The Coolest Fortresses You Can Visit With Culture Trip
![](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/20x11/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sigiriya_brian_kyed_unsplash.webp)
From Spain to Scotland and Sri Lanka, these are the most incredible works of manmade fortification that are still standing strong today, so you can visit them with Culture Trip on our small-group adventures.
![sri-lanka-sigiriya-dylan-shaw-smUAKwMT8XA-unsplash](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sri-lanka-sigiriya-dylan-shaw-smuakwmt8xa-unsplash.webp)
Sigiriya rock fortress – Secrets of Sri Lanka by Train
Head deep into the heart of central Sri Lanka and you’ll discover a rather prominent column of 180m-tall (590 ft) granite rock protruding from the surrounding forests. This striking geological phenomenon would be fascinating enough on its own, but King Kashyapa had to go and turn it into a palace-fort complex back in the fifth century. The remains of said fortress remain clear to see today, as you’ll discover on day four of our Sri Lanka Rail Trip. You’ll see the giant lion statue-gate, built around halfway up the rock, as well as the ruins of a palace and ancient gardens. The views, meanwhile, of the surrounding countryside, are utterly mesmerising – maybe old Kashyapa was on to something after all.
From US$1431.2
Next available from 19th Oct 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Colombo, Sri Lanka
ENDS AT
Colombo, Sri Lanka
DURATION
10
GROUP SIZE
12
PHYSICAL RATING
STYLE
Summer Sale
![Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, United Kingdom](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/george-hiles-hxhhpvkulxs-unsplash-1.webp)
Eilean Donan and Edinburgh Castle – Scotland by Train
Scotland is not short of castles, and on our weeklong Rail Trip to Edinburgh and the Highlands you can choose your favourite fortress. If mystical castles that feel a million miles away from civilisation is what you’re looking for, then you’ll be transfixed by Eilean Donan, a unique tidal island castle set on the confluence of three sea lochs. It was an important stronghold dating back to the 13th century, and remains a fantastically atmospheric vision of ancient Scotland today. You’ll visit the castle on day three, while the trip ends in Edinburgh, where you’ll get a guided tour of the city’s towering castle, which stands tall atop Castle Rock in the centre of town, and remains one of the best-preserved castles you can visit anywhere in the UK.
From US$2406.75
Next available from 2nd Sep 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
London, England
ENDS AT
Edinburgh, Scotland
DURATION
7
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
STYLE
Summer Sale
![Torre de Belém in Lisbon, Portugal, at sunset](https://cdn-v2.theculturetrip.com/10x/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/belemtower.webp)