Every country in Europe offers new sights to see, food to sample and history to learn about, making it the perfect location for a road trip. Many have a castle or two that you could visit on your travels.
These are home to beautiful architecture, cultural events and tales from the past that anyone could find interesting. Each one is different and reflects the country it stands in.
In this blog, we’re taking a look at all the must-visit European castles, what they have to offer and how to get to them.
Palace of Versailles (France)
Best for: Experiencing art and history
Near: District of Notre-Dame, Paris, Viroflay
Famous for being the former residence of King Louis XIV and later Marie Antoinette, who used it as a royal playground, the Palace of Versailles is truly decadent. It was built in the 17th century, and the beautiful architecture reflects the era beautifully (if the walls could talk).
During your visit, you can look through the selection of exhibits they have during the year, walk through the hall of mirrors, explore the state apartments, discover all the artwork present throughout the interior of the palace, and, of course, take a stroll in the impressive gardens.
On the grounds, there’s also the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette’s personal getaway. This elegant chateau really gives you insight into how the French Queen lived.
Getting there:
Versailles is a train ride away from Paris, which you can obviously fly to from most British airports or take the Eurostar from London to. You can also drive to France.
Wherever you live in the UK, you can either drive to Folkestone and take LeShuttle to Calais or take a ferry from Dover in your car. Versailles is just over a three-hour drive from there. Note you will drive through motorways and tolls.
Luckily, there is paid parking available in multiple locations at the Palace estate, so it’s convenient for drivers.
National Palace of Pena, Sintra (Portugal)
Best for: Pictures in the sun
Near: Town of Sintra, Lisbon, Portuguese Riviera
Vibrant in colour, the Palace of Pena sits on top of the Sintra Hills, looking over the nearby town. As an example of German Romantic architecture, it is visually stunning, but the natural surroundings are also something to behold.
If you’re already visiting Lisbon, this is a great day trip option, with restaurants nearby and a historical interior to explore.
Getting there:
There are many direct flights to Lisbon and then trains, buses and taxis to Sintra that you can get. If you’re planning on driving to, and around, Portugal, you’ll want to get LeShuttle from Folkestone to Calais, and then you will have to drive through France and Spain to get into Portugal.
Parking is limited at the palace, but there are two parking areas, one close by that gets quite busy and another a 30-minute walk away (there are public transport options).
Alcázar of Segovia (Spain)
Best for: History-loving families
Near: Segovia town centre, Eresma, Clamores rivers
Alcázar of Segovia could easily be described as a fairytale fortress, with a medieval build to be envied, sat upon a rocky crag. A guided tour around it will introduce you to looming towers, secret passageways and extravagant halls. There’s also stained glass windows galore which are stunning on a sunny day (fairly common in Spain).
We recommend checking out the museum and military archives within the castle, plus all the tourist attractions in the Segovia town centre nearby.
Getting there:
If you’re wanting to fly to Spain in order to visit Segovia, the closest airport is Madrid-Barajas. When it comes to driving to Spain, the journey may take you over a day if you take some sensible stops but it is doable. As with many drives to Europe, you’ll need to get over to France (via LeShuttle or ferry) and then cross the border into Spain.
Alternatively, you can fly to another popular location in Spain and rent a car to drive to Segovia. This would make a fabulous road trip option.
Be warned that there isn’t a car park at the castle so we’d suggest parking just outside the old town and getting a taxi (or walking) into Alcázar.
Bran Castle (Romania)
Best for: Lovers of all things gothic
Near: The city of Brașov, Bucegi and Piatra Craiului mountains
As a view, Bran Castle is truly breathtaking but the inside is just as captivating and yes, it just so happens to be Dracula’s castle too. A horror fan’s dream, this centuries old structure is full of history, plus you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to food, thanks to the on-site restaurant plus venues in the surrounding area.
A true highlight of the castle is the ‘time tunnel’, a horizontal gallery once owned by the Romanian royal family. You have to take a lift down into it but once you’re there, it’s very much worth it.
Getting there:
If you’re not wanting to fly to one of Romania’s airports, you can drive there, but it will take 30-plus hours. You’ll be going through a few countries, so you could make it a road trip or even visit a couple of the other castles on this list.
Once you’re in Calais, you’ll then be driving through Belgium, Germany, Austria and Hungary. Since Romania joined the Schengen area, getting through that border has become a lot smoother. Then it’s just a case of getting to the road that connects Brașov and Câmpulung, which is where Bran is located.
