Breathtaking castles that look straight out of a fairy tale

Europe is scattered with enchanted-looking castles that could have come straight out of tales of princes and princesses.

Some of them even served as inspiration for fairy tales and are now world icons for their fascinating architecture.

Click through the gallery to learn more about these magical places.

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Eltz Castle, Germany - Nestled in the hills between Koblenz and Trier, this imposing medieval castle is one of the most beautiful and best preserved in the world.

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Eltz Castle, Germany - Thanks to its privileged location, the fort allowed guards to keep an eye on both sides of the Eltz valley. Today, lucky tourists get to enjoy breathtaking views.

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Burg Kreuzenstein, Austria - This amazing castle was built in the 19th century by the Wilczek family on the ruins of a 12th-century castle that was demolished during the Thirty Years' War.

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Burg Kreuzenstein, Austria - The structure is now a tourist attraction and has served as set for different films, such as 'The Three Musketeers' (1993).

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Burg Kreuzenstein, Austria - Its architecture fascinates tourists and is a wonderful place to let the imagination run wild.

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Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria - Located between the valleys and mountains near Sankt Georgen Dolomite am Längsee, east of the town of Sankt Veit an der Glan, this monument stands out for its fascinating architecture and medieval style.

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Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria - This impressive castle is sometimes said to have served as Walt Disney's inspiration for the famous castle in 'Snow White.'

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Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria - In addition, the castle offers a breathtaking view that draws tourists from all over the world. The monument is one of the landmarks of Austria and one of the most incredible castles in the world.

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Bojnice Castle, Slovakia - This castle dates back to the 12th century and is one of the most visited places in Slovakia.

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Bojnice Castle, Slovakia - Although it stands today in stone, Bojnice Castle was originally built as a wooden fortress.

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Bojnice Castle, Slovakia - It's one Slovakia's tourist gems for its Disneyesque appearance and charm.

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Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria - This medieval rock castle is located on a cliff at a high altitude.

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Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria - In addition to its impressive architecture, you also get a breathtaking view over the city of Salzburg.

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Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria - The well-preserved castle has undergone little changes since the 16th century. It's currently in private hands but is open to the public during the summer months.

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Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, France - Located about 12 km from Annecy, this medievel gem dates back to the 10th century, but has undergone renovations on multiple occasions.

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Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, France - Judging by its appearance, fairy-tale princesses and princes could well be living inside this castle's wall. Its architecture fascinates the hordes of tourists who visit it annually.

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Vufflens Castle, Switzerland - Located in the canton of Vaud, this isn't Switzerland's best known castle, despite being a recognized national monument.

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Vufflens Castle, Switzerland - Its exterior looks like a real princess castle.

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Château de Montfort, France - Located in Dordogne in the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, this castle dates as far back as 866, but it has undergone several renovations. Today, it's an impressive tourist attraction.

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Château de Montfort, France - Its style and architecture is reminiscent of Disney's fairy tales.

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Bran Castle, Romania - The fortress is commonly known as the 'Dracula's Castle' for being the residence of the character Dracula in Bram Stoker's famous book.

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Bran Castle, Romania - The castle was built by the Teutonic Knights and is situated on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia.

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Bran Castle, Romania - Today, it's a popular tourist attraction and one of the must-see landmarks in Romania. If you go during the winter, you might get to see the beautiful castle covered in snow.

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Bran Castle, Romania - Although it looks scary and gloomy at night, the castle draws tourists from all over the world. Both its architecture and its mysterious setting fascinate visitors.

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Braunfels Castle, Germany - Situated near a small town called Braunfels, this impressive castle was built in the 13th century.

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Braunfels Castle, Germany - It was built as a residence for a noble family, and it's not by chance that it resembles princess castles of fairy tales.

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Château de Saumur, France - This incredible monument is located in the town of Saumur, between Nantes and Tours, in the Department of Maine-et-Loire.

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Château de Saumur, France - Its architecture is fascinating and well preserved. It's another 'magical' castle that charms its visitors and looks straight out of a Disney movie.

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Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany - This castle situated in the Bavarian mountains near Munich and the Austrian border was built in the second half of the 19th century by Ludwig II of Bavaria.

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Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany - This castle served as the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty castle. It's undoubtedly one of the most impressive and incredible structures in the world.

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Hohenzollern Castle, Germany - This castle, located about 50 km from the city of Stuttgart, served as the residence of the Swabian counts during the first half of the 11th century.

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Hohenzollern Castle, Germany -

It looks magical in its secluded location on Hohenzollern Hill at more than 800 m above sea level. Combined with its fascinating architecture, this castle is bound to mesmerize its visitors.

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Breathtaking castles that look straight out of a fairy tale -

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0 / 33 Fotos

Eltz Castle, Germany - Nestled in the hills between Koblenz and Trier, this imposing medieval castle is one of the most beautiful and best preserved in the world.

