Real Castles Where You Can Stay Overnight

Whether you're a history buff or have just always wondered what it might feel like to be royalty, you may have dreamed about spending the night in a real castle. Thankfully there are plenty of castles around the world — including many here in the states — where you can actually stay overnight. These include both hotel-like accommodations and vacation rentals courtesy of Airbnb and Vrbo, and also affordable options and worthwhile splurges here in the United States and around the world. So dust off your royal robes, saddle up your horse, and get ready for a quest to some of the coolest castles in the world.

Prices and availability are subject to change. Kris Scott contributed to this story.

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Cong, Ireland

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Ireland's spectacular and massive Ashford Castle began as a mansion in 1228 and expanded over the centuries, and was once home to the Guinness family. Surrounded by 300 acres of ancient woodlands, the fully restored castle features 83 luxury rooms and suites, plus a hideaway cottage. You'll also find a spa, on-site dining (including the dramatic Dungeon bistro), a movie theater, and plenty of outdoor activities, including the oldest falconry school in Ireland. 

Related: Stunning Castles to Visit Across America

Tacoma, Washington

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While we often think of castles as relics of the Old World, many can also be found in the United States, including the supposedly haunted gothic tudor Thornewood Castle. The castle is situated on 4 acres (originally 100 acres) at American Lake surrounded by fir trees, but it was originally built in England over 500 hundred years ago. In 1907, Chester Thorne, one of the founders of the Port of Tacoma, had the structure dismantled, shipped and rebuilt in Washington for his bride, Anna. The sprawling castle features 22 bedrooms, rare artwork and stained glass from 15th- and 16th-century churches, a secret English garden designed by the famous Olmsted brothers, and reportedly sightings of several peaceful ghosts, including Chester and Anna.

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Styria, Austria

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At Schloss Kapfenstein in southeastern Austria, guests can enjoy storybook views of the surrounding wine country of southern Styria from atop an extinct volcano. Built in 1065, the mountain fortress was designed to defend against armies of Huns and Turks. The family-owned castle is noticeably more peaceful these days, offering 15 bright and rustic guest rooms, hearty traditional fare at the onsite restaurant, and vintages from the family winery.

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Rindge, New Hampshire

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Up to 22 people can rent this 11,000-square-foot castle on 500 acres of their own private kingdom — for a very reasonable price. The castle is complete with hidden passages that lead to the rooftop spires, and guests can relax in the basement bar and game room, take a boat out on the private lake, or huddle around the fire pit on a chilly evening. Guests can enjoy miles of trails and even a disc golf course without leaving the property. There are eight bedrooms and five baths.

Related: Cool Vacation Rentals with Hidden Rooms and Secret Passages

Sainte-Énimie, France

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Nestled along the Tarn River in Sainte-Énimie — considered one of the most beautiful villages in France — the stunning Château de la Caze provides a perfectly regal refuge. Built in the 15th century as the honeymoon home for a French noblewoman, the Château has 10 rooms with those on the top level offering prime river views and a circular turret. Dine at the excellent terrace restaurant, explore the tapestries, artwork, and surrounding gardens, or relax at the pool and massage rooms.

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Fort Lauderdale, Florida
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Beach houses like this are rare. About 30 miles north of Miami, this 10,000 square-foot riverfront castle features a 1,400-square-foot dock, eight bedrooms, and 10 baths. Guests can unwind in the home’s pool and hot tub. Inside are regal amenities like a 40-foot bar and breathtaking 35-foot ceilings. Amateur chefs will enjoy the house’s gourmet kitchen, which has multiple stoves, perfect for cooking up the day’s catch. There's also no shortage of nearby restaurants. There is a four-night minimum stay at this place. 

Clarens, South Africa

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For those looking for a fairytale experience, the Castle in Clarens — commonly known as "Rapunzel's Tower" — is the perfect magical escape. The tower sleeps four with two suites, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding Maluti Mountains. You'll have the entire castle to yourself when you stay, free to explore the tapestries from Dubai and other artwork, roam the surrounding Rapunzel-inspired gardens, or have a barbecue on the patio of the Chamber of Angels.

Knoxville, Tennessee
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Tennessee might be the last place you expect to find a medieval castle, but here you go. It sleeps up to six and includes a secret staircase hidden behind a moving bookshelf. If that's not cool enough, you'll have your own pub, and the master bedroom ceiling is painted like the Sistine Chapel's. Outside, there's a multi-level deck with river views, and acres of forest courtesy of a neighboring nature preserve.

