15 Magical Castles in Tuscany Italy You May Not Have Heard of

Looking for magical castles in Tuscany? Well, you are in for a treat as I present to you a fantastic list of fairytale castles in Tuscany. I guess you are a castle lover like me!

There are many beautiful Tuscany Castles, a region which is most famous in Italy for its rich history, exciting culture, rolling hills, dramatic vineyards in the valleys dotted with forests.

Whether you are into history or architecture or someone that loves visiting fairytale palaces, you will not be disappointed because Tuscan castles are widely spread in the province, nestling amidst forests, green landscapes that multiply the beauty of these structures adding to their mystic charm.

Some of these enchanting Tuscany Castles are now partly vineyards or museums that give us glimpses of its bygone times.

These stunning castles in Tuscany have been passed in the families with residents dwelling even to this day.

You can even feel royal and pampered by spending a few days in these Tuscany Castles, perfect for basking in the grandeur and finesse and alluring fantastic landscapes that surround on your Italy holiday.

Whether you are in Italy for a week or more, or you are exploring Tuscany for a few days, these best castles in Tuscany must be on your itinerary.

BEAUTIFUL CASTLES IN TUSCANY

BROLIO CASTLE (CASTELLO DI BROLIO)

The Castle of Brolio should get a mention among the best castles in Tuscany, hands down.

Located in the commune of Gaiole in Chianti in Siena province, Castello Di Briolio has an enriching past and stellar architecture. 

Against a pretty backdrop of Tuscany hills and surrounded by sprawling farmland comprising of many vineyards and olive forests, this medieval castle has stood the test of times since its construction in the 11th century. 

The Castle of Brolio belongs to the family of Ricasoli.

From initially being their residence and a fortress, the castle has witnessed multiple siege efforts, several damages, and reconstruction, including WW II raids. 

The Brolio Castle became the place of origin of the famous Chianti wine when Baron Bettino Ricasoli first produced it in 1872.

He also beautified the castle and created the renaissance garden.

Even to this day, you can witness the large scale making of this renowned wine and olive oil that you can explore on a guided tour of the castle.

Castello Di Briolio is perfect for a visit throughout the year – thanks to its vineyards, gardens, and a museum for those of you interested in the history of the castle, Ricasoli family, and Chianti wine.

Don’t forget to stop by at their restaurant, which serves excellent Italian cuisine, especially Tuscan style, topping them off with the wine.

RECOMMENDED TOUR

Take this wine tour of Castello Di Brolio, which includes

BOCCALE CASTLE (CASTELLO DEL BOCCALE)

If you are looking for a castle in Tuscany for its magnificent location, Boccale Castle should be the place.

Located in Livorno, a coastal town, this impressive castle sits along the lovely Tuscan countryside, at the edge of a rocky cliff that opens to the beautiful Mediterranean sea. 

Boccale is one of the scenic castles in Tuscany that is worth stopping by for its location and history. The place originally functioned as a fortress and a watchtower for Saracen pirates that were rampant. 

The neo-Gothic style castle was built later by the Medici family in the 16th century, one of the wealthiest and influential families in Italy and Europe at that time.

As of now, the interiors Boccale Castle is not open to the public as it has been converted into rental apartments.

But you should still visit Boccale for beautiful views of the coast, especially enjoyable around sunsets or sunrise as you get to see the dance of waves against the rocks below the castle when the sky turns colourful.

There are a few bathing pools if you want to get down the cliffs, from where you can enjoy the views too.

You can combine a visit to Boccale with a stop at Livorno, which has a few restaurants for dining.

BANFI CASTLE (CASTELLO DI BANFI)

Among the stunning castles in Tuscany that you can’t miss is Castello Di Banfi, located in Montalcino town in Siena province.

This hilltop castle is flanked by vineyards and olive groves, giving it a perfect touch, making it one of the beautiful places in Tuscany. 

Banfi Castle is also a luxury hotel, which means if you are looking for castles in Tuscany to stay in, you have Banfi.

In fact, Banfi is one of the popular getaways for those wanting to enjoy the rugged beauty of Tuscany’s vineyards, hills, and olives coupled with a luxurious stay.

This ancient stone castle was built in the 1700s as expansion within the walls of Castello di Poggio Alle Mura, another former castle that existed as the residence of landowners.

The basement of this castle dates back to Etruscan times, which you can check out as a part of the tour.

The present vast expanse of wine estate was created by the Italian-American Mariani family, who is credited with the production of Tuscany’s best wine Brunello di Montalcino.

The family also started Banfi hotel around the same time, renovating it on the Renaissance style of architecture. 

