There’s no better location for a road trip than Europe, from the history-rich region of Segovia in Spain to the mighty French Alps. With so many countries being so close to each other it makes sense to visit several countries and locations in one road trip.
Are you a fan of historic European architecture? Why not do something different this year and plan an adventurous road trip through Europe visiting some of the most famous and historic European castles along the way?
Rent a car with Europcar and plan the perfect castle-themed road trip this year. Discover the wonderful tales the castles have to offer and dive into the rich European history, which the whole family will enjoy.
Are you wondering where to start? This article will help you plan the perfect road trip. Here is a list of some of the top must-see castles in Europe that you should add to your itinerary.
We’ve listed them from north to south to help with your road trip planning.
Edinburgh Castle – Scotland
Starting deep in the north of Europe is Edinburgh Castle. The fortress located in the city is long-standing and there are signs that human settlements have existed there since 2nd century AD. This is the most visited attraction in Scotland, with around 1.4 million tourists every year.
You can regularly enjoy medieval-era re-enactments and historic displays in the grounds of the castle.
Conwy Castle – Wales
Travelling south, you’ll find the north coast of Wales. Perhaps the best example of 13th to 14th century architecture in Europe is Conwy Castle. This magnificent piece of history overlooks the River Conwy and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wonderfully preserved, it was built by King Edward l.
Windsor Castle – England
Heading east, you’ll arrive in Windsor. Here you’ll find Windsor Castle – the oldest occupied castle in the world. For many years it was an official residence of Queen Elizabeth II and became her final resting place when she recently passed away.
This castle holds huge amounts of British history. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has seen and been the residence of over 40 kings and queens.
There’s lots to discover here – you can view the lavish gold rooms, see the ancient paintings and stroll the around gardens greeting the iconic British guards. You can also learn about the fire of Windsor Castle in 1992, which started in Queen Victoria’s Private Chapel. The castle has since been restored to its former glory.
Neuschwanstein Castle – Germany
A short drive from Munich is Neuschwanstein Castle, one of Europe’s most distinguished castles. It looks like it’s straight out of a Disney film and the kids will love the magic it creates. They’ll certainly recognise the architecture from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty.
This is one of the most scenic castles on this list, with a beautiful backdrop of the Austrian Alps and an enchanting atmosphere.
Bojnice Castle – Slovakia
Straight out of a fairy tale is the blue-roofed castle of Bojnice. This castle is a pure fairy-tale setting and has been used for many film locations including World Without End and Princess Alisea.
One of Slovakia’s most visited attractions, this 12th century castle is Romanesque and retains some original Gothic and Renaissance elements.
Prague Castle – Czech Republic
Next, you can travel to the wonderful city of Prague where you’ll find Prague Castle. Known as the biggest castle in the world, it is impressive in size and covers around 750,000 square feet of land right in the middle of the Czech capital. It’s so big it even has four churches! Inside you’ll find the Czech crown jewels on display.
Built in the 9th Century, this castle is the official office of the president of the Czech Republic. The architecture is a mix of almost every style of the last 2,000 years and makes for impressive viewing.
Schwerin Castle – Germany
Heading to Germany you can discover Schwerin Castle. This has been recognised as one of the most important works of romantic Historicism in Europe. Nicknamed the “Neuschwanstein of the North” it was completed in 973 AD.
Surrounded by wonderful greenery and lakes, this impressive castle was built on an island on the main lake of the city of Schwerin. This is the perfect location to wander around the grounds and stop off for a relaxing picnic.
Château de Chambord – France
As with most French architectural designs, this is a truly elegant palace that is guaranteed to take your breath away. It is one of the most recognisable chateaux in the world thanks to its distinctive French Renaissance architecture, which blends traditional French mediaeval forms with classical renaissance structures.
Built as a symbol of the king’s power (François I) in the 16th century, it was never intended to be a permanent residence and was only used for a few weeks a year, often to show off to other leaders.
Segovia Castle – Spain
Segovia castle is another beautiful building on this list. Located in the ancient city, this huge stone fortress is one of the most distinctive buildings in Spain.
It has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the oldest royal palace in use in Europe. It was originally built as a fortress to protect the Muslim authorities which makes it an important landmark in Hispano-Muslim architecture.
The Palace of Pena – Portugal
Finally is the colourful Palace of Pena located high in the Sintra hills of Portugal. This castle has long been hailed for its creative genius and dubbed “the greatest expression of 19th century romanticism” which can be seen with the bright yellow, grey and clay colours on the walls.
The palace is set in the park of Pena and was designed to be visible from all parts of it. Different styles of architecture combine, including Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance. If you’re a nature lover you’ll enjoy viewing more than 500 different species of trees from all across the world.
For an epic road trip that travels back in time rent a car and visit some of these amazing ancient castles of Europe. Each one is truly spectacular.
