City: Italy
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What to do and see in Italy, Italy: The Best Castles
Coordinates: 43°N 12°E / 43°N 12°E / 43; 12
Restaurants in Italy
1. Castello Aragonese
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,825 reviews
Masterpiece of the Italian renaissance military architecture that shows important remains of almost three thousand years of history. Free guided tours every day at : 0930-11.30-14.00-16.00-18.00-20.00-22.30-24.00-1.30
Reviewed By Z6321DGgiuseppes - Milan, Italy
Beautiful & intersting Castle in Taranto with good sea wiew . I visited in August and I appreciated the kindness and competence of guide in this area Militar area of Italian Marine . I suggest the visit ????????????????
2. Palazzo Vecchio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,946 reviews
Florence's principal palace was begun in 1299 and built as the seat of the Signoria, the fathers of the city's republican government.
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
The beautiful Palazzo Vecchio offers us mysteries, riddles, secret passages and a trip back into history to three eras. Palazzo Vecchio offers to us Roman ruins, a Medieval fortress and amazing Renaissance chambers and paintings. A microcosm where art and history have been indissolubly bound for centuries. Its significance and beauty is immeasurable. And its history is extremely interesting. Palazzo Vecchio is the main symbol of civil power for the city of Florence, whose original project is attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio. Construction on the solid fortress began in 1299 above the ruins of the destroyed Uberti Ghibelline towers, testimony of the final victory of the Guelph faction. From the very beginning, the main section of Palazzo Vecchio was destined to host the city council which was composed of chief members the Guilds of Florence (the Priori) who governed the Republic of Florence. In 1342, the Duke of Athens, Walter VI of Brienne, enlarged Palazzo della Signoria towards Via della Ninna, giving it the appearance of a fortress and even adding a secret staircase for nightly exits. The Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred) was built from 1494 during the Republic of Fra’ (friar) by Girolamo Savonarola. The Hall is the largest and most important room in terms of artistic and historical value inside the palace. Paneled ceilings and large wall frescoes, golden decorations and imposing sculptures leave us breathless. When the court of Medici was transferred to Palazzo Vecchio (from Palazzo Medici-Riccardi), it was transformed into a fascinating labyrinth of institutional chambers, apartments, terraces and courtyards. All of the rooms (the so-called Quartieri Monumentali) are magnificently decorated by artists such as Michelangelo, Giorgio Vasari and Donatello. It is fascinating that Pier Soderini, who was named gonfaloniere for life, selected the two greatest Florentine artists of the time, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti, for the construction of two large murals to decorate the walls of the room, with battle scenes depicting victories of the Republic. Leonardo began to paint the Battle of Anghiari, while Michelangelo used another part of the wall for the Battle of Cascina. The two geniuses of the Renaissance would have had the opportunity to work for a certain period of time face to face, but none of their work had ever been completed.
3. Citadel of Castelsardo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 383 reviews
Let your imagination soar as you tour this ancient fortified castle and accompanying museum.
Reviewed By janbmnorge - Oslo, Norway
actually yes, I'd say this place is the most romantic spot in whole Sardinia.. the citadel, fortification is amazing spot, pretty hard walk to get up to the top. but what a view from there.. you can find a plenty of restaurants and bars on the way up.. which was amazing as all of them were serving Italian food. btw Sardinian people are just amazing hosts,, highly recommended.. nice landscape also from the top, even from the marina down there, when you can see the whole thing/citadel. plus small fee once you want to enter the history museum on the top..
4. Castello di Brolio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 990 reviews
Since 1141, the Ricasoli family has been making wines from the vineyards surrounding their estate, Brolio Castle, making it the world's oldest winemaking operation under continuous family control.
Reviewed By DrMarkV1985 - Aylesbury, United Kingdom
This castle is beautiful and has incredible views of the hills below it, and was the perfect setting for me to propose to my girlfriend! The winery associated with it is gorgeous as well and you get a free glass of wine there with your castle ticket. We are certainly going back someday soon!
