Italy houses historic infrastructures, and some of these are the most beautiful castles anyone could visit. Visiting these castles takes travelers to a different era. Not only will these castles bring visitors back in time, but they will also learn the history of how grand they once were. Nothing beats tourists who are well-versed in the places they visit. Master the art of visiting these castles with these tips:
10 Make An Itinerary
It is best to know each of the castles' locations and avoid getting lost. Italy may be a small country, but tourists can still get lost. Creating a list and having time management make the tour more convenient and manageable. It also depends on how many days a tourist has to explore the castles. It is recommended to choose a place to stay where the desired castles are located. This way, there's no need to pay for pricey transportation.
9 Bookings
Italy is a popular travel destination, which is why most famous attractions get crowded. There's no "out of peak season" in this country. Hence, the best alternative is to have reservations from places to stay for transportation. The most convenient way to keep out of the crowd is to rent a car the moment tourists have landed at the airport. Better to book a rent because rental offices tend to be closed on weekends. High-speed trains have available bookings, and the reservation lasts for 120 days.
8 Clothing
It is best to pack clothes in line with the itinerary. It must depend on the destination and the type of place. Bring comfortable shoes if visiting castles as it requires lots of walking. The castle in Mount Etna requires proper hiking gear, so if tourists plan to visit the castle, prepare for hiking wear. It is convenient to pack for certain activities, so listing an itinerary will be a great help.
7 Aragonese Castle, Ischia
Aragonese Castle is seated on the coast of a rocky island in Ischia. The access to the castle depends on where the tourists stay, but one thing's for sure, getting to the castle is easy. If tourists come from Ischia Porto, there would be two ways to go to the castle: through Corso Vittoria or Fisherman's Beach. It is better to choose the way in Corso Vittoria as there are several restaurants and shops so that tourists won’t have to spend more in the castle as the restaurants there are pricier. Before getting to the castle, tourists must have cash as the ticket office doesn't accept cards. The entrance fee ranges from €6 to €10.
6 Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome
When visiting Castel Sant' Angelo, tourists must have the endurance for lots of walking. The castle consists of seven levels featuring different secret rooms and exhibits to discover. The best time to visit the castle is early in the morning. It is from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM. The entrance fee starts at €15, and there are also additional fees when taking the Secret Castle tour, which allows visitors to see more of the castle.
5 Belfort Castle, Trentino
Surrounded by lush green landscape, Belfort Castle gives the most accessible access to every visitor. It is located just beside the main road of Cavedago and is about a 10 to 15-minute drive from the towns of Fai Della Paganella and Andalo. The most convenient way to visit castles around Italy is by renting a car the moment tourists land from the airport. There's not much to expect in this castle aside from the calming views of the mountains.
4 Castel dell’Ovo, Naples
Standing firm on the coast of Naples is Castel dell'Ovo, the oldest castle in the city. It is located in Via Eldorado, 3. It is freely open from Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and open until 1:00 PM on Sundays. To get to the castle through the metro, take the Municipio, line 1. If tourists prefer a bus ride, available lines to the castle are 140, 154, and C25. The nearest attraction here is the Piazza del Plebiscito, approximately 840 meters away from the castle.
3 Castello Saraceno, Taormina, Sicily
Towering Mount Tauro in Messina Province of Sicily is the Castello Saraceno, a 397 meter-high castle with an overlooking view of the island's coast and the villages. Tourists must take the staircase from the Madonna Della Rocca church. The visit will most likely be a hike, so tourists must bring their own bottle of water. However, the castle is not open to visitors. Tourists can stay outside and enjoy the views from the top.
2 Odescalchi Castle, Bracciano
Considered as one of the most beautiful castles in Europe is the Odescalchi castle. There are guided tours available in any language. The castle is open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Tickets start from €6.00 to €8.50, unlike in Aragones castle, the Odescalchi ticket office accepts payment through cards. The castle is trendy as several events are held here each year, such as weddings, corporate events, and even a cinematic set.
1 Scaligero Castle, Lake Garda, Sirmione
Floating in Lake Garda is locally known as Castello Scaligero, the most preserved castle in Italy. It is so convenient to visit this castle because of the town's history. Tourists may walk with the old city and visit shops, galleries, eateries, and impressive architectural infrastructures. The castle is open from 8:15 AM to 7:15 PM during Tuesdays to Saturdays and 1:00 PM during Sundays and Mondays. The exact location of the castle is in Piazza Castello, 34, 25019 Sirmione BS, Italy.