There are pay-per-hour parking lots at the base of the hill when you arrive.
Castello di Miramare, Trieste (Italy)
Best for: A romantic getaway
Near: Gulf of Trieste, Barcola, Porta Della Bora
What can make a beach trip in Italy even more romantic? A beautiful castle. The former home of Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, this grand coastal retreat, complete with 54-acre park, is picturesque and full of artwork from the past.
The Castello di Miramare, also known as Miramare Castle, is surrounded by greenery and the sea, plus it hosts different events throughout the year.
Getting there:
If you account for rest stops, driving to the Castello di Miramare may take a couple of days but you can make it quite the scenic experience. To avoid tolls while driving to Italy, you can take a slightly longer route through France (after crossing the channel tunnel), Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Just be aware that some of the mountain roads may be closed during the winter.
There is a paid parking area located before the main entrance to Miramare Park that you can get to from Regional Road 14.
Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerød (Denmark)
Best for: All ages
Near: Hillerød Town Museum, Hillerød Loppemarked (flea market), Tulstrup
This 17th century castle is a beautiful example of Renaissance architecture. Built by King Christian IV, Frederiksborg Castle was created to be a status symbol and the visuals definitely back this up.
It’s home to the Danish Museum of National History plus the Neptune Fountain and the Marble Gallery of the King’s Wing – all of which are must-sees. There’s also seasonal events specifically for children, making it great for families.
Getting there:
Hillerød Station makes getting the train from all over Denmark quite convenient, whether you’ve flown in or driven. You can then take a scenic walk or cycle to the castle itself.
When it comes to driving to Denmark, if you can get to France (by ferry or LeShuttle) or the Netherlands (by ferry), you can drive from there.
From France, you’ll need to drive through Germany, and it will take you about a day with stops. From the Netherlands, it’s a lot quicker (around eight hours), driving through Bremen and Hamburg, but note the ferry trip is longer.
The castle is within walking distance of the Annaborg paid car park, so you can drive all the way there if you’d like.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria (Germany)
Best for: Nature lovers
Near: Alpsee Lake, Füssen, Schwangau
This castle inspired Disney’s Beauty and the Beast so it really is something out of a fairytale. Neuschwanstein Castle is incredibly popular, located in an equally favoured German state. King Ludwig II had built it as a hideaway from the public, but now, it’s open to all, offering an extravagant structure and memorable natural surroundings.
You can only go as part of a guided tour, but the elaborate interiors are fascinating so finding out more about them is definitely part of the appeal. You’ll get access to the grotto, Singer’s Hall and the king’s bedroom, plus you can walk through the grounds. There are also hiking trails nearby, Alpsee Lake for boat rides and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings.
Getting there:
If you’re planning on flying to visit this fantastical castle, we’d recommend going to Munich airport, but as you may have gathered from this blog, you can fairly easily drive to Germany from France (after getting a ferry or LeShuttle from the UK) too.
If you drive to Munich from Calais and take the quickest route through Reims and Strasbourg, you will be paying around €55 in tolls each way, and it will take around 10 hours. Belgium and Luxembourg roads aren’t very toll-heavy, so you’ll save money there.
From Munich to Bavaria, it will take you barely 10 minutes, but note that you will have to park in the village of Hohenschwangau as the castle doesn’t have a car park.
What will you need to travel to a castle in Europe?
When you head into Europe, there are a few essential documents you’ll need to remember to ensure you can enter your country of choice easily. This is especially relevant if you’re driving there. These documents will include:
- Your passport
- A valid driving licence
- National insurance number
- V5C certificate
- Proof of travel and vehicle insurance
- International driving permit (for the necessary countries)
- Crit’air sticker (for France)
Before you get on the road, you should also make sure your car’s tax and MOT are up-to-date. You may also benefit from having Green Card Insurance, which acts as proof that you’re insured to drive in another country.
For travelling in Europe, there’s some equipment you’ll need to pack too, including:
- Warning triangle (required in most European countries)
- UK car sticker (if not already on the number plate or when driving in Cyprus, Malta or Spain)
- First aid kit (required in Austria, France and Germany)
- Headlamp beam deflectors
- Reflective jackets for every passenger
Getting insurance for your road trip
When you’re travelling through Europe, you’ll want cover that works for you. Sterling understands this, and with our help, you’ll be able to find European car insurance or green card insurance that fits with your plans.
We also offer breakdown cover, which will give you peace of mind for your road trip.
Call us on 0344 381 9990 for a quote or request a callback at a time better suited to you.
