
Have you always dreamed of sleeping in a medieval castle? Find out which are the ten best locations in Italy to experience a fairytale night.
Sleeping in a medieval castle: the 10 best locations
Italy, with its breathtaking landscapes, villages nestled among rolling hills and millennia of history, offers tourists a wide range of cultural, food and wine and artistic experiences, as well as the chance to sleep in a medieval castle.
In fact, there are many villages and small towns that still hold dear to their ancient past in the form of forts, castles and towers that overlook the surrounding landscape and have been renovated and transformed in recent times into luxury hotels or resorts. From North to South, here are some of the best locations for stay in a castle in Italy.
Sleeping in a medieval castle in northern Italy
One of the most beautiful castles in northern Italy is the Bevilacqua Castle in Montagnana, a small town in Veneto located at the crossroads of the region's most important cities. In addition to experiencing the thrill of sleeping in a 14th-century medieval castle, a stay in this village will give you the opportunity to easily visit the most famous landmarks in the Veneto region.
Charming and romantic, as well as rich in history and art masterpieces, is also the Visconteo Castle in Cassano d'Adda, an imposing fortress that overlooks the river, renovated with a modern and elegant style that blends perfectly with the ancient architecture.
The Sinio Castle in Piedmont sits atop the hill overlooking the village below and is an ideal location for those who wish to experience a stay in a medieval castle like in a fairy tale, dining in the refined candlelit hall of arms or resting in a comfortable four-poster bed.
Capriva del Friuli is home to the Spessa Castle, where nature and history come together in perfect harmony. Here elegance and luxury give guests romantic emotions.
The Rubein Castle is nestled in the enchanting forest surrounding the city of Merano in Trentino: an oasis of peace and tranquility and the perfect starting point from which to visit South Tyrol and its natural beauty. It is the perfect location where to stay in a 12th-century castle.
Staying in a castle in southern Italy
Moving from the cold mountains of Trentino to sunny Sicily, for a castle stay the best choice is Castello di Falconara in Butera, a historic residence dating back to the 14th century equipped with exclusive access to the sea and a large park embraced in the scents and colors of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Limatola Castle in Campania is romantic and fairytale-like at any time of the year, but especially at Christmas. It is a fortress perched on the hill overlooking the village, with enchanting outdoor areas among stone stairs, ancient trees, and cozy and romantic interior spaces furnished in Renaissance style.
Where to stay in a castle in central Italy
Staying in a medieval castle and diving into an atmosphere of yesteryear is a sought-after experience especially for young couples, who can find in the Orsini Castle in Nerola (Lazio ) an enchanted place full of history and charm. Surrounded by a moat and a mighty stone wall, the castle retains all the nobility and elegance of the family from which it takes its name, even in its luxurious furnishings and amenities.
In Abruzzo, one can find Castello Chiola, a medieval-era manor house with suites furnished in a modern and refined style.
Castello Banfi Wine Resort in Tuscany
Tuscany, dotted with enchanting villages perched on hillsides, is the Italian region that offers the best possibility of a medieval castle stay. In fact, each village has its own fortress, watchtower or castle that are restored and re-functionalized to welcome visitors seeking a fairytale vacation within their walls.
In Montalcino, among the hills and vineyards of the Val d'Orcia stands Castello Banfi Wine Resort, a historic fortress built between the 10th and 13th centuries that overlooks the entire landscape and offers those lucky enough to look out of its battlements a breathtaking view of the entire Banfi estate.
Castello Banfi Wine Resort is dedicated to wellness and relaxation, created to enhance an area rich in history and food and wine traditions and to offer tourists the opportunity to stay in a castle while being able to enjoy all the comforts of a luxury facility.
The rooms and suites are large and spacious, with enchanting views of vineyards and the surrounding Tuscan countryside, and boast furnishings designed by renowned interior designer Federico Forquet, who has been able to breathe new life into the castle's ancient rooms and village dwellings with an innovative and original design. It offers perfect harmony between luxury and tradition as well as exclusive handmade accessories and the Tuscan style.
Staying in a castle such as Castello Banfi Wine Resort will allow you to breathe in an enchanted atmosphere of yesteryear, strolling in the shade of the romantic Pergola, where the scent of the rose bushes sweetens the evening air, or relaxing in the Reading Room, where refinement and comfort will provide pleasant moments of relaxation.