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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.