layers of fortifications and includes two palaces. Ninomaru Palace consists of five buildings housing 33 rooms, showcasing a waiting room adorned with detailed wall paintings of tigers and leopards, and a hall where the 15th Shogun declared the restoration of imperial rule in 1867.

Doge’s Palace, Venice, Italy

In the height of Venice's power as a city-state, the doge, its chief official, resided in this stunning pink-and-white marble palace, a prime example of Gothic architecture situated next to St. Mark’s Basilica. The current structure has been renovated and expanded throughout the years, with its oldest section dating back to 1340. The doge’s living quarters boast lavish marble fireplaces, painted friezes, and intricate stucco details. Additionally, this palace served as the government hub, housing council chambers and two prisons linked by the iconic Bridge of Sighs.