Castles  of  Italy

By Dion Protani
Latest update: 21 January 2024
Chosen from hundreds of candidates, the best castles of Italy below highlight some of the country's most fascinating fortresses.

All shapes, sizes and historical periods have been considered with the selection below representing those most worthy of a visit.

Some of the castles are positioned in a commanding hilltop position overlooking a city or town, while others stand impregnable a little way out to sea or on the cliff-edge of a hard to reach mountain. 

The twenty most interesting castles in Italy have been whittled down and now presented in order of overall appeal.
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Gallipoli Castle, Puglia
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Castello  Aragonese  (Ischia)

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Castello Aragonese, Ischia

Castel  del  Monte

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Castel del Monte, Puglia
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Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome
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Castel dell'Ovo, Naples

Buonconsiglio  Castle

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Buonconsiglio Castle, Trento

Castello  Estense

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Castello Estense, Ferrara

Sforza  Castle  (Milan)

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Sforza Castle, Milan

Castel  Beseno

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Castel Beseno, Trentino Alto-Adige

Rocca  Calascio

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Rocca Calascio, Abruzzo

Castel  Sant'Elmo

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Castel Sant'Elmo, Naples

Castello  Svevo  Angioino  (Manfredonia)

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Castello Svevo-Angioino, Manfredonia, Puglia

Castel  Stenico

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Castel Stenico, Trentino Alto-Adige
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Castello Manfredonico, Sicily
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Rocca Albornoziana, Spoleto, Umbria
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Gradara Castle, Marche
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Castel Nuovo, Naples
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Castello di San Giorgio, Mantova
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Piccolomini Castle, Celano, Abruzzo

Donnafugata  Castle

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Donnafugata Castle, Sicily

Gallipoli  Castle

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Gallipoli Castle, Puglia

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