Strolling Through Beautiful Castles Austria

Ambras Castle

Located in Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol Ambras Castle is a lovely Renaissance castle dating back to 1563. The castle was once the residence of Archduke Ferdinand II. He was an art collector and his pieces of art are displayed in the castle museum. The Spanish Hall, which was built to accommodate balls and festive occasions. 27 full-figure portraits of Tirolean rulers decorate the walls of and it’s hard not to be impressed by the intricately wood-carved coffered ceilings. The castle complex also features a beautiful English landscape garden with manicured lawns.

Burg Kreuzenstein

Burg Kreuzenstein is among the most picturesque castles in Austria. It is located in Lower Austria on a wooded hill. Johann Nepomuk Graf Wilczek, polar explorer, philanthropist, and a chamberlain at the court of Emperor Franz Joseph I, was determined to rebuild the castle around 1874. The current castle not only features parts of the original medieval structure but also parts of other medieval structures from across Europe that were purchased for the restoration process.

Through the year from April to October, a falconry show, known as Adlerwarte Kreuzenstein is held on the estate. The recently renovated Burgtavern Kreuzenstein is a restaurant, furnished to provide the atmosphere of a medieval tavern.

Frazensburg Palace

Frazensburg is a beautiful fairytale-like castle. It is a medieval style castle in Lexenburg, Lower Austria. It was built in the first half of the 19th century. Today the castle is a museum. It is surrounded by a lovely castle park designed like an English landscaped garden.

Heinfels Castle

Located in Tyrol in the Puster Valley, Heinfels Castle has been around since the 13th century. The castle features round and rectangular towers. In the early 17th century large parts of the castle were destroyed by fire. The castle is accessible to visitors, with guided tours available that provide insights into its history and architecture.

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Hohensalzburg fortress sits overlooking the lovely city of Salzburg. It dates back to the 11th century. Today this medieval fortress is one of the largest fully preserved fortress complexes in Europe.

Hohenwerfen Castle

Hohenwerfen Castle is an impressive hilltop fortress located in the Salzach Valley. The fortress is more than 900 years old. The River Salzach flows through the valley with the castle sitting above it. The castle overlooks the market town of Werfen. The surrounding landscape includes thick forests and the Berchtesgaden Alps.

Lichtenstein Castle

In Lower Austria Lichtenstein Castle was named for the House of Lichtenstein. The Ottomans destroyed the castle in the mid-16th century and it was restored in the 19th century. Lictenstein Castle was featured in several films, including the 1993 film “The Three Muskateers”. While the castle remains in private possession of the Liechtenstein family, it also features a museum and an annual theater festival.

Riegersburg Castle

This is a medieval castle that sits atop of a cliff-edged dormant volcano in the Austrian state of Styria. Construction on this castle began in the 12th century and it was an impregnable fortress. Today it is surrounded by vineyards and visitors can tour the castle and the museum in it. The castle is owned by the Princely Family of Liechtenstein and contains a museum with changing exhibitions. The castle serves as a museum with 25 out of the 108 rooms open to tourists. Sixteen of the rooms show the history of Riegersburg Castle and nine deal with witches and sorcerers.

Schloss Ort

Located on Traunsee Lake, Schloss Ort is surrounded by beautiful scenery and the peaks of the Salzkammergut Mountains. This castle dates back to the 11th century. It sits on an island that is connected to the mainlaind by a footbridge.

The castle was made famous thanks to Austrian TV series “Schlosshotel Orth”.

Tratzberg Castle

Located in Tyrol, Tratzberg Castle is an impressive example of Alpine palatial architecture. The castle was built in 1500 featuring late Gothic and early Renaissance style. It is privately owned and among the best-preserved castles in Austria.