Hotels are still most people's accommodation of choice when it comes to going on vacation. If only they knew...
One of the largest and most opulent palaces in the world, the former royal residence of Versailles is located about 20 km (12.5 mi) west of Paris.
Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of the UK's sovereigns since 1837. The present incumbent is King Charles.
One of Austria's most important cultural assets, Schönbrunn Palace was the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers. It's located in Hietzing, Vienna.
The Royal Palace of Madrid is considered to be Spain's most significant Baroque palace. Home to the Kings of Spain from Charles III to Alfonso XIII, it is still the official residence of the Spanish royal family, although now used only for state ceremonies.
Dating back to 1912, Mysore Palace in the Indian state of Karnataka is the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore.
From the 1760s onwards the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg was the main residence of the Russian Tsars. The palace today houses the Hermitage Museum.
Topkapi Palace was home to all the Ottoman sultans until the reign of Abdulmecid I (1839-1860). It's now one of Istanbul's most visited museums.
The Alhambra served as a palace and fortress for the Moorish monarchs of Grenada. Later, the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella.
Hampton Court Palace, located 20 km (12 mi) southwest of central London, was the majestic home of King Henry VIII. It's currently in the possession of King Charles and the Crown.
One of the finest tourist attractions in Portugal, Pena Palace stands as a legacy to Ferdinand II, who commissioned its construction in 1838. It's located in Sintra, a town near Lisbon.
The Potala Palace in Lhasa was the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas from 1649 to 1959. At 3,699 m (12,139 ft) above sea level, Potala is the highest palace in the world.
One of Europe's largest and most dynamic palaces, Stockholm's Royal Palace, which dates back to 1754, is the official residence of the Swedish royal family.
The Royal Palace of Caserta is a former royal residence in Caserta, southern Italy. It was constructed in 1752 by the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies as their main residence.
Beijing's Summer Palace was completed in 1764 during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor and restored in 1886. Long abandoned, the complex still draws visitors to the grounds, said to be the best preserved-imperial garden in the world.
Though officially the palace of the Kings and Queens of the Belgians, this stately building in Brussels is not used as a royal residence: the present monarch and his family live in the Royal Palace of Laeken.
A working royal residence, Kensington Palace is the official London home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children.
Known also as the Palace of Fontainebleau, this opulent property south of Paris served as the residence of 34 kings and two emperors. In fact, it is the only château that was lived in by every French monarch for almost eight centuries.
Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam near Berlin was built in the 1740s to act as the summer estate of Prussian king Frederick the Great. The grounds are well-known for their vineyard terraces.
Considered to be one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in Norway, Oslo's Royal Palace was first taken up by Oscar I during the years 1847 to 1852. It is still used by the country's royal family.
The Danish royal family's official residence, Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen houses a popular museum. Like many palaces, it's also known for its colorful Changing of the Guard ceremonies.
Completed in 1849, the Grand Kremlin Palace was formerly the Czar's Moscow residence. Today it is the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation and is not open to the general public.
One of the world's largest private residences, Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is the principal residence of the former Jodhpur royal family. Part of the property is now a museum while another wing houses a luxury hotel.
Sources (National Geographic) (China Highlights) (Britannica)
See also: Overnight sensations! The world's most desirable hotels
Arguably Europe's most unassuming royal residence, the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City is home to the country's Grand Duke. The property, noted for its beautiful façade, is set in the heart of the city's Old Town.
The Renaissance Palazzo Pitti in Florence once served as the chief residence of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. It was later briefly occupied by King Victor Emanuel II. Today the palace is the largest museum complex in the city.
Also known as the Papal Palace, this is the official residence of the pope. The current building dates back to 1589, parts of which are open to the public.
The Queen's official residence in Edinburgh, Holyrood Palace was founded in 1128, originally as a monastery.
Sprawling Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire dates back to 1724 and is the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough. The British statesman Sir Winston Churchill was born here, in 1874.
The dazzling, spectacular Grand Palace is undoubtedly the most famous landmark in Bangkok. It's been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782.
Also known as "Palace of Breeze," the extraordinary pink-painted, delicately honeycombed hive that is Jaipur's Hawa Mahal dates back to 1799.
Located on the 'Dam' (Dam Square) in Amsterdam, this is one of the three palaces still used by the Dutch royal family, but mainly for hosting official functions.
Royal palaces number among the most spectacular buildings in the world. Often centuries old and resplendent in design and outlook, these extraordinary properties serve as seats for reigning monarchs, or stand as former residences now open to the public.
Click through and take a look at the world's most opulent royal palaces.
The most opulent royal palaces in the world
Royal residences that dazzle
TRAVEL World
Royal palaces number among the most spectacular buildings in the world. Often centuries old and resplendent in design and outlook, these extraordinary properties serve as seats for reigning monarchs, or stand as former residences now open to the public.
Click through and take a look at the world's most opulent royal palaces.