Top 100 most beautiful castles
---
title: "Top 100 Most Beautiful Castles"
subtitle: "Explore the majestic beauty of the world's greatest fortresses"
---
# Top 100 Most Beautiful Castles
"Timeless elegance and grandeur captured in stone."
Castles have long inspired awe with their impressive architecture and historical importance. From the breathtaking heights of Neuschwanstein to the fairytale elegance of Château de Chambord, each castle tells a story of splendor, power, and romance. Here's a look at the top 100 most beautiful castles around the world.
## Topics
- Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses
- Majestic Palaces of Asia
- Historic Strongholds of the British Isles
- Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe
- Architectural Wonders from Around the World
## Cheat
```markdown
# Top 100 Most Beautiful Castles
- Explore the majestic beauty of the world's greatest fortresses
- "Timeless elegance and grandeur captured in stone."
- Keywords: castles, architecture, history, beauty, medieval, palace, fortress
## Topics
- Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses: Neuschwanstein Castle, Château de Chambord, Eltz Castle, Château de Chenonceau, Lichtenstein Castle...
- Majestic Palaces of Asia: Himeji Castle, Osaka Castle, Nijo Castle, Matsue Castle, Cinderella Castle...
- Historic Strongholds of the British Isles: Edinburgh Castle, Windsor Castle, Warwick Castle, Leeds Castle, Stirling Castle...
- Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe: Prague Castle, Hluboká Castle, Trakai Island Castle, Bojnice Castle, Vajdahunyad Castle...
- Architectural Wonders from Around the World: Alhambra, Larnach Castle, Castle Combe, Malbork Castle, Miramare Castle...
```
## Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses
"Where legends come to life among turrets and towers."
1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany: the epitome of fairytale romance
2. Château de Chambord, France: Renaissance masterpiece
3. Eltz Castle, Germany: hidden in the Moselle Valley
4. Château de Chenonceau, France: the castle of ladies
5. Lichtenstein Castle, Germany: perched on dramatic cliffs
6. Château de Versailles, France: the pinnacle of luxury
7. Château de Chillon, Switzerland: lakefront splendor
8. Mont Saint-Michel, France: a marvel rising from the sea
9. Heidelberg Castle, Germany: ruins that tell stories
10. Castle Howard, England: baroque beauty in Yorkshire
## Majestic Palaces of Asia
"Reflecting culture, history, and architectural genius."
11. Himeji Castle, Japan: a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "White Heron Castle"
12. Osaka Castle, Japan: symbol of resilience and power
13. Nijo Castle, Japan: Kyoto's pride with nightingale floors
14. Matsue Castle, Japan: an original wooden fortress
15. Cinderella Castle, Tokyo Disneyland, Japan: bringing fantasy to life
16. Kawagoe Castle, Japan: known as the "Little Edo"
17. Matsumoto Castle, Japan: a "Crow Castle" for its black exterior
18. Nijo Castle, Japan: shogunate splendor
19. Himeji Castle, Japan: historic and breathtaking
20. Egeskov Castle, Denmark: perfect reflections on a serene moat
## Historic Strongholds of the British Isles
"Imposing relics from medieval and Tudor times."
21. Edinburgh Castle, Scotland: towering over the Scottish capital
22. Windsor Castle, England: the oldest and largest occupied castle
23. Leeds Castle, England: known as the "loveliest castle in the world"
24. Warwick Castle, England: a medieval fortress turned family attraction
25. Stirling Castle, Scotland: witness to great battles
26. Balmoral Castle, Scotland: royal residence in the Highlands
27. Dover Castle, England: the "Key to England"
28. Arundel Castle, England: centuries of noble heritage
29. Castle Stalker, Scotland: dramatic in Loch Laich
30. Inveraray Castle, Scotland: fairy-tale architecture with a view
## Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe
"Regions where art meets strength."
31. Prague Castle, Czech Republic: largest ancient castle complex
32. Hluboká Castle, Czech Republic: reminiscent of Windsor
33. Bojnice Castle, Slovakia: enchanting and legendary
34. Trakai Island Castle, Lithuania: picturesque on an island
35. Spis Castle, Slovakia: monumental in its ruinous state
36. Vajdahunyad Castle, Hungary: a tribute to different architectural styles
37. Moritzburg Castle, Germany: elegance in Saxony
38. Predjama Castle, Slovenia: uniquely built into a cliff
39. Hohenzollern Castle, Germany: medieval with stunning vistas
40. Marienburg Castle, Germany: towering over Lower Saxony
## Architectural Wonders from Around the World
"Marvels that echo across history."
