12 Must-Visit Castles in The Netherlands – Winter Edition 2026

Winter in the Netherlands is cold, misty and magical ✨. Castles look straight out of a fairytale when their moats freeze, towers disappear in fog and fires burn inside thick stone walls 🔥🌫️. These historic fortresses are quieter in winter, giving you more time to explore their halls without crowds 🏰🚶‍♂️. Here are the most beautiful castles to visit this winter.

Kasteel de Haar – Fairytale Giant of Utrecht ❄️👑

Where: Haarzuilens, near Utrecht
Info: Largest castle in The Netherlands

Architect Pierre Cuypers, who also deisgned the world-famous Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, crafter the stunning fairytale-like Kasteel de Haar on the remnants of a medieval fortress for Baron Etienne van Zuylen and Hélène de Rothschild In winter the gardens fall silent and the mist wraps around the towers 🌫️. Inside, fireplaces glow warmly while grand halls echo with royal stories 🔥. Snow on the bridges makes this place look like a movie set 🎬✨.

• Grand winter interiors 🔥
• Foggy moats & towers 🌫️
• Peaceful off-season visit 🧘‍♂️
• Perfect for photos 📸

Slot Zuylen – Writer’s Castle in Winter Calm 📖❄️

Where: Oud-Zuilen, Utrecht
Info: Home of Belle van Zuylen

Slot Zuylen therefor holds a very special place in my heart and I really feel you should go and visit.  Bare trees surround the icy canals while candle-lit rooms tell centuries of stories 🕯️. Winter tours feel more personal and quiet, perfect for history lovers 📚.

• Intimate winter tours 🕯️
• Frozen gardens ❄️
• Literary heritage 📖
• Calm countryside feel 🌿

Kasteel Doorwerth – Medieval Fortress in the Snow ⚔️❄️

Where: Doorwerth, Gelderland
Info: Riverside defensive castle

Kasteel Doorwerth in Gelderland is one of the most spectacular castles in the Netherlands and a real must-visit. The gardens are a delight, featuring charming orchards, a medieval herb garden and even an ice cellar that now serves as a home for bats The heavy stone walls hold winter silence beautifully 🌫️. Explore dark halls, dungeons and hidden stairways while the Rhine river steams beside you 🌊.

• Dark knight halls ⚔️
• Snowy riverside views 🌊
• Historical exhibitions 🏛️
• Family winter trails 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Muiderslot – Frozen Moats & Knights 🏹❄️

Where: Muiden
Info: Dutch Waterline stronghold

Until the 1500’s the town of Muiden was rather insignificant, though when Muiderslot castle was built as a lookout point it acquired a key position along the Dutch Waterline, the famous Dutch defense lines along the water. Nowadays Muiden is a really fun day trip from Amsterdan with its locks, drawbridges, ramparts and, of course, Muiderslot Castle.  Winter turns this castle into a true medieval scene 🏰. Icy drawbridges, frost on towers and steaming coffee inside make it unforgettable ☕.

• Knight routes 🏹
• Frozen moat walks ❄️
• Audio winter tours 🎧
• Scenic water views 🌊

Paleis ’t Loo – Royal Winter Residence 👑❄️

Where: Apeldoorn
Info: Dutch royal palace

 Paleis ‘t Loo, in Apeldoorn. The palace is one of the most iconic castles in The Netherlands. It was built in the 17th century for Willem III and Queen Mary II of England and was designed to reflect the prestige of the house of orange. Snow blankets the baroque gardens while royal apartments glow in warm light ✨. It feels like stepping into a royal winter fairytale 🧣👑.

• Royal interiors 👑
• Heated museum halls 🔥
• Winter exhibitions 🏛️
• Palace cafés ☕

Slot Loevestein – Prison Escape Castle 📚❄️

Where: Poederoijen
Info: Famous Hugo Grotius escape

The castle of Slot Loevestein will forever be known for the famous escape of Hugo de Groot (Hugo Grotius). He esacped Slow Loevestein, when it was being used as a state prison, in a book case. Cold river winds surround this isolated fortress 🌬️. Walk the prison rooms and see the legendary bookcase escape even in icy weather 📖.

• Historic escape story 📚
• River fog scenery 🌫️
• Winter fortress vibes 🏰
• Educational tours 🧠

Havezate Mensinge – Drenthe Manor in Silence 🌲❄️

Where: Roden
Info: Authentic furnished manor

Havezate Mensinge is an excellent reason to visit the picturesque Drenthe countryside. This manur house in The Netherlands is one of the few authentically furnished havezates in the country Thick forests, quiet lanes and creaking floors bring winter charm 🍂. Original furniture feels alive in cold light 🌫️.

• Fully original interiors 🪑
• Silent forest walks 🌲
• Winter manor café ☕
• Authentic atmosphere 🕯️

Menkemaborg – Northern Noble Mansion ❄️🏡

Where: Uithuizen, Groningen
Info: Preserved noble estate

You will have to travel all the way up to the north of the country, to the village uit Uithuizen to viist the stunningly preserved country mansion Menkemaborg. Snow transforms this countryside estate into a winter painting 🎨. Inside, antique rooms feel warm and personal 🔥.

• Antique furnished rooms 🪑
• Snow garden maze ❄️
• Northern charm 🌬️
• Quiet off-season visits 🧘‍♂️

Kasteel Heeswijk – Thousand-Year Fortress ⚔️❄️

Where: Heeswijk-Dinther
Info: Brabant medieval castle

Kasteel Heeswijk is a stunning moated castle with a history that dates back nearly a thousand years. The structure you see today showcases elements from the 14th and 15th centuries Heavy doors creak in the cold while candles light medieval halls 🕯️. Winter gives this castle its true mysterious mood 🌫️.

• Medieval winter halls ⚔️
• Castle museum 🏛️
• River walks 🌊
• Historic library 📚

Kasteel Hoensbroek – Castle With 40 Rooms 🏰❄️

Where: Hoensbroek, Limburg
Info: One of the biggest castles

Kasteel Hoensbroek, one of the largest and most stunningly preserved castles in the Netherlands, has a fascinating history dating back to around 1250, when its first fortified manor was built on marshy land Walk icy bridges into giant halls filled with stories 👣. Winter activities make it fun even in cold weather 🧤.

• Interactive tours 🎭
• Snowy courtyards ❄️
• Costumed guides 👑
• Family-friendly 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Kasteel Westhove – Sleep Inside a Castle 🛏️❄️

Where: Oostkapelle, Zeeland
Info: Castle hotel Stayokay

In Zeeland, between the lovely seaside towns of Domburg and Oostkapelle, sits Kasteel Westhove. It’s history dates back to the early 13th century. Initially, it was a moated castle complete with towers and an outer bailey, owned by the Abbey of Middelburg since at least 1277. As the years went by, the castle underwent various changes Stormy seas, cold air and warm castle beds – winter perfection 🌊🛏️. Sleep where knights once stood ⚔️.

• Castle accommodation 🛏️
• Winter coastal walks 🌊
• Museum Terra Maris 🏛️
• Quiet retreat 🧘‍♂️

Bike Taxi – Winter Castle Transfers 🌸🚲❄️

Where: Amsterdam & nearby winter castle routes
Info: Private winter bike taxi rides

Cold streets, icy bridges and long walks can ruin a winter day 🥶. With a Flower Bike Taxi, sit under warm blankets while your local driver takes you straight to ferries or stations 🚪✨. The ride itself becomes a cosy winter memory 💑🌫️.

• Heated blanket seating 🧣🔥
• Door-to-door winter rides 🚪❄️
• Perfect for couples 💕
• No frozen fingers 🥶