Incredible Castles Around The World

Countless children dream of living in a castle. Fortunately, palaces are not just in fairytales, and there are lots that you can visit on your travels! Below are just a few of the incredible castles around the world: 

Neuschwanstein can only be described as a fairytale castle. In fact, it served as the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. This remote castle in the Alps was built as a retreat for King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The Romanesque style building has impressive spires, towers, courtyards, and gardens. Its interiors were inspired by medieval legends and the music of composer Richard Wagner. The inside of the castle was never completed, but if you visit, you can see the magnificent Throne Hall, the Singers’ Hall, and the king’s apartments. Almost 1.5 million people visit Neuschwanstein each year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. You will only be able to go inside as part of a guided tour, and we recommend booking tickets in advance from the Hohenschwangau ticket center.

This colonial era castle in the heart of Mexico City is the only royal palace in North America that was actually inhabited by a monarch. It was the official residence of Emperor Maximilian I and his consort Empress Carlota from 1864–67. Since Mexico became independent, the castle has served as a military academy, presidential residence, and a history museum. Chapultepec Castle blends neoclassical and baroque architectural styles. Its interiors feature velvet damask wallpaper, carved wooden furniture, hand-painted tiles, and crystal chandeliers. One of the most impressive rooms is a stained-glass gallery with colorful floor to ceiling windows depicting Greco-Roman goddesses.

This Renaissance palace commissioned by King Francis I, and inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, is a monumental structure designed to symbolize the power of the French court. The vast castle (that functioned as a hunting lodge) has an area of 200,000 sq ft. and contains 440 rooms. The château is famous for architectural elements such as ornate chimneys, flying buttresses, sculpted fireplaces, and a double spiral staircase. Its lush interiors feature tapestries, sculptures, four-poster beds, and many other art objects. You can visit the castle via a guided or self guided tour. You will have access to the castle itself, as well as its surrounding formal gardens, nature park, stables, and vineyards. Tickets are available on the Château de Chambord website.

Osaka Castle was originally built in the 16th-century for samurai Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the feudal lords that unified Japan. It has been reconstructed multiple times (most recently in 1928) due to wars and fires. The five-story white and green fortress features gold awnings, citadels, turrets, stone walls, and two moats. Its surrounding park is home to over 600 cherry trees.The inside of the castle is now a museum, where you can learn about Osaka’s history and catch breathtaking views of the surrounding cityscape.

This palace built for Catherine the Great has a spectacularly beautiful blue and white facade accented with 100 kg of gold. The massive Rococo palace is 327 meters long and nearly a kilometer in circumference. 32 of the rooms are open to the public, including the 1,000 square meter Great Hall, the Portrait Hall, the White Formal Dining Room, and the Chapel. You will also get to see a reconstruction of the infamous Amber Room that was dismantled and eventually disappeared during World War II. Once considered the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the candlelit room is covered in priceless amber panels, gold leaf, mirrors, and gemstones. You can purchase e-tickets to tour the palace from the Tsarskoe Selo State Museum and Heritage Site.

La Cuesta Encantada or “The Enchanted Hill,” more commonly known as Hearst Castle, is a historic estate built by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan. The hilltop complex features an imposing main house with twin-towers, three luxurious guest cottages, and almost 130 acres of gardens, fountains, and swimming pools. The architecture is a mixture of Gothic, Neoclassical, and Spanish Colonial styles. The mismash of decor is a result of avid-collector Hearst purchasing and shipping architectural elements such as ceilings, doors, and fireplaces from existing European buildings. Hearst loved to host parties in the grand social rooms — the Assembly Room, Morning Room, Billiard Room and Theater. His guests included Hollywood royalty such as Charlie Chaplin, political leaders such as Winston Churchill, and literary figures such as George Bernard Shaw. If you plan to visit, you can choose from a variety of tours available on the Hearst Castle website. 

Next time you travel, explore a magnificent royal residence! The world is full of incredible castles with a rich history, gorgeous decor, and priceless artifacts.

If you are looking for more exciting destinations to visit, check out our other travel-related articles Destinations For Thrill-Seekers and Famous Filming Locations You Should Visit.