The World's Most Stunning Castles

What is it about castles that captivates people across the globe?

Much of their charm comes from the rich history and drama that unfolded within their walls, along with the awe-inspiring architecture many of them boast. Castles also carry an air of romance and mystery, evoking images of chivalrous knights in shining armor and mighty warrior queens.

“Castles are far more fascinating than mere fortresses or palaces,” says Marc Morris, author of ‘Castles: Their History and Evolution in Medieval Britain.’

“What makes a building a castle is its dual purpose – combining defense with residential living. It’s both a fortress and a grand home, and designing such a structure that is both secure and comfortable is a true feat of engineering. The clever solutions used to balance these two elements are always fascinating.”

While castles are often linked with European history, they are actually an architectural phenomenon found across the globe, from Japan and India to Morocco and Mexico.

Many castles have evolved into living history museums where visitors can witness medieval sports like jousting, listen to period music, or watch artisans showcase ancient arts, crafts, and daily life from centuries ago.

They also serve as stunning settings for outdoor performances, including concerts, films, theater, military reenactments, or even the filming of movies and TV shows.

“A castle tells not only the stories of sieges but also of the daily lives of royalty and the aristocracy,” explains Morris. “They are places where secret plots were hatched, royal marriages took place, murders occurred, and royal heirs were born. Castles are brimming with stories waiting to be discovered.”

Continue reading to explore 21 of the world’s most beautiful castles—fortified homes that are both visually spectacular and offer a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Himeji Castle, Japan

Situated just 30 minutes by bullet train from Osaka and Kobe, Himeji Castle rises majestically above the Inland Sea, representing the pinnacle of Japanese feudal architecture.

A national treasure of Japan and a World Heritage Site, this magnificent white castle is often referred to as 'White Heron Castle' due to its striking resemblance to a bird in flight.

Built in the early 17th century, Himeji Castle offers daily guided tours in both Japanese and English.

Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, Greece

This iconic medieval fortress dominates the island of Rhodes in the Aegean Sea. Initially constructed as a Byzantine stronghold, it was later transformed into its current Gothic structure by the Knights of St. John when they made Rhodes the center of their order.

During the short-lived Italian occupation of the Dodecanese Islands, Benito Mussolini turned the castle into a holiday retreat. Today, its permanent archaeological displays showcase artifacts from ancient Greece and the early Christian era.

Neuschwanstein, Germany

While many consider this Bavarian gem the ultimate representation of a German castle, Neuschwanstein is a relatively modern structure, built in the late 1800s at the request of King Ludwig II.

The Bavarian king directed his architects to craft a structure that would embody both the operas of Richard Wagner and the romantic ideals of the medieval period – a fairy-tale castle akin to Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle, set against the majestic backdrop of the snow-covered Alps and the sprawling Bavarian plains below.

Neuschwanstein has also become a favorite of filmmakers, appearing in numerous movies over the years, including classics like 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and 'The Great Escape.'

Alcázar of Segovia, Spain

Perched on a narrow, rocky outcrop, the Alcázar is one of Europe's most visually striking castles, commanding views over the vast plains of Old Castile in central Spain.

Originally a Roman fort, the Alcázar gradually transformed over centuries into a quintessential medieval fortress, complete with a deep moat, a drawbridge, towering round guard posts, a solid keep, and opulently decorated royal chambers.

Segovia Castle is famed as the residence of Queen Isabella and the powerful King Philip II, before the royal court was relocated to Madrid.

Pena Palace, Portugal

Rising majestically on a hilltop near Sintra, Portugal, Pena Palace is a creation of the Romantic movement that flourished across 19th-century Europe.

Built by King Ferdinand II atop the ruins of a monastery dedicated to the Virgin of Pena, the palace showcases a vibrant mix of architectural influences, including Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance elements.

The striking red-and-yellow hues of the castle, paired with its bold clock tower, give Pena Palace a lively and whimsical charm, contrasting sharply with the more serious, somber castles of Europe.

Amber Fortress, India

Built in the early 17th century by the Mughal ruler of Rajasthan, Amber Fortress rises above Maota Lake, its imposing walls mirrored in the tranquil waters below.

The palace complex inside the fortress is centered around grand courtyards, home to spectacular examples of Rajput architecture, including the Maharaja's Apartments, the Sukh Niwas (Hall of Pleasure), and the Diwan-i-Am (Royal Audience Hall).

While it was once a popular tradition to ride elephants up the steep path to the fortress, today visitors are encouraged to either walk or take a 4x4 taxi.

Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, located in Morocco, is a stunning example of traditional architecture.

