No matter what region of Germany you’re exploring, you’ll likely be able to find a castle. After all, estimates put the total number of German castles at 25,000. It’s an astonishing number, but they’re not all exactly like the fairy-tale castles many grew up seeing. Castles can be in a myriad of styles, sizes, and periods. Some are Gothic, some are Romanesque, some are in a Renaissance style. Some German castles have never had royal or noble occupants, others have been held by the same bloodline for hundreds upon hundreds of years. Whether as a visitor or simply by looking at photos, castles are a fascinating way to understand German history—both architectural and otherwise.
Below we present a range of German castles; from the moated to the hilltop, these German castles are undoubtedly impressive.