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Best castles in Italy
Best Castles in Italy

The 10 Best Castles & Fortresses in Italy

Discover the Must-See Italian Castles. The Very Best Italian Castles and Best Italian Fortresses await you. From Aragonese Castle to Vulci Castle, the Most Beautiful Italian Castles await you.

 

You thought the most beautiful castles in Europe were in Germany, Austria or maybe France? In our opinion the Must-see Italian Castles have nothing to envy other castles of Europe. They have hosted the world famous film sets, sheltered the worst conspiracies.

 

What is your favorite castle? Make your choice and book your flights, your accommodation in Italy and your tours and activities in Italy and discover the most beautiful castles and the most beautiful fortresses of Italy.

 

Need more inspiration? Discover the Best Castles in Germany, Best Castles in Scotland, England, France and Portugal.

 


Best Castles in Italy - Aragonese Castle
©Edgieus

1. Aragonese Castle

Ischia Island - Campania

Located on the island of Ischia, 1h50 by car from Naples airport, the Aragonese castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Italy. This medieval castle is perched on a volcanic rock. It was built in the 5th century and served as a backdrop for a famous movie "The Talented Mr Ripley" with Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law.

 

Book your flights to Naples and your hotel at the best price guaranteed in Naples or on the island of Ischia and your tours and activities in Ischia Island, such as a "Snorkeling tour in Ischia Island".

 

To reach the island of Ischia, the easiest way is to book your flights for Naples and to take the ferry from the Port of Naples. There are many crossings a day (1 hour ferry ride). You can reach the port from the airport by taking the bus (for schedules type "Alibus Napoli" in Google).

 

Opening hours: The castle is open to the public every day of the week from 9h to 20h. 

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Naples and to take the ferry from the Port of Naples. (1h Ferry ride).

 

Where to stay: "Hotel San Giorgio Terme" with a wellness center and access to a private beach.

 


Best castles in Italy - Malcesine Castle
Copyright xbrchx

2. The Scaliger Castle of Malcesine 

Malcesine - Venetia 

This magnificent castle borders Lake Garda. Just like the castle of Sirmione it is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Italy.

 

Just 2 hours’ drive from Milan airport and 2 hours from Verona airport (4 hours by train), enjoy a dream holiday in a popular destination for celebrities and visit one of the Must-See Castles Italian Castles.

 

From the castle tower you will enjoy a 360 degree view of Lake Garda. Having belonged to different royal families, the castle became a national monument and was opened to the public.

 

Book your flights to Milan or Verona as well as your hotel at the best price and your tours and activities in Malcesine, such as a "Lake Garda Tour by bus and public boat with guide" and discover one of the Top Castles in Italy.

 

Opening hours: It is open every day from 9.30am to 7pm.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Milan. 

 

Where to stay: "Hotel Querceto Wellness & Spa". In addition to magnificent views of the lake, you can relax with a sauna, a Swedish shower, a swimming pool and much more.

 


Best castles in Italy - Rocca Scaligera castle
© Mikolajn

3. Rocca Scaligera Castle

Sirmione - Lombardia

This incredible castle is located in Sirmione, one of the most beautiful towns that border Lake Garda.

 

This medieval castle, one of the Best Castles in Italy, is of the 12th century. It is one of the landmarks of the city of Sirmione. It is located just 1 hour drive from Milan-Bergamo airport (2 hours by train).

 

Take a walk in the dungeons of this castle as well as in its tower and discover the beautiful town of Sirmione.

 

Book your flights to Milan-Bergamo (1 hour drive), your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Lombardia such as a  "From Milan: Full-day coach to Verona and Lake Garda".

 

Opening hours: The castle is open to the public every day of the week except Mondays (from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm).

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Milan-Bergamo (1h by car).

 

Where to stay: "Hotel Vinci". Situated int he best rated area in Sirmione.

 


Best castles in Italy - Rocchetta Mattei Castle
©Job Paguadan

4. Roccheta Matei Castle

Bologna

Rocchetta Mattei Castle is one of the Most Beautiful Castles in Italy. It is a castle in the clouds like Sintra Castle in Portugal.

 

This castle has its own style, it is incomparable and seems straight out of a dream. It is fairly recent since it was built in the 19th century by the Count Cesare Mattei.

 

What makes it unique is the incredible mix of styles. To be honest, this is our favourite castle in Italy.

 

The Conte Mattei was a character as amazing as his castle. Come discover the history of this castle and Conte Mattei by booking your flights to Bologna (40 min by car) as well as your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Bologna, such as a "Bologna 3-hour secret food tour".

 

Please note that the castle is only open on weekends (closed on weekdays).

