6 Fairytale Castles to Visit with Your Children

Today, we want to present you with 6 fairytale castles so you can enjoy their beauty and learn about the past with the children in your house.

Written and verified by the teacher Samanta Ruiz.

Last update: 27 December, 2022

In our imagination, old buildings are the scenes of fantastic stories and adventures. And even more so for children! With that in mind, today we want to bring you a list of fairytale castles to visit or investigate with your children. If you can, plan a visit to these magical places that will create unforgettable memories for your little ones!

Fairytale castles to visit with your children

Spain: Bellver Castle

Its name comes from the old Catalan bell ver which means “beautiful view.” And this is because the building is located on a hill at 37o feet above sea level and, from there, you have a spectacular view of the entire island of Palma de Mallorca, where it’s located.

Woods surround the castle, so it really looks like a fairytale place. It was built between 1300 and 1311 and has a Gothic-style circular structure that has hardly undergone any modificatiom. Today, the building houses the History Museum of the City of Palma.

On site, there are guided tours, permanent exhibitions, family workshops, and educational programs. The price also includes a playground with games for children so they can have a great time.

Scotland: Edinburgh Castle, one of the best fairytale castles to visit

An imposing building on the top of an extinct volcano, the site is known as Castle Rock and the original structure of Edinburgh Castle was erected there in the 12th century.

It was a royal residence, military fortress and prison, so the place is rich in legends, including the presence of prisoner spirits and ghosts. One of the most famous stories is that of the “Lone Piper.” He was lost in the secret passages of the castle and his instrument sometimes resounds in the place.

The changing of the guard in the traditional Scottish tartan costumes is a ceremony that children will love to see and photograph.

Portugal: National Palace of Pena

On top of the Sintra mountains, the eclectic Palácio da Pena was built in the mid-19th century. It lies on the site of the ruins of an old monastery that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1755.

The castle palace lies in the middle of a botanical garden called the Parque Inglés. Its structure stands out due to its colorfulness and diversity of construction styles. Elements of neo-Romanticism, Moorish arches, facades with Portuguese ceramics, stucco interiors, and decorative paintings make up this striking building.

Perhaps for children, telling them that this castle was a gift of love from King Ferdinand II to his wife Maria II of Portugal, will make the walk much more interesting and attractive.

Switzerland: Chillon Castle

Sitting on the shores of Lake Geneva and with the Swiss Alps in the background, this is one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. Of medieval style, it’s both austere and spectacular, as it consists of 25 buildings. Victor Hugo said that “Chillon is a solid mass of towers on a solid mass of rock.”

The place where the building lies was a fortification since Roman times, since the site has a strategic position. However, it wasn’t until the 11th century when the construction of the castle began.

Here, there are exhibitions of regional art and family events. For example, you can find manuscript binding workshops, games for children to actively participate, and a tour of the castle.

France: Château de Chenonceau

This castle dates from the 11th century and was rebuilt and extended several times. It’s located on the Cher River, since its bases were those of an old mill.

This French residential-style building boasts elegant lines. What’s more, the influence of the women who took part in its different reforms – like Diana de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici – is evident in the design. For this reason, it’s also known as “The ladies’ chateu.”

We recommend taking a tour of Chenonceau and visiting the “Châteaux de Loire” building, which offers the most activities for visitors. Here you can take guided tours inside and walk through its exquisite outdoor gardens with the famous maze of cut yews. For children, there’s a playground in the old courtyard of a 16th-century farm, a great place to end the tour.

Germany: Neuschwanstein Castle

This is one of the most dazzling fairytale castles to visit with your children in Europe. Its construction began in 1868 and features various styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, and even Byzantine art, which give rise to an elegant and balanced building.

The construction of Neuschwanstein began when the defensive fortresses, typical of the Middle Ages, were no longer necessary. So, experts believe that the building was a romantic idea of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. In other words, he simply wanted to have a medieval castle to his liking.

The result was fabulous. The beauty and mystique of the building and its surroundings were the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disney World.

Regarding the fairy tale castles to visit with children…

Europe is the land of castles. There, you’ll find hundreds of them to tour with your children and teach them how life used to be in other times. It’s an interesting way for them to understand how comforts and amenities evolved to what we know and enjoy today. If you can’t visit these places in person, your children will be sure to enjoy learning about them virtually.

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