And the best castles in Europe allow you to step back in time while admiring their magnificence. Until then, hikers can map their way to other royal strongholds, from the remaining ruins of Kindrochit Castle to Balmoral, where the three-hour Balmoral Cairns walk connects some 11 stone structures marking significant moments in the lives of British royal family members.Europe is beautiful for so many reasons, but its castles really do set it apart from the rest of the world. ( This country has the most castles in Europe.

A 1.6 million-pound restoration project has locals eyeing a 2023 reopening. Centuries of wear and tear have taken their toll on the fortress.

Built in 1628, it was the target of Jacobite uprisings throughout the 1600s and 1700s. Other trails lead to historic sites, such as Braemar Castle. One popular two-hour hike climbs to the confluence of two main rivers, the Dee and its tributary, Clunie Water, before winding through birch forests. There’s no shortage of hiking and biking trails, wildlife watching, and wild swimming opportunities. Hugged by rivers and Caledonia pinewood forests, Braemar is ideally situated for taking in the lush beauty of the Scottish Highlands. The highlight is a shin-kicking tournament, a wince-inducing take on wrestling that thankfully never caught on anywhere else. Instead of rhythm gymnastics, Morris dancers wave scarves and dance a jig. Instead of fencing, competitors face off in tug of war. As summer arrives, townsfolk join in on the annual Olympick Games, a 410-year tradition that takes its light-hearted cue from the actual Olympics. It also knows a thing or two about fun and games. Named for the Old English word for market, Chipping Campden isn’t just a photographer’s dream. At dusk, the town seems to glow, its honey-colored houses appearing lit from within. Golden limestone buildings dating from the 14th to 17th centuries line the long high street, a lasting result of the Cotswolds once prosperous wool industry. Photograph by Nisangha, iStock / Getty Images Chipping Campden, England, U.K.īest for: Hiking a fun-loving village in the English countryside.Įngland’s Chipping Campden is arguably the Cotswolds’ loveliest village. Exploring by kayak reveals a side of Vernazza more familiar to the handful of fishermen who still bring in the day’s catch for local restaurants. But for a bit more elbow room, head for the water. The section of the famed Blue Trail here remains open and popular in the summer months. Today, Vernazza encapsulates Cinque Terre’s magical allure once more, with its medieval castle ruins, tower-like pastel houses, and secluded bay that harks back to its origins as a defensive port against marauding Saracen pirates. The 11th-century village of Vernazza survived such a landslide in 2011 and an earthquake in 2012. ( This tantalizing trek takes you into the heart of Italy.) However, some sections of the trail system connecting the five villages of Cinque Terre National Park remain closed until 2024-a result of devastating landslides exacerbated by climate change. With terraced vineyards, decades-old olive groves, and Mediterranean Sea views, Italy’s Ligurian coast is a hiker’s paradise. Best for: Breathtaking coastal views from land and sea.

Picturesque castles in europe