The Country With More Castles Than Anywhere in Europe

When you think of castles, countries like France or Germany probably spring to mind. But here’s a surprising fact: the small country of Wales actually has more castles per square mile than anywhere else in Europe.

Yes, tiny Wales — part of the United Kingdom and tucked next to England — is home to over 600 castles. That’s more than France, Spain, or even fairy-tale Germany. Drive through the rolling green hills and rugged coastlines, and you’ll spot towers, fortresses, and ruins seemingly around every corner.

Why so many? The history of Wales is full of battles, invasions, and shifting power struggles. During the Middle Ages, Welsh princes and invading English kings built castles to defend their lands. Some were massive fortresses designed to intimidate, while others were smaller, built to protect local communities.

Today, many of these castles are remarkably well-preserved. Caernarfon Castle, with its soaring towers, looks like something straight out of a storybook. Conwy Castle, perched on the coast, still has walls that circle the old town. And then there are romantic ruins like Carreg Cennen, where ivy climbs over broken stone and sheep graze nearby.

For travelers, visiting Wales is like stepping into the pages of a history book. You can wander through great halls where kings once dined, climb crumbling towers with sweeping views of the countryside, or picnic in the shadow of a ruin that has stood for centuries. Each castle tells its own story, and together they create a living museum of Europe’s medieval past.

And the best part? Because Wales is smaller and less crowded than other European destinations, many of these castles feel almost undiscovered. You might find yourself walking the grounds with only a handful of other visitors — a rare treat in today’s busy travel world.

So while France may boast about Versailles and Germany about Neuschwanstein, Wales quietly holds the crown for castles. For anyone who loves history, fairy tales, or just a good adventure, it’s a destination that will surprise and delight.

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