Top 20 most Beautiful Castles in the World
This video shows the rankings as they were in September 2025
There are so many amazing castles around the world and it is very hard to make a list of the top 20. We've put together a list of the most breathtaking castles around the world that are already in our database. This list will continually change as our visitors vote for their favourite castles and new ones are added to our database.
20.Dover Castle, United Kingdom
Dover Castle has been described as the Key to England due to its defensive significance throughout history.
Dover Castle is one of the largest castles in England. From a height of 120 meters, it looks over the English Channel at the crossing's narrowest point.
The castle features massive defenses, topped with medieval walls, towers, and networks of tunnels beneath.
King Henry the Second began building the castle in the 12th century.
Over the next 800 years, its buildings, defenses, and tunnels were modified to address the evolving warfare needs right into the era of nuclear weapons.
This site may have been fortified even before the Romans invaded the British Isles.
Still standing at the site, a lighthouse built by the Romans soon after their conquest.... view details
19.Gravensteen, Belgium
The Gravensteen is a castle in Ghent originating from the Middle Ages. It was built in 1180 by count Philip of Alsace and was modeled after the crusaders castles that Philip of Alsace encountered while he participated in the second crusade.
The castle served as the seat of the Counts of Flanders until they abandoned it in the 14th century. The castle was then used as a courthouse, a prison and eventually decayed. At one time it even served as a factory.
In 1885 the city of Ghent bought the castle and started a renovation project. The newly built houses around the castle were removed and the walls and keep were restored to their original condition. The castle houses a museum with various torture devices (and a guillotine) that were ...... view details
18.Bodiam Castle, United Kingdom
Bodiam Castle is one of the most picturesque and beloved castles in Great Britain. Many historians consider that Bodiam represents the popular ideal of a medieval castle.
Often portrayed as "the perfect English castle", Bodiam's pictures have been embellished on numerous books, chocolate boxes, wallpapers which are shipped all around the world.
Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, apparently to defend the area against French invasions during the Hundred Years' War.
There is a constant debate among historians whether the castle was built for military strength or as a romantic country home designed to evoke the ideas of grandeur and prestige.
Bodiam Castle was built to a simple rectangular plan, with no keep, in the middle of ...... view details
17.Edinburgh Castle, United Kingdom
Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, from its position on the Castle Rock.
Edinburgh Castle is a symbol of Edinburgh and Scotland and one of the oldest fortified places in Europe.
Known as the "Defender of the Nation," Edinburgh Castle has a long, rich history as a royal residence, military garrison, prison, and the home of the Scottish Crown jewels.
As one of the most important strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle was involved in many historical conflicts. Research undertaken in 2014 identified 26 sieges in its 1100-year-old history, giving it a claim to having been "the most besieged place in Great Britain and one of the most attacked in the world".... view details
16.Castle of Fougeres, France
The Chateau de Fougeres is an imposing fort, built on a naturally protected site, a rock emerging from a swamp surrounded by a loop of the Nancon river acting as a natural moat.
It had three different enclosures: the first for defensive purposes; the second for day to day usages in peacetime and for safety of the surrounding populations in times of siege; and the last for the protection of the keep. In all it has an impressive 13 towers.... view details
15.Walzin Castle, Belgium
Walzin Castle was constructed in the 13th century, but the castle was burned down by the French army in 1554. A Renaissance horseshoe tower with four cannon ports was added in the 15th century, and that tower still exists today. There were several restorations later, the latest by Baron Frederic Brugman between 1930 and 1932. Victor Hugo made a drawing of the castle in 1863.... view details
14.Castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg, France
The Castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg was built in a strategic location, on a rocky promontory, high above the Upper Rhine valley at an altitude of more than 700 meters. This site was ideal for observing the main routes in the region and provided a great defensive position for the fortress.
History
The first castle, called Castrum Estuphin dates back to aprox. 1147. The fortress changed its name to Koenigsburg (which in German means "royal castle") about 10 years later. Successive powers used the castle from the Middle Ages until the Thirty Years' War.
