6 Fairy Tale European Castles that You Can Visit

Europe has many castles which is appropriate for a continent that has a very warlike history. Most of Europe is now friendly and welcoming and these stunning castles are now a testament to architectural ingenuity, creativity, culture and history. Many castles that date back to the medieval era are extremely well preserved. They were built to protect against invasion and yet no two castles are exactly the same. The castles in central or eastern Europe tend to be more ornate and fairy tail like. The castles in France, the UK and Ireland are still spectacular, but they were built to endure through long sieges. Many of these European castles still dominate the terrain to this day because they were built in elevated positions to better protect the occupants. So, when you visit the upper towers of a castle you’re likely to see some spectacular views. In this article, we will take a closer look at six European castles that are well worth visiting. 

Bellver Castle, Palma de Mallorca

In Spain, there are numerous castles to explore and every city seems to have a Spanish or Moorish castle. One of our favorites is Bellver Castle in Palma de Mallorca that dates back to the 14th century. This castle was built by King James as a residence and fortifications. This showed considerable foresight because the Spanish royal family endured many sieges in this castle until the 16th century when it finally fell. The design is unique, there is a central circular building that looks like the Roman Colosseum which is surrounded by a two story internal courtyard. The central castle is protected by four circular guard towers and the old moat can still be seen. Today, the castle plays host to concerts and other events and guided tours are available. Within the castle there’s a museum that covers this building's long and illustrious history.

The Castle of Carcassonne, France

This is considered to be the most stunning medieval castle in Europe, it dates back to the 12th century and this stronghold was built to fortify the city of Carcassonne. There are outer and inner walls, a drawbridge, moat and fifty two towers. Climbing the towers and walls is an excellent way to get some breathtaking views of Carcassonne. This castle features heavily in Robin Hood. Prince of Thieves and the fairy tale walls and turrets support heroic story telling. Now, this castle is a UNESCO world heritage site and if you’re planning a trip to France and you like castles, this is a must.

Eltz Castle, Germany

This castle was built almost 900 years ago and it’s still owned by the same family. The structure is well preserved and beautiful with half timber frames and gables, oriel windows and high turreted towers. This castle really does look like a location in a fairy tale or fantasy movie. Eltz Castles sits on top of a 230 foot rock that’s surrounded on all sides by forests. Far below the Moselle River makes its way through a quiet and deep valley which only adds to its magical aura. There's a 40 minute guided tour in English that will guide visitors through period rooms with furnishings, tapestries and murals that date back to the 15th century. There are vaulted halls covered with historic armor and weaponry and a treasury filled with gold, solver and historical artifacts. 

Prague Castle, Czech Republic

This is one of the most impressive and the largest medieval castles in the world. According to the Guiness Book of Records it covers over 70,000 square meters! The castle offers a stunning backdrop for visitors to Prague and it dates back to the 9th century. A variety of different architectural features were added over the centuries that showcase how buildings changed and evolved. Some of the best examples include Lobkowicz Palace, Saint Vitus Cathedral, the Golden Land and more. The former was the royal residence and the latter were small houses where people that worked in the castle lived. A tour through this huge castle and the grounds can give visitors some insight into what it may have been like to live in the medieval period. This castle is also the home of the Czech crown jewels which are displayed in the former royal palace. 

Bran Castle, Romania

This is a stunning 57 room 14th century fortress that sits high on a cliff in the Carpathian Mountains over the rural Romanian countryside. Many literary experts believe that this castle was the inspiration for Bram Stoker when he wrote his novel “Dracula”. In fact, Bran Castle is often referred to as “Dracula’s Castle”, but it’s very unlikely that this has any factual basis. Tourists may be intrigued that Vlad the Impaler, a ruthless 15th century defender of Christianity and Wallachia (now part of Romania) against the invading Ottoman Turks has a connection to Bran Castle. There is no credible evidence to support this claim, but there is an undeniable spooky feel to the place. The highlights include the intricate Gothic detailing, underground passages, red turrets, hidden winding staircases and a comprehensive audio guided tour. Certain “modern” alterations were made from the 1920s up to 1938 by Queen Marie of Romania. These modern comforts include an English garden, a teahouse and an elevator!

Ljubljana Castle, Slovenia

This stunning castle is located in the capital city, it sits on a hill that dominates the city center and it has some stunning vistas from the viewing tower and walls. The castle is beautiful and it played a huge role in the history of this area. The surrounding grounds can be reached on foot on a trail that starts in the city center. Another option is to take the funicular railway to the castle which is a scenic ride that offers a unique perspective on the approaches. The viewing tower is the best place to get the views and photos of your visit Educational displays on the castle are dotted around to give visitors a sense of history. The walls at Archer’s Tower are covered with Sgraffito (Scratch in Italian) paintings of contrasting tinted plaster layers. These layers are then scratched to create the images which are beautifully restored to preserve this technique for future generations.