Castles of Central & Eastern Europe: 8 Stops by Road
Explore eight remarkable castles across Central and Eastern Europe, starting with Slovakia's dramatic Orava Castle and Spice Castle, then traveling through Germany's Hohenschwangau Castle in Bavaria and Neuschwanstein Castle, before visiting Poland's Malbork Castle and Romania's Bran Castle and Corvin Castle in Transylvania, ending at Austria's Hohensalzburg Fortress. This 3,874 km route showcases medieval fortifications spanning from the 13th to 19th centuries.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Orava Castle, Slovakia
- End
- Neuschwanstein Castle
- Stops
- 8
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Orava Castle, Slovakia — Dramatic hilltop fortress overlooking the Orava River, featuring Gothic and Renaissance architecture spanning from the 13th century.
- Spice Castle, Slovakia — Medieval stronghold in central Slovakia known for its distinctive white stone construction and strategic position defending mountain passes.
- Hohenschwangau Castle, Bavaria, Germany — Picturesque 19th-century palace nestled in Alpine foothills, inspiring the architectural style of the famous nearby Neuschwanstein Castle.
- Malbork Castle, Poland — Colossal brick fortress and former Teutonic Knights headquarters, ranking among Europe's largest castles by area with extensive medieval fortifications.
- Bran Castle, Transylvania, Romania — Imposing clifftop castle associated with Dracula legends, showcasing Gothic architecture and commanding views across Transylvanian valleys.
- Corvin Castle, Transylvania, Romania — Magnificent late-medieval fortress featuring Gothic and Renaissance elements, constructed with distinctive red brick and ornate architectural details.
- Hohensalzburg Fortress, Austria — Perched above Salzburg city, this hilltop fortress boasts one of Europe's finest views and showcases medieval military architecture.
- Neuschwanstein Castle — Iconic castle nestled in the Bavarian Alps with 360-degree views
Useful for your trip
- Transport
- Spice Castle is approximately a 2-hour drive from Orava Castle in Slovakia.
- Tip
- Orava Castle was featured in the 1922 horror film Nosferatu and offers spooky atmosphere if you enjoy that aesthetic.
- Transport
- Eilean Donan Castle is located on a small tidal island and is passed while driving to the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Highlands.
- Transport
- Malbork Castle is located in northern Poland, approximately 1 hour's drive from Gdansk.
- Tip
- Malbork Castle is the largest castle in the world by land area, enclosing 52 acres.
- Transport
- Trakai Island Castle is built on an island in Lake Galvė in Lithuania and was reconstructed in 1961 to portray 15th century style.
- Transport
- Castle de Haar is located approximately 30 minutes outside of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
- Tip
- De Haar Castle features 200 rooms and 30 bathrooms with immaculate surrounding grounds and gardens.
- Timing
- Neuschwanstein Castle receives over 1.4 million visitors per year, making it a major tourist hotspot.
- Transport
- Alcázar of Segovia is located in central Spain, approximately 1 hour's drive from Madrid.
Video on this route
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