We bet that the first act His Majesty did following the Coronation was plan his first weekend at Windsor Castle officially as King Charles III.
Windsor Castle is a short train ride from London, and while it’s open to visitors, it’s remained a favorite overnight getaway by royalty since the late 11th century.
And gazing at one of the oldest still-occupied castles in the world got us wondering: Which European country has the best castles?
It’s certainly a doozy of a question. You might as well ask which Italian city has the best food or which English city has the best pubs.
Virtually every country in Europe has a castle or historic fortress that’s as rich with beauty as it is with history. The “best”, however, is royally subjective. The Palace of Versailles in France is ever-popular, as is the not-so-spooky Bran Castle in Romania.
Then there’s Caernarfon in Wales, Alhambra in Spain, Pena Palace in Portugal, the list goes on…
Our advice? Find your way to one of Europe’s iconic cities then hop a train to one of these magnificent castles.
Image Credit: Getty Images, GrahamMoore999. Image Location: Scaliger Castle, Malcesine, Lake Garda, Italy
Best Castles in Europe
Scaliger Castle of Malcesine | Italy
Closest station: Serravalle
Give the Roman ruins a break and get a breathtaking view of Lake Garda from the top of this castle’s 101-foot tower.
Gravensteen | Belgium
Closest station: Gent-Dampoort
If you’re already cool with the fact that medieval castles weren’t as magical as some animated movies make them seem, then you’ll love the collection of torture equipment housed within.
Buda Castle | Budapest
Closest station: Budapest-Déli
Atop a hill on the Buda side of Hungary’s capital, you’ll have trouble finding a better place to watch the sunset over the Danube.
Prague Castle | Czech Republic
Closest station: Praha-Dejvice
You don’t need to check Prague’s Astronomical Clock to know you’ll have plenty of time to admire the largest coherent castle complex in the world.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Achim Thomae. Image Location: Neuschwanstein Castle, Füssen, Bavaria, Germany
Best Castles in Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle
Closest station: Füssen
Before the Mouse built his own version in Orlando, Neuschwanstein Castle inspired Disney’s design for Cinderella Castle. It garners quite the crowd, but far fewer people than the theme park and is immensely more affordable, too.
Schwerin Palace
Closest station: Schwerin Hbf
A cool pint of German bier in a Neo-Renaissance castle. Is there any better way to enjoy a day trip from Berlin or Hamburg? Schwerin Palace’s island is such a dreamy place to spend an afternoon on Lake Schwerin.
Hohenschwangau Castle
Closest station: Füssen
Practically on the Austrian border, Hohenschwangau Castle has an imposing New Gothic style design that commands just as much of your attention as the ornate decor within. The castle garden, with its romantic Alps views, is a lovely place for a stroll. A young child grew up in this castle — a certain King Ludwig II — who loved the grandeur so much that he commissioned the construction of other German castles, including Neuschwanstein Castle.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Juan Vte. Muñoz. Image Location: Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, Scotland, UK
Best Castles in Scotland
Urquhart Castle
Closest station: Inverness
If taking a sleeper train into the Scottish Highlands isn’t enough of a reason to head to Inverness, Urquhart Castle is. Settled on the banks of Loch Ness—aye, that Loch Ness—this ruined castle was one of the largest in Scotland. A guided tour treats you to 1,000 years of stories much more interesting than the one about the mythical monster.
Edinburgh Castle
Closest station: Edinburgh Waverley
One of the oldest fortifications on the continent and the oldest building in all of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle reigns proudly over the Royal Mile. Heaps of words have been written about this UNESCO site, but the feeling you get witnessing it with your own two eyes is indescribable. Edinburgh Castle should be at the top of your must-see list no matter why you’ve come to Scotland.
Stirling Castle
Closest station: Stirling
Sumptuous yet still humble despite its place atop a crag, Stirling Castle’s vaults are yours to explore. Cheap admission and fun child-friendly activities within make it a great experience for families. Head up to the rooftop Unicorn Cafe, order a plate of neeps, tatties, and haggis, and take in the heavenly views of Stirling.
Looking for another castle to tour or even rent out for the night? Let us get you there by train. From the royal residences in London’s backyard to the grand palaces throughout France, Lichtenstein, and Austria.
Download the Trainline app, scoop up a low-priced first-class ticket, and be whisked away to the best castles in Europe. A fan of castle-themed Christmas movies? Check out our guide to the Castle for Christmas filming locations in Scotland.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Boris Jordan Photography. Image Location: Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany