Creative Content Writer & former Tour Guide at HAGGiS Adventures. Scottish travel blogger and adventure lover. Kay enjoys travelling Scotland solo, and has visited 42 Scottish Islands. She loves to live up to stereotypes by dying her hair ginger, and regularly consuming haggis and whisky. A Scottish history geek and all-around chatterbox, she can literally talk for Scotland.
If you're dreaming of turrets, tales of knights, and epic battles from centuries past, then a European adventure packed with castle-hopping should be top of your travel list.
Europe is home to thousands of castles, each with its own story to tell. They once guarded borders, housed royalty, and witnessed the rise and fall of empires. Scotland alone has over 2,000 historic castles that played a huge role in shaping its culture and identity – and that’s just one corner of the continent.
So if you're up for exploring the kind of places that inspired myths, movies, and medieval daydreams, this one’s for you. Here’s our pick of the best European castles to visit on your next adventure.
Eilean Donan Castle – Scotland
If you’re asked to imagine a Scottish castle, Eilean Donan is probably what pops into your head. Surrounded by lochs and dramatic Highland scenery, it’s one of the most photographed castles in the world – and for good reason. Originally built in the 13th century to defend against Viking raids, the castle was destroyed and left in ruins for centuries before being lovingly restored in the 20th century. Film fans might also recognise it from Highlander and The World is Not Enough.
📍 Location: Dornie, near the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Highlands
🗓️ Best time to visit: Spring through autumn, especially early morning or golden hour
♿ Accessibility: Parking and visitor facilities available. Some uneven steps inside – access is limited for wheelchairs
🚌 Visit on tour: Explore Eilean Donan Castle on a Highland day trip from Inverness
Hohenzollern Castle – Germany
Hohenzollern Castle looks like something out of a storybook – all turrets, towers and sweeping views across the Swabian Alps. Although the current castle was completed in 1867, the site has housed fortifications since the 11th century. The version you see today was built by King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia and now serves as a museum and monument to the powerful Hohenzollern family. On a clear day, you can see as far as 100 km in every direction.
📍 Location: Mount Hohenzollern, near Hechingen in Baden-Württemberg (approx. 1hr south of Stuttgart)
🗓️ Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn for views and mild weather; winter is magical too
♿ Accessibility: Shuttle service from car park; some steep and cobbled areas may limit access
Cawdor Castle – Scotland
Before we move away from Scotland, we need to give Cawdor Castle a mention. Built around a legendary holly tree in the 15th century and famously linked to Shakespeare’s Macbeth, you’ll find lavish rooms, tapestries, and antiques that reflect its status as a lived-in family home. Outside, the gardens burst with seasonal colour from blooms to a wild woodland walk. It’s a magical wee stop if you’re exploring the Scottish Highlands.
📍 Location: Near Nairn, around 25 minutes from Inverness
🗓️ Best time to visit: April to early October, when the castle and gardens are open to the public
♿ Accessibility: The gardens, café, and shop have step-free access, and a terrain wheelchair is available free of charge for exploring the grounds. Inside the castle, stairs and uneven floors may make the upper levels difficult to access for visitors with mobility limitations.
🚌 Visit on tour: Book your visit at the castle as part of a Cawdor Castle & Cairngorms National Park tour from Inverness.
Castillo de Coca – Spain
Castillo de Coca is a combination of Gothic, Western and Moorish architectural styles, giving it a unique appearance. Built in the 15th century, it’s one of the best examples of Spanish Mudejar brickwork. Unlike most fortifications constructed around the same time, Castillo de Coca doesn’t sit atop a rocky outcrop. Instead, it’s defended by a moat and a three-tier defence system.
Castillo de Coca has been a national symbol since the 1920s. Areas that are open for public tours include the weapons room, the central keep and the chapel. Trust us – you don’t even need to go inside this castle to be amazed by it (but we recommend that you do).
📍 Location: Coca, Segovia province, Spain
🗓️ Best time to visit: Spring and autumn offer comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds
♿ Accessibility: Limited accessibility due to uneven surfaces and stairs; gardens and exterior grounds offer easier access.
Dunrobin Castle, Scotland
At a first glance, you wouldn’t believe this castle belongs to Scotland! The French-inspired architecture looks like something from a fairytale, thanks to its turrets and vibrant gardens. Dunrobin Castle is the ancestral home of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland, and there are recordings of the castle as early as the 13th century. A magical stop if you're on a road trip of the North Coast 500.
📍 Location: Near Golspie, in the Scottish Highlands
🗓️ Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn for gardens at their best and milder weather
♿ Accessibility: Ground floor and gardens are wheelchair accessible; the castle’s upper floors have stairs with no lift available.
🚌 Visit on tour: Pay a visit during an 8-day trip or enjoy the views on a compact 3-day escape from Inverness.
Burg Kreuzenstein – Austria
If you plan a trip to Austria, you should add the Burg Kreuzenstein to your itinerary. It’s just six or so miles from Vienna, meaning it’s the perfect destination for a day trip from the capital. Burg Kreuzenstein was built in the Romanesque style during the 12th century. It’s had many medieval features added from the far reaches of Europe since, which is why we believe it’s one of the most visit-worthy castles in Austria.
📍 Location: Leobendorf, near Vienna, Austria
🗓️ Best time to visit: Spring through early autumn when weather is favourable and tours are running
♿ Accessibility: Some areas accessible by wheelchair, but parts of the castle have uneven floors and stairs; check in advance for specific access info.
Don’t forget though, that if it’s castles you’re after then Scotland is one of the best countries you can possibly visit. Read more about awesome castles in the UK or take a look at our fantastic range of Scottish tours if you feel ready for an adventure.
Germany takes the crown for castle overload. With an estimated 25,000 castles dotted across the country, you’re never too far from a turret or a drawbridge. Some are ruins, others are pristine, and many are straight out of a storybook (hello, Neuschwanstein).
That title likely goes to Château de Doué-la-Fontaine in France, built around 950 AD. It’s a bit more “ancient fortress” than “fairytale tower,” but it’s seriously impressive. Honorable mention goes to a few craggy hilltop keeps in Wales and Scotland – because when it comes to old stones and big stories, the Celts knew what they were doing.
That’ll be the Palace of Versailles in France – no contest. With its golden gates, mirrored halls, and ridiculously fancy gardens, Versailles attracts over 7 million visitors a year.
Burg Eltz in Germany is the poster child for preservation. It’s been in the same family for over 850 years and somehow dodged every major war and disaster. It’s tucked in a forest, complete with towers, timbered walls, and misty river vibes.
Scotland doesn’t mess around when it comes to castles. Here are a few of our all-time faves:
Eilean Donan Castle – The classic Highlands icon. If you’ve seen a postcard, you’ve probably seen this beauty.
Dunrobin Castle – All turrets and manicured gardens, it’s basically the Disney princess of Scottish castles.
Stirling Castle – Packed with royal history and sweeping views, this one’s a must for any Braveheart fans.
Cawdor Castle – Shakespeare vibes, secret gardens, and proper Highland charm.
Edinburgh Castle – Smack in the middle of the capital, sitting on top of an extinct volcano. Dramatic much?
Join one of our adventures and we’ll take you to a few of these ourselves – stories, selfies, and stone staircases guaranteed.
About the author
Kay Gillespie
