Most of Europe’s great castles sell you a ticket and send you home at five. But here are ten of them that hand you a key instead — and the entry point isn’t what you’d guess. However, at the Parador de Sigüenza, a 12th-century Moorish citadel ninety minutes from Madrid, a double room starts around $95. Additionally, in the Polish lake district, a 14th-century Teutonic fortress runs $120–200, with a pool built into its Gothic vaults. Eleven miles from Frankfurt’s terminals sits a castle built for Empress Victoria, still owned by the House of Hesse — which, in low season, costs about what you’d spend on an airport hotel.
Our list includes ten castles on the European mainland, ranked by price from Sigüenza to Reschio. Reschio sits on a 3,700‑acre Umbrian estate and dates back to 1050 AD as an Etruscan stronghold. The estate’s stables hold forty Andalusian horses. Between these sites lies a Danish castle that features a Michelin-starred kitchen and Hästens beds. A Portuguese royal castle with seventeen rooms appears among the options, with tour buses departing at six. The walled village becomes yours, while Slovenia’s sole river island castle, Otočec, has sixteen rooms. Its tower room is rarely shown online, and the private terrace option can vary seasonally. Read the full list, then call us at 800 766-2911. We maintain direct relationships and know which room number to request. We can arrange your castle stay along with a rental car, driver, train, and a complete custom tour as part of a full itinerary.