5. Castello di Verrazzano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,338 reviews
Visitors to this romantic estate have agreed the trip was well worth it: the family is warm and hospitable, the grounds are ruggedly romantic and the wines are impressive.
Reviewed By MartinBlackDuck - Hunter Valley, Australia
We arrived in Greve a day early for our booking and needed somewhere to stay for that night. Luckily for us the Verrazzano farmhouse had two rooms for our party of 4 and we signed in. Offered a wine tour up at the castle, we first spent an hour enjoying a bottle of wine and those amazing Italian snacks including salumi and cheese. The wine tour was very special as we followed our guide through the cellars, seeing prosciutto hams maturing, olive oil vats, ageing balsamic vinegar and impressive wine collections. This included the family's own private collection. A tutored tasting with more cheese and salami completed the tour. Our rooms in the farmhouse were excellent and the breakfast served in a small courtyard first class. Could not recommend this place highly enough. To put this in context I live in a small vineyard in the Hunter Valley, so know my wines and wine tours!
6. Isola Bella
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,703 reviews
One of three magical islands on Lake Maggiore, Isola Bella charms visitors with its magnificent Baroque palace and terraced gardens that slope to the lake.
Reviewed By 327inezg - Fredericton, Canada
Iola Bella is the largest of the Islands in Lake Maggiore, privately owned by the Borromeo Family, on which they have a beautiful family home filled with many family treasures and equally beautiful gardens both of which were open and well worth a visit.
7. Castel dell'Ovo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,046 reviews
Reviewed By PaulM569 - Derby, United Kingdom
There are some excellent views across the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius from here including the quaint Borgo Marinari. There is also a short description of the history of the site for those who are interested. Entry is free. I particularly liked the “tame” seagull who must have featured in a thousand selfies and has worked out that all (s)he has to do is stand there and 1 in 20 people will feed her/him. Why fly for food when the food will fly to you?
8. Castello Estense
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,773 reviews
Ticket office closes 45 minutes before.
Reviewed By Stella_Krewleb - Ferrara, Italy
Very diverse aspects: the ancient building, the interesting history, the scary dungeon, the panoramic view from the tower, the amazing old paintings! There are a lot of rooms to admire. Worth a visit to explore the city and very nice for families. In christmas time (might be only a spwcific weekend) there is a reindeer sleigh in the inner courtyard and a lot of cute christmas decoration.
9. Museo di Castelvecchio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,400 reviews
This impressive castle built in the 14th century houses a fine art gallery.
Reviewed By tizS_11 - Rome, Italy
This castle is one of the gems in the city of Verona. It is full of wonderful paintings from the medieval period to the 1700s magnificently displayed! You should not miss the following masterpieces: 1. Peter Paul Rubens’ “Portrait of a Lady” made for the Duke of Mantova 2. Pisanello’s “Madonna of the Quail” (this Madonna has the most beautiful face and hair in the history of Italian art!) 3. Mantegna’s “Holy Family.” Of course to see his masterpiece (the Correr altarpiece) you should walk to the nearby Basilica of San Zeno 4. Luca Giordano’s “Diana & Endimione” and “Bacchus e Ariadne” 5. Tiepolo’s “Heliodorus” 6. And finally the monumental equestrian statue of the smiling ruler of Verona Cangrande from 1300s. Some of these paintings were stolen in 2016 then found in Ucraine, and luckily returned intact to the Castelvecchio Museum. The castle also offers great views of the Adige river and the beautiful Scaliger Bridge! The bridge was bombed during WWII but then rebuilt. It is an amazing bridge. Visit the castle and its collection. You won’t regret!
10. Castello di Miramare - Museo Storico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,909 reviews
Reviewed By denivit2018 - Trieste, Italy
This beautiful castle is filled with historical enchanting artifacts, as well as the beautiful setting on a bluff on the Adriatic Sea. Stroll the gardens and stay for the summer evening light show that tells the story of Maximillian and Carlota of Mexico, Napoleons involvement and Frank Joseph of Austria. Sit by the waters edge and dip your foot in the Adriatic Sea, near the Sphinx built to welcome Maximillian home.