41. Alhambra, Spain: Moorish opulence on the hilltops
42. Larnach Castle, New Zealand: the only castle in NZ
43. Malbork Castle, Poland: the largest brick fortress
44. Miramare Castle, Italy: coastal and captivating
45. Château de Fontainebleau, France: historical allure and art
46. Sforza Castle, Italy: Milan's iconic center
47. Castel del Monte, Italy: mysterious and perfectly geometric
48. Château de Chantilly, France: elegance surrounded by water
49. Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, France: inspired Versailles
50. Zamoyski Palace, Poland: a blend of grandeur and gardens
## Top 100 List
Explore the most breathtaking castles that the world has to offer, from medieval fortresses to palatial wonders that evoke tales of kings, queens, and legends. Each castle has its own charm and historic significance that captures the imagination.
1. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
2. Château de Chambord, France
3. Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
4. Windsor Castle, England
5. Prague Castle, Czech Republic
6. Hohenzollern Castle, Germany
7. Château de Versailles, France
8. Bran Castle, Romania
9. Alhambra, Spain
10. Kilkenny Castle, Ireland
11. Catherine Palace, Russia
12. Mont Saint-Michel, France
13. Eltz Castle, Germany
14. Buda Castle, Hungary
15. Dunrobin Castle, Scotland
16. Château de Chillon, Switzerland
17. Pena Palace, Portugal
18. Warwick Castle, England
19. Leeds Castle, England
20. Himeji Castle, Japan
21. Predjama Castle, Slovenia
22. Culzean Castle, Scotland
23. Arundel Castle, England
24. Schwerin Castle, Germany
25. Blarney Castle, Ireland
26. Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark
27. Bojnice Castle, Slovakia
28. Castle Howard, England
29. Alcázar of Segovia, Spain
30. Balmoral Castle, Scotland
31. Trakai Island Castle, Lithuania
32. Château de Chenonceau, France
33. Matsumoto Castle, Japan
34. Château de Pierrefonds, France
35. Stirling Castle, Scotland
36. Castel del Monte, Italy
37. Malahide Castle, Ireland
38. Moritzburg Castle, Germany
39. Hluboká Castle, Czech Republic
40. Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria
41. Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights, Greece
42. Conwy Castle, Wales
43. Spis Castle, Slovakia
44. Krak des Chevaliers, Syria
45. Ashford Castle, Ireland
46. Château de Fontainebleau, France
47. Inveraray Castle, Scotland
48. Château de Montsoreau, France
49. Château de Valençay, France
50. Frankenstein Castle, Germany
51. Lichtenstein Castle, Germany
52. Bamburgh Castle, England
53. Castle Stalker, Scotland
54. Osaka Castle, Japan
55. Marienburg Castle, Germany
56. Dover Castle, England
57. Hohenschwangau Castle, Germany
58. Cahir Castle, Ireland
59. Château Gaillard, France
60. Heidelberg Castle, Germany
61. Caernarfon Castle, Wales
62. Château de Villandry, France
63. Trécesson Castle, France
64. Château de la Roche Courbon, France
65. Vajdahunyad Castle, Hungary
66. Larnach Castle, New Zealand
67. Castle Combe, England
68. Kawagoe Castle, Japan
69. Fougères Castle, France
70. Malbork Castle, Poland
71. Rosenborg Castle, Denmark
72. Miramare Castle, Italy
73. Chillon Castle, Switzerland
74. Sforza Castle, Italy
75. Nijo Castle, Japan
76. Matsue Castle, Japan
77. Château de Chantilly, France
78. Leeds Castle, England
79. Castelvecchio, Italy
80. Cinderella Castle, Tokyo Disneyland, Japan
81. Castillo de Coca, Spain
82. Kronborg Castle, Denmark
83. Château de Cheverny, France
84. Peleș Castle, Romania
85. Castle of the Moors, Portugal
86. Hohenschwangau Castle, Germany
87. Himeji Castle, Japan
88. Egeskov Castle, Denmark
89. Château de Malmaison, France
90. Burg Eltz, Germany
91. Versailles Palace, France
92. Castle Drogo, England
93. Château d'Angers, France
94. Castel Sant'Angelo, Italy
95. Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, France
96. Zamoyski Palace, Poland
97. Hohenwerfen Fortress, Austria
98. Linderhof Palace, Germany
99. Spis Castle, Slovakia
100. Predjama Castle, Slovenia
## Top 100 Table
| Rank | Name | Topic | Tagline |
|------|---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|
| 1 | Neuschwanstein Castle | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "The epitome of fairytale romance" |
| 2 | Château de Chambord | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Renaissance masterpiece" |
| 3 | Edinburgh Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Towering over the Scottish capital" |
| 4 | Windsor Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "The oldest and largest occupied castle" |
| 5 | Prague Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Largest ancient complex" |
| 6 | Hohenzollern Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Medieval vistas" |
| 7 | Château de Versailles | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "The pinnacle of luxury" |
| 8 | Bran Castle | Architectural Wonders from Around the World | "Tales of Dracula's residence" |
