Although Germany has the largest number of castles and Wales has the most castles per square mile, lots of European countries have some amazing castles. Each one has its own unique, interesting history and secrets to tell. Here are some more interesting European castles to explore!

Germany is widely considered to have more castles than France, with estimates often ranging between 20,000 and 25,000 structures including ruins, palaces (Schlösser), and fortresses (Burgen). Germany's history as a fragmented collection of hundreds of small states and principalities during the Middle Ages necessitated a massive number of defensive fortifications for local lords. The Rhine and Mosel valleys are particularly famous for having a castle on almost every hilltop. France, meanwhile, is estimated to have around 6,000 to 11,000 castles (Châteaux). While France may have a lower total count, it is world-renowned for the sheer scale and architectural opulence of its Renaissance-era palaces, particularly in the Loire Valley. In Germany, the focus was often on military defense (Burg), whereas in France, the "Château" evolved into a symbol of courtly luxury and power. So, while Germany wins on sheer quantity due to its feudal history, France is often cited for having the most iconic and well-preserved "fairytale" luxury residences.