The top ten most beautiful castles in Europe

They’re magnificent, historic fortresses, and to see the best of them, you’ll have to travel to Europe — or look at these photos.

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint Michel, near Normandy, France, is one of medieval architecture’s crowning achievements.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress that dominates the Edinburgh skyline from its perch on Castle Rock. Edinburgh Castle in Scotland has withstood sieges, invasions, power struggles, and murder.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Beautiful view of the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle, a Romanesque Revival palace built in the 19th century. This castle was built for King Ludwig II and is located near Fussen, Southwest Bavaria, Germany, on a rugged cliff with a scenic mountain landscape.

Glamis Castle

Glamis Castle is located in Angus, next to the village of Glamis. It is open to the public and serves as the home of the Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne. It is also said to be the most haunted castle in Scotland.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle, with a Queen Victoria statue and a stream of tourists in the foreground, is the official residence of the royal British family in Berkshire. At 900 years old, Britain’s Windsor Castle is the world’s largest occupied castle and the oldest royal residence.

Château de Chambord

Chambord Castle is the largest of the Loire castles. It was constructed between 1519 and 1547 near a bend in the river Cosson, a tributary of the Beuvron that flows into the Loire. UNESCO designated it a World Heritage site in 1981.

Hampton Court Palace

In the 16th century, Henry VIII made Hampton Court Palace famous as one of his primary residences. Tourists now spend time in its lovely garden, taking in the sunshine.

Prague Castle

Prague Castle served as a political and spiritual center for a country striving for unification when it was first built.

St. Michael’s Mount

The National Trust owns St. Michael’s Mount, a medieval castle. It is only accessible during low tide by walking across the causeway.

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle, built in the 16th century in Kent, England, was used as a residence for Henry VIII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon.