10 Fairytale Castles in Europe You Can Actually Stay In

Have you ever dreamed of sleeping inside a storybook castle? Waking up to sweeping views of misty valleys, dining in grand banquet halls, or strolling private gardens once reserved for royalty? In 2025, those dreams are no longer just for the wealthy elite — you can experience authentic castle stays across Europe without emptying your wallet.

More and more travelers are seeking unique and Instagram-worthy escapes instead of cookie-cutter hotels. Castles offer just that: history, charm, luxury, and unforgettable atmosphere. The best part? Many of these fairytale retreats are surprisingly affordable, with boutique rooms starting at prices comparable to city hotels. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, family trip, or once-in-a-lifetime experience, castle stays combine luxury with accessibility.

Better yet, you can find and book these castles (plus your flights!) through Travelupo — your smart aggregator for travel deals.

Let’s explore 10 enchanting castles across Europe where you can actually stay in 2025 hand picked via Travelupo for your desire!

1. Ashford Castle – Cong, Ireland

Average rate: From €320/night
Highlights: 13th-century fortress, award-winning spa, falconry school

Ashford Castle is Ireland’s crown jewel, once home to the Guinness family. Today, it’s a five-star hotel that perfectly balances grandeur with warmth. Stay in lavish suites with antique furnishings, enjoy afternoon tea overlooking Lough Corrib, or learn falconry on the castle grounds.

Despite its fame, deals in autumn and winter bring rates down — making it more accessible than you’d expect for such an iconic property. For couples or honeymooners, it’s pure magic.

2. Burg Colmberg – Bavaria, Germany

Average rate: From €140/night
Highlights: 1,000-year-old hilltop castle, family-run charm, medieval dining hall

Located along Germany’s Romantic Road, Burg Colmberg is a true hidden gem. While Neuschwanstein draws crowds, this fortress offers the real deal: thick stone walls, turrets, and panoramic views of Franconian countryside.

Inside, you’ll find cozy rooms blending medieval character with modern comfort. Prices remain shockingly affordable, making it one of the best-value castle stays in Europe.

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3. Castello di Velona – Tuscany, Italy

Average rate: From €270/night
Highlights: Vineyard estate, thermal spa, sweeping Tuscan hills

Perched in Tuscany’s famous Val d’Orcia, Castello di Velona is both a castle and a luxury wine resort. Guests sip estate Brunello di Montalcino, soak in thermal pools, and dine under vaulted ceilings.

Autumn is the perfect time to stay, coinciding with the wine harvest and offering lower nightly rates than summer. Few experiences are as romantic as gazing out from your castle balcony across golden Tuscan vineyards.

4. Parador de Oropesa – Toledo, Spain

Average rate: From €120/night
Highlights: Spain’s original Parador, Moorish-Gothic architecture, sweeping Sierra views

Spain has transformed many historic castles into Paradores — government-run hotels that preserve heritage while offering affordable stays. Oropesa, dating back to the 14th century, is one of the most beautiful.

Its courtyards, stone towers, and dramatic views of the Sierra de Gredos mountains transport you straight into a medieval tale — but with modern comforts and budget-friendly pricing.

5. Pousada de Óbidos – Óbidos, Portugal

Average rate: From €130/night
Highlights: UNESCO town walls, charming interiors, boutique luxury

Óbidos is one of Portugal’s prettiest towns, encircled by medieval walls. Inside the castle, the Pousada de Óbidos offers the chance to live like royalty at surprisingly modest prices.

Autumn is particularly enchanting here, when crowds thin and local festivals bring life to the cobbled streets. Imagine waking up in a stone chamber overlooking terracotta rooftops and vineyards — all without overspending.

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6. Schlosshotel Kronberg – Frankfurt, Germany

Average rate: From €260/night
Highlights: Once home to Empress Victoria, golf course, opulent interiors

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like aristocracy, Schlosshotel Kronberg delivers. Built in the 19th century for German royalty, its halls are filled with priceless antiques, chandeliers, and tapestries.

While it exudes grandeur, packages and off-peak deals make it affordable luxury. Conveniently near Frankfurt, it’s perfect for pairing with a city trip.

7. Dalhousie Castle – Edinburgh, Scotland

Average rate: From €180/night
Highlights: Scotland’s oldest inhabited castle, spa, falconry, dungeon dining

Just 20 minutes outside Edinburgh, Dalhousie Castle offers a dramatic Scottish escape. You can dine in the dungeon, try falconry on the grounds, and unwind in the spa housed in the former dungeon vaults.

Autumn brings golden landscapes and cozy vibes — perfect for curling up by the fire with whisky.

8. Château de Bagnols – Beaujolais, France

Average rate: From €290/night
Highlights: 13th-century castle, vineyard setting, Michelin-star dining

In the heart of Beaujolais wine country, Château de Bagnols offers a romantic escape among vineyards and rolling hills. Each room is decorated with frescoes and tapestries, creating a regal feel.

Guests enjoy Michelin-starred dining and an outdoor pool overlooking vineyards. Autumn harvest season makes this one of Europe’s most magical stays.

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9. Kreuzenstein Castle – Lower Austria

Average rate: From €160/night
Highlights: Gothic revival masterpiece, film set for Hollywood, historic tours

Located just outside Vienna, Kreuzenstein feels like stepping into a fantasy novel. Used in movies like The Three Musketeers, the castle offers authentic medieval flair at accessible prices.

Staying here means waking up to Gothic towers and lush Austrian hills — all while being a short train ride from Vienna’s cultural treasures.

10. Château de la Caze – Gorges du Tarn, France

Average rate: From €190/night
Highlights: Riverside setting, Renaissance architecture, hiking trails

Tucked into the dramatic Gorges du Tarn, Château de la Caze offers both history and nature. Guests enjoy kayaking, hiking, and stargazing — before returning to Renaissance halls and candlelit dinners.

It’s an idyllic countryside escape where luxury meets adventure, and rates remain well below other French châteaux.

Why Stay in a Castle vs. a Traditional Luxury Hotel?

Castles offer more than just beds — they offer experiences steeped in history and romance. While a luxury chain hotel provides polished service, a castle stay immerses you in centuries-old architecture, secret passageways, and heritage dining rooms.

In many cases, castles are more affordable than city luxury hotels, especially in shoulder seasons. The uniqueness makes them even more valuable.

Tips for Booking Affordable Castle Stays

Travel in autumn or spring: Lower demand = lower rates.
Use Travelupo: Compare castle hotel prices with flights in one place.
Look for package deals: Some castles offer half-board or spa credits.
Book direct or early: Small boutique castles often sell out quickly.
Consider location: Rural castles are usually cheaper than those near major tourist cities.

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Best Time of Year to Stay in Castles

Autumn: Warm colors, harvest festivals, cozy fires.
Winter: Magical snow-dusted towers and Christmas markets nearby.
Spring: Blooming gardens and lower rates before summer.

For 2025, autumn castle stays are especially appealing as rates dip after the summer rush.

Make Your 2025 Fairytale Come True

You don’t need a royal budget to live like royalty. From Ireland’s grand estates to Portugal’s charming fortresses, these 10 castles prove that affordable luxury is possible.

With a little planning, you can sip wine in Tuscany, explore medieval towers in Germany, or stargaze from a French château balcony — all without overspending.

👉 Start planning your castle escape now with Travelupo — where flights and hotels meet in one seamless search.

Because in 2025, your next stay doesn’t have to be just a hotel. It can be a fairytale.