11 Largest Castles In The World That You Must Visit At Least Once In A Lifetime!

Castles were built as defensive structures against invaders atop a hill or by the waters in the middle ages. They were also a home and a fortress for the Royals. It is believed that the Normans were the ones to have built the first Castles in the world in a motte and bailey style. Castles have been since then revived and rebuilt. Over the years, some castles have crumbled while some stand majestically over a hilltop making them a sight for sore eyes.

11 Magnificent Castles In The World

Narrating tales of glory with some luxurious past, here is the list of the largest Castles in the World which every traveler must visit once in a lifetime.

Prague Castle- Largest Ancient Castle
Windsor Castle- A Magnificient Architecture
Malbork Castle- A Castle of Bricks
Himeji Castle- A Japanese Treasure
Mehrangarh Fort- Oozing Culture and History
Buda Castle- Stunning Views
Neuschwanstein Castle- An Inspiration For a Disney Movie
Edinburgh Castle- Notable Scottish History
Hohensalzburg Castle- A Medieval Fortress
Cite De Carcassone- Incredible Gothic Architecture
Spis Castle- A Spectacular Monument

1. Prague Castle- Largest Ancient Castle

Image Source

Built in the area of 66,761 square meters, Prague Castle which is one of the biggest castles in the world has a history of over a thousand years. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in 880 AD by the Czech Monarchs. It has been declared the largest ancient castle complex in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records. Currently, it serves as an official building for the Heads of the State. Home to the collection of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic architecture forming the castle complex, this castle is situated on the left bank of the Vltava river. Prague Castle houses a number of historical sites, museums and galleries. The main feature of the Castle is the St. Vitus Cathedral. Many historical artifacts and crown jewels are housed in the Prague Castle.

Location: Prazsky hrad, 11908 Prague, Czech Republic.
Timings: 9:00 to 18:00
Entry Fee: INR 970

Must Read: 9 Famous Spots For Scuba Diving In Seychelles

2. Windsor Castle- A Magnificient Architecture

Image Source

The oldest castle in the world the largest castle in Britain, Windsor Castle is one of the three official residences to the Queen of England. It covers a total land area of 54,835 square meters and serves as an official site for many ceremonial and state affairs. Since its construction in the 1070’s, Windsor Castle has undergone a lot of renovations and redecorations. The main features of the castle are St. George’s Chapel, the dollhouse of Queen Mary and the state apartments.

Location: Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1NJ, UK
Timings: 9:45- 17:15
Entry Fee: INR 1900

3. Malbork Castle- A Castle of Bricks

Image Source

Sprawling over an area of 143,591 square meters, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered the largest castle in the world measured by land area. This medieval castle is located in Poland and was built by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century using bricks unlike other stone castles. It sits on the banks of the Nogat river and is one of the most popular tourist spots in Poland. The main attractions are the monastery, a huge palace and a museum that displays the finest items of Teutonic knights like the weapons and armors.

Location: Starościńska 1, 82-200, Malbork, Poland
Timings: 9:00 to 19:00
Entry Fee: INR 700

4. Himeji Castle- A Japanese Treasure

Image Source

This 17th Century Hilltop castle is a Japanese National Cultural Treasure. Located on top of the hill, Himeyama in Himeji, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is built over 41,468 square meters and consists of 83 buildings made of wood. Himeji Castle is also known as the white heron castle owing to its resemblance to a bird ready to take flight. It is the only castle in japan to survive the civil war and the great earthquake. It is the largest castle in Asia and is undoubtedly one of the best castles in the world.

Location: 68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture 670-0012.
Timings: 9:00 to 17:00
Entry Fee: INR 650

5. Mehrangarh Fort- Oozing Culture and History

Image Source

Perched upon a hill at 400 ft, Mehrangarh Fort is the second largest and one of the 10 most beautiful castles in the world. Built in the 14th Century by Rao Jodha, it covers as an area of about 81,227 square meters. This magnificent castle is built with sandstone and is brimming with tales of valor, culture and history. The main attractions include the mirror palace (sheesh mahal), Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Chamunda Mataji Temple, courtyards and the museum. The palaces inside have intricate carvings along the walls. The visitors can indulge in some zip lining activity as well. Also, this is one of the largest fortresses in the world! Sounds interesting, right?

Location: P.B. No.165, Fort Road, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
Timings: 9:00 to 17:00
Entry Fee: INR 100

6. Buda Castle- Stunning Views

Image Source

One of the biggest castles in the world, Buda Castle was built in the 13th Century to defend themselves against the Mongol invasion. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is built across an area of 44,674 square meters. It sits on top of the Varhegy Hill giving the visitors a stunning panoramic view of the Danube river, the Chain Bridge and the Pest side of the City. The major sightseeing features of the castle are the Royal Palace, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Faust wine cellar,the labyrinth and the famous National Gallery. The castle hill can be reached by the funicular from the chain bridge or by the varbusz.

