Top 10 Italian Castles in 2026

A cylindrical fortress that evolved from Hadrian's mausoleum to a papal prison over 1,900 years.

A 15th-century Sforza fortress housing Michelangelo's last sculpture and Leonardo's ceiling paintings.

A fairy-tale castle with crenellated towers and medieval frescoes in the shadow of the Alps.

A 13th-century lakeside fortress rising directly from Lake Garda with a rare medieval dock.

A volcanic rock island fortress connected to Ischia by a stone bridge, inhabited since 474 BC.

An abandoned Moorish-revival palace with kaleidoscopic interiors rivalling the Alhambra.

A dramatically restored Alpine fortress that appeared as a HYDRA base in the Avengers films.

A moated medieval castle in the centre of Ferrara that still dominates the city skyline.

An imposing Angevin fortress on Naples' waterfront with a Renaissance triumphal arch.

A cylindrical fortress that evolved from Hadrian's mausoleum to a papal prison over 1,900 years.

A 15th-century Sforza fortress housing Michelangelo's last sculpture and Leonardo's ceiling paintings.

A fairy-tale castle with crenellated towers and medieval frescoes in the shadow of the Alps.

A 13th-century lakeside fortress rising directly from Lake Garda with a rare medieval dock.

A volcanic rock island fortress connected to Ischia by a stone bridge, inhabited since 474 BC.

An abandoned Moorish-revival palace with kaleidoscopic interiors rivalling the Alhambra.

A dramatically restored Alpine fortress that appeared as a HYDRA base in the Avengers films.

A moated medieval castle in the centre of Ferrara that still dominates the city skyline.

An imposing Angevin fortress on Naples' waterfront with a Renaissance triumphal arch.