5+1 fabulous castles in Hungary that make you feel like you’re living with the Bridgertons

Nádasdy Mansion in Nádasdladány is one of Hungary’s outstanding examples of historicist architecture. Walking its staircases, you might easily feel as if you’ve been invited to an English or Scottish aristocrat’s residence. Adorned with towers, ornate battlements and striking chimneys, the building is surrounded by a 24-hectare English-style park, which is an ideal spot for a peaceful picnic. You can explore the Tudor-style neo-Gothic castle rooms on your own, or join a guided tour to learn even more about the castle’s history and its former residents.

Festetics Palace in Keszthely served as the residence of the Festetics family for around two hundred years from the mid-18th century. Elevated from counts to princes, the family became a leading force in Hungary’s cultural and social life. The family is also credited with founding the Georgikon, which made history as Europe’s first higher education institution for agricultural studies.

Today, the palace serves as a museum, with its library, interior exhibitions, hunting and carriage collections, and vast French and English gardens offering intimate glimpses into the daily life of former aristocrats. One of Hungary’s largest and best-preserved Baroque aristocratic residences, the palace is complemented by the Fenékpuszta Estate, which was a prominent centre for Hungarian horse breeding and equestrian sports in the 19th century and is now also open to the public. The complex also features a bird park, a historical model railway exhibition and a playhouse, welcoming visitors of all ages.

Located at the confluence of three streams and surrounded by a vast English-style garden enriched with ancient trees and rare plants, Festetics Mansion in Dég is one of Hungary’s most impressive Neoclassical mansions. A Masonic lodge once operated within the castle’s walls. Today, its atmosphere is recreated for visitors with interactive, playful elements. One of the most romantic spots in the park is the Dutch House, whose picturesque surroundings create an almost cinematic view. Visiting it, you might feel transported into the elegant sets of the Bridgerton series!

Grassalkovich Castle in Gödöllő was built in Baroque style in the 18th century, and became famous as the luxurious residence of the Grassalkovich family. Later, it also served as a royal palace. Queen Elisabeth—also known as Sisi—spent much of her time in Hungary here, making the building one of the most significant sites of the Hungarian royal past.

Today, fully restored, the castle is open to the public as a museum, with grand halls, authentically furnished royal apartments and temporary exhibitions that evoke life at the former court. Strolling through the vast Baroque gardens and shady tree-lined avenues, you can almost imagine royal carriages rolling by, while the year-round programme offerings—concerts, family events, and guided tours—bring the castle to life.

Andrássy Castle in Tiszadob is truly a fairytale sight. Built at the end of the 19th century in neo-Gothic style, its towers and ornate façade evoke the charm of a French Loire Valley castle. Since it was built by Gyula Andrássy, a former Prime Minister of Hungary, the castle’s walls also serve as a vivid reminder of the country’s history.

Today, fully restored, the castle is open to visitors, with exhibitions and interiors that tell the story of aristocratic life, while the vast English-style park surrounding it offers a pleasant setting for a stroll. The labyrinth and carefully designed walkways—the park’s highlights—provide an idyllic escape from everyday life.

Built at the end of the 19th century in an eclectic neo-Renaissance style, Wenckheim Palace in Szabadkígyós immediately impresses with its towers, ornate façade and vast park. According to legend, the builder, Frigyes Wenckheim, asked the architect to design a castle ‘bigger than any in the country’. The result is the impressive building with over a hundred rooms, which are well worth exploring. The richly decorated staircase and grand ballroom are among the building’s highlights, vividly conveying the prestige of the social events that once took place here. The park surrounding the palace is a protected area, where visitors can relax beneath the canopies of centuries-old trees.