| 9 | Alhambra | Architectural Wonders from Around the World | "Moorish opulence on the hilltops" |
| 10 | Kilkenny Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Irish elegance" |
| 11 | Catherine Palace | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Russian splendor" |
| 12 | Mont Saint-Michel | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "A marvel rising from the sea" |
| 13 | Eltz Castle | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Hidden in the Moselle Valley" |
| 14 | Buda Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Historic grandeur in Budapest" |
| 15 | Dunrobin Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "A Highland fairytale" |
| 16 | Château de Chillon | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Lakefront splendor" |
| 17 | Pena Palace | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Colorful charm in Portugal" |
| 18 | Warwick Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Medieval fortress turned family attraction" |
| 19 | Leeds Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "The loveliest castle in the world" |
| 20 | Himeji Castle | Majestic Palaces of Asia | "The White Heron Castle" |
| 21 | Predjama Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Uniquely built into a cliff" |
| 22 | Culzean Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Clifftop views with elegance" |
| 23 | Arundel Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Centuries of noble heritage" |
| 24 | Schwerin Castle | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Reflecting on the lakes of Germany" |
| 25 | Blarney Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Kiss the stone of eloquence" |
| 26 | Frederiksborg Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Danish Renaissance beauty" |
| 27 | Bojnice Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Fairytale castle of Slovakia" |
| 28 | Castle Howard | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Baroque beauty in Yorkshire" |
| 29 | Alcázar of Segovia | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "A ship-like silhouette" |
| 30 | Balmoral Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Royal residence in the Scottish Highlands" |
| 31 | Trakai Island Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Picturesque on a serene island" |
| 32 | Château de Chenonceau | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "The castle of ladies" |
| 33 | Matsumoto Castle | Majestic Palaces of Asia | "The Crow Castle with dark elegance" |
| 34 | Château de Pierrefonds | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "A romantic 19th-century revival" |
| 35 | Stirling Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Witness to great battles" |
| 36 | Castel del Monte | Architectural Wonders from Around the World | "Mysterious and perfectly geometric" |
| 37 | Malahide Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "A blend of history and hauntings" |
| 38 | Moritzburg Castle | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Elegance in Saxony" |
| 39 | Hluboká Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "A reflection of Windsor in Bohemia" |
| 40 | Hohenwerfen Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Fortified with breathtaking views" |
| 41 | Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights | Architectural Wonders from Around the World | "Historic Rhodes stronghold" |
| 42 | Conwy Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Imposing medieval fortress in Wales" |
| 43 | Spis Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Monumental in its ruinous state" |
| 44 | Krak des Chevaliers | Architectural Wonders from Around the World | "The Crusader castle of Syria" |
| 45 | Ashford Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Luxury and legend in Ireland" |
| 46 | Château de Fontainebleau | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "A historic chateau with royal roots" |
| 47 | Inveraray Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "A Scottish landmark of heritage" |
| 48 | Château de Montsoreau | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "At the confluence of rivers" |
| 49 | Château de Valençay | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Charming with a history of diplomats" |
| 50 | Frankenstein Castle | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "The source of gothic inspiration" |
| 51 | Lichtenstein Castle | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Perched dramatically on cliffs" |
| 52 | Bamburgh Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "A sentinel on the Northumberland coast" |
| 53 | Castle Stalker | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Dramatic in Loch Laich" |
| 54 | Osaka Castle | Majestic Palaces of Asia | "Symbol of resilience and power" |
| 55 | Marienburg Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "A gem of Lower Saxony" |