The beautiful vineyard with the castle in the backdrop makes for a picture-perfect Tuscan holiday destination, which is why it is a popular venue for destination wedding and parties.

You can explore one of the charming castles in Tuscany on a hot air balloon ride, ride a horse, pamper with a spa or stroll in the vineyards.

There are two lovely restaurants as well. There are many wine tours of Banfi Castle where you can taste the best wine. 

Also, there is the Glass Museum that you can check out, which showcases the tradition of glass processing.

RECOMMENDED TOURS

you are planning a weekend in the beautiful Orcia Valley, take some time to visit this castle and taste some local products, then head to the closest picturesque villages like Borgo Vignoni, Bagni San Filippo or Monticchiello. 

POPPI CASTLE (CASTELLO DEI CONTI GUIDI)

Another gem from the list of the iconic castles in Tuscany is Castello Dei Conti Guidi or Poppi Castle, located in Poppi town in Arezzo.

This Castle was built by the Guidi family between the 12th and 14th centuries.

Located on top of a hill, you can witness some of the astounding views of Tuscany countryside carved with valleys of vineyards and olive meadows from the tower of Poppi Castle, which is surrounded by walls.

Poppi is known for its wondrous medieval architecture, which is reflected in the grand interiors and intricately designed structure.  

The impressive architecture of Poppi’s towers is known to be the inspiration behind the design of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. 

Poppi’s architecture makes it an iconic landmark of Tuscany, with the most outstanding features being the ballrooms with frescoes, elegant rooms of the Guidi family, and the large medieval library with over 20,000 books.

Did you know? Dante spent some time in one of the prisons in Poppi Castle where he composed the canto XXIII of his work Inferno.

You can visit some sections of these along with the prison and stable, quarters of workers on a tour of Poppi Castle.

MALASPINA CASTLE (CASTELLO MALASPINA)

Malaspina Castle, one of the most enchanting Castles in Tuscany, is a perfect medieval palace that you can imagine.

Located in the town of Fosdinovo in Massa Carrara province, it is one of the largest Tuscan castles.

Nestled on top of hills in Lunigiana area that connects Liguria and Tuscany, Malaspina is full of rich history and interesting legend. 

Plus, its scenic ambience and the spectacular views of the Tyrrhenian Sea that you can witness from one of its walkways – All of these are the reasons why it is one of the must-visit castles in Tuscany.

Castello Malaspina is also one of the oldest fairytale castles in Italy, constructed in 1340, although the defensive towers of the castle date back to 1200. 

It was occupied by many families, but it attained prominence when it belonged to Malaspina, a family that owned this castle for four centuries, after which the place takes the name. 

At the end of the 19th century, the castle was transformed into prison until WW II.

Today, it is a private property owned by the Gherardesca family, but sections of the Castle are open to the public upon the request of a tour.

You can check out the various well-preserved rooms, courtyards, hanging gardens, towers and a museum that houses antiques, murals and instruments of torture.

SAMMEZZANO CASTLE (CASTELLO DI SAMMEZZANO)

The Castello di Sammezzano is a hill-top castle located in Leccio town in Reggello, in Florence province.

Sammezzano is one of the famous Italian Palazzos and one of the most beautiful castles in Tuscany known for its opulent and colourful Moorish revival architecture – one of the very few of the monuments in Italy with this unique eclectic architectural style.

The history and origin of Sammezzano Castle date back to Roman times, with several families owning the palace during the period.

However, the current design and unusual Moorish influence is attributed to Ferdinando D’Aragona, an Italian architect and politician who renovated the castle to turn into an oriental styled Moorish palace. 

He was influenced by this trend that was prevalent in Spain, Portugal and other parts of Europe and North Africa at that time.

This amazing Tuscany castle is closed to the public, but you can explore the beauty of the castle on group tours.

On the tour, you can admire the splendour of this majestic castle that is dominated by blue ceramic mosaic tiles adorning the walls, floors, large-sized domes and arches evident in the lavish rooms and courtyard.

VINCIGLIATA CASTLE (CASTELLO DEI VINCIGLIATA)

Located close to the town of Fiesole, the castle of Vincigliata atop a rocky hill is one of the oldest castles in Tuscany, dating back to 1031, with a long line of history, folklore legend, elegant architecture and splendid natural beauty around the castle.

Vincigliata’s excellent location, grand architecture, and the combination of medieval times and fairytale landscapes make it a popular venue for destination weddings.

Being an ancient castle, Vincigliata had its periods of negligence and riffs that transformed a once beautiful palace into medieval ruins.

It was only brought to life again in the 19th century when John Temple-Leader, an English officer fell in love with the castle on spotting it on a visit. 

He bought the castle and renovated the place, including the interiors and the beautiful gardens around it.

