About Castle Tours Europe

Castle Tours Europe is an independent, unofficial guide to Europe's best-known castles, built around one question: which tour or ticket to book, and what to know before you go. We are not a tour operator, a travel agency or the official site of any castle, palace or booking platform, and we do not operate or personally conduct these tours. You can return to the castle tours in Europe shortlist at any time.

Why this site exists

Castles are easy to plan badly. Neuschwanstein is seen only on a timed tour and its slots sell out. Windsor Castle closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and can shut at short notice when the royal household needs it. Eltz Castle and Alnwick Castle close for the winter. Many day trips sell the coach seat but not the castle entry, which you then pay at the gate.

So each page starts from the tours and tickets that actually run, compares what each one includes, and adds the opening rules that decide whether the day works.

Where the information comes from

Tour prices, durations, meeting points, inclusions and ratings come from the listings on GetYourGuide and Viator, read directly from the platforms. Opening hours and admission rules come from each castle's own website: neuschwanstein.de and hohenschwangau.de, schloss-heidelberg.de, burg-eltz.de, edinburghcastle.scot, stirlingcastle.scot, historicenvironment.scot, eileandonancastle.com, rct.uk, warwick-castle.com, leeds-castle.com, alnwickcastle.com, blarneycastle.ie, hrad.cz, bran-castle.com, parquesdesintra.pt, chillon.ch, festung-hohensalzburg.at, postojnska-jama.eu, chambord.org and chenonceau.com. Background history comes from Wikipedia.

Dollar figures are converted from the local currency at the European Central Bank reference rate. Where an official source publishes no figure, the page says so instead of borrowing one.

How the pages are kept current

Prices, hours and tour details are re-checked every quarter. Each tour card shows the price the platform lists, and the final price, pickup time and terms are always the ones shown when you check out on the platform.

How the site earns

Some links are affiliate links. If you book a tour through one, the platform pays us a commission and your price does not change. Rankings and recommendations are not for sale.

Details are on the affiliate disclosure page.