The capital of Scotland is dominated by one of Europe’s most iconic castles. Edinburgh Castle is perched on a rock overlooking the city and was the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots.
This Italian castle is far more modern than appearances suggest. It was constructed during the mid-19th century but resembles something from centuries before.
There aren’t too many castles anywhere on earth, let alone in Europe, built seamlessly into a cave. However, Predjama Castle in Slovenia combines a man-made structure with a natural cavern.
If you’d like to see one of the continent’s best-preserved and biggest medieval castles, head to Hohensalzburg Fortress in Salzburg.
Portugal’s Pena Palace is incredibly colorful, with elements of pastel lilac, rich red, vibrant orange, and sunny yellow. This fantasy castle was home to King Ferdinand II in the 19th century
Trakai Castle in Lithuania is Eastern Europe’s sole island castle. The castle is situated on one of a series of 21 islands on Lake Galvė.
This is one of the most accessible castles on the list, as it’s easy to visit while taking a city break in Prague. It’s also worth adding to your itinerary because of the panoramic views from the hilltop location
Backed by the Bavarian Alps and Lake Alpsee, and surrounded by evergreen trees, the setting is just as spectacular as the building.