Later during WW II, Vincigliata Castle was converted into a prison for military POW.

Today, you can explore the beautiful Vincigliata on a tour that will introduce you to the splendour, including vineyards and the botanical garden.

MONTEGUFONI CASTLE (CASTELLO DI MONTEGUFONI)

Less than 30 minutes away from Florence, amidst the dramatic Chianti hills lies a village named Montespertoli, which is home to one of the beautiful castles in Tuscany, the Montegufoni Castle. 

If you are looking for a Tuscany holiday in the Chianti countryside, Montegufoni is one of the best places to visit when you are near Florence, Siena, or Pisa, from where you can arrive easily to Montespertoli.

The Castello di Montegufoni, built in the 17th century, is one of the Tuscany villas famous as a wedding venue, like many other castles in the region, thanks to its medieval architecture, grandeur, stunning location and scenic landscapes around.

If you are looking for castle hotels in Italy where you can indulge in a luxurious stay, Montegufoni Castle is highly recommended.

With over 30 spacious rooms rich in decor and amenities, Montegufoni is a perfect place for family holidays. 

You will find well-preserved frescoes in some of the rooms that house finest collections from the 18th century. 

There is an in-house restaurant as well, and also, don’t forget to visit the beautiful terrace garden where you can enjoy some amazing views.

MONTALTO CASTLE (CASTELLO DI MONTALTO)

If you are looking for some of the beautiful castles in Tuscany which is full of history and exudes medieval charm, Montalto Castle fits the bill perfectly. 

Sure, many of the castles have at least past of a few hundred years, but a few of them have played an important part in shaping the history of Tuscany region.

One such is the castle of Montalto, which lies east of Siena. 

Known as La Berardenga, an extensive territory in the Chianti region of Tuscany, the location of Montalto on the border between the territories of Siena and Florence gave it great strategic importance during the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries.

The earliest structures of the castle were built in the 7th century, and for over three hundred years, the castle was the centre of the attack during the several battles of Montalto between Sien and Florence from 12th to 15th centuries. 

This series of continuous battles and attacks led to severe destruction, which only minimized much later eventually around the 17th century.

After that, it was acquired by the Medici family, and peace and rebuilding were restored for the castle and its inhabitants.

Castello di Montalto is actually a medieval village atop a hill, surrounded by the lush Tuscany countryside comprising of olive groves and vineyards.

The castle encompasses many middle-age houses, Gothic cathedral, ballrooms, farmland and holiday homes.

It is one of the popular wedding destinations in Tuscany for those that want a fairytale setting. Montalto is one of the best castle hotels in Tuscany for having a vacation in what would feel like a travel back in time.

You can attend cooking classes, sign up for some lovely Tuscany tours that will take you deep in the heart of the rugged countryside, enjoy concerts and themed dinners at Montalto Castle.

Take a tour of the 500-hectares organic farm located in the premises of the castle to see how fresh and organic olives, fresh vegetables and fruits are grown. There are a few vineyards too

You can combine a trip to Montalto with a visit to off the beaten destinations in Tuscany like the post-card villages of Montepulciano or Pienza.

VERRAZZANO CASTLE (CASTELLO DI VERRAZANO)

One of the magical castles in Tuscany that wins our hearts for its hilltop location, picture-perfect views of the Chianti Classico area of the Greve Valley in Italy is the Castle of Verrazzano, on the banks of the River Greve.

The castle dates back to the 7th century as one of the settlements of the Etruscan, and later Roman. 

It became the property of the Verrazzano family around the 11th century and got transformed into one of the medieval castle splendours in Tuscany.

The earliest vineyard on the castle grounds dates back to 1150 when noblemen of the Abbey maintained and procured wine.

Did you know? Giovanni, the popular sailor that discovered the bay of New York and the East Coast of America, belonged to this Verrazzano family.

Today, the 52 hectares of Verrazzano vineyards are owned by the Cappellini family.

You can take castle tours of the vineyards and the wine cellars throughout the summer, which also include lunch and tasting options. 

If you are here between the 25th of September to the 25th of October, you can witness the traditional annual harvest.

VICCHIMAGGIO CASTLE (CASTELLO DI VICCHIMAGGIO) 

Another gem among the must-visit castles in Tuscany is the Castello Vicchiomaggio, located in the heart of the Chianti Classico, less than 30 minutes away from Florence and 5km from Greve in Chianti.

The present structure of the castle is a renovated version, but the original castle was called Vicchio Lambardi, named after the owners Lambardi, which was built in the 10th century.

A few towers and the outer walls of this castle remain today.