This vast mudbrick fortress, situated on the edge of the Sahara Desert, has been showcased in numerous films and TV shows, including 'Game of Thrones,' 'Gladiator,' and 'The Man Who Would Be King.'

The complex includes a fortified lower town along the Asif Ounila River, where locals still live, and a partially decayed citadel perched on the hilltop.

Berber-style inns offer lodging for those visiting a ksar that was initially constructed in the 17th century as a resting point for caravans traveling between Marrakech and Sudan.

Kalmar Castle, located in Sweden, stands as one of the most impressive historic landmarks in the region.

Kalmar Castle's origins date back to the tail end of the Viking Age, with a 12th-century fortification overlooking the Kalmar Strait, positioned strategically on the Baltic Sea.

Four centuries after its initial construction, King Gustav and his heirs transformed Kalmar Castle into a majestic royal residence. With the aid of renovations, it maintains much of its 1592 appearance today.

In addition to its fascinating exhibits, children's programs, and guided tours, Scandinavia's best-preserved Renaissance castle hosts special events like the Van Gogh multimedia experience, which will be available until November 2019.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro, located in Puerto Rico, is an iconic historical fort.

Overlooking the entrance to San Juan Bay, this 16th-century Spanish citadel stands as one of the most formidable landmarks in the Caribbean.

Protected by a deep moat, drawbridge, sturdy stone battlements, and rugged sea cliffs, this castle successfully withstood numerous assaults, including pirate attacks and a 1595 siege by Sir Francis Drake. It eventually surrendered to U.S. forces after enduring a heavy naval bombardment during the Spanish-American War.

Since 1962, El Morro and the nearby Castillo San Cristóbal— the largest Spanish-built fort in the Western Hemisphere— have been preserved as part of the San Juan National Historic Site. The expansive grassy area in front of the castle, known as the 'field of fire,' is now a favorite spot for picnics and kite flying.

Topkapi Palace, located in Istanbul, is an extensive complex that now functions as a museum.

While officially a palace, Istanbul's Topkapi complex shares all the hallmarks of a classic fortress: a strategically chosen location, sturdy defensive walls, imposing gateways, and a royal residence that housed Ottoman sultans from its inception in the late 15th century until the 1850s.

After the fall of the Ottoman Empire following World War I, Topkapi was converted into a museum. It features lush gardens, walkways atop its walls with views of the Bosphorus, the Imperial Harem where the sultan's concubines once lived, and the Imperial Treasury with the famous emerald-encrusted golden dagger, famously stolen and later recovered in the 1964 film 'Topkapi.'

Edinburgh Castle, perched atop an extinct volcanic rock, is Scotland’s most iconic and fortified landmark.

Situated on an ancient volcanic rock at the end of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle is renowned as Britain’s ‘most besieged location,’ having withstood at least 26 significant assaults over its 1,100-year history.

From Mary, Queen of Scots to Oliver Cromwell and Sir Walter Raleigh, numerous notable figures are closely tied to this historic stronghold.

The Honours of Scotland, the oldest crown jewels in Britain, are securely housed within the castle, which also serves as the perfect backdrop for the prestigious Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo each year.

The castle hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including music concerts, historical reenactments, and weapons demonstrations. Additionally, the castle’s Dog Cemetery is the final resting place for former military mascots.

Schloss Vianden, Luxembourg

Although Luxembourg may be small in size, it boasts an impressive array of castles – more than 50 scattered across an area smaller than London's metro. Among these, Schloss Vianden stands out as the most stunning, dramatically overlooking the Our River in the north.

The site of Schloss Vianden was originally occupied by a Roman fort designed to defend the empire from barbarian invasions. The present castle, built between the 11th and 14th centuries, carries the legacy of this ancient stronghold.

A fusion of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture, the castle remained under royal ownership until 1977, when it was passed to the state by the Grand Duke. Vianden's most popular event is its annual medieval festival in August, featuring jousting knights, troubadours, jugglers, and craftspeople.

Novgorod Detinets, Russia

The Kremlin in Moscow may be more famous, but when it comes to medieval ambiance, Novgorod's fortress stands out as the more atmospheric choice.

Situated 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of St. Petersburg, Novgorod was once the center of a formidable Russian republic that flourished from the 11th to the 15th century, before being eclipsed by Moscow.

The heart of this power lay within the detinets, or kremlin, which was protected by its thick walls and heavily fortified towers.

Today, Novgorod is home to several remarkable landmarks, including the Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom with its gleaming silver domes, the Novgorod Museum, and the Millennium of Russia monument.

