181 properties found
Rhodes Town, Greece
The Saray is a magnificent historical villa located inside the medieval city of Rhodes with a private pool and a 1,200 square meter garden on the path of Pythagoras. This monumental property offers a unique opportunity to stay within the UNESCO World Heritage medieval walls while enjoying luxury amenities. The mansion dates back to the Ottoman period and has been meticulously restored to preserve its historical character while providing modern comforts.
Elounda, Greece
Villa Adara is a luxurious hillside retreat in Crete offering stunning sea views and an infinity pool. This Mediterranean-style villa features spacious accommodations with traditional Cretan architectural elements and serene gardens. Located near Elounda and the ancient ruins of Knossos, it combines relaxation with proximity to historical sites and local attractions.
Oia, Greece
Carved into the rugged Caldera cliffs, Mystique luxury villa overlooks the turquoise expanse of the Aegean Sea. This stunning property features traditional Cycladic architecture with a modern luxury twist, featuring cave-like rooms and suites with curved white walls, a stunning infinity pool, and panoramic views of the volcanic caldera. The villa blends harmoniously with the natural landscape while offering all the amenities of a five-star experience.
Oslo, Norway
Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle and fortress on the eastern shore of the Oslo harbor that has withstood numerous sieges throughout its 700-year history. Originally constructed under King Haakon V in response to earlier attacks on Oslo by the Norwegian nobleman Earl Alv Erlingsson, the fortress evolved from a medieval castle into a Renaissance royal residence under King Christian IV in the 17th century. The strategic coastal fortress successfully defended Oslo against attacks by Swedish forces multiple times, including a famous siege in 1716 led by Charles XII. The complex includes the royal residence, a chapel that now houses the royal mausoleum where Norwegian kings and queens are entombed, former prison facilities, and various military buildings. Offering panoramic views over the Oslo Fjord, Akershus remains an active military area while simultaneously serving as a popular museum and historical site. The fortress represents a key piece of Norwegian national identity and stands as a symbol of the country's resilience throughout centuries of Nordic conflicts.
Marrakech, Morocco
El Bahia Palace ("Palace of the Beautiful") is an architectural masterpiece of Moroccan and Islamic style built in the 1860s in Marrakech. Commissioned by Si Moussa, grand vizier of Sultan Hassan I, and later expanded by his son Ahmed ben Moussa, the palace was designed to be the greatest palace of its time. Spanning nearly 20 acres, the complex includes courtyards, gardens, and over 150 rooms decorated with intricate zellige tilework, carved cedar ceilings, stucco ornaments, and colorful zouak painted wood. The palace features a series of connected riads (traditional houses with interior gardens) arranged around rectangular courtyards and includes a harem section once occupied by Si Moussa's concubines. The stunning gardens blend Islamic and Moorish influences, featuring fountains, orange trees, banana plants, and cypress. As Morocco's most visited historical monument, El Bahia Palace showcases the height of 19th-century Moroccan architectural achievement and the luxurious lifestyle of the ruling elite during that period.
Sigulda, Latvia
An hour's drive from Riga, Turaida Castle is a striking red brick beauty rising above a bend in the Gauja River within the scenic Gauja National Park, often called "Latvian Switzerland." Built by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, a military order of crusaders, this medieval fortress was constructed to fight paganism on the east coast of the Baltic. Despite being named Fredeland ("Land of Peace"), it became better known as Turaida, which translates to "Thor's Garden" in Livonian language. The castle features distinctive round red brick towers and offers stunning views of the surrounding river valley. Turaida is also beloved for the tragic legend of Maija, the "Rose of Turaida," a tale of love and sacrifice that has become Latvia's version of Romeo and Juliet. Modernized over centuries before being abandoned after a 1776 fire, the castle has since been partially renovated and now serves as a museum complex where visitors can explore Latvia's medieval history.
Hirosaki, Japan
Located in Aomori Prefecture, Hirosaki Castle is one of Japan's twelve original castles from the Edo period. Built in 1611 by lord Nobuhira of the Tsugaru clan, who joined with shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu to usher in the longest period of samurai rule in Japanese history. Unlike many Japanese castles that were destroyed or reconstructed with concrete in the modern era, Hirosaki Castle preserves its original wooden architecture and stone foundations. The castle is renowned for its beautiful three-story keep (tenshu), fortified gates, and surrounding moats. It's particularly famous for its cherry blossom gardens, containing over 2,500 sakura trees that create a stunning display each spring when the moats fill with petals. The castle grounds also feature the former residence of the Tsugaru clan, samurai houses, and a botanical garden.
Trakai, Lithuania
Half an hour's drive from Vilnius, Trakai Island Castle is a restored red brick wonder located on an island in Lake Galve. This UNESCO-protected castle complex was the de facto capital of Lithuania during its imperial period when the country formed an empire stretching from the Baltic to the Black Sea. The castle features impressive defensive structures and has been meticulously restored to showcase medieval Lithuanian architecture. Connected to the mainland by a series of bridges, the castle offers stunning views from every angle, whether viewed from the village, by kayak, or from a hot air balloon. The castle is also notable for its connection to the Karaites, Crimean Tatars who converted to Karaite Judaism and were brought to Trakai by Grand Duke Vytautas to guard this important fortress after he conquered Crimea in the late 14th century.
Hunedoara, Romania
One of Europe's largest and most dramatic castles, Corvin Castle (also known as Hunyadi or Hunedoara Castle) is a magnificent Gothic-Renaissance fortress built atop earlier fortifications in the mid-15th century. Featuring huge arched Gothic halls, a long drawbridge, Renaissance balconies, suspended passageways, and marble corridors, this Romanian gem has been a popular backdrop for movies and TV shows, and is thought to have inspired depictions of Dracula's Castle. Built by John Hunyadi and later owned by Matias Corvin, who led Hungary to its zenith, the castle also held Vlad the Impaler (Dracula's inspiration) as a prisoner for a time. Today, visitors can explore its impressive architecture and immerse themselves in centuries of Transylvanian history.
Karpniki, Poland
A genuine medieval castle (14th century origins) in Poland's quiet Valley of Palaces. Features intimate size (20 rooms) and true castle character with a medieval moat, drawbridge, and labyrinthine halls, enhanced by a boutique spa and sauna for modern pampering.
Alcácer do Sal, Portugal
A hilltop 12th-century Moorish castle converted into a Pousada (historic hotel) with panoramic views over the Sado River. The property features authentic architectural elements including preserved medieval alcoves, an ancient well, and an archaeological museum in the basement showcasing Roman and Moorish artifacts.
Otočec, Slovenia
The only water castle in Slovenia, set on its own tiny island in the middle of the Krka River. Features Gothic-Renaissance architecture with medieval origins (first mentioned 1252), thoughtfully restored into a Relais & Châteaux hotel. A fusion of historic and contemporary design with 16 uniquely styled rooms.