1 / 33 Fotos

Eltz Castle, Germany - Thanks to its privileged location, the fort allowed guards to keep an eye on both sides of the Eltz valley. Today, lucky tourists get to enjoy breathtaking views.

2 / 33 Fotos

Burg Kreuzenstein, Austria - This amazing castle was built in the 19th century by the Wilczek family on the ruins of a 12th-century castle that was demolished during the Thirty Years' War.

3 / 33 Fotos

Burg Kreuzenstein, Austria - The structure is now a tourist attraction and has served as set for different films, such as 'The Three Musketeers' (1993).

4 / 33 Fotos

Burg Kreuzenstein, Austria - Its architecture fascinates tourists and is a wonderful place to let the imagination run wild.

5 / 33 Fotos

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Hochosterwitz Castle, Austria - This impressive castle is sometimes said to have served as Walt Disney's inspiration for the famous castle in 'Snow White.'

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Bojnice Castle, Slovakia - This castle dates back to the 12th century and is one of the most visited places in Slovakia.

9 / 33 Fotos

Bojnice Castle, Slovakia - Although it stands today in stone, Bojnice Castle was originally built as a wooden fortress.

10 / 33 Fotos

Bojnice Castle, Slovakia - It's one Slovakia's tourist gems for its Disneyesque appearance and charm.

11 / 33 Fotos

Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria - This medieval rock castle is located on a cliff at a high altitude.

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Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria - In addition to its impressive architecture, you also get a breathtaking view over the city of Salzburg.

13 / 33 Fotos

Hohenwerfen Castle, Austria - The well-preserved castle has undergone little changes since the 16th century. It's currently in private hands but is open to the public during the summer months.

14 / 33 Fotos

Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, France - Located about 12 km from Annecy, this medievel gem dates back to the 10th century, but has undergone renovations on multiple occasions.

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Vufflens Castle, Switzerland - Located in the canton of Vaud, this isn't Switzerland's best known castle, despite being a recognized national monument.

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Vufflens Castle, Switzerland - Its exterior looks like a real princess castle.

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Château de Montfort, France - Its style and architecture is reminiscent of Disney's fairy tales.

20 / 33 Fotos

Bran Castle, Romania - The fortress is commonly known as the 'Dracula's Castle' for being the residence of the character Dracula in Bram Stoker's famous book.

21 / 33 Fotos

Bran Castle, Romania - The castle was built by the Teutonic Knights and is situated on the border between Transylvania and Wallachia.

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Bran Castle, Romania - Today, it's a popular tourist attraction and one of the must-see landmarks in Romania. If you go during the winter, you might get to see the beautiful castle covered in snow.

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Bran Castle, Romania - Although it looks scary and gloomy at night, the castle draws tourists from all over the world. Both its architecture and its mysterious setting fascinate visitors.

24 / 33 Fotos

Braunfels Castle, Germany - Situated near a small town called Braunfels, this impressive castle was built in the 13th century.

25 / 33 Fotos

Braunfels Castle, Germany - It was built as a residence for a noble family, and it's not by chance that it resembles princess castles of fairy tales.

26 / 33 Fotos

Château de Saumur, France - This incredible monument is located in the town of Saumur, between Nantes and Tours, in the Department of Maine-et-Loire.

27 / 33 Fotos

Château de Saumur, France - Its architecture is fascinating and well preserved. It's another 'magical' castle that charms its visitors and looks straight out of a Disney movie.

28 / 33 Fotos

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany - This castle situated in the Bavarian mountains near Munich and the Austrian border was built in the second half of the 19th century by Ludwig II of Bavaria.

29 / 33 Fotos

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany - This castle served as the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty castle. It's undoubtedly one of the most impressive and incredible structures in the world.

30 / 33 Fotos

Hohenzollern Castle, Germany - This castle, located about 50 km from the city of Stuttgart, served as the residence of the Swabian counts during the first half of the 11th century.

31 / 33 Fotos

Hohenzollern Castle, Germany -

It looks magical in its secluded location on Hohenzollern Hill at more than 800 m above sea level. Combined with its fascinating architecture, this castle is bound to mesmerize its visitors.

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Breathtaking castles that look straight out of a fairy tale

These sites have influenced both children’s literature and famous films

24/10/24 | StarsInsider

TRAVEL Castles

In the Middle Ages, civilizations built castles in strategic places to protect themselves from others. Through history, castles have also served as a residence for rulers and the nobility, while others were built strictly for military purposes.

Today, they attracts hordes of tourists for their fascinating beauty and history. Some have served as inspiration for children's films and tales and, at first glance, look straight out of a fairy tale.

Click through the gallery to learn more about these magical places.