Château de Chambord, France

In the Loire Valley, this enormous château stands as a prime example of the transition from medieval fortified castles to the luxurious palaces of the Renaissance.

Originally commissioned by King François I as a 'hunting lodge' in the early 16th century, this grand structure with 440 rooms took 28 years to build.

While the moat, corner towers, and keep may appear intimidating, they are primarily ornamental. Chambord is celebrating its 500th anniversary this year with various special events, including an exhibition exploring the possibility that Leonardo da Vinci designed the castle's famous double-helix staircase.

Shuri-jô Castle, Okinawa

Shuri, a majestic hilltop fortress and palace complex on Okinawa Island, Japan, stands as one of the finest examples of Chinese-style castle architecture.

For over 450 years, Shuri served as the royal court of the independent Ryukyu Kingdom. During this period, the islands were deeply influenced by China, and Shuri developed into a sprawling complex of imperial living quarters, audience halls, sacred shrines, and a grand throne room, reminiscent of Beijing's Forbidden City.

After World War II, Shuri was extensively restored. The compound, which once housed the Imperial Japanese Army's local headquarters, now offers various activities such as a morning gate-opening ritual called Ukejo, multilingual audio tours, daily dance performances, and nighttime illuminations.

Bodiam Castle, located in England

While England is home to much larger castles (like Windsor) and those with deeper historical significance (such as the Tower of London), none quite match the iconic form of Bodiam Castle in East Sussex.

Built in 1385 as the stronghold of a former royal knight, Bodiam Castle embodies the classic medieval design – towering crenelated walls, supported by nine stout towers, arranged around a central square courtyard and accessible via a wooden bridge (formerly a drawbridge) over a wide moat.

Among the many activities offered to visitors during the summer are archery lessons, dressing in medieval attire, afternoon tea with cakes and scones, and guided tours. Additionally, just seven miles away is the historic site of the Battle of Hastings, which took place in 1066.

Castillo de Chapultepec, Mexico

The only royal castle in the Western Hemisphere rises majestically above Mexico City.

Built in the late 1700s as a summer residence for the viceroy of New Spain, the castle has served many purposes over the years. It was the palace of Emperor Maximilian and the site of a 1847 battle between Mexican forces and invading American troops, immortalized in the 'Marine Corps Hymn' ('From the Halls of Montezuma ...').

Today, Chapultepec Castle houses Mexico's National Museum of History. Visitors can tour the royal chambers, including the exquisite Malachite Room and Maximilian's opulent bedroom.

Predjama Castle, Slovenia

What sets this Slovenian castle apart is its extraordinary location – Predjama Castle is perched on the edge of a cave entrance beneath a natural rock arch, clinging to the side of a sheer cliff.

The castle’s lofty position made it nearly invulnerable when it was built in the 13th century. Despite repeated sieges, the defenders were able to come and go through a secret passage (which still exists today), allowing them to resist attackers.

Located 62 kilometers (38 miles) from Ljubljana, the castle and its picturesque grounds are home to the Erasmus Knight’s Tournament, a medieval festival and jousting event held every July.

Castello Aragonese, Italy

This island fortress, perched above the Bay of Naples, is the oldest castle on our list, dating back to the 5th century BC when the Greeks first colonized the area. Throughout history, it has been occupied by Roman soldiers and Napoleon's forces, among others.

The castle is now owned by the family of an Italian lawyer who purchased the fortified island in 1912. They began restoring its walls, churches, convents, crypts, and gardens. In addition to breathtaking views of the bay and Mount Vesuvius, Aragonese Castle offers outdoor cafes, a bookshop, art exhibits, and outdoor movie screenings.

Prague Castle, Czech Republic

Prague’s mighty citadel stands as one of the few castles in the world that still retains real political influence, serving as the official residence of the President of the Czech Republic.

Within its expansive grounds, notable landmarks include St. Vitus Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, ten beautiful gardens, and the Golden Lane, a row of 16th-century cottages once home to castle guards.

Guided tours of the citadel, available both during the day and evening, typically last about three hours.

Krak des Chevaliers, Syria

Though it is nearly impossible to visit due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, Krak des Chevaliers remains one of the world’s most impressive castles – and uniquely, it is the only one on our list to have endured and survived 21st-century warfare.

Built in the 12th century by the Knights of St. John, Krak des Chevaliers is hailed as the ultimate crusader castle in the Middle East and a monumental example of medieval military architecture.

The fortress features two massive walls separated by a moat, perched on a steep hillside between Homs and the Mediterranean Sea. The most recent UNESCO report (2019) confirms that restoration and archaeological efforts are underway, though the security situation remains precarious.