Europe’s most Instagrammable Castles

By Maria-Teresa Andreacchi

A great Instagram photo does two things, it boasts visual interest and it tells a story; criteria that Europe’s castles easily accommodate. Between the architecture and detailed interiors, you’ll find endless opportunities to create a photo journal of an unforgettable #EuropeanGetaway.

CHÂTEAU DE CHAMBORD, FRANCE

ASHFORD CASTLE, IRELAND

Once home to the Guinness family, this 350-acre estate has built a reputation for classic Irish sports, such as falconry and equestrian activities. The Ashford Castle hashtag, #AshfordCastle, has garnered over 31,000 images on Instagram. Equally impressive to the gargantuan building is the view of the estate from the spa. The spa’s relaxation pool overlooks the estate through large glass windows. It could take weeks to photograph an estate this large, which means that no matter where you are on the property, you’re guaranteed to snap the image of a lifetime (and feel like royalty as you do it).

CHÂTEAU DE CHAMBORD, FRANCE

Surrounded by approximately 13,500 acres of an enclosed park, Château de Chambord looks like it’s been plucked from a fairy tale. The French monument is a reflection of French and Italian architecture that flaunts symmetry with a double helix staircase and strong memorizing shapes that make for a great Instagram photo. The outside of Château de Chambord, with its incredible size and detail, is a picture on its own while the inside is so large, you can spend hours finding nooks to photograph. The estate’s forest is also open to exploration, offering tourists trails and bike paths.

SPAIN PARADOR DE GRANADA AL QUBBA ©RCBD

THE PARADOR DE GRANADA, SPAIN

Created with both Islamic and Christian influence, Spain’s castles have a unique architecture that is completely different than the rest of Europe. The Parador de Granada has gracefully preserved this cultural mix with a dreamy Mediterranean garden, grand archways, and beautiful red bricks – Old World details, like oversized wood doors and tiled floors, are intoxicatingly mesmerizing, and perfect for Instagram. Though every corner of this castle is photo-friendly, the courtyard is especially unique. With several archways and stunning flora, it perfectly encapsulates its cultural influences.

THE ROSEWOOD CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO ©RCBD

ROSEWOOD CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO, ITALY

The Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco is an idyllic estate in Tuscany. The property quintessentially resembles the region; a rustic stone building surrounded by endless hillsides and vineyards. At 800 years old, it’s considered to be one of the oldest and best-preserved estates in Tuscany. The estate also has its own winery and several private villas. Located in Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site that runs through Tuscany, this castle offers a private escape to the Italian countryside. For the best Instagram photo, wait until the sun is ready to set – there’s nothing more beautiful than a pink sky hovering over Tuscan greenery.

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