The World’s 100 Best Castles & Fortresses · 2026

The Best Castles & Fortresses in Europe

75 of the 100 castles in The World’s 100 Best Castles & Fortresses 2026 are in Europe, in 24 countries. The highest placed is Orava Castle in Oravský Podzámok, Slovakia, at number 1 in the world. Corvin Castle in Hunedoara, Romania (number 3) and Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg in Orschwiller, France (number 4) follow.

Wales and Scotland

Caernarfon, Conwy and Beaumaris were built for Edward I along the north Welsh coast, and visitors walk their towers and battlements. Dunnottar and Tantallon are clifftop ruins above the North Sea, and Stirling Castle holds a royal palace inside its walls.

Central Europe

Orava Castle climbs a cliff above the river in northern Slovakia in three levels. Corvin Castle in Hunedoara is entered over a long bridge. Pernštejn, Karlštejn and Český Šternberk in Czechia are shown on guided tours, and Siklós, Füzér, Sümeg and Eger are the four Hungarian entries.

France, Spain and Italy

Haut-Kœnigsbourg stands at 757 metres above the Alsace plain, and Beynac and Castelnaud face each other across the Dordogne. Loarre, Ponferrada, Belmonte and Coca are in northern and central Spain. Castel del Monte in Apulia has an octagonal plan and bare rooms.

Ukraine and the east

Palanok, Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khotyn and Akkerman are the four Ukrainian fortresses, the last three above the Smotrych and the Dniester. Malbork on the Nogat was built in brick by the Teutonic Knights. Mir Castle in Belarus and Cēsis Castle in Latvia are also on the list.