Europe has no shortage of castles that look like they’ve been plucked straight from the pages of a storybook. And for families exploring them, this can mean everything from climbing towers and wandering through grand halls to discovering tales of kings.
What’s less magical is packing up the family every few days and hauling suitcases from one hotel to the next.
The good news is you don’t have to keep changing your accommodation just so you can see more. A little strategic planning can make all the difference to how much time you actually have to enjoy the magical castles you came all the way to see.
Pick a Home Base and Let the Castles Come to You
One of the easiest ways to cut down on local hotel hopping is to choose a well-connected base and explore from there. France’s Loire Valley is just one example of a region that’s perfect for this.
You can stay in or around Tours or Amboise, both within easy day-trip distance of Blois, and spend your days visiting different châteaux without even having to touch your bags.
Another option is Bavaria, where Füssen can be your base. From here, you’re close to Neuschwanstein, one of the most famous fairytale castles, as well as Hohenschwangau. All of the lakes and mountain scenery are just an added bonus.
Either way, the formula is simple: head somewhere new each morning, then come back to the same unpacked suitcase and familiar beds at night.
Swap the Hotel With a River Cruise
Many travelers don’t realize they can also choose accommodation that travels with them.
A river trip lets the family wake up somewhere new, and the whole journey itself becomes part of the sightseeing.
The Danube is one option, particularly through Austria’s Wachau Valley, where there’s no shortage of castles and medieval ruins. Families traveling on a Rhine River cruise can also expect to see fortresses around almost every bend, then head ashore to explore without having to pack up and move to another hotel.
For families wanting to fit as much as possible into a European vacation, river travel is a pretty appealing trade-off.
How to Pick a Good Castle-Hopping Base
Location matters, but don’t just count how many castles there are on a map. What’s more important is to look at actual travel times. This way, you can pick a base with several worthwhile places you can visit within about an hour.
You can also check whether trains and buses will get you where you want to go or if renting a car will give your family more freedom.
It’s also worth looking beyond the castles themselves. Having restaurants, grocery stores, parks, and other activities nearby can make family trips that much easier. You’ll appreciate having somewhere to grab an easy dinner after an afternoon spent climbing spiral staircases.
As for your accommodation, stay put for a good few days to avoid bouncing between hotels. A little extra space can go a long way, too, such as an apartment or vacation rental with a kitchen, which can make breakfast and slower mornings easier. Plus, a hotel with a pool gives the kids somewhere to blow off some steam between castle trips. Bonus points for a central location that makes getting out the door much simpler.
Another tip is to resist the urge to visit every castle within reach. Pick a few that offer some different experiences, such as one with medieval ramparts or another with incredible gardens. A smaller, quieter castle is worth adding, too, especially on a day when everyone’s had enough of climbing towers.
Keep the Fairytale, Lose the Stress
Exploring Europe’s castles with kids doesn’t have to mean packing up every other morning. With the right base and maybe a river cruise thrown in between, you can fit plenty of fairytale moments into your vacation without the stress of switching hotels.
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