Top 15 most beautiful castles in Europe

European history would be unimaginable without the magnificent castles. Castles appear to be full of enchantment and mystery, like something out of a fairytale. Despite this, many fairy tales and legends have drawn inspiration from real castles that we may still see today.

Castles abound in many countries, each one unique in its own way and sure to amaze anybody who sees them up close. The majority of European countries have at least a few remarkable castles. After all, borders weren't always the way they are now, and some kingdoms reached far and wide, leaving their mark on the territory they inhabited.

There is no disputing that medieval castles, fortresses, and strongholds that once housed knights and witnessed several conflicts on their doorsteps are majestic and awe-inspiring. However, many of France's delicate and charming chateaus, particularly Château de Chantilly or Chantilly Castle, are incomparable.

The Château de Chantilly, located roughly an hour from Paris, is a beautiful jewel in French history. The current castle was erected in the mid and late nineteenth centuries after the former was destroyed during the French Revolution. The castle and its interiors are both excellent examples of Renaissance architecture. Chantilly Castle was never owned by the French royal family, but rather by noble families. The grounds and gardens that encircle the castle span an amazing 115 hectares. The wonderfully groomed gardens and lovely ponds combine to create an amazing setting with a magical charm.

The Alcázar of Seville is made even more renowned by films like Lawrence of Arabia, Kingdom of Heaven, and the popular series Game of Thrones is one of the most visited attractions in Spain and Seville. The Alcazar was built on the site of an Abbadid Muslim residential stronghold for the Christian king, Peter of Castile. This stronghold, like the Alcázar of Segovia, is a remarkable example of Mudéjar construction. With its remarkably attractive ceramic plinths, the Patio de las Doncellas is one of the most noticeable aspects of the Alcazar complex. The 14th-century Salón de Audiencias is still used as the ruling monarch's receiving room, and guided tours are available to the public. The Alcazar is still in use as a royal residence, making it one of the world's oldest royal palaces.

This picturesque castle in Germany overlooks the Berg Hohenzollern, a 768-foot cliff rising over the foothills of the Swabian Alps in what is now central Baden-Württemberg, and serves as the ancestral home and imperial seat of the House of Hohenzollern. Hohenzollern is one of the most visited historic places in Germany, with over 300,000 visitors every year. The castle's foundations were laid in the early 11th century, but it was damaged during a siege in 1423 and rebuilt between 1454 and 1461. By the 18th century, the castle had fallen into disrepair, with just the original medieval chapel remaining.

Castillo de Coca, a 15th-century fortress with elements of Western and Moorish military architecture and Gothic characteristics, is one of the greatest examples of Spanish Mudejar brickwork. It is one of the few Spanish castles that was not built upon a hill and is located about 45 kilometres north of Segovia. The castle is surrounded by a moat and includes a three-tiered defence system. Since the 1920s, Castillo de Coca has been designated as a Spanish national monument. Several elements of the castle are now available to the public. The church, the weapons chamber, and the central keep are among them.

Burg Kreuzenstein, sometimes confused with Burg Lichtenstein, where the film The Three Musketeers was filmed, is another castle that appears to have sprung from someone's imagination — full of charm and fairytale-like delights.

The castle is only a few miles north of Vienna, and hence one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The current castle was erected on top of the remnants of a former castle, and portions of other medieval constructions from throughout Europe were acquired and integrated into the construction of this castle. The castle has appeared in several films and television shows.

The Neuschwanstein Palace was opened to the public seven weeks following King Ludwig II's death in 1886. The bashful monarch constructed the castle to retreat from public life; now, Neuschwanstein is one of Europe's most popular palaces and castles, with 1.4 million visitors visiting "the castle of the fairy-tale king" each year. During the summer, around 6,000 people each day pass through rooms designed for a single occupant. Neuschwanstein's location could hardly be more lovely. Movement in the foundation area, on the other hand, must be constantly monitored, and the sheer rock walls must be continually secured.

It is not by chance that Chillon Castle receives over 400,000 visitors every year. This fantasy monument is located on the shores of Lake Geneva and is shaped like the rocky island upon which it was built. Chillon, a waterside castle, is a floating treasure that provides guests with an immersive experience. The castle was defined by three major periods: the Savoy (12th century to 1536), the Bernese (1536 to 1798), and the Vaudois (from 1798 to now), and you may learn about each of these ages throughout your tour. Chillon features 25 houses, three courtyards, 14th-century paintings, subterranean vaults, and over 300 artefacts on exhibit that were discovered during archaeological excavations from 1896 to 1903.

