Castles near Amsterdam: The Best to Visit in 2026

Castles near Amsterdam at a glance

Adult prices found in October 2026. Journey times vary with connections: check the timetable on 9292 or the NS app before you set off.

In Amsterdam: the Royal Palace on Dam Square

Before leaving the city, the Royal Palace, on Dam Square, is the only palace open to visitors in central Amsterdam. Built in the 17th century as the town hall, it became a palace under Louis Bonaparte and is still used for the King's official receptions. It is not a castle, but its state rooms give a good sense of Golden Age splendour before you head out to the castles in the surrounding area.

Muiderslot, the closest fortress

The Muiderslot, in Muiden, about fifteen kilometres south-east of Amsterdam, is the castle that looks most like a proper fortress: brick walls, four corner towers, a moat and a bridge. Built around 1370 on the plan of a fortress belonging to Count Floris V, in the 17th century it was the home of the poet P.C. Hooft, who gathered writers and scholars there. The furnished rooms, arms and armour and recreated gardens take two to three hours to visit.

It is the easiest trip: train to Weesp, then bus 110 to Muiden Centrum. Our dedicated page covers opening hours, prices and other ways to get there.

Kasteel de Haar, the fairytale setting

Kasteel de Haar, in Haarzuilens, west of Utrecht, is the largest castle in the Netherlands. Baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nyevelt and his wife Hélène de Rothschild had it rebuilt from 1892 by Pierre Cuypers, the architect of the Rijksmuseum, on the ruins of a medieval castle. Its towers, moats and neo-Gothic interiors are surrounded by 55 hectares of gardens: a rose garden, Roman garden, maze and deer park.

• Castle and gardens €21.50 (€13.50 for ages 4 to 12), gardens only €12.50 from April to October and €8 from November to March.
• Book a time slot online: the castle is often fully booked.
• Train to Breukelen, then bus 111 to the Kasteel de Haar stop.

Slot Zuylen, the home of Belle van Zuylen

A few kilometres north of Utrecht, on the banks of the Vecht, Slot Zuylen is a 13th-century castle, lived in until 1952 and altered over the centuries. You can visit furnished rooms, the kitchen and the rooms where Belle van Zuylen (Isabelle de Charrière) grew up, an 18th-century writer who wrote in French. Until 24 January 2027, an exhibition pairs her with the sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon.

• From 1 April to 31 October, Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm; from 1 November to 31 March, Friday to Sunday; last entry 4.30pm.
• €16 per adult, €8 for ages 4 to 15, free with the Museumkaart.
• Address: Tournooiveld 1, Oud-Zuilen. Train to Utrecht Centraal, then bus 12 or 120 to the Oud-Zuilen stop and a 10-minute walk.

Slot Zuylen combines well with a day in Utrecht, covered in our guide to day trips from Amsterdam.

Kasteel Radboud, on the IJsselmeer

In Medemblik, a small harbour town in West Friesland, Kasteel Radboud was built between 1282 and 1287 by Count Floris V, the same count who had the first fortress at Muiden built, to keep the West Frisians in check. It is the last castle still standing in the region. An audio guide tells the story of Floris V and his wife Beatrice, with a trail for children.

• Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm; closed on Mondays. The castle may close earlier on quiet days and on certain individual days: check before you go.
• €10.50 from age 13, €7.50 for ages 5 to 12, free under 5. With the Museumkaart, a booking costs €1.
• Address: Oudevaartsgat 8, Medemblik. Train to Hoorn, then bus 239 to Medemblik bus station (1.2 km on foot) or bus 415 to the Oostersingel stop (700 m).

The small castle is not wheelchair accessible. In season, the historic steam tram between Hoorn and Medemblik turns the visit into a full day out.

Slot Loevestein, the river fortress

Slot Loevestein stands where the Meuse and the Waal draw close together, near Gorinchem. Built from 1358 by the knight Dirc Loef van Horne, it later became a fortress and then a state prison: the jurist Hugo de Groot (Grotius) escaped from it hidden in a book chest. The castle, its bastioned walls and the soldiers' village are part of the New Dutch Waterline, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Daily from 10am to 5pm; closed on 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
• €18 from age 13, €12.50 for ages 4 to 12, free with the Museumkaart.
• Train to Gorinchem. From May to September, a Riveer boat leaves from the harbour, a 20-minute walk from the station (at weekends in May, June and September, daily in July and August). Out of season, access is more complicated: boat to Woudrichem then a small on-demand ferry, or bus 402 and an on-demand taxi. Check your options before you set off.

Allow a full day from Amsterdam: it is the furthest of the castles in this guide, and the most spectacular for its setting.

Paleis Het Loo, the Dutch Versailles

In Apeldoorn, Paleis Het Loo was built from 1684 as a summer residence for Stadtholder William III and Mary Stuart, the future monarchs of England. The Dutch royal family lived there for three centuries before it became a museum in 1984. Renovated and extended with a large underground space, it reopened in 2023; you can visit the royal apartments and the restored baroque gardens, with their fountains and parterres.

• Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, also open on Mondays during school holidays and on some public holidays.
• €21 per adult, €9.50 for ages 4 to 17, free with the Museumkaart.
• Address: Koninklijk Park 16, Apeldoorn. Direct train from Amsterdam to Apeldoorn, then bus 102 or 112 to the Paleis Het Loo stop.

Castles in the bulb region

In spring, Keukenhof occupies part of the former estate of Kasteel Keukenhof, in Lisse. The castle grounds, with their woods and walking paths, are open all year round and free; the interior can only be seen on a booked guided tour, in Dutch, on Wednesdays and Thursdays. In nearby Leiden, the Burcht, a 12th-century motte in the heart of the city, is free to explore and offers a view over the rooftops.

Tips for visiting the castles

• The Museumkaart quickly pays for itself: it covers entry to all six castles in the table. Some require you to book a time slot, even if you hold the card.
• Set off early: buses to the castles often run only once or twice an hour, and less often at weekends.
• Stairs and accessibility: most medieval castles are not wheelchair accessible; the gardens are better in this respect.
• Pushchairs often have to be left at the entrance: bring a baby carrier if you have young children.

Further reading

For another trip around Amsterdam, see our guide to windmills near Amsterdam, from the Zaanse Schans to Kinderdijk, and our guide to day trips from Amsterdam. Our guide to getting around Amsterdam explains how to pay for trains and buses with a contactless bank card.