Ten Fairytale Castles You Can Stay In For An Unforgettable Trip

Located in Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, Ireland just a 30-minute drive from Limerick, is Dromoland Castle. This beautiful Gothic-Revival style building now serves as a luxury five-star estate. Sitting on 500 acres of unspoilt woodland, Dromoland Castle is an enchanting escape for travelers eager to experience the Irish countryside and step back into centuries of history. There’s even a Bronze Age hill fort on the castle grounds, dating all the way back to around 950 BC.

Step into complete tranquility at the hotel’s luxury spa and wellness centre. The spa offers tailored treatments that are designed for pure relaxation and restoration during your stay.

A two-night stay in this grand castle costs €1,821, which is notably more expensive than the other hotels on our list, making this an especially deluxe option. Car rental prices come to €67 for the weekend. On-site parking is available.

Nestled in the village of Letzlingen, Germany, about a one-hour and 30-minute drive from Berlin is Hotel Jagdschloss Letzlingen, a stunning Neo-Gothic Romantic castle. Now a grand hotel and museum, this castle is the perfect place for a celebration. Hotel Jagdschloss Letzlingen is situated near the Colbitz-Letzlinger Heide forest, meaning guests can easily access scenic hiking and cycling trails to explore the German countryside.

Guests can explore the castle’s museum and beautifully landscaped gardens. For nature enthusiasts, Drömling Nature Park is just 15km, making a great day out for those looking to admire some natural scenery.

A two-night stay in this fairytale castle costs €178, and car rental comes to €66, making it one of the more affordable options on our list. There’s free on-site parking available.

Next up on the list of dreamlike castles is another German contender. Schloss Schlemmin is located in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern around two and a half hours northeast of Hamburg. Built in the Gothic Revival style, this castle features a white facade and crenellated towers that add to its striking appearance. It even has a moat, which only adds to its fairytale feel. This luxury castle hotel is surrounded by the gorgeous scenery of an English-style park, making it an ideal romantic getaway destination.

Guests can dine in the hotel’s traditional restaurant that serves lunch, dinner and high tea. Breakfast includes cheese, fruits, and even champagne, perfect for a celebratory trip.

A two-night stay in this castle costs €182, with car rental coming to €52. On-site parking is available.

Located on the hills of Piedmont overlooking the spectacular Lake Maggiore is Castello Dal Pozzo, a Neo-Gothic castle and luxury five-star resort. This mesmerising estate is surrounded by the lush greenery of a historic park, making it the ideal destination for an unforgettable escape in Northern Italy. Hotel guests are spoiled for choice when it comes to mealtimes. From fine dining at LE FIEF, the hotel's restaurant, to relaxed aperitifs at the Garden Lounge just below the castle terrace, there’s something for everyone.

Guests are situated perfectly to explore Lake Maggiore's Borromean Islands and nearby Lake Orta for a dreamy day trip surrounded by beautiful scenery. A two-night stay here costs €357, with car rental prices coming to €22 from Milan. On-site parking is available, and the hotel is just a 25-minute drive from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP).

Just 20 minutes away from Prague’s enchanting historic city centre lies a fully renovated Neo-Gothic castle, Chateau St. Havel. This charming castle offers a peaceful escape within the grounds of an elegant park that features seven tranquil ponds. Guests can also dine in the hotel’s restaurant and experience traditional Czech cuisine and gourmet dishes.

Chateau St. Havel offers guests a relaxing experience, boasting luxurious wellness facilities including a private sauna, whirlpool, and massages. What better way to spend a romantic, fairytale getaway than unwinding in a spa? A two-night stay in September costs €326, with car rental prices coming to €12. On-site parking is available.

Chateau Herálec is another impressive castle in the Czech Republic, located about an hour and 15-minute drive from Prague. Nestled in the hills of Vysočina, this remarkable castle is now a luxury five-star hotel that retains all the charm and elegance of a centuries-old chateau. Tourists who visit in the winter will find themselves well situated for cross-country skiing, with equipment available to borrow from the hotel.

From an exceptional restaurant offering a fine culinary experience to a relaxing wellness spa by L'OCCITANE, this resort is the perfect escape for those looking to celebrate a special occasion. A two-night stay in September comes to €854, with car rental from Prague costing €12. On-site parking is available.

Near the UNESCO World Heritage town of Wismar on the Baltic coastline is a charming Neo-Gothic castle that's now an elegant manor house hotel. Schloss Gamehl offers guests an intimate retreat in the German countryside. Inside this hotel, guests can find elegant decor, spacious rooms and a range of luxury facilities to make staying here an extra special experience. Guests can enjoy everything this hotel has to offer, including tasting local delicacies in the restaurant and using the fitness suites and wellness areas to relax and unwind.

The castle is less than half an hour’s drive from Wismar, a pretty port city that’s known for its well-preserved medieval buildings. Staying in this luxury hotel costs €360 for two nights in September, and car rental prices come to €86. The hotel offers free private parking on-site for guests.

Located in Tartu County, Eastern Estonia, Alatskivi Castle is a 19th-century Neo-Gothic castle built on the grounds of a 17th-century estate. Modeled after Balmoral Castle in Scotland, this picturesque castle features a striking white facade, slate-grey roofs, and crenellated turrets that are reminiscent of a fairy-tale setting. The estate is surrounded by serene gardens, ancient forests, and sits right along the shores of Lake Alatskivi.

Guests can enjoy the nearby swimming beach for a cold-water plunge, or simply walk along the shores, taking in the romantic views of the lake. The restaurant serves a range of international and European cuisine and has gluten-free and dairy-free options available.

Alatskivi Castle is about half an hour’s drive away from Tartu, a lively university city with beautiful architecture that’s often thought of as the country’s intellectual capital, with lots of cultural things to do. A two-night stay in this storybook palace at the end of September comes to €251, with car rental costing €27. Free on-site parking is available.

Located in Cheshire, Peckforton Castle is the only intact medieval-style fortress in England. This grand Victorian Gothic castle offers a unique escape for guests wanting a gorgeous getaway in a place that looks like it’s straight out of a storybook. The hotel features a variety of luxurious rooms, including tower suites set within the castle’s iconic turrets and romantic four-poster rooms where guests can sleep like royalty.

Best of all, the castle is surrounded by 36 acres of private woodland, creating a peaceful escape into nature. But it’s not too remote – Peckforton Castle is just over an hour’s drive from Manchester, making this an ideal destination for a weekend away in the North West.

Guests can stay in this luxury castle hotel for €542 for two nights in September, and car rental comes to €36. Free on-site parking is available.

Nestled in Killiney, South Dublin, is Fitzpatrick Castle. Next to Killiney Hill and overlooking Dublin Bay, with sea views from certain rooms, this Neo-Gothic castle blends modern luxury with medieval-style charm. Offering guests a romantic escape within the scenic coastal suburbs, this family-run luxury castle hotel is around a 30-minute drive from Dublin city center.

The hotel has a leisure centre with a heated indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Guests can enjoy plenty of nearby activities, from taking scenic walks up the hill to exploring the historic village of Dalkey. A two-night stay comes to €417, with car rental prices around €30. Parking is available on-site.

We hope you enjoyed this roundup of charming fairytale castles around Europe. If this has inspired a getaway to one of these storybook palaces, we hope you consider booking with us. We were the most visited global car rental comparison site in February 2026 and can help you find the perfect rental car in 164 countries around the world.