The Spis Castle, a Unesco-listed structure, is one of the largest European castles by area (41,426 m2) and rises 634 metres above sea level. A visit to the Spis Castle will allow you to explore the archaeological portion of the monument, where you can discover artefacts from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages, stonewalls from the 18th century, and a tower with a view of the region, which is packed with Romanesque churches and gothic buildings. Visit the museum of medieval history, which is housed within the ancient palace.

A palace rises from the marshy lowlands of the Sologne area, on the outskirts of a forest teeming with wild boar. Its building was authorised by François I, the youthful king who had gained fame at the Battle of Marignan. The Château de Chambord was never intended to be a permanent residence; François I would only stay here for a few weeks at a time, leaving it bare of furnishings and people following his trips. It was an architectural treasure that the monarch displayed as a sign of his authority to visit crowned heads and ambassadors. Although the château was not completed during François I's reign, it is one of the few structures from that era to have survived without substantial changes to its original design.

In the heart of Romania, a medieval castle is thought to have once housed Vlad Tepes Dracula, also known as "Vlad the Impaler." The terrible Romanian king became the basis for Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula." Countess Elizabeth Bathory, a legendary Romanian female serial killer, is thought to have inspired the story. Bran Castle is generally known as "Dracula's Castle" throughout the region and worldwide due to its tenuous relationship with the renowned vampire.

Between 1377 and 1388, Bran Castle was erected atop a strategic position commanding a widely frequented mountain route between Transylvania and Wallachia, the territory governed by Vlad the Impaler in the 15th century. The king, sometimes known as Vlad III Dracula, is widely regarded as the basis for Count Dracula due to his medieval bloodlust. He enjoyed torturing people and would impale his adversaries on the battlefield to discourage their other adversaries. During invasions, he was also known to use the scorched-earth policy, which involved poisoning water sources and burning farms to eliminate any available resource that the adversary could exploit.

This castle represents Scotland in the same way that the Eiffel Tower represents France. It is perhaps one of Scotland's most iconic structures, having appeared in various films, including the James Bond films "The World is Not Enough," "Highlander," and "Made of Honor." Just to mention a few.

Eilean Donan Castle was built in the 13th century and has a tumultuous history, having witnessed clan conflicts and serving as a garrison for Spanish troops during the short-lived Jacobite Rebellion of 1719, which ended with the Battle of Glen Shiel on June 10th. The Spanish left a small garrison to defend the fortress, but they were unable to repel a seaborne attack by three Royal Navy ships. After being bombarded with cannon fire from the ships, the Spanish defenders recognised their situation was hopeless and surrendered. Following their capitulation, the English invaders utilised the fortress's stockpile of gunpowder to destroy the top levels of the castle.

The Heidelberg Palace is regarded as one of the most significant Renaissance structures north of the Alps. The castle was erected in 1300 and was the seat of the Wittelsbach dynasty. It is located 300 feet above the city of Heidelberg, Germany. During the War of the Grand Alliance in the late 17th century, the French invaded and subsequently destroyed the palace. It has now been substantially restored and consists of a collection of buildings encircling an inner courtyard, each reflecting a different period of German architecture. The Great Terrace and gardens, with views of the Neckar valley, are among the most beautiful portions of Heidelberg.

Windsor Castle is the world's oldest and biggest inhabited castle. For almost 1,000 years, it has served as the family residence of British kings and queens. It is Her Majesty The Queen's official house, where she spends the majority of her private weekends. When the Queen is in residence, her standard is flown from the Round Tower. Windsor is still a functioning royal residence. The castle is frequently used for ceremonial and governmental functions. The Queen frequently welcomes state visits from foreign monarchs and presidents here. When a single table, extending the length of the hall and seating 160 people, is decked with china and silver-gilt from the Royal Collection, St George's Hall becomes a stunning setting for a state dinner.

The papal residence, formerly a castle and palace, was the seat of Western Christianity in the 14th century. Under the supervision of two builder popes, Benedict XII and his successor Clement VI, construction began in 1335 and was finished in less than twenty years. The Popes' Palace is Europe's largest Gothic palace. Before the popes returned to Rome in 1377, the Palais hosted six papal conclaves. In the decades afterwards, the palace served as a home for anti-papal troops, a military barracks, and a jail. Over 600,000 tourists each year now come to see the Pope's private apartments and the murals created by the Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti.

Versailles, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List for 30 years, is one of the most exquisite works of 18th-century French art. The location, some 20 kilometres southwest of Paris, began as Louis XIII's hunting lodge until his son Louis XIV (known as the Sun King) rebuilt and extended it, relocating France's court and government to Versailles in 1682. Each of the three French monarchs that resided there contributed to the beauty of the place. During the French Revolution in 1789, the château lost its status as the formal seat of authority.