| 56 | Dover Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "The 'Key to England'" |
| 57 | Hohenschwangau Castle | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Home of King Ludwig II's childhood" |
| 58 | Cahir Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "A fortress with a cinematic legacy" |
| 59 | Château Gaillard | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Once Richard the Lionheart's stronghold" |
| 60 | Heidelberg Castle | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Romantic ruins of Germany" |
| 61 | Caernarfon Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Majestic Welsh masterpiece" |
| 62 | Château de Villandry | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Famous for its gardens" |
| 63 | Trécesson Castle | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "A hidden gem of Brittany" |
| 64 | Château de la Roche Courbon | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "A 'castle of the Sleeping Beauty'" |
| 65 | Vajdahunyad Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Architectural eclecticism in Budapest" |
| 66 | Larnach Castle | Architectural Wonders from Around the World | "New Zealand’s sole castle" |
| 67 | Castle Combe | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "Quaint and charming" |
| 68 | Kawagoe Castle | Majestic Palaces of Asia | "Little Edo’s treasure" |
| 69 | Fougères Castle | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "A fortress in French Brittany" |
| 70 | Malbork Castle | Architectural Wonders from Around the World | "The largest brick fortress" |
| 71 | Rosenborg Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Home of the Danish crown jewels" |
| 72 | Miramare Castle | Architectural Wonders from Around the World | "A vision by the sea" |
| 73 | Chillon Castle | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "A fortress surrounded by Lake Geneva" |
| 74 | Sforza Castle | Architectural Wonders from Around the World | "Milan’s historic core" |
| 75 | Nijo Castle | Majestic Palaces of Asia | "Kyoto's shogunate splendor" |
| 76 | Matsue Castle | Majestic Palaces of Asia | "An original wooden fortress" |
| 77 | Château de Chantilly | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Where art and architecture meet" |
| 78 | Leeds Castle | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "The loveliest castle in the world" |
| 79 | Castelvecchio | Architectural Wonders from Around the World | "A fortress of Verona’s past" |
| 80 | Cinderella Castle, Tokyo Disneyland | Majestic Palaces of Asia | "Fantasy brought to life" |
| 81 | Castillo de Coca | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Moorish and Gothic blend" |
| 82 | Kronborg Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Hamlet’s Elsinore" |
| 83 | Château de Cheverny | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Elegance in the Loire Valley" |
| 84 | Peleș Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Romania’s fairytale palace" |
| 85 | Castle of the Moors | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Moorish echoes in Portugal" |
| 86 | Hohenschwangau Castle | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Nestled in Bavarian forests" |
| 87 | Himeji Castle | Majestic Palaces of Asia | "Historic and breathtaking" |
| 88 | Egeskov Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "A Danish Renaissance jewel" |
| 89 | Château de Malmaison | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Napoleon’s former home" |
| 90 | Burg Eltz | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Enchanting and untouched by war" |
| 91 | Versailles Palace | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Extravagant and legendary" |
| 92 | Castle Drogo | Historic Strongholds of the British Isles | "A 20th-century masterpiece" |
| 93 | Château d'Angers | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Famous for its tapestry of the Apocalypse" |
| 94 | Castel Sant'Angelo | Architectural Wonders from Around the World | "Once a mausoleum, now a castle" |
| 95 | Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "The inspiration for Versailles" |
| 96 | Zamoyski Palace | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "A Polish Renaissance wonder" |
| 97 | Hohenwerfen Fortress | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "High in the Austrian Alps" |
| 98 | Linderhof Palace | Europe’s Fairytale Fortresses | "Ludwig II’s intimate masterpiece" |
| 99 | Spis Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Slovakian stronghold" |
| 100 | Predjama Castle | Stunning Castles of Central and Eastern Europe | "Uniquely built into a cliff" |
## Conclusion
Castles are more than just structures; they are testaments to the ingenuity, culture, and grandeur of their times. Spanning centuries and continents, these 100 breathtaking castles invite exploration and admiration, reminding us of the artistry that has stood resilient through history.