If you’re seeking to swap city skylines for castles and rolling landscapes, several European destinations offer enchanting escapes just a short journey from the UK. Avis has analysed social media trends, Google search data, TripAdvisor reviews and airport proximity to uncover Europe’s “most magical and secluded castles,” assessing over 50 destinations.
Corvin Castle in Romania topped the list as the most secluded castle for a magical holiday. This dramatic Gothic-Renaissance fortress in Hunedoara is less well-known on social media, with only 18,000 monthly searches and 15,000 Instagram hashtags. It is a two-hour drive from Timisoara and is one of the largest castles in Europe, said to have imprisoned Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula.
Scotland’s Eilean Donan Castle came second. Located where three lochs meet, it sits on a tidal island and dates back to the 13th century. Despite being an iconic landmark, it has only 1,000 Instagram hashtags and nearly 50,000 monthly searches. The nearest airport is Inverness, 83 kilometres away, offering a scenic drive through the Highlands past Ben Nevis, Glen Coe and Loch Ness.
Predjama Castle in Slovenia ranked third. Built into the mouth of a cave on a cliff face, it dates back over 800 years. It is 114 kilometres from Ljubljana airport and has an average search volume of 111,000 and 117,000 Instagram hashtags. The castle blends natural beauty with human innovation and lore.