Location: Szent Gyorgy ter, Budapest 1014, Hungary
Timings: 10:00 to 19:00
Entry Fee: Free

Planning your holiday but confused about where to go? These travel stories help you find your best trip ever!

Real travel stories. Real stays. Handy tips to help you make the right choice.

7. Neuschwanstein Castle- An Inspiration for A Disney Movie

Image Source

Neuschwanstein Castle is located in Bavaria and is one of the most visited castles in Germany. This fairy-tale castle was built by King Ludwig II in 1886. It was built as a recreational home unlike other castles that were built for defence purposes. It is the most beautiful and one of the biggest castles in the world and has been an inspiration for Disney’s sleeping beauty castle. It is the largest castle in Germany and is built in an area of 65,000 square feet. It is perched on a high hill and its highest tower reaches upto 213 ft.

Location: Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Hohenschwangau, Bavaria, Germany
Timings: 9:00 to 18:00
Entry Fee: INR 2000

8. Edinburgh Castle- Notable Scottish History

Image Source

Both as a military stronghold and a Royal residence, Edinburgh Castle has a remarkable Scottish history. The castle is constructed on an extinct volcanic mountain spread across a region of 35,737 square meters with the oldest edifice- St. Margaret’s Chapel being built in the 12th Century. The main attractions are the Chapel, Scottish war memorial, Half moon Battery, Crown jewels of Scotland, the One O’clock gun, the stone of destiny and the National museum.

Location: Castle Hill, Midlothian EH1 2NG, Edinburgh, Scotland
Timings: 9:30 to 18:00
Entry Fee: INR 1500

9. Hohensalzburg Castle- A Medieval Fortress

Image Source

Archbishop Gebhard built this beautiful fortress in the year 1077 AD and since then this citadel is considered the biggest medieval fortress in Central Europe. It is built over a clifftop with an area of 54,523 square meters and gives a spectacular view of the city, Salzburg. A unique feature of this castle is its symbol which is a lion holding a turnip. Presently it functions as a fortress museum that displays medieval weapons, Roman coins, puppetry, and historic musical instruments. It also holds a St.George Chapel within its walls.

Location: Monchsberg 34, Salzburg 5020, Austria
Timings: 9:00 to 19:00
Entry Fee: INR 1500

10. Cite de Carcassonne- Incredible Gothic Architecture

Image Source

It is an ancient castle that sits on top of a hill in the Southwest of France. It is the longest medieval and one of the biggest castles in the world spreading across 3 kms in distance. Located on the right bank of the river Aude, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has more than 2500 years of history and was restored in the 19th Century by Viollet-le-Duc. It totally consists of 52 massive towers and a double ring of ramparts and its main attraction is the Basilica of St. Nazarius, famous for its Gothic architecture with stained glass panels.

Location: 1100 Carcassonne, France.
Timings: Any time of the day
Entry Fee: INR 850

11. Spis Castle- A Spectacular Monument

Image Source

You can’t forget this monument standing firmly over the grounds of eastern Slovakia! It is one of the largest castles in Central Europe and is located in the region called Spis. It was declared as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1993, hence, you cannot miss out on this!

Location: 053 61 Žehra, Slovakia
Timings: 9am – 6pm
Entry Fee: INR 650

Further Read: Festivals In Iceland: 7 Popular Celebrations On The Land Of Fire And Ice

For a peek into the history and to witness the only survivors of the medieval times, these 11 largest castles in the world are a must visit. To go on a journey to the past along with these magnificent architectures, plan your holiday with TravelTriangle and witness the elegance of these ancient treasures.

Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.

Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Castles In The World

Which country has the most castles in the world ?

Wales city has the most castles in the world. Make sure you tour the castles there whenever touring the city with your loved ones.

Which is the largest ancient castle in the world?

Windsor Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world! Not only the largest but also the world's marvelous castle that is admired by most of the visitors.

What was the biggest castle ever built?

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in 880 AD by the Czech Monarchs.

Is a palace bigger than a castle?

Castle: a large building or group of buildings fortified against attack with thick walls, battlements, towers, and in many cases a moat. Palace: the official residence of a sovereign, archbishop, bishop, or other exalted person.

What is the oldest castle?

Reichsburg Cochem or Cochem Castle is one of the oldest castles in the world.

What is the most beautiful castle in the world?

World’s 8 Most Captivating Castles
1. Edinburgh Castle.
2. Neuschwanstein Castle.
3. Glamis Castle.
4. Windsor Castle.
5. Château de Chambord.
6. Hampton Court Palace.
7. Prague Castle.
8. St. Michael’s Mount.

How expensive is a castle?

On website, you’ll find more than 1,000 castle listings that range from 250,000 euros to 5 million euros and beyond

Is Buckingham Palace a castle?

Buckingham Palace is the Queen’s official and main royal London home.