After the castle was destroyed in 1462 in a siege let by a coalition of forces of the cities of Colmar, Strasbourg, and Basel, the Habsburg emperor Frederick III handed the ...... view details
13.Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle is a masterpiece of Romanesque Revival architecture and one of Europe's most popular destinations.
Nestled amidst the Bavarian Alps, the castle seems straight out of a fairy tale. Its towering spires, pristine white walls, and dramatic setting have captivated hearts and imaginations for over a century.
The castle was commissioned by King Ludwig the Second of Bavaria as a tribute to Richard Wagner and a personal retreat from public life.
From its terraces, the castle commands breathtaking views of the surrounding Bavarian countryside.
Lush forests cover the valley floor, while the snow-capped peaks of the Alps rise majestically in the distance.
Neuschwanstein is a symbol of the permanent power of art and architecture. Its timeless elegance and romanticism continue to captivate hearts and ...... view details
12.Tower of London, United Kingdom
The Tower of London is a world-famous monument and one of England's most iconic structures.
The Tower has served as a royal palace, a notorious prison and place of execution, the home of the Royal Mint, a treasury, and the home of the Crown Jewels of England.
The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 on the banks of the River Thames.
It is an outstanding example of medieval military architecture and the most complete 11th-century fortress palace remaining in Europe.
Acting as a symbol of Norman power, the Tower served both as a fortress and a gateway to the capital.
The Tower of London, with all its later additions, was built around the White Tower.... view details
11.Castle of Fontainebleau, France
The castle of Fontainebleau is one of the biggest royal palaces in France, serving as a royal residence for eight centuries.
The "True home of kings, house of centuries," as Napoleon liked to call it, has been inhabited by great historical figures.
Kings and queens, emperors, and empresses have all striven to enhance the chateau, making it an outstanding testimony of history and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The first structure on the site was built in the 12th century and used as a hunting lodge by the kings of France.
The original medieval fortress was replaced by a Renaissance palace under the guiding hand of King Francois the First.... view details
10.Castle of Chenonceau, France
The Castle of Chenonceau is one of the most picturesque castles in the Loire Valley and the second most visited palace in France.
A marvel of French architecture, the chateau boasts a five-arched bridge spanning the River Cher.
Nicknamed "the Ladies' Chateau," the history of this castle is defined by an almost uninterrupted succession of women who built, embellished, and protected it.
Although the estate was first mentioned in the 11th century, the current structure was built in the early sixteenth century and later extended to span the river.
King Henry the Second offered the castle as a gift to his beloved mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who became deeply attached to it.... view details
9.Alhambra, Spain
Alhambra is one of Spain's major tourist attractions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the inspiration for countless songs and stories.
The Alhambra is a magnificent palace, fortress, and garden complex, recognized as the most spectacular example of Moorish architecture in Spain and one of the most renowned in the world.
The vast palace compound developed gradually through additions and modifications made during both the Muslim and Christian periods.
It all started with a small fortress built in the ninth century on the remains of Roman fortifications.
Most of the structures we see today were built during the Nasrid dynasty, which ruled the Emirate of Granada for over two centuries... view details
8.Castle of Chambord, France
The Castle of Chambord is the largest castle in the Loire Valley and one of the most recognizable chateaux in the world because of its unique architecture.
In 1519, the young King Francois the First ordered its construction.
The plan of the castle and its decorations are designed around a central axis: the famous double revolution staircase inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, known to have accompanied the king on his return from Italy.
The edifice was a monumental architectural work that Francois liked to show off as a symbol of his wealth and power.
It was not until the reign of Louis the Fourteenth that the building was completed.
Stables were constructed outside the main structure, and French formal gardens were planted to adorn the facade.... view details
7.Alcazar of Segovia, Spain
The Alcazar of Segovia is a famous medieval castle and one of the most visited landmarks in Spain.
The Alcazar served both as a royal palace and a fortress for the Castilian monarchs.
However, throughout its long history, the building also served as a state prison, a Royal Artillery College, a large chemistry laboratory, and a military academy.
The castle has been the stage for crucial events in Spain's history.
