Is your favorite meal the turkey leg from Medieval Times? Are you still waiting for Ikea to release its line of thrones? And is there just something about sprawling stone ruins located outside a quaint French village that harkens to your inner traveler?

Sounds like you’re ready to mount a steed, or a rented Segway, and storm some abandoned castles. Good news: we have some great destinations in mind. But we’d like to extend two pieces of advice before you don your chainmail — and pack your bathing suit just in case there is a moat.

1. Know the rules for exploring abandoned places. Granted, many of the abandoned castles listed below are abandoned in the sense that there are no permanent residents. There may be guided tours, events, or yes, even concerts. That said, even then, areas may be in various stages of disrepair. So, know the dangers, avoid bringing home souvenirs that aren’t purchased from the gift shop, and follow these other guidelines for exploring abandoned castles.¹
2. The best defense is travel insurance. Yes, armor, shields and the like were must-haves during centuries-old sieges. But today, you’re A-OK visiting a castle with a pair of comfy shoes, a jacket (it does get drafty) and your trusty Allianz Global Assistance travel insurance plan. Just be sure to select a plan and coverage levels that best fit your itinerary and budget, and remember that you won’t be covered if you’re entering an area illegally.

The Fairytale Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Before they became abandoned castles, many ancient stone structures were built to house garrisons and play host to grand events. In other words, they’re designed to accommodate a crowd. But not Neuschwanstein Castle, located outside the village of Hohenschwangau in southern Germany. Constructed in the late 1800s, this sprawling mountain retreat was commissioned by the reclusive and enigmatic King Ludwig II of Bavaria as an escape from the real world. But he never even got to walk the halls of the finished masterpiece, dying before the towers you might expect to see a Disney princess resting among were ever completed.²

The abandoned “Castle of the Fairytale King” has been accessible to the public for parts of three centuries. Today you can explore the completed sections of Neuschwanstein Castle and you actually may find a crowd: nearly 1.5 million visitors walk through the edifice every year. For that reason, and the limited number of tickets allotted for each day, it’s recommended to buy guided tour tickets well before arriving at the gates.³

The Made-in-America Castle

Squire’s Castle; Cleveland Ohio

Let’s dispel two myths about abandoned castles. First, that they’re only found in Europe. And two, that all castles are monstrous fortifications rising up from the earth.

Squire’s Castle is a quaint, Tudor-style creation crafted out of Cleveland rock. And it sits smack dab in the middle of the city’s Metropark System. Originally built as a caretaker’s house, the castle is now a popular wedding site, and park visitors have access to select areas surrounding the castle during daytime. Note that the castle namesake’s wife, who is reported to have died there, is rumored to haunt its halls.⁴

If you want to conduct your own paranormal investigation, or simply enjoy a picnic with a picturesque backdrop, head to North Chagrin Reservation in Cleveland’s northeast corner.⁵

The Jewel on the Bluff

Dunnottar Castle, Scotland

Some abandoned castles once ruled as castles in every sense. This is Dunnottar Castle. It’s old, with its most recent construction dating to the 15^th century — but with its roots going back to the third century.⁶

It’s breathtaking to behold, sitting perched atop sheer rock walls and surrounded on three sides by the North Sea. And it has a story to tell: the Scottish crown jewels were held and hidden here in the Keith Family stronghold from Oliver “Old Ironsides” Cromwell’s advancing armies in the 17^th century.⁷

Today, you can walk the path from nearby Stonehaven to the cliff-top fortress ruins and pay just a few pounds to explore the breathtaking grounds. (There is a small parking lot, but locals suggest the seaside walk for the optimal experience.)

A Storied Past & Present

Borgholm Castle, Sweden

Borgholm, located on the island of Öland and surrounded by the Baltic Sea, was built as a castle in the 12^th century. Soon afterward, it was fought over by the Danes and Swedes before becoming permanently entrenched in Sweden’s hands five centuries later. Soon after, it was forgotten about until a fire in 1806 gutted the structure save its limestone walls.

But Borgholm’s transformation from sweeping baroque fortress to open-air ruins was not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter. The abandoned space saw some interesting temporary tenants, such as ‘80s band Roxette, which filmed a performance for their “Listen to Your Heart” video music here.⁸

And today, Borgholm lives on as an immensely popular destination for locals and tourists alike, boasting a museum featuring the castle’s history (including the fruits of several excavations), concerts, and kid-friendly activities.

Sure, there are still castles where royals and the uber-rich still live a fantasy life. But today, many of these intimidating fortifications have either crumbled into the dirt — or they live on as abandoned castles. So, where are you beginning your quest?

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