Hidden European castles just hours from London perfect for a magical getaway

If you’re looking to trade city skylines for castles and rolling landscapes then these European destinations should be on your radar. Home to architecturally impressive and enchanting castles, these holiday spots are ideal for a secluded autumn adventure.

Avis has analysed social media trends, Google search data, TripAdvisor reviews and airport proximity to uncover Europe’s “most magical and secluded castles”. After assessing more than 50 destinations, these are the three that came out on top.

Corvin Castle in Romania was crowned the most secluded castle for a magical European holiday. The dramatic Gothic-Renaissance fortress in Hunedoara is less well-known and documented on social media than flashier landmarks, but that adds to its unique charm.

According to Avis, Corvin Castle garnered 18k monthly searches and only 15k Instagram hashtags. Situated slightly out of the way, it is approximately a two-hour drive from Timisoara.

As one of the largest castles in Europe and home to one of Romania's Seven Wonders, Corvin Castle is said to have imprisoned Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Dracula.

Scotland’s hidden gems also feature heavily on the list of magical, secluded castles. Eilean Donan Castle, which is located where three lochs meet in Scotland, earned second place on the list.

Sitting on a tidal island, the castle is one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks and dates back to the 13th century. However, with only 1000 Instagram hashtags and nearly 50k monthly searches, this destination flies surprisingly low under the radar.

Eilean Donan Castle is ideal for travellers looking to feel transported to another time period, or who wish to make their Highland fairytale come to life.

While the closest airport, Inverness, is about 83 kilometres away, the long drive offers an opportunity to explore the Scottish Highlands and take in feats of nature like Ben Nevis, Glen Coe and Loch Ness. While in Scotland, you could also add a trip to Inveraray Castle to your itinerary, another hidden gem that features on Avis' top 10 list.

Another castle that deserves a worthy shout-out is Predjama Castle in Slovenia, which ranked third on the most secluded list. Built directly into the mouth of a cave on a cliff face, this castle offers a unique and unreal visual.

Situated 114 kilometres from Ljubljana airport, this castle has an average search volume of 111k and 117k Instagram hashtags according to Avis’ analysis. Dating back over 800 years, the Predjama Castle mixes natural beauty with human innovation and lore.

• Corvin Castle, Romania
• Predjama Grad, Slovenia
• Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland
• Inveraray Castle, Scotland
• Malbork Castle, Poland
• Hohenschwangau, Germany
• Heidelberg Castle, Germany
• Alcázar de Segovia, Spain
• Castello di Celsa, Italy
• Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, France