If you did not miss the list with the best preserved castles in Spain , surely you have noticed that these fortresses are located in incredible places and that many of these castles still retain that unique beauty that made them become some of the most imposing fortresses in the past. Well, the same happens with the rest of the castles that can be found throughout the world.

On lakes, mountains, gorges, on islands, in the middle of forests … These castles are capable of taking us to a true fairy tale just by observing the environment in which they are and their beautiful buildings. We invite you to visit some of the most spectacular castles on the planet.

Neuschwanstein Castle (Bavaria, Germany)

This first castle on the list is one of the most visited in all of Germany and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world. A castle that was ordered to be built by Luis de Baviera in 1868, also known as the ‘mad king’ and all at a time when castles were no longer even necessary, so it was built with the sole purpose of being the more beautiful and all pure eccentricism of the king. Hence, its aesthetic is reminiscent of classic castles from fairy tales and has inspired the famous Disney Castle. Neuschwanstein Castle not only stands out for its physical beauty, but also for the almost magical place in which it is located in the middle of the gorgeand at the foot of the Bavarian Alps. If you already dream of visiting it, we inform you that you can find it in the town of Schwangau a few kilometers from Füssen and about 120 km from Munich.

Eilean Donan Castle (Scotland)

On a small island surrounded by water, mountains and legends, is the castle and fortress of Eilean Donan, which you can access through a narrow stone bridge. One of the most famous and iconic castles in all of Scotland and also one of the most visited. This is one of those must-see stops on your way to Skype Island, which is just a few minutes across the Kyle of Lochalsh Bridge. Eilean Donan Castle stands out for its beautiful stone structure and for its idyllic place, but above all for its history. It is said that the Irish saint Donnán settled on the island in the 6th century with some of the faithful, but the first fortification was not built until 1220, at which time they began to be used to defend the lands of the Vikings. Years later the MacRae clan made it their residence, finally being abandoned centuries later until John MacRae-Gilstrap bought it in 1911 to restore it and turn it into what is already one of the greatest tourist attractions in Scotland

Himeji Castle (Japan)

Although at first glance it does not have the typical castle image that we know today, Himeji Castle is one of the most spectacular castles in all of Japan and one of those visits that is definitely worth it. This is located in the city of Himeji, located in the Kansai region and was named in 1993 a UNESCO World Heritage Site , as well as a National Treasure.Another curious fact to highlight is that this castle receives the nickname of “the White Heron” and around it there are several theories, some of them relate it to Mount Sagiyama (which means “mount of the heron”), a place in the one that is this castle and where the white herons abound. But others also associate that nickname with the white color of the exterior plaster, a plaster that, far from being just a decorative detail, is also fire retardant. A very important detail especially in a castle that was built entirely with wood . One of the best surviving examples of Japanese castle architecture from the early years of the Shogunate.

Hunyad Castle (Romania (Transylvania)

This fairytale castle known as Hunyad Castle is located in the town of Hunedoara in Romania and it could not be missing from this list of the most beautiful castles in the world. And it is one of the most spectacular fortifications due to its imposing size, its details of Italian, Renaissance and especially late Gothic architecture, which make the simple fact of admiring it one of the greatest spectacles. And like any castle and more in this location, it is not lacking in legends either. One of the most popular and the one that has been used the most as a tourist attraction, is the one that tells that Vlad Tepes “The Impaler” was imprisoned in this castle for 7 years, the character who inspired the story of the terrifying ‘Dracula’. Whether it is true or not, what is known is that the castle was built on an old Roman fortification in 1315 by King Charles I of Hungary who only lived there for a few years.

Eltz Castle (Germany)

This medieval jewel is surrounded by forests and without any modern buildings or constructions around it, so visiting it is the closest thing to a trip to the past and the Middle Ages . The castle in question, which in the past served as a home and as a defensive fortification, has been owned by a branch of the same family for 33 generations and since the 12th century . A stone and wood construction that stands out for its imposing beauty and for its special location in the small town of Wierschem in the hills above the Moselle River. Hence, it is currently also considered one of the best preserved castles in Germany and one of the most beautiful in the world.

Alcazar of Segovia (Spain)

In Spain we do not need to go very far to enjoy some of the best preserved castles and not the most beautiful ones. Evidence of this is the Alcázar de Segovia, a castle with the appearance of a fairy tale that attracts thousands of tourists every year and is a must if you visit Segovia or the surroundings of Madrid. Its origins date back to the 12th century and up to 22 Kings of Castile passed through its rooms , it was also a prison , in 1762 the seat of the Royal Artillery Academy of Carlos III and the General Military Archiveyears later. It should be noted that in 1862 a great fire forced a reconstruction almost in its entirety, so it retains few original corners. Even so, it is considered a museum and one of the best architectural examples of the Middle Ages.

The three towers of San Marino (Italy)

More than a castle in Italy, the three towers of San Marino are a group of towers or fortifications located in the small European country of San Marino and specifically on the three peaks of Monte Titano in the capital. Some towers built in a strategic point in the middle of Monte Titano and 739 meters high, one of the highest points in the area and that attracts tourists especially for the wonderful views that there are from this place to the mountains of the Apetinos, the Adriatic Sea and the nearby lands. The first of the towers, known as La Rocca, is the most famous and considered the most beautiful. It was built in the 11th century and served as a prison until 1970. The second tower, also called Carro, is from the 13th century and is the highest on Mount Titano. Inside there is a weapons museum that was built in 1956 and that includes all kinds of weapons, armor, shields and other pieces that even date back to the 18th century. The third tower, also known as Montale, was used mainly as a prison and its origin dates back to the 14th century. It is located on one of the smaller peaks and unlike the other two,

Castle of Carcassonne (France)

This 12th-century defensive fortress was built by the Viscounts of Trencavel, one of the most powerful families in southern France. The Castle is located on a hill in the medieval citadel of Carcassonne and on part of the rocky development of the city, as well as on three of its towers. It is currently one of the most spectacular fortresses in the south of France and also one of the most beautiful castle in France, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997 . Its curious design of a fortress within the city corresponds to the redesign that it underwent during the time of French rule between 1228 and 1239.

Egeskov Castle (Denmark)

We couldn’t finish this list of the most beautiful castles in the world without one of Denmark’s most iconic buildings. This castle is a fortress found on the island of Fioina and is officially the best-preserved Renaissance castle in all of Europe . The Castle in question was built by Frands Brockenhuus in 1554 on oak stilts and on a small lake. Currently this fortress works as a museum of painting and armor, old cars and motorcycles and all kinds of exhibitions, but the reality is that it is a museum in itself in which there is no shortage of secret stairs, towers or gardens, paths, fountains outside. .