49 Extremely Remote Castles Around the World

49 Extremely Remote Castles Around the World

By Nick Gerhardt

Updated on July 28, 2023

If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping to a faraway land and living like royalty, this list of 49 extremely remote castles is for you. From medieval fortresses perched on cliffs to fairytale castles nestled on islands, these architectural marvels offer a glimpse into history and a sense of adventure.

Europe’s Hidden Gems

Castle of Zafra, Spain

alt text: Castle of Zafra in Spainalt text: Castle of Zafra in Spain

This partially restored 12th-century castle in Spain boasts an impressive history, having never been conquered. It even gained recent fame as a filming location for “Game of Thrones.”

The Castle of Jadraque, Spain

alt text: Castle of Jadraque in Spainalt text: Castle of Jadraque in Spain

Northeast of Madrid, this castle dates back to prehistoric times and is mentioned in the epic poem “Cantar del Mio Cid.”

Isola di Loreto, Italy

alt text: Isola di Loreto in Italyalt text: Isola di Loreto in Italy

This privately owned island on Lake Iseo features a castle built in 1910 amidst ancient ruins, offering a unique blend of history and modern luxury.

Dunnottar Castle, Scotland

alt text: Dunnottar Castle in Scotlandalt text: Dunnottar Castle in Scotland

Accessible only by winding staircases and bridges, Dunnottar Castle is a dramatic and iconic landmark that inspired Disney’s “Brave.”

Mespelbrunn Castle, Germany

alt text: Mespelbrunn Castle in Germanyalt text: Mespelbrunn Castle in Germany

This 16th-century Renaissance castle, tucked away in a remote location between Frankfurt and Würzburg, is still partially inhabited by the Ingelheim family.

Bled Castle, Slovenia

alt text: Bled Castle in Sloveniaalt text: Bled Castle in Slovenia

Perched high above Lake Bled, this castle dates back to the 11th century and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forests.

Predjama Castle, Slovenia

alt text: Predjama Castle in Sloveniaalt text: Predjama Castle in Slovenia

Built into the face of a cliff, Predjama Castle is a marvel of medieval engineering, complete with a secret passageway.

Liechtenstein Castle, Germany

alt text: Liechtenstein Castle in Germanyalt text: Liechtenstein Castle in Germany

Overlooking the Echaz valley, this 19th-century castle was inspired by a novel of the same name, itself inspired by the ruins of a nearby castle.

Trosky Castle, Czech Republic

alt text: Trosky Castle in Czech Republicalt text: Trosky Castle in Czech Republic

This ruined castle sits atop two basalt volcanic plugs, a testament to its enduring presence despite its destruction during the Thirty Years’ War.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

alt text: Neuschwanstein Castle in Germanyalt text: Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

This iconic 19th-century Romanesque Revival castle attracts millions of visitors annually and served as inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria

alt text: Hohenwerfen Castle in Austriaalt text: Hohenwerfen Castle in Austria

Built in the 11th century amidst the stunning Berchtesgaden Alps, Hohenwerfen Castle offers a glimpse into medieval life and breathtaking alpine scenery.

Castle Trencin, Slovakia

alt text: Castle Trencin in Slovakiaalt text: Castle Trencin in Slovakia

Dating back to the Roman Empire, Castle Trencin stands as a prominent landmark in western Slovakia, attracting numerous visitors each year.

Marksburg Rhine Castle, Germany

alt text: Marksburg Rhine Castle in Germanyalt text: Marksburg Rhine Castle in Germany

This well-preserved 12th-century castle, nestled along the Rhine River, offers guided tours and insights into medieval architecture and daily life.

Swallow’s Nest, Crimea

alt text: Swallow's Nest in Crimeaalt text: Swallow's Nest in Crimea

Perched precariously on a cliff overlooking the Black Sea, this Neo-Gothic castle is a popular tourist destination and a symbol of Crimea.

Crichton Castle, Scotland

alt text: Crichton Castle in Scotlandalt text: Crichton Castle in Scotland

This 14th-century Scottish castle features a unique Italian-influenced courtyard and offers a fascinating blend of architectural styles.