For instance, the first meetings of the Cortes of Castile or the proclamation of Queen Isabella of Castile, one of the most significant and influential women in history.... view details
6.Pena Palace, Portugal
Pena Palace is one of the world's most magnificent palaces and an outstanding example of 19th-century Romanticism in Europe.
Perched high above a landscape of verdant hills and sparkling coastline, the palace was intended as a summer retreat for the Portuguese royal family.
The site's history can be traced back to the Middle Ages when a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Pena was erected on the top of the hill.
Legend has it that construction occurred after an apparition of the Virgin Mary.
Two centuries later, King Manuel I ordered the building of a monastery on the site, which was donated to the Order of Saint Jerome.
For centuries, Pena was a small, quiet place for meditation.... view details
5.De Haar Castle, Netherlands
De Haar Castle is the largest and most luxurious castle in The Netherlands.
Few Dutch castles can equal De Haar for its ideal image of a medieval fortress with towers and ramparts, moats, gates, and drawbridges.
Baron Etienne van Zuylen, who inherited the impressive ruins of De Haar, decided to rebuild it on a grand scale as a monument of his family history and a reminder of its glory days.
To achieve this, Baron Etienne decided to collaborate with the renowned architect Pierre Cuypers, who was famous for designing the Rijksmuseum and the Central Station in Amsterdam.
Cuypers's neo-Gothic architectural style fitted well with the Baron's desire to turn the castle into a family museum.... view details
4.Windsor Castle, United Kingdom
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.
Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has served as a royal palace for over 900 years.
William chose the site for Windsor Castle, high above the River Thames, to guard the western approach to London.
Originally, the castle was built as a motte-and-bailey, with three wards surrounding a central keep.
The walls were initially made of timber, but in the late twelfth century, Henry the Second began replacing them with stone.
The original Norman keep was rebuilt as the Round Tower, and the entire outer perimeter was renewed over the following 60 years.
Windsor Castle stands as a majestic symbol of British royalty, where centuries of history meet timeless grandeur.... view details
3.Bamburgh Castle, United Kingdom
Bamburgh Castle has stood guard above the spectacular Northumberland coastline for over 1,400 years.
From an Anglo-Saxon citadel to an impenetrable Norman fortress, it eventually became a grand castle that served as a royal palace for successive kings.
In legend, Bamburgh was the formidable fortress of Sir Lancelot, paladin of the Round Table, and the greatest of King Arthur's champions.
The place has been used as a film location since the 1920s, featuring in movies such as Ivanhoe, El Cid, Mary Queen of Scots, or Elizabeth.
Bamburgh Castle is a Grade One listed building known as one of the finest in the country. In its extensive history, it has evolved from a wooden palisade to the formidable fortress it is today.... view details
2.Citadel of Carcassonne, France
The Citadel of Carcassonne is one of the largest and best-preserved citadels in the world and Europe's most formidable fortified complex.
With over 2,500 years of history, this vast fortress is renowned for its impressive double surrounding walls that stretch 3 kilometers and feature 52 towers.
With its castle and ramparts, the city seems straight out of a medieval fantasy tale, displaying an outstanding example of a Middle Ages fortified town.
In 1997, the place was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites for its exceptional testimony to the architecture.
Cite de Carcassonne stands not just as a majestic fortress but as a timeless gateway to the medieval soul of France, preserving centuries of history within its walls for all who wander through. ... view details
1.Miranda Castle, Belgium
Miranda Castle is a 19th-century neo-Gothic castle, located in the Belgium region of the Ardennes. It was built in 1866 by the English architect Edward Milner under commission from the Liedekerke-De Beaufort family, who had left their previous home, Veves Castle, during the French Revolution.
A portion of the Battle of the Bulge took place on the property, and it was during that time, the Chateau was occupied by German forces.
As of June 2016, the Chateau has been acquired and is now off-limits listed as 'private property'.
Sadly, Chateau Miranda has now been demolished. They finally brought down the tower in October 2017.... view details
This "top" is based on user ratings (min. 30 votes needed) and it can change based on users votes; make sure to rate your favourite castles and check back soon.