10 original European fairytale castles

Tourists flock to these impressive castles not just for their architecture, but also for the folklore and tales that come with them

While these European castles may serve as intriguing backdrops for modern film and television – from Disney to Dracula to Downton Abbey – each one has its own unique tale to tell.......

1. Bran Castle

Transylvania, Romania

Long before Twilight made vampires en vogue, Bram Stoker’s famous character Dracula was the one that gave us nightmares. While Stoker’s Dracula, a count living in the principality of Transylvania, is largely fictitious, the belief that Bran Castle was the inspiration for the tale is alive and well. Originally built by the Teutonic Knights – a religious order formed in Palestine by German crusaders in the 12th century – Bran Castle has a history that features many colourful characters including Hungarian kings, Romanian princes and even the notorious tyrant Vlad the Impaler. But the most notable connection is with the legend of Dracula and the castle has been converted into a museum popular with tourists to Romania in search of his haunting presence.

Flydubai have direct flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Bucharest's Otopeni International Airport (OTP)

2. Carcassonne

Languedoc, France

This picture-postcard 13th century medieval jewel attracts throngs of visitors for good reason. Few fortified cities still stand as looming as this Unesco World Heritage Site. With a double ring of ramparts shielding the elevated castle, protected by 52 towers and deep moat with a classic drawbridge, it appears impregnable to this day. One of these towers housed the Catholic Inquisition and is still known as The Inquisition Tower. Today, visitors can go to the Musée de la Torture to see some of the original torture equipment employed by the then rulers.

Air France flies from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)  to Montpellier (MPL) via Paris (CDG)

3. Mont Saint-Michel

Normandy, France

Another striking French Castle, Mont Saint-Michel never fails to impress. It is actually considered a medieval wonder, because it is built on a rocky peak crowned on top by a gold statue of the Archangel Michael (Michel in French).

Originally, it was an abbey and served as a sacred destination for pilgrimages. Today, it is one of the most popular attractions in France.

Emirates and Air France have direct flights to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Normandy is 2 hours by train from Paris.

4. Neuschwanstein Castle

Bavaria, Germany

Commissioned in 1869 by the reclusive and eccentric King Ludwig II to pay homage to German composer Wagner, Neuschwanstein Castle is regarded as one of the best examples of Romanticist architecture in the world. Its eclectic style, with Byzantine interiors inspired by Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia and intricate carvings from the New-Gothic era are all testament to Ludvig’s obsession with excess. Magically sitting high upon a rugged cliff in the Bavarian Alps, with its witch-hatted turrets, towers and spires, Neuschwanstein was also the inspiration for a modern-day magical kingdom – Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle, which was built in 1955 and has become the logo for the themepark.  For a princely experience, you can take a horse-drawn carriage from the nearby village of Hohenschwangua up to Neuschwanstein Castle.

Emirates, Etihad and Airberlin have direct flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to Munich’s Franz Josef Strauss Intl (MUC). Neuschwanstein Castle is a 2-hour train journey from Munich.

5. Eilean Donan

Dornie, Scotland

With an unforgettable cameo in the 1999 James Bond film The World is Not Enough as the Scottish headquarters of MI6, Eilean Donan exudes a rugged, brooding and solitary personality. Perched atop a small island in Loch Duich in the Highlands, this 13th century castle was built to fend of Viking invasions. It suffered ruin over the centuries, but was restored in the 20th century. Today, it is one of the most photographed icons of Scotland and it frequently appears in advertising and packaging for Scottish products including shortbread. A visit to experience its eerie beauty will have you gasping like a bagpipe!

Emirates and Qantas have direct flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Glasgow International Airport (GLA). Eilean Donan is a 3 hour car journey from Glasgow.

6. Windsor Castle

Berkshire, England

One of the most perfectly maintained castles in the world, Windsor Castle is best known as a residence for the British royal family. The original estate was built in the 11th century after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. It has been continuously used by succeeding monarchs, making it the longest-occupied palace in Europe. It has Georgian, Victorian, Tudor, Gothic and Baroque architecture features among other modern influences. Today, more than 500 people live and work at Windsor Castle, which also makes it the largest inhabited castle in the world.

Emirates, Virgin, Qantas, Etihad, Aerlingus and British Airways have direct flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to London Heathrow International Airport (LHR). Windsor Castle is a 45min train journey from London.

7. Highclere Castle

Newbury, England

Gaining recent attention as the setting for the British drama Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle is one of England’s most stunning Victorian constructs. Set on 1,000 acres of parkland, it has been home to the Earl of Carnarvon since 1679. During the First World War, the fifth countess of Carnarvon transformed the castle into a hospital and received patients from Flanders in 1914. The plot of the TV series mirrors this history and provides some dramatic insight into the everyday interactions between the servants and the aristocracy in the early 20th century.

Emirates, Virgin, Qantas, Etihad, Aerlingus and British Airways have direct flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to London Heathrow International Airport (LHR).  Highclere Castle is a 3-hour train journey from London.

8. Prague Castle

Czech Republic

According to the Guinness World Records, Prague Castle is the largest ancient castle in the world, covering a total area bigger than seven football fields. With a history that begins in the 9th century, the complex of palaces, towers and spires looms over the city like a fairytale fortress. A Unesco World Heritage Site, the castle has always been the seat of Czech monarchs as well as the official residence of the head of state. Today, it receives millions of visitors who come to see its museums and galleries that are home to some of the Czech Republic's greatest artistic and cultural treasures.

flydubai, Emirates and Czech Airlines have direct flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Vaclav Havel Prague International Airport (PRG)

9. Ashford Castle

Galway, Ireland

Ireland's fairytale castle in the west, Ashford was built in the 13th century and expanded over the centuries. Once owned by the Guinness family, it also appeared in John Ford’s film The Quiet Man in 1951. It has been converted into a 5-star luxury hotel, where you can spend the night like nobility. In fact, Ashford Castle is one of Ireland's most popular destination wedding venues because of its elaborate gold interior and extensive manicured lawns.

Emirates, Qantas, Etihad and American Airlines have direct flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to Dublin International Airport (DUB). Three hours by car to Ashford Castle. 

10. Blarney Castle

Cork, Ireland

Probably the most visited castle in Ireland for its funny folklore and ritual, Blarney Castle is a medieval fortress built in the 15th century. Today, the castle is a partial ruin but its main attraction is The Stone of Eloquence – better known as the Blarney Stone. World statesmen, literary giants and Hollywood legends have joined millions who have visited for the same purpose – to hang upside down over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to impart the Irish ‘gift of the gab’. It is believed Irish kings were crowned on the stone and destinies to this day forever altered, but you can’t believe everything you hear at the pub.

Emirates, Qantas, Etihad and American Airlines have direct flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) to Dublin International Airport (DUB). A flight from Dublin to Cork takes 50min with Ryanair or Aerlingus. .