Chateau De Val, France

alt text: Chateau De Val in Francealt text: Chateau De Val in France

This 15th-century castle, with its six towers rising from the waters of Lake Bort, provides a picturesque and serene escape in south-central France.

Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

alt text: Eilean Donan Castle in Scotlandalt text: Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland

One of Scotland’s most recognized castles, Eilean Donan’s strategic location on an island at the meeting of three lochs has made it a popular filming location.

Eltz Castle, Germany

alt text: Eltz Castle in Germanyalt text: Eltz Castle in Germany

Remarkably, Eltz Castle has remained in the same family for over 800 years and offers a glimpse into a well-preserved medieval world.

Duart Castle, Scotland

alt text: Duart Castle in Scotlandalt text: Duart Castle in Scotland

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Sound of Mull, Duart Castle has been the ancestral home of Clan Maclean for centuries and has witnessed a turbulent history.

Caerlaverock Castle, Scotland

alt text: Caerlaverock Castle in Scotlandalt text: Caerlaverock Castle in Scotland

This unique triangular-shaped castle in southwest Scotland boasts a rich history dating back to the 13th century and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria

Dramatically situated on a dolomite rock, Hochosterwitz Castle is a formidable medieval fortress that has stood the test of time.

Bran Castle, Romania

alt text: Bran Castle in Romaniaalt text: Bran Castle in Romania

Often associated with the legend of Dracula, Bran Castle is a medieval fortress with a rich history and stunning Carpathian Mountain views.

Alarcon Castle, Spain

alt text: Alarcon Castle in Spainalt text: Alarcon Castle in Spain

Perched on 200-foot cliffs, Alarcon Castle is one of Spain’s oldest castles, with a history dating back to the 8th century and fascinating legends associated with it.

Loarre Castle, Spain

alt text: Loarre Castle in Spainalt text: Loarre Castle in Spain

This well-preserved Romanesque castle in northeast Spain played a significant role in the medieval conflict between Muslims and Christians and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Castles Beyond Europe

The Kentucky Castle, USA

alt text: The Kentucky Castle in USAalt text: The Kentucky Castle in USA

This modern castle, built in the style of a European fortress, offers luxurious accommodations and stunning views of the Kentucky countryside.

Highlands Castle, USA

alt text: Highlands Castle in USAalt text: Highlands Castle in USA

This relatively new castle, built in the late 20th century, offers a fairytale-like setting in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

Chrismark Castle, USA

alt text: Chrismark Castle in USAalt text: Chrismark Castle in USA

This Gothic castle in Connecticut, overlooking Lake Porter, has a unique and somewhat checkered history, having served as a private zoo at one point.

Trakai Island Castle, Lithuania

alt text: Trakai Island Castle in Lithuaniaalt text: Trakai Island Castle in Lithuania

Situated on an island in Lake Galvė, this meticulously restored 14th-century castle is a symbol of Lithuania’s grand ducal past.

Mont Saint-Michel, France

alt text: Mont Saint-Michel in Francealt text: Mont Saint-Michel in France

This iconic tidal island abbey in Normandy, France, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a marvel of medieval architecture and engineering.

Pena Palace, Portugal

! alt text: Pena Palace in Portugal

This Romanticist castle in the Sintra Mountains is a vibrant and whimsical masterpiece, blending various architectural styles and offering panoramic views.

Costaeres Castle, France

alt text: Costarees Castle in Francealt text: Costarees Castle in France

Located on a private island in Brittany, this 19th-century castle offers luxurious accommodations and stunning views of the pink granite coastline.

Castle Mauensee, Switzerland

alt text: Castle Mauensee in Switzerlandalt text: Castle Mauensee in Switzerland

Hidden away on a secluded island on Lake Mauensee, this 12th century castle is notoriously difficult to access, adding to its mystique.

Boldt Castle, USA

alt text: Boldt Castle in USAalt text: Boldt Castle in USA

This Rhineland-style castle in New York’s Thousand Islands region is a testament to one man’s love for his wife and features opulent interiors and extensive gardens.

