castles in europe

We are taking the train from Amsterdam to Koln in Germany (only 2.5 hours from Amsterdam) which is the start of the Rhine River, lots of castles on the Rhine between St. Goar and Bacharach, we are planning this itinerary too.

Hello Kathy. There is a castle in eastern Belgium, but I think the castle Marksburg in Germany is better. Travelling to Marksburg from Amsterdam is not dificult. Travel in high - speed trains from Amsterdam to Koblenz in German. Have overnight accomodations at a hotel in Koblenz, two nights. In the day between those two nights, visit the castle Marksburg at Braubach at the Rhine River. Reserve tickets for a guided tour in Marksburg, for a specific day and time. Reserve the tickets before you leave the U.S.A. A tour guide talking in English is not important. Go from Koblenz to Braubach in a bus or train. The castle Marksburg does not have a draw bridge, but it is a genuine medieval knight's castle, built as a fortress on top of a hill. When I was there, walking through the "knight's Hall", seeing the wood post and beam construction in that room, I felt like I had gone back in time 700 years. Marksburg is the only medieval castle at the Rhine River which was not destroyed. Looking out through the windows : beautiful views of forest on hills, and grape vines on the side of a terraced hill. And I liked being in that little German town Braubach. A flower garden is near the river. After the second night at Koblenz, travel in trains from Koblenz to Amsterdam. Getting off the train at KOLN, to visit the cathedral, is possible. Continue travelling to Amsterdam. A night train is not needed.

If you're going to Marksburg, you should also plan on the Rheinfels ruins, they're in the same area.

My teens were more interested in ruins they could climb around in than restored/preserved castles.

There are many castles that have been converted into hotels...you can actually spend the night in a castle. Of course they come in all prices, but we've stayed in several castle hotels which might make your son and grandson's castle trek even more exciting. We've stayed in Castles Colmburg, Veldenstein, Lauenstein, Wittenburg.

Look at this website: http://www.germany-castles.net/

Carcassone (SW France) is the best medieval castle/ramparts/moat that I have visited in 20 yrs. Also Burg Eltz castle in Germany (Mosel Valley)however both are difficult to reach espec.from Amsterdam by train on a short trip. I suggest Loire valley however these are not medieval but some have moats. But at least you can reach them. You might consider low cost flying instead of train.

There's a small castle (ramparts, drawbridge, towers and all) located on the riverfront in Antwerp that now houses a nautical museum. I wouldn't go out of my way to see it, but I mention it only because it lies relatively close to Amsterdam.

We stayed in a converted 13th-century castle, Slot Assumburg, in Heemskerk, Holland. Its a "stayokay" hostel and does have modern conveniences, but staying overnight in a castle was really exciting for my daughters 12+14, and for us.

Hi Kathy,

Germany has many castles. Neuschwanstein in Germany was what Walt Disney based the castle out of...but personally I think there are better castles...that castle is not very old in perspective to others.

One of my favorites is Windsor Castle in England. That castle and the town itself reminded me of something out of a fairy tale.

I haven't been there, but lookin in pictures Ireland also has some great castles...but it might be too far for flying there and back.

Good Luck to your son and grandson!

Ron's suggestion for Marksburg is a solid one; there are others in the immediate area as well that you can tour, including Burg Rheinfels (on the Rhine in St. Goar) and Burg Eltz and Reichsburg (on the Mosel River, in Moselkern and Cochem, respectively.)

www.marksburg.de

www.burg-eltz.de

and Ben's page on how to get to Burg Eltz:

www.bensbauernhof.com/burgeltzfrommoselkern.html

Reichsburg in Cochem: www.burg-cochem.de/english/index.htm

(The free-flight falconry show at Reichsburg is excellent!)

Ditto the Marksburg Castle suggestion. My kids LOVED it. Lots of interesting info, there's a real dungeon with examples of how they disciplined (or tortured) people.

I'd head for Germany. Castles, in good condition, are everywhere.

If you are in Amsterdam, the Castles along the Rhine are probably your best bet.

I think he will particularly enjoy Rheinfels ruins. My sons preferred crawling at will around ruins to taking guided tours through restored castles.