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Sleeping in a castle: what it is really like, and how to choose the right one

Few places spark the imagination like a castle. Thick stone walls, a tower with a view over the valley, a great hall where banquets were held centuries ago. For most of history, only nobles, knights and their servants ever slept inside. Today, many castles open their doors to guests, and you can spend a night, a weekend or even a whole holiday behind the battlements.

But a castle stay is not the same as a hotel stay, and no two castles are alike. This guide helps you understand what you can expect, which type of castle suits your trip, and what to ask before you book one of the castles in this collection.

Not all castles are the same

The word castle is used for a wide range of historic buildings all over the world. Knowing the difference helps you find the atmosphere you are looking for.

• Medieval fortresses were built for defence, with thick walls, small windows, towers and sometimes a moat. They feel the most like a storybook castle, but can also be the most rugged inside.
• Tower houses are tall, compact fortified homes, very typical of Scotland and Ireland. Staying in one often means a spiral staircase, a room per floor and wonderful views from the top.
• Chateaux in France are often more palace than fortress: elegant country houses with gardens, many of them built or rebuilt after castles lost their military role. Some are run as guesthouses by the families who own them.
• German and Austrian Burgen and Schlösser range from hilltop fortresses above the Rhine to romantic nineteenth-century castles built mainly to impress.
• Historic castles turned hotels, such as some of the Paradores in Spain and Pousadas in Portugal, combine a historic setting with the service of a hotel.
• Forts and palaces in India, especially in Rajasthan, where many former royal residences and hilltop forts have been turned into heritage hotels.
• Japanese castles, with their tiered white towers and stone bases. Staying overnight inside one is rare, but a few, such as Ozu Castle on Shikoku, now offer exclusive castle stays.
• Victorian and neo-Gothic castles look medieval but were built in the nineteenth century, often with more comfortable rooms and larger windows than the real medieval ones.

Whole castle or a single room?

There are two very different ways to stay in a castle.

Renting a room in a castle hotel or guesthouse is the easiest option for couples and small groups. You get the setting and the history, while someone else takes care of breakfast, cleaning and heating. Many castle hotels also have a restaurant, which is useful when the castle is far from the nearest village.

Renting the whole castle gives you the place to yourselves. This is popular for big birthdays, family reunions, group holidays and weddings. Prices can look high at first, but divided over a large group the cost per person is sometimes surprisingly reasonable. Check how many people it sleeps, how the beds are divided over the rooms, and whether catering or cleaning is included or extra.

What to expect inside

Part of the charm of a castle is that it was not designed for modern life. That also brings a few practical things to be aware of:

• Stairs, lots of them. Spiral staircases and uneven steps are common, and lifts are rare in older buildings. If anyone in your group has limited mobility, ask about ground-floor rooms and access before booking.
• Temperature. Stone walls keep castles cool in summer, which is lovely in hot regions, but they can be chilly in spring, autumn and winter. Ask how the rooms are heated, and pack a warm layer anyway.
• Wi-Fi and phone signal. Thick walls block signals. Many castles have Wi-Fi in some areas but not everywhere. For many guests this turns out to be a bonus.
• Quirky rooms. Rooms can differ a lot in size and shape. A tower room may be small but have the best view; a large room might have a bathroom added later down the corridor. Look closely at the room descriptions.
• History everywhere. Old furniture, portraits, armour, tapestries and creaking floors. Treat them with care; they have survived a long time.

Castles for weddings and events

A castle is one of the most popular settings for a wedding, and it is easy to see why: the photos practically take themselves. If you are planning an event, ask early about capacity, whether ceremonies can be held on site, whether you must use the castle's own caterer, what time music has to stop, and how many guests can sleep there. Popular castles get booked a long time ahead for summer weekends, so start early. Weekdays and the shoulder seasons are often easier to book and can be cheaper.

Choosing a location

Castle stays can be found on almost every continent. Europe has the greatest number of historic castles, spread from Scotland and Ireland to Spain, Germany and the Czech Republic. India is known for its palace and fort hotels, Japan has a handful of castle stays, and in the Middle East and North Africa you will find old forts and kasbahs turned into guesthouses. In North America, Australia and South Africa, many castles were built in the last two centuries by people who dreamed of their own, and some of them now welcome guests. Think about what you want around the castle as well as inside it. A castle in a wine region, on the coast, near a historic town or in a national park gives you a lot to do during the day. A remote castle on a hill is magical, but you will rely on a car and on the castle's own kitchen.

Questions to ask before you book

• Do we rent the whole castle, or share it with other guests or the owners?
• How are the rooms heated, and what is the temperature like in the season we are coming?
• Are there many stairs, and is there a room suitable for someone with limited mobility?
• Are meals available on site, and how far is the nearest shop or restaurant?
• Is there a minimum stay, especially at weekends and in high season?
• Can we visit the rest of the castle, such as towers, cellars or the grounds?
• Are events, music or extra day guests allowed?
• Are children and pets welcome?

Making the most of your stay

Ask the owners or staff about the history of the building. Many castles have stories, from famous guests to sieges and legends, and hearing them from the people who live there is part of the experience. Walk the grounds at dusk, climb the tower for sunrise if you are allowed, and take time to simply sit in a room that has been lived in for hundreds of years. A castle stay is not about ticking off sights; it is about the place itself.

Find your castle in this collection

The castles on this page are grouped by continent, country and region. Every link goes straight to the castle's own website, so you can see the rooms, check availability and book directly with the owners. Do you own or run a castle that welcomes guests? Add it to the collection for free using the button above, and let travellers discover your castle.