World's most beautiful historic castles

When it comes to finding the most luxurious buildings, castles definitely come close to the top of the list. Found all over the world, they come in all shapes, sizes, colours and locations.

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Here are some of the most beautiful and historic castles around the world.

Alhambra, Spain

This castle was originally built as a small fortress before being converted into a royal palace in 1333. The Alhambra was also put in eighth place on this years 'best landmarks around the world' list from TripAdvisor.

Amber Fort, India

Situated at the top of a hill, the Amber Fort is part of a complex along with the nearby Jaigarh Fort and the two are connected by an underground passage.

Arge-E Bam, Iran

The Arg-e Bam was one the largest homes in the world and is now listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The fort was nearly destroyed by an earthquake in 2003 after which it was said that it would be rebuilt.

Blarney Castle, Ireland

Blarney Castle was built almost 600 years ago and is probably most famous for the Blarney Stone. It's believed that if you kiss this 'stone of eloquence' then you'll never be lost for words.

Bran Castle, Romania

While you may not have heard of Bran Castle, it's also known as 'Dracula's Castle'. It is thought the castle, which sits atop a mountain, was the inspiration for Bram Stoker's iconic vampire book 'Dracula'.

Cairo Citadel, Egypt

The Citadel is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Egypt's capital and is also easily visible against the city's skyline. The medieval fortress boasts stunning views of the city.

Castello di Sammezzano, Italy

When it comes to colour, Castello di Sammezzano certainly isn't short of it. This Tuscan palazzo is known for the spectacular colours and patterns found inside.

Himeji Castle, Japan

Found in the Hyōgo Prefecture in Japan, this building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a perfect example of 17th-century Japanese castle architecture.

Kronborg Castle, Denmark

Known the world-over as 'Hamlet's castle', Kronborg in Denmark was immortalised by Shakespeare as 'Elsinore' in one of his most famous plays. The castle can be found perched on the coastline on the island of Zealand.

Schloss Neuschwanstein, Germany

Known as a 'fairytale castle', Schloss Neuschwanstein was built by King Ludwig II to avoid the public eye. The castle has since been opened to the public with almost 1.5 million people visiting each year.

Find out more about the most beautiful castles in the world in the video above.

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