Sleep Like Royalty in These 4 Real Royal Castles in Europe

Watch your kids’ eyes pop when you tell them they’ll be staying in a real castle on the next family trip to Europe. Ireland, England, Germany and Italy all offer castles with glamour, a history — and guestrooms. Make your kids’ fairy-tale dreams come true at one of these.

Amberly Castle, United Kingdom
Amberly Castle is close to London’s Gatwick Airport and a perfect place to relax royally as you recover from jet lag. Enter through a massive stone gate flanked by crenelated towers, and  come upon a courtyard encircled by ancient walls. Stay a while and discover things to do, like playing croquet or learning traditional arts while carving a wooden spoon or building and paddling a coracle.

Ashford Castle, Ireland
Built in the 13^th century as an imposing fortress, Ashford Castle overlooks Lough Corrib in a 350-acre estate of rolling hills and ancient woodlands. The setting and suites with canopied beds make it seem far away from the 21^st-century world. Archery, falconry, fishing and horseback riding are among the pleasures of the country gentry that you can enjoy here. Be sure to relax in Ireland’s Best Hotel Spa (an award Ashford has received for the past 10 years).

Schloss Frankenberg, Germany
Schloss Frankenberg, in Weigenheim, Bavaria, was built in 1254 and recently restored as part of the European Heritage Project. Its round, pointed towers; steep roofs; and stair-stepped gables make it look like the illustrations in a fairy-tale story. Nearby, you can explore the ruins of an even older castle.

Castello di Gargonza, Italy
In Gargonza, Tuscany, the road to the village winds around the walls that enclose an entire Medieval village under the crenelated tower of Castello di Gargonza. Some of the guestrooms are in the restored houses, where original features such as wooden staircases, tiny windows and fireplaces echo the castle’s past. Enjoy views of Tuscan landscapes from the tower, take a cooking lesson, go for a bike ride or go horseback riding during your stay.