A lifetime of reading fairytales and watching Disney princess films has left us all with a clear image of the 'perfect fairytale castle'. Luckily there are plenty of fantasy-esque castles around that you can visit. Luxury travel company Oliver's Travels have worked out which, out of the 75 most visited castles across the world, come out top and have every one of the features we'd expect a fairytale castle to have.
Their formula for the perfect 'fairytale castle' states that the castle must have an elevated position, multiple turrets, turrets that are tall and pointy, a multi-layered roof, a non-symmetrical facade, an ornate gateway, and a remote or unique location - with five European castles topping the list. Hochosterwitz Castle is perched dramatically on a 160-metre-high rock in Carinthia, Austria. A truly perfect fairytale castle, Hochosterwitz is said to have been the inspiration for Disney's Snow White castle.
It is considered one of Austria's most impressive medieval castles, with dramatic architecture that features multiple looming turrets and winding fortified walls. The first recorded mention of the castle is from 860, since then it has been besieged, raided, and attacked on numerous occasions. In the 16th century, the castle was purchased by the Khevenhüller, who fortified the grounds and turned it into the stunning fairytale castle standing today.
Following their changes the castle has remained, relatively untouched, in the hands of the Khevenhüller family. Th.