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Bologna (40 min by car).

 

Where to stay: "Royal Hotel Carlton". Perfect for a 2-night stay.

 


Best castles in Italy - Boccale Castle
©Fesus Robert Shutterstock

5. Boccale Castle

Livorno - Tuscany

The castle of Boccale is probably the most beautiful Italian Castles. Just 15 minutes’ drive from Livorno and 30 minutes from Pisa, Boccale Castle was built by the famous Medici family in the 16th century.

 

The castle then belonged to different families who made important arrangements and modified its style to give it a more medieval character.

 

A few privileged people live today in one of the Best Castles in Italy, which has been divided into residential apartments.

 

Book your flights to Pisa (15 min by car) as well as your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Tuscany such as a "Fiat 500 vintage tour on the Chianti roads".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Pisa (15 min by car).

 

Where to stay: "GH Palazzo Suite & Spa". Set on the waterfront.

 


Best castles in Italy - Miramare Castle
© RossHelen

6. Miramare Castle - Trieste

Friuli Venezia Giulia

Trieste is truly one of the most beautiful and amazing destinations in Italy.

 

Located at the border with Slovenia and Croatia, Trieste is one of the trendiest destinations in Italy. The castle of Miramare is recent; it was built in 1856 by Archduke Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico. He had fallen in love with this region and decided that it was here that he wanted to live.

 

This castle is amazing because it mixes various architectural styles: romanesque, renaissance, gothic. It is this combination that makes it one of the Must-See Italian Castles.

 

Opening hours: The castle is open to the public from 9h to 18h30.

 

Book your flights to Trieste as well as your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Trieste, such as a "Private walking tour of Trieste".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Trieste.

 

Where to stay: Book your room at the best price at "Maximilians Residence" and enjoy a balcony with sea view.

 


Best castles in Italy - Caccamo Castle
©cge2010

7. Caccamo Castle 

Caccamo - Palermo - Sicily

Caccamo Castle is one of the Best Castles in Italy. It overlooks the pretty village of Caccamo, a 50-minute drive from Palermo.

 

This 12th century castle has been very well renovated and now houses a restaurant and museum that displays a collection of costumes and weapons. Enter the castle to enjoy magnificent views of the village of Caccamo.

 

Book your flights to Palermo as well as your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Palermo, such as a "Palermo 3-Hour street food and history walking tour".

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Palermo.

 

Where to stay: "Villetta in Centro Storico", one of our bestsellers in Caccamo.

 


Best castles in Italy - Borgo Castle in Turin
©Marco Saracco

8. Borgo Castle

Turin

Turin is one of the most refined cities in Italy and is world famous for its gastronomy and its monuments.

 

It is quite rare to see new castles appear in Europe, often these are not built by royal families but rather by investors to accommodate tourists.

 

This is the case of this medieval style castle built a few years ago in the "Parco del Valentino". It is not authentic but it undoubtedly is beautiful.

 

Opening hours: The castle is open every day from 9am to 7pm.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Turin.

 

Where to stay: The hotel “NH Torino Santo Stefano” is a popular choice for travellers to Turin.

 


Best castles in Italy - Castelsardo Castle
©Romas-Photo

9. Castelsardo Castle

Castelsardo - Sassari - Sardinia

Castle Castelsardo is located in northern Sardinia, 50 minutes from Algiers-Fertilia Airport and only a 30 minutes’ drive from the beautiful city of Sassari.

 

The city of Castelsardo dates from the same period as the castle, in the 12th century. It is a rich family of Genoa, the Doria family, who sponsor the castle.

 

This magnificent castle, in the Top 10 Italian Castles, now houses the Museum of Mediterranean Basketry.

 

Book your flights to Alghero-Fertilia airport (50 min by car) as well as your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Sardinia.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Alghero-Fertilia Airport (50 min by car).

 

Where to stay: "Bajaloglia Resort", stay near the castle and enjoy magnificent views of Castelsardo Bay.

 


Best castles in italy - Vulci Castle
©leoks

10. Vulci Castle

Montalto di Castro - Lazio

Vulci is not just an archaeological site, this is also one the Must-See Italian Castles.

 

This ancient Etruscan town, located 80 kilometers from Rome, is worth seeing if for its magnificent castle.

 

In addition to being an amazing archeological site, Vulci is a sublime natural park. If the weather is hot you can dive in the lake.

 

Opening hours: The castle is open every day from 9h to 17h. 

 

Book your flights to Rome (1h30 by car) and accommodation at the best price in Rome.

 

How to get there: Book your flights to Rome (1h30 by car).

 

Where to stay: "Aldrovandi Villa Borghese". Be pampered like a star.

 


 

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