Castles have always been a stunning architectural achievement. Whether to demonstrate power, swagger or to protect, palaces and fortresses remain the breathtaking landmarks, visited by crowds of tourists. See our list of 29 castles from around the world – which one would you like to see?
29. Hearst Castle, San Simeon, California, USA
Neptune Pool with Roman Temple in Hearst Castle
28. Mystras, Greece
Photo by Unknown
27. Eilean Donan, Loch Duich Island, Scotland
26. Hohenzollern Castle, Germany
25. Ghardaïa, Algeria
Photo by Unknown
24. Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau, Bavaria, Germany
23. Lake Bled, Bled, Slovenia
Church of the Assumption of Maria, Bled, Slovenia © Shutterstock
22. Cochem, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
21. Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Portugal
Photo by Vítor Ribeiro
20. Vischering Castle, Lüdinghausen, North Rhine-Westfalia, Germany
Photo by Unknown
19. Trakai, Lithuania
18. Ideal Palace, Hauterives, France
Photo by Unknown
17. Pena Palace, Sintra, Portugal
Photo by Thomas Muller
16. Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Photo by Unknown
15. Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Photo by Unknown
14. Hohenwerfen Castle, Werfen, Austria
Photo by Unknown
13. Carcassonne, France
Photo by Unknown
12. Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
11. Moritzburg Castle, Germany
Photo by Unknown
10. Château de Chenonceau, Loire Valley, France
Photo by Unknown
9. The Citadel of Qaitbay, Alexandria, Egypt
Photo by Nadem Mohamed
8. The Swallow’s Nest, Yalta, Ukraine
Photo by Unknown
7. Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex, England
6. The Rock of Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland
Photo by Unknown
5. The Alhambra, Andalusia, Spain
Photo by Carlos Luque
4. Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome, Italy
Photo by Domingo Leiva
3. Lichtenstein Castle, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
2. Matsumoto Castle, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Photo by Unknown
1. Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
Photo by Unknown