Summary
Curl up on your couch for the ultimate Christmas movie marathon. Refer to our guide for spotting real-life castles in these big screen marvels, including Romania’s Peles Castle, Dundas Castle and Tantallon Castle in the UK, and beyond.
It’s that time of the year, when most of us are dreaming of the trademark Bing Crosby white Christmas with sleigh bells ringing and treetops glistening. We are here to fuel your Xmas spirit further, with a list of fairytale-esque castles that have featured in iconic, cheesier-than-cheesy, and oh-so-merry Christmas movies – perfect for your holiday season bucket list.
Also, check out our guide to the world’s most magical Christmas markets to visit in 2025.
Gorgeous castles that have featured in Christmas movies
Peles Castle, Romania (A Christmas Prince)
This Neo-Renaissance palace in the Royal Domain of Sinaia, tucked in the Carpathian Mountains, makes an appearance in the 2017 romance-comedy A Christmas Prince. The castle was used to shoot the exteriors of the fictional Aldovian royal residence in the film.
Did you know
Inaugurated in 1893, Peles Castle was the first in Europe to have central heating and electricity, and has served as the former residence of the Royal Family of Romania.
Across its 160 immaculately decorated rooms, you’ll find German stained-glass windows, Murano crystal chandeliers, Cordoba leather walls, and exquisite handmade silk embroideries.
- Address: Aleea Peleșului 2, Sinaia 106100, Romania. Find on the map
- Plot: A Christmas Prince follows an aspiring journalist who sets out to cover a royal event abroad, where she hears rumours about the crown prince, and decides to go undercover to investigate them.
- Where to watch: Netflix
Dundas Castle and Tantallon Castle, United Kingdom (A Castle for Christmas)
The 15th-century Dundas Castle, located on the outskirts of Edinburgh in Scotland, was used to shoot the interiors of the fictional Dun Dunbar Castle in A Castle For Christmas. Currently a five-star exclusive-use venue, it is the private home of Sir Jack and Lady Lydia Stewart-Clark, and isn’t open to the general public. However, it can be booked for private celebrations and corporate events. It also hosts grand Christmas lunches and seasonal events.
Also, check out our guide to the most beautiful castles in England.
- Address: Dundas Castle, South Queensferry EH30 9SP, United Kingdom. Find on the map
Did you know?
Don’t let the real-life Dunbar Castle (one of the strongest fortresses in Scotland ) confuse you – while its ruins exist today, it is not a part of the movie’s filming locations.
The film also features the ruined mid-14th-century fortress ‘Tantallon Castle’, which was the last medieval curtain wall castle to be constructed in Scotland. While the main castle shots were not filmed here, the movie’s characters are seen passing by the dramatic clifftop castle during a driving tour.
- Address: North Berwick EH39 5PN, United Kingdom. Find on the map
- Plot: In this 2021 Christmas rom-com, Sophie, a bestselling author, travels to Scotland to break free from the backlash surrounding her last book. Here, she falls in love with a castle (which is on sale!), but has a face-off with the ill-tempered Myles Dunbar, who owns it.
- Where to watch: Netflix
Did you know
Sophie’s chic New York apartment scenes were not filmed in the US. They were shot at the Dakota Hotel’s restaurant in South Queensferry, Scotland.
Charleville Castle, Ireland (The Knight Before Christmas)
This Gothic-style castle, located in Ireland’s County Offaly, is claimed to be among the most haunted buildings and grounds in Europe, and has featured on Living TV’s Most Haunted and Fox’s Scariest Places on Earth. In the 2019 movie The Knight Before Christmas, it was used to portray the scenes in Norwich, England.
Also read | I Stayed In A Haunted Hotel In A Small Town In Nevada — Here’s What It Was Like
Did you know
Charleville Castle has also featured in numerous other productions, including Becoming Jane (2007), Northanger Abbey (2007), The Green Knight (2020), and the opening episode of Reign (2013).
- Address: Charleville Demesne, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland. Find on the map
- Plot: In this fantasy-romance-comedy film directed by Monika Mitchell, a medieval knight is teleported to the modern world, where he falls for a high school science teacher. However, she’s lost all hope in love.
- Where to watch: Netflix
Károlyi Castle, Romania (The Princess Switch movie)
Károlyi Castle, located in Carei, Romania, features in The Princess Switch movie as the fictional kingdom of Belgravia. Initially built as a fortress in the 15th century, it was converted into a castle in 1794. This Gothic Revival castle is surrounded by an ethereal arboretum featuring a diverse array of plants and trees.
Did you know
Currently, the Károlyi Castle is a dynamic cultural centre housing a library with 80,000 volumes, a museum, event spaces, and a lookout tower.
- Address: Strada 1 Decembrie 1918, Nr. 10, Carei, Satu Mare County, Romania. Find on the map
- Plot: In this popular 2018 movie, a look-alike duchess and a Chicago woman swap places a week before Christmas and fall for each other’s beaus.
- Where to watch: Netflix
Dromoland Castle, Ireland (Christmas at Castle Hart movie)
This 16th-century castle and five-star luxury hotel doubles as the primary filming location for the Hallmark movie Christmas at Castle Hart (2021). The castle was initially the ancestral home of the O’Briens, including Brian Boru, Ireland’s most powerful High King. You can now check into this time-honoured property, where 500 acres of unspoiled parklands and woodlands, memoirs of over a thousand years of heritage, and a rendezvous with royal living await.
Also, check out our guide to 15 of the most beautiful castles in Ireland.
Did you know
The castle, which also serves as a luxury hotel, features a blend of architectural styles such as Gothic Revival, Medieval, and Georgian.
- Address: Dromoland, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare, V95 ATD3, Ireland. Find on the map
- Plot: In this 2021 romance drama, Brooke Bennett travels to Ireland to discover her Irish roots; however, she’s mistaken for a luxury event planner. One thing leads to another, and she is made in charge of planning a grand Christmas party at a nobleman’s castle.
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
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Duns Castle, Scotland (A Merry Scottish Christmas movie)
Dating back to the 14th century, Duns Castle is situated on a 1,200-acre estate featuring woodlands, gardens, and a nature reserve. In the hallmark movie A Merry Scottish Christmas, Duns Castle appears as the exterior of the fictional Glencrave Castle.
Also read | From Yule Books To Bad Santas: A Journey Through Unique Christmas Practices
- Address: Castle, Duns, TD11 3NW, United Kingdom. Find on the map
- Plot: In this heartfