The Best Italian Castles You Can Actually Stay In
The next best thing to buying your own castle is spending the night in one – whether it’s in Sicily, Venice or Lake Como. From a medieval fortress in Tuscan vineyards to a former royal palace overlooking Mount Etna, these are Italy’s best castles to spend the night.
One of the most enjoyable ways to soak up Italy’s culture is to stay in its historic castle-hotels. Set in vast expanses of gardens, olive groves and vineyards, these storied properties are hundreds of years old, and instantly take you back to a time of louche elegance and refined hedonism. Here, we’ve brought together the best Italian castles you can actually book, including former royal residences, medieval hamlets transformed into luxury resorts, and country retreats surrounded by renowned vineyards.
1. Belmond Castello di Casole
Hotel, Villa
2. Castel Monastero
Spa Hotel
4. Castello di Guarene
Luxury, Hotel
Italian royalty once holidayed at this Renaissance castle in Guarene, just an hour from Turin. Built by amateur architect Carlo Giacinto Roero in the 18th century, its entrance hall and 15 bedrooms are a historical attraction in their own right, featuring a display of traditional womens’ attire from the 17th and 18th centuries. Guest rooms and suites are just as grand, and look out over the Unesco-protected landscapes of the Langhe, the gardens or the Alps.
5. Relais Castello Bevilacqua
Independent Hotel
The 13th-century Relais Castello Bevilacqua is one of the most storied castles in this list: originally a defensive fortress, it underwent significant restorations in the 16th and 18th centuries, served as a German command post during World War II and afterwards as a Salesian college. Restored by the Cerato family in the early 1990s, it now offers opulent period accommodations, hanging gardens and a restaurant specialising in Venetian cuisine.
6. Castello Banfi
Boutique Hotel
The task of reimagining this medieval hamlet was entrusted to legendary Neopolitan designer Federico Forquet in the 1960s. Located an hour’s drive south of Siena, it’s surrounded by the award-winning vineyards of the Mariana family (producers of the Banfi brand), which you can explore on guided horseback tours. Sample the celebrated final product during tasting sessions in the historic cellars, or paired with Tuscan cuisine at on-site restaurant La Sala dei Grappoli. You’ll also have access to an 18-hole golf course.
7. Castello di Monterone
Boutique Hotel
Situated in the Umbrian countryside, 3km (1.8 miles) outside Perugia, the Castello di Monterone dates at least from the 11th century. There are 18 rooms in which minimalist decor highlights the property’s medieval charm, with beds and furniture handmade by specialist wood and iron artisans. For an immersive experience, book the Camera del Drago, a room with an original tile portraying a dragon. Overlooking the castle’s 13th-century well, it’s said to be the resident ghost’s favourite spot.
8. Castello di Vicarello
Hotel
Built over 900 years ago by the Republic of Siena, the Castello di Vicarello is set in 100 acres (40ha) of olive groves, farmland and vineyards. Each room has a unique feature, from panoramic views in the Suite Torre to a hot tub fashioned out of a huge wine barrel in the Spa Suite. Breakfast shows off ingredients from the estate’s gardens, bees and hens, while candlelit dinners are served on a terrace overlooking Tuscany’s Maremma countryside.
9. Castello di Spaltenna
Boutique Hotel
Accommodations at Castello di Spaltenna are in rooms and suites in the castle itself, two private villas, and the self-catering Spa apartments, located a five-minute walk away in the walled medieval village of Vertine. All feature classic touches such as handmade Tuscan furniture, wrought iron or four-poster beds and richly embroidered fabrics. Explore the vineyards and medieval villages of the Chianti region. Dine at Il Pievano, the Michelin-starred in-house restaurant where over 500 varieties of wine are available.
10. Il Castello di Bibbione
Boutique Hotel
Situated in the heart of the Chianti region, this 9th-century castle was originally owned by the Machiavelli family. Tours of the property are followed by tastings, allowing you to sample Bibbione’s olive oil and Merlot and Sangiovese wines. Accommodation is provided by self-catered one- or two-bedroom apartments, some featuring antique fireplaces, or the Il Poggio villa, which sleeps up to twelve and has its own garden and pool. All guests have access to an infinity pool with Chianti views.
11. Castello San Marco
Spa Hotel, Hotel
Sicily’s Castello San Marco was built at the end of the 17th century for the Prince of Palagonia, and amazingly survived the earthquake of 1693, the biggest in recorded Italian history. It’s situated practically on the slopes of Mount Etna. The building houses rooms and suites that could sleep a pampered prince, set in fragrant gardens of lemon, orange and olive trees. On-site amenities include a pool, an illuminated tennis court and a Sicilian restaurant.
12. Eremo della Giubiliana
Hotel
13. Castello delle Quattro Torra, Siena
Bed and Breakfast, Apartment
This beautiful four-towered castle in Tuscany is just a 15-minute drive from Siena and an hour from Florence. The place has been carefully restored to keep intact the beautiful brickwork, the high ceilings and terracotta flooring. There’s a welcoming, intimate atmosphere, and the staff are very helpful booking tours or day trips around the area. Make sure you book a table at the nearby farmhouse restaurant owned by the same family.
14. Ca'Sagredo Hotel
Hotel, Luxury, Independent Hotel, Bed and Breakfast
You’ll feel like Venetian aristocracy when you arrive at this castle hotel in Venice by boat via the Grand Canal entrance. It was built during the 15th century as a nobleman’s house, during Venice’s wealthy empire era. Wander up the grandiose marble staircase into your magnificently furnished period suite. Art lovers will delight in discovering hidden masterpieces, and food lovers will be charmed by the restaurant, which serves up Venetian cuisine at its most refined.
15. Schloss Hotel Korb
Hotel
In the northern region of the Südtirol, there’s a distinct culture that’s kind of a mix between Italian and Austro-Hungarian. This castle is a Tyrolese dream nestled in a pristine landscape. You’ll have views of the jagged peaks of the Dolomites and the little towns below. The hills around the castle are covered with vineyards, and the owners produce their own wine here, so be sure to pay the wine bunker a visit.
16. Castel di Luco
Hotel
17. Palazzo Confalone
Hotel, Villa
18. Villa d’Este
Boutique Hotel, Spa Hotel, Hotel, Villa
19. Castello di Petroia
Hotel
Ione Wang contributed additional reporting to this article.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.