Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle is easily one of the most recognizable castles on the planet—thanks in large part to the fact that it served as inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Castello di Miramare, Italy

Just a 30-minute drive north of Trieste— the photogenic heart of Friuli Venezia-Giulia—Castello di Miramare has one of the most scenic locations of all the castles on this list.

Bled Castle, Slovenia

There’s a reason (well, many reasons) why Lake Bled is one of Slovenia’s most popular sites:

Emerald waters, a church-dotted islet, views of the Julien Alps, and, of course, a Disney-like castle on a hill.

Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark

Built-in the early 17th century, this stunning Renaissance castle sits on three lake islets in Hillerød, just north of Copenhagen.

The castle complex is known for its exquisite gardens and for housing the Danish Museum of National History.

Hohenzollern Castle, Germany

Situated atop a 768-foot bluff in the foothills of the Swabian Alps, this picturesque castle is more than just nice to look at:  With its many towers and fortifications, it’s considered a relic of 19th-century military architecture.

Chateau de Chenonceau, France

The entire Loire Valley is a treasure trove of beautiful castles, but Château de Chenonceau easily rises to the top of the pack—both in terms of beauty and popularity.

Pena Palace, Portugal

Inspired by German Romantic architecture, Pena Palace—situated on top of a hill in Sintra— looks like a Disney castle with its pink and yellow towers, ornamental buttresses, and cartoonish gargoyles.

Kylemore Abbey, Ireland

This impressive structure was built in 1868 as one of the great neo-Gothic castles of the period.  It is now a Benedictine abbey run by nuns, and the church and gardens have been completely restored.

Catherine Palace, Russia

An essential stop during any trip to western Russia, the Catherine Palace is one of the finest examples of Rococo architecture in the entire world.

Alcazar of Segovia, Spain

The Alcázar de Segovia was once a medieval fortress, but it was rebuilt in its current, castle-like style following a fire in 1862. Today, visitors can explore its many halls and secret passageways, museum, and towers overlooking Segovia’s town square

Schönbrunn Palace, Austria

Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, is Vienna’s most popular tourist attraction, with more than 2.7 million visitors annually.

Mont Saint Michel, France

The unbelievably small town only has 44 residents but they get to live one of the most magical experiences in Europe on a daily basis.

The city itself basically sits on top of a large rock formation sticking out of the ocean just off France’s Northern coast.

Alcázar of Seville, Spain

Moorish influences can be seen all over the city of Seville, but the UNESCO-listed Alcázar of Seville is one of its best known landmarks— and not just because it’s used as the royal palace of the House Martell in Game of Thrones.