Living in a castle need not decimate your travel budget or be an unaffordable fantasy. Throughout Europe, centuries-old castles have welcomed travelers looking for unusual places to stay without the luxury hotel price tag.
These ancient castles provide everything from medieval towers with up-to-date amenities to idyllic countryside retreats where you can sleep where knights once patrolled. These are 20 budget castle stays that show you don’t have to be royalty to live like royalty for a few days.
Ashford Castle
Located in County Mayo, Ireland, this 800-year-old castle sits on the shores of Lough Corrib and offers surprisingly reasonable rates during off-season months. The property features falconry experiences, boat trips, and expansive grounds perfect for evening strolls.
While summer prices can peak or increase significantly, spring and autumn bookings often provide exceptional value for such a prestigious location.
Château de la Caze
This 15th-century castle, perched above the Tarn River in southern France, offers an intimate setting with just a handful of guest rooms. The restaurant serves regional cuisine using local ingredients, and the surrounding Cevennes mountains offer hiking trails right from the property.
Most rooms include period furnishings alongside modern conveniences, creating an authentic yet comfortable experience.
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Pousada de Óbidos
Sitting within the medieval walls of Óbidos, Portugal, this converted castle allows guests to sleep inside a fortified town. The property retains its original architectural details while offering contemporary comfort and stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
The location puts you steps away from cobblestone streets, local shops, and traditional Portuguese restaurants.
Schloss Weitenburg
Perched high above the Danube River in Bavaria, this family-owned castle has welcomed guests for generations while keeping prices accessible to regular travelers. The property features original furnishings, suits of armor in the hallways, and panoramic views of the German countryside.
Rooms vary from cozy tower chambers to more spacious family accommodations, all of which maintain their historic character.
Castle Leslie
This Irish castle in County Monaghan has hosted everyone from poets to politicians, yet it maintains reasonable rates for travelers seeking an authentic castle experience. The property includes sprawling gardens, a private lake, and rooms filled with family antiques and portraits.
Evening meals often feature ingredients from the estate’s farm, adding to the authentic country house atmosphere.
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Château de Bagnols
Located in France’s Beaujolais wine region, this medieval fortress offers castle accommodations within driving distance of Lyon’s airport. The property offers stunning vineyard views, wine tastings, and rooms that seamlessly blend historic architecture with modern amenities.
The surrounding area offers easy access to wine tours and traditional French villages, free from the crowds that often accompany more famous regions.
Thornbury Castle
This Tudor castle near Bristol, England, once hosted King Henry VIII and now welcomes modern travelers at surprisingly reasonable rates. The property retains its original features, including oak-paneled walls and ornate fireplaces, while offering contemporary comfort.
The grounds feature formal gardens and offer stunning views over the Severn Valley, creating a peaceful retreat from the bustling English cities.
Château du Fey
Nestled in Burgundy’s countryside, this family-run castle offers affordable luxury surrounded by French vineyards and rolling hills. The property features antique-filled rooms, home-cooked meals, and owners who treat guests like family rather than customers.
The location provides easy access to wine tastings and historic towns while maintaining the tranquility of rural France.
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Dalhousie Castle
Located just outside Edinburgh, Scotland, this 13th-century fortress provides castle accommodations within easy reach of the capital city. The property includes a dungeon restaurant, falconry displays, and rooms ranging from cozy chambers to grand suites.
The combination of historic atmosphere and modern Scottish hospitality creates memorable stays without premium pricing.
Château de Mercuès
Perched above the Lot Valley in southwest France, this bishop’s palace turned hotel offers reasonably priced castle stays amid vineyard-covered hillsides. The property features wine cellars, gourmet dining, and terraced gardens with valley views.
Rooms maintain their period character while providing modern comfort, and the location offers access to medieval villages and a range of outdoor activities.
Kilkenny Castle Lodge
Adjacent to Ireland’s famous Kilkenny Castle, this converted coach house provides castle-adjacent accommodations at budget-friendly prices. The property puts guests within walking distance of medieval streets, traditional pubs, and cultural attractions.
Rooms feature period details and modern amenities, while the location offers the perfect base for exploring Ireland’s Ancient East.
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Château de Noizay
Set in France’s Loire Valley, this Renaissance castle offers affordable stays among the region’s famous château country. The property features period furnishings, formal gardens, and rooms with views over the Loire River and surrounding vineyards.
The location provides easy access to other Loire castles while offering a more intimate and reasonably priced alternative to larger properties.
Augill Castle
This Victorian castle in England’s Eden Valley welcomes families and couples with reasonable rates and a relaxed atmosphere that feels more like visiting friends than staying at a hotel. The property features eclectic decor, home-cooked meals, and activities ranging from croquet to stargazing.
Rooms vary in size and style, but all maintain the castle’s quirky charm and comfortable amenities.
Château de Pray
Located near Amboise in France’s Loire Valley, this medieval castle offers river views and reasonable rates in one of Europe’s most castle-dense regions. The property features period architecture, riverside gardens, and rooms that blend historical character with modern comfort.
The location provides easy access to famous châteaux while offering a more affordable and intimate castle experience.
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Culzean Castle
Perched on Scotland’s dramatic Ayrshire coast, this clifftop castle offers unique accommodations within a National Trust property. The castle features period rooms, coastal views, and access to extensive grounds and gardens.
While not a traditional hotel, the property provides an authentic castle experience at reasonable rates with the added benefit of exploring one of Scotland’s architectural treasures.
Château de la Treyne
Overlooking the Dordogne River in southwest France, this medieval castle offers affordable luxury amid one of Europe’s most scenic regions. The property features riverside dining, period furnishings, and rooms with views over the water and the surrounding countryside.
The location offers access to prehistoric caves, medieval villages, and outdoor activities, while maintaining the tranquility of a castle.
Amberley Castle
This 12th-century castle in England’s South Downs offers reasonably priced stays within ancient walls and manicured gardens. The property features original architecture, fine dining, and rooms that range from cozy chambers to spacious suites.
The location offers easy access to London while providing countryside peace and a historic atmosphere.
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Château des Alpilles
Set in Provence’s countryside near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, this castle offers affordable accommodations surrounded by olive groves and lavender fields. The property features Provençal decor, regional cuisine, and rooms with views over the Alpilles mountains.
The location offers access to Roman ruins, traditional markets, and the artistic heritage of Provence, as celebrated by Van Gogh.
Inverlochy Castle
Located in the Scottish Highlands, near Ben Nevis, this Victorian castle offers a reasonable blend of Highland luxury with stunning mountain and loch views. The property features period decor, Highland cuisine, and rooms that capture the romance of Scottish castle life.
The location provides access to outdoor activities while maintaining the elegance and comfort of a traditional Scottish castle hotel.
Château de Vault-de-Lugny
Situated in Burgundy’s wine country, this medieval castle offers affordable stays amid some of France’s most prestigious vineyards. The property features wine cellars, period architecture, and rooms that blend historical charm with modern amenities.
The location offers direct access to wine tastings and cellar tours, while providing peaceful countryside accommodations.
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A New Era of Castle Tourism
These budget castle rooms are a shift in European travel, with old estates that were the preserve of the rich now welcoming visitors from all over the world. Numerous family-owned castles have discovered that letting visitors into their homes helps preserve these edifices of architecture while sharing their histories with fresh generations.
The trend has unlocked the doors to real cultural exchange, where travelers find the chance to experience real hospitality in addition to medieval architecture and centuries of history. The castle guests today are temporary custodians of European heritage, assisting in the preservation of such grand structures while creating memories of their own.
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