Later in the 16th century, when the affluent Medici family acquired the castle, it was renamed, Vicchiomaggio Castle.

Vineyards, gardens and much of the rooms were added eventually, including the renovation of the chapel during this period.

If you are looking to spend overnight in a grand Tuscany castle hotel, Vicchiomagio should be your pick.

With a stunning infinity pool offering panoramic views, vineyards and excellent amenities, it is a dream stay in Tuscany.

Did you know? The renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci, stayed at Vicchiomaggio castle while he was painting Mona Lisa, his classic contribution. 

Vicchiomaggio is also one of the famous destinations for Tuscany Castle wedding.

Even if you are not planning to get married or attend one or stay here, you can still explore and get to know all about Vicchiomaggio by taking wine tours and guided tours of the castle.

PRETTY CASTLES IN TUSCANY – OFFBEAT

PRATO CASTLE (CASTELLO DELL’IMPERATORE)

One of the unique castles in Tuscany is Prato, located in the city of Prato in Tuscany region.

It is the only example of Swabian architecture in central-northern Italy, and as such deserves a special mention. 

Constructed between the 12th and the 13th centuries upon the request of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, the castle of Prato‘s Federician architecture and its amazing location are good enough reasons to add this to your Tuscany castle list.

The best part about Prato Castle is that it is free for the public to access and explore.

You can climb the stairs up to the top of the castle walls and walkways for magnificent views of Prato city and Tuscany valleys beyond

PORCIANO CASTLE (CASTELLO DI PORCIANO)

The 11th-century medieval castle of Porciano, with its large stone towers dominating the skyline overlooking the town of Stia in the province of Arezzo, is one of the off-the-beaten Tuscany Castles that is worth stopping by.

This large castle is surrounded by the abundance of natural beauty in the Casentino Valley that’s dotted with dense forests, secluding the castle from the rest of the world.

The Castle has a rich history and has been passed through several notable families over the centuries.

It was owned by the influential Counts Guidi until the 14th century who passed it to the Republic of Florence.

Porciano was a famous castle that was often frequented by nobles and knights of the time.

In the 13th century, Dante Alighieri was imprisoned here after his exile from Florence after the battle of Campaldino.

The last of the families to own and restore Porciano to its former glory is the Goretti De Flamini family that is credited with the current excellent version of the castle.

It is the residence of the few family members today.

A part of the Castle of Porciano is open to the public, you can take a tour of the three floors of the castle that also houses a museum.

GARGONZA CASTLE

One of the lesser-known beautiful castles in Tuscany that needs to be added to this list is the Castle of Gargonza in Monte San Savino, located between Arezzo and Siena.  

Gargonza is not a castle per se, but a small medieval village enclosed by walls of the fort, above a hill overlooking the gorgeous Chiana Valley.

The village is open to the public so it is one of the few places in Tuscany to experience the past of a tiny medieval hamlet.

You can make a quick stop at the castle of Gargonza when you plan a visit to the fairytale, historic villages of Lucignano or Civitella due to its close proximity.

Borgo Castellano di Gargonza was built in the 13th century and was passed into several affluent Italian nobles and families of knights, the most notable ones being the families of Ubertini, Aretini and Signoria of Florence.

The fortified village was visited by many famous thinkers and artists, including Dante who spent some time here in 1304.

In the 18th century, the Corsi family renovated the sections of the castle that was in ruins and started an organic farm as well, owing to the exodus of the remaining inhabitants. 

Much of Gargonza’s rich history, architecture and culture have been well-preserved today, thanks to this family that has held them alive.

The village has many gorgeous apartments that speak of renaissance architecture with all the modern amenities in place too, including a lavish pool, restaurant and tours.

You can visit the castle as it is open to the public.

The best way to enjoy and get to know the history of this sandstone beauty is to take one of their organized tours.

SPALTENNA CASTLE (CASTELLO DI SPALTENNA)

One of the most amazing castles in Tuscany right in the heart of the Chianti wine region in Gaiole that’s often overlooked is the Castello di Spaltenna, which is noted for its architecture and history. 

But what makes it special is its stunning location overlooking the meadows, olive and vineyards that cover the length and the breadth around the castle. 

Spaltenna Castle’s history dates back to the 13th century.

It is a 5-star luxurious Tuscany villa today and is one of the famous places for destination weddings and banquets.

If you are looking for lavish castles to stay in Italy, I’d highly recommend Castello di Spaltenna.

Amidst the medieval treasures of the past including the stonewalls, weapons, iron beds, terracotta floors and iron beds, you will find the modern amenities like the spa, suites and swimming pools. 

You can take one of the tours as well, if you are not keen on staying, where you can explore the rustic wine cellar and vineyards.

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