The 'Castle Capital Of The World' Is Europe's Historic Gem Full Of Medieval Sites

Europe's landscapes are littered with the looming hulks of ancient fortresses and magnificent strongholds. Castles are one of the most iconic and fascinating aspects of Europe's rich history, and a huge part of the attraction for American tourists considering an Old World vacation. There is something magical and mysterious about Europe's castles, whether they are crumbling ruins or fairy-tale palaces.

When most people think about castles in Europe, they have in mind the elegant soaring turrets of France's riverside chateaux, or the European fairy-tale castles of Germany. But the best place for fans of medieval fortifications to visit is neither of these famous destinations. In fact, the so-called Castle Capital of the World is the tiny country of Wales, part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. With more than 400 castles and ruins still standing, and more castles per square mile than anywhere else in Europe, Wales is a truly magnificent place to visit for travelers looking to live out their medieval fantasies and walk in the footsteps of kings, queens, and chivalric knights.

Located in the west of the island of Britain, bordering England, Wales is easy to get to from London, Birmingham, or Manchester. Travelers can also fly direct to Cardiff International Airport from Toronto, Canada, and destinations around Europe. There are castles all over the country, and the highest density is in the Welsh Marches, the border region between England and Wales. But Wales is a small country, so however long you have to visit, you will be able to fill your itinerary with a variety of impressive citadels.

Every corner of Wales has an incredible selection of glorious castles and dramatic ruined hulks, but it is worth going region-by-region in order to make the most of your trip. In North Wales, four castles in Gwynedd form a UNESCO World Heritage site and offer one of the most complete and impressive medieval experiences in the country, including one of European travel expert Rick Steves' all-time favorite castles. Built on the orders of Edward I of England in the 13th century, Beaumaris, Conwy, Caernarfon, and Harlech were all part of the attempted conquest of Wales. Astonishingly well-preserved, they are a standout example of military architecture and how medieval kings and military leaders used castles as weapons of war and subjugation.

In mid-Wales, Powis Castle offers a rather different experience and a fantastic demonstration of the variety and diversity of fortifications that Wales can offer. While the brooding, majestic sites of Gwynedd exude raw power and dominance, Powis is rather more elegant, with exquisite French and Italianate ornamental gardens and a lovely deer park. Inside, the swooping staircases and long, ornate galleries are well worth exploring.

South Wales boasts some of the country's most impressive and recognizable fortifications. Caerphilly Castle is the largest castle in Wales and the second-largest in Britain, and is a visual masterpiece of what a medieval castle should look like. Surrounded entirely by a series of stone walls, moats, and lakes, it sits alone on a central island and gives off a remarkable feeling of impenetrability. Raglan Castle is another stunner, a quintessential medieval structure with crumbling ruins and ragged crenellations evoking a faded, romantic atmosphere of ancient chivalry.

Wales is an extraordinarily beautiful country and boasts some of the best landscapes in Britain. With many of its castles built in relatively remote spots and on top of hills, peaks, and mountain ridges, it makes sense that one of the best ways to experience medieval Wales in all its glory is by hiking.

A castle-focused hiking trip in Wales brings some of the country's most delightful strongholds into play. The magnificent UNESCO-listed sites in Gwynedd are the perfect addition to a trek through Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia, one of the U.K.'s best hiking destinations and home to Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. The most adventurous travelers might even seek out Castell y Bere, a wonderfully atmospheric 13th-century ruin perched on an isolated peak at the heart of the national park.

Other Welsh castles are best visited on foot, like Castell Dinas Bran in Denbighshire. Towering over the pretty town of Llangollen near the English border, a hike around the valley of the charming River Dee is a treat, and includes the opportunity to walk across the excellent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, designed and constructed by Thomas Telford.