Stalker Castle, Scotland

alt text: Stalker Castle in Scotlandalt text: Stalker Castle in Scotland

This four-story tower house on a small tidal island in Loch Laich is a picturesque and historic landmark, famously featured in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”

Mainau Island Castle, Germany

alt text: Mainau Island Castle in Germanyalt text: Mainau Island Castle in Germany

This baroque castle on an island in Lake Constance is surrounded by stunning gardens, a butterfly house, and an arboretum with a diverse collection of trees and flowers.

Singer Castle, USA

alt text: Singer Castle in USAalt text: Singer Castle in USA

Built by the president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, this castle in the Thousand Islands region boasts secret passages, dungeons, and breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River.

Brecqhou Island Castle, UK

alt text: Brecqhou Island Castle in UKalt text: Brecqhou Island Castle in UK

This privately owned island castle in the Channel Islands has been extensively renovated and features luxurious amenities, including olive groves and vineyards.

Lake Castle Ort, Austria

alt text: Lake Castle Ort in Austriaalt text: Lake Castle Ort in Austria

This charming castle, situated on a small island in Lake Traunsee, is a popular wedding destination and offers picturesque views of the surrounding Austrian Alps.

Maiden’s Castle, Turkey

alt text: Maiden's Castle in Turkeyalt text: Maiden's Castle in Turkey

This small castle on an islet off the coast of southern Turkey is steeped in legend and offers a glimpse into ancient history and stunning coastal views.

Fort La Latte, France

alt text: Fort La Latte in Francealt text: Fort La Latte in France

This 13th-century fortress, dramatically perched on a rocky promontory in Brittany, features a dungeon, a drawbridge, and even a melting furnace for cannonballs.

St. Croix Castle, US Virgin Islands

! alt text: St. Croix Castle in US Virgin Islands

This Moorish-influenced castle, built in the late 20th century, offers luxurious accommodations and stunning views of the Caribbean Sea.

Lindisfarne Castle, UK

alt text: Lindisfarne Castle in UKalt text: Lindisfarne Castle in UK

Located on Holy Island off the coast of Northumberland, this 16th-century castle is undergoing ambitious renovations and art installations.

Gripsholm Castle, Sweden

alt text: Gripsholm Castle in Swedenalt text: Gripsholm Castle in Sweden

This Renaissance castle on the shores of Lake Mälaren served as a royal residence and is now a museum showcasing Swedish history and art.

Peles Castle, Romania

alt text: Peles Castle in Romaniaalt text: Peles Castle in Romania

This stunning Neo-Renaissance castle in the Carpathian Mountains was one of the first castles in the world to be fully electrified and boasts opulent interiors and a rich history.

Kylemore Abbey, Ireland

alt text: Kylemore Abbey in Irelandalt text: Kylemore Abbey in Ireland

This neo-Gothic castle in Connemara, Ireland, is now a Benedictine monastery and offers tours of its beautifully restored rooms and extensive gardens.

Trakoscan Castle, Croatia

alt text: Trakoscan Castle in Croatiaalt text: Trakoscan Castle in Croatia

This well-preserved castle in northern Croatia showcases a blend of architectural styles from different eras and houses a museum with a collection of historic artifacts.

Ravadinovo Castle, Bulgaria

alt text: Ravadinovo Castle in Bulgariaalt text: Ravadinovo Castle in Bulgaria

This fairytale-like castle, built in the late 20th century, is surrounded by beautiful gardens, a lake, and even a small zoo.

Aragonese Castle, Italy

alt text: Aragonese Castle in Italyalt text: Aragonese Castle in Italy

This historic castle, located on a volcanic islet connected to the island of Ischia by a bridge, offers stunning views of the Bay of Naples and a glimpse into centuries of history.

Hohenzollern Castle, Germany

alt text: Hohenzollern Castle in Germanyalt text: Hohenzollern Castle in Germany

This majestic castle, perched high on a hilltop in southwestern Germany, is the ancestral seat of the Hohenzollern dynasty and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. They are truly some of the most remote and beautiful castles around the world.