Top 10 Most Whimsical Castles You Must Visit In A Lifetime

There is no better place to visit the most beautiful castles than in Europe, which is absolutely normal, given the antiquity and history of the old continent. In addition to the stunning architecture on display, these castles have often been built in strategic and spectacular locations at the mouths of valleys, at the entrance to mountain passes or on the shores of lakes. Add the weight of history, and these architectural wonders set among stunning landscapes make some of them the most beautiful castles in Europe. We have put together a list of the most whimsical castles you absolutely must visit in a lifetime:

1. Cochem Castle, Germany

Set in a picturesque spot overlooking the town of Cochem and the River Moselle, the castle of the same name is surrounded by green hills with lush forests and vineyards around it. The castle has stood on the same hilltop since 1130, but the original fortification was destroyed by the plundering troops of Louis IV in 1688. Restored and rebuilt in a beautiful Gothic Revival style, the current castle is now a popular tourist attraction in German Rhineland.

2. De Haar Castle, Netherlands

De Haar Castle is the largest castle in the Netherlands, located just outside the city of Utrecht and a half-hour drive from Amsterdam. De Haar has everything you want from a castle, namely towers, ditches, gates, and suspended bridges. The castle is also home to many works of art. Near the castle, you can find a romantic chapel, as well as wonderful parks and gardens. Undoubtedly, Haar Castle is one of the most luxurious castles in Europe.

3. Chateau de Chillon, Switzerland

Surrounded by the ridges of the massifs, the castle is quietly reflected in Lake Geneva, in the middle of relaxing nature and sheltered by the Swiss Alps. The castle near Laussane reflects the incredible architecture, with a harmonious blend of Gothic and Roman style.

This monument hides over 1000 years of history and has been an inspiration for artists and writers everywhere, from Jean-Jacques Rousseau to Victor Hugo, from Delacroix to Courbet. Take a tour of the royal chambers and you will fill your soul with history. Each room has its own uniqueness, its own story.

4. Trakai Island Castle, Lithuania

Trakai Island Castle is a fortification located in Trakai, Lithuania, on an island in Lake Galvė. The castle is also called “Little Marienburg”. The construction of the stone castle began in the 14th century, and around 1409 the finishing touches were made.

Trakai Island Castle is today the center where concerts, events, and festivals are organized. In Lithuania, it is considered to be the most beautiful historical monument ever. In 1962, a museum was opened here. During the year, Trakai Island Castle attracts up to 300,000 visitors.

5. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Located in the heart of the German Alps, on a peak, the castle, with its imposing silhouette, seems taken out of a fairytale. Located between the precipices, near a picturesque town, protected by a ditch, Neuschwanstein Castle seems untouched by time. This is a perennial testimony to the imagination of Ludovic II.

6. The Palace of Pena Sintra, Portugal

The main building is decorated with purple tiles that have a Moorish geometric pattern and is decorated with rich stone sculptures and gilded domes. What attracts attention is the Triton, a gigantic creature, half man-half fish, which holds behind the entire weight of a meticulously carved balcony, an allegory that represents the connection between sea and land. This sculpture is located above the entrance to the Court of the Arcades, where the castle is divided into two distinct wings: the Old Palace, with its red facade and the New Palace, with its yellow-ocher facade.

Once you see the palace, you have the feeling that you are in a fairy tale or children’s storybooks or that you are watching the generic Walt Disney cartoons. All these comparisons get in your head instantly the moment you look at it. So colorful and perched on top of the mountain, with its large gates, towers and ramparts, domes and walkways everything appears like fantasy and you feel like the dwarf in the story, visiting the castle of the princes.

7. Corvin Castle, Romania

The monument has a special charm due to the various construction styles, the presence of military and civilian innovations, as well as the tumultuous courtyard life that has animated it for over 400 years.

Corvin Castle impresses with its presence, which dominates the city of Hunedoara. For those attracted by the Middle Ages, the castle is a unique monument in Romania and among the most attractive in Europe.

8. Alcazar of Segovia Castle, Spain

By far the most beautiful castle in Spain, the Alcázar in Segovia is located on a rocky peak, which gives it a special charm. Built in the form of a ship, as a fortress, for the surveillance and defense of the region, the building later became a royal palace, then a prison and military academy. Today, it is a castle detached from that story, much appreciated by tourists, both for its special architecture and for the art objects it houses. It is said that this construction was one of the sources of inspiration for the design of Disney’s Cinderella Castle.

9. Chenonceau Castle, France

Chenonceau Castle is located 34 kilometers from the most important city in the area, Tours. Together with the castle of Chambord, it is the most visited in the Loire Valley. This castle is known as the castle of the six ladies, because many illustrious women were its masters.

The castle has a splendid appearance from the outside and through its two main gardens, that of Diana de Poitiers and another of Catherine de Medicis. Its floral decoration is made every spring and summer from plants obtained from its own nursery. Here we find an interesting flower and vegetable garden. On the castle grounds, there are also restaurants where you can dine and taste local wines.

10. Castle of Gravensteen, Belgium

One of the most famous buildings in Ghent is Gravensteen Castle. It is located right in the heart of the city, which is less common in Europe. It seems that over time the castle was, in turn, a factory, a court, and a prison. In the late 1800s, the city of Ghent bought and renovated the castle and fortunately restored it to its original condition.