Dausa, India

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In India's northern state of Rajasthan, you'll find the stunning Talabgaon Castle, a beautifully restored, nearly 200-year-old fort with gleaming white walls. The enchanting property offers 15 rooms and nine suites, a rooftop terrace for morning chai, a pool with a bar, and gardens for dining or strolling. Enjoy live music and dancing nightly, and don't miss the jeep tours to nearby Ranthambore National Park to see tigers and other wildlife, as well as camel safaris and horseback rides.

Dingwall, Scotland

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Built in 1542, Tulloch Castle retains many of its original features including a dungeon and a secret tunnel. The castle in steeped in history, from being used as as a hospital for casualties from the evacuation of Dunkirk to a school dormitory. Today, the castle offers 22 ensuite bedrooms, a restaurant and a bar. Visiting Inverness is a popular tourist activity, as it's only 15 miles away.

Bolton, New York

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The price tag on this castle that overlooks Lake George is pretty hefty, but there are ways to rent smaller units on the Highlands Castle property, too, including an adorable castle "cottage" or the castle "gatehouse," which sleep up to six and seven guests, respectively. No matter which accommodation you choose, expect to encounter multiple hiking and biking trails, boating and other watersports on the lake, and plenty of shops, museums, restaurants and more in downtown Bolton Landing.

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Ripon, England

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Historic Swinton Estate offers rustic tree lodges and meadow yurt glamping, but those looking for a more regal experience should opt for the luxury castle hotel. Owned by the Cunliffe-Lister family since the 1880s, the Yorkshire estate features 32 well-appointed rooms, on-site dining, and 20,000 acres of land, which includes walking and bridle trails, walled gardens, hunting grounds, fishing along the River Ure, a cookery school, a golf course, a new country club and spa, and even a Druid temple.

Palmyra, Illinois

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This five-bedroom, seven-bath castle south of Peoria sleeps 21 and sits on a 40-acre forested property. Amenities include a fully stocked private lake, pontoon boat, hiking trails, and a sandy beach and swimming area. There's also a private observatory with a refractor telescope for astronomy-loving night owls. Built in 2004, the castle has nearly 9,000 square feet of living space and a 2,000-square-foot deck. 

Toledo, Spain

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One of Spain's oldest paradores — luxury hotels in converted historic buildings — the Parador de Oropesa is definitely worth a visit. Legend says the 14th-century castle was built on the site of a fortress established by Hercules' soldiers in 1716 B.C., and it can be found on the Route of Don Quixote, which follows the life of author Miguel de Cervantes. The hotel features 48 rooms, decorated with historic artwork, a beautiful swimming pool, and a terrace restaurant with traditional fare and views of the surrounding Gredos Mountains.

Hofgeismar, Germany

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Surrounded by the ancient oaks of Germany's Reinhard Forest, the 683-year-old Dornröschenschloss Sababurg ("Little Thorny Rose Castle") is said to be the inspiration for the Brothers Grimm's Legend of Sleeping Beauty. So there's little doubt you'll enjoy a long, peaceful sleep in one of the 17 renovated rooms with antique furniture and beautiful views. The castle is along the German Fairytale Route, and offers an on-site restaurant, enchanting garden, and is near the Sababurg Wildlife Park, home to a huge diversity of rare animals.

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Burnet County, Texas

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With 113 acres of Texas Hill Country surrounding it, this castle, located west of Austin, has lots of space for those who appreciate nature. But the castle's interior has lots to recommend it, too, including a game room, massive DVD collection, gaming system, jacuzzi tubs, and more. Once you get outside, you'll find plenty of wildlife to wonder at like deer, hawks, and ringtail cats, a 40,000-gallon koi pond, and views for miles. Finally, Burnet is a reasonable drive away from many popular Hill Country destinations like Fredericksburg, Marble Falls, and Kerrville.

Óbidos, Portugal

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Considered one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal, the 12th-century Pousada do Castelo de Óbidos is located within one of the best preserved walled cities in the world and offers just 17 luxurious rooms with canopy beds and exposed stone walls. Enjoy views of the surrounding vineyards and windmills, dine on traditional Portuguese cuisine, and for a royal adventure consider carriage rides, boat tours, or even a guided hunt.

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Auburn, California

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With six bedrooms spread out over 10,000 square feet and 40 acres of estate, the Longview Chateau offers plenty of space for its guests to roam around. The Chateau features eclectic modern furnishings, balconies with views of the surrounding Sierra foothills and Sacramento skyline, an infinity pool, pond, sand volleyball court, built-in trampoline, game room, and more. In other words, no one is getting bored here. 

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Thornbury, England

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Once the honeymoon home for Henry VIII and his new wife Anne Boleyn, the 16th-century Thornbury Castle is steeped in royal history. Before the castle, it was also the site of an 11th-century manor for William the Conqueror's wife, Matilda of Flanders. It's now a modern luxury hotel with 28 bedchambers with the tower suite being the most popular. Get pampered with spa treatments, feast in the upscale dining room or down in the dungeon, or wander through the historic gardens.

Somerset, England

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Located in the countryside, this castle is believed to date back to around 1107, and some portions of the stone structure are still original. For the past 70 years, it's been run as the Castle Hotel, and has hosted a number of royal guests such as Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, Queen Elizabeth, and Princess Margaret. Each room is individually decorated, some more modern and some in the spirit of the English countryside.

Pavone Canavese, Italy

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One of the most stunning Tuscan-style castle hotels is actually far from Tuscany, just an hour outside of Milan. The majestic Castello di Pavone was first constructed in the mid-1850s as a Romanesque church and became a castle in the 1300s. You'll find 28 well-appointed rooms with incredible views, upscale dining surrounded by historic tapestries and art, and beautiful grounds, including the Park of Roses and the Noble Courtyard with the enticing Fountain of the Mysteries.

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Arlington, Washington

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Located about halfway between Seattle and the Canadian border in gorgeous Snohomish County, this castle offers more than 20,000 square feet of luxury digs on more than 5 acres. Built in 2018, it has tons of modern amenities, including a movie theater, spa, multiple game rooms, a ballroom, outdoor spaces in which to gather, a chef's kitchen, and more. It has seven bedrooms, 10 baths, and can sleep up to 25 guests (guests in excess of 16 incur an additional charge). Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do in its location near Stilly Valley and the Stillaguamish River, and those who prefer shopping and restaurants will find that nearby, too, as well casinos, parks, golfing, and more.

Perth, Scotland, United Kingdom

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If European history interests you, the Scone Palace is a 12th-century Gothic Revival castle that was the capital of the Celtic-speaking Iron- and Medieval-Age Picts, as well as the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of Kings of Scots such as Macbeth and Robert the Bruce. You can rent the Balvaird Wing of this castle and bring up to six guests total to enjoy the luxury accommodation's three en-suite bedrooms.  While there, you'll enjoy views of the Highlands and Grampian Mountains, the castle's incredible grounds and gardens, and complimentary tickets to tour the remainder of the castle during April to October.

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Spruce Pine, North Carolina

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Also known as "the castle above the clouds," Smithmore Castle offers six guest rooms for overnight stays on a private mountain estate of more than 100 acres. Guests can partake in amenities including massages, guided hikes, and cooking classes, as well as an onsite restaurant, vintage "starlight" bar, and a Tuscan-themed lounge area. For destinations outside the castle, venture out to nearby Asheville and Boone for shopping, dining, and more, or hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway — just 10 minutes away — for a scenic drive and access to other nearby destinations.

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Laguna Hills, California

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Billed as a lavish "European-styled fortress," Mythea Castle offers seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms over 12,500 square feet of living space. Amenities include luxury furnishings, a subterranean wine cellar, 12-seat home theater, sauna, pool, two hot tubs, mini-golf course, and life-sized chess board. The castle offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the Saddleback Mountains, and access to nearby beaches, shopping, theme parks, golf courses, parks, and more.

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Fort William, Scotland

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A stay here in the heart of the Scottish Highlands will make you feel like you're the star of your very own episode of "Outlander." Inverlochy offers views of a private loch and surrounding glens and is near the falls at Glen Nevis and mountains of Glencoe. The original castle was built in 1208 and sits 2 miles from the new Inverlochy Castle, which is redesigned as the Baronial Hotel. The hotel itself includes modern amenities such as an award-winning restaurant and a spa.

Ayrshire, Scotland

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Located amongst rolling landscapes since the 14th century, this Scottish castle has been restored into a luxury hotel. The castle overlooks waterfalls on the River Caulder and retains many of its original features. The hotel offers opulently decorated rooms and an onsite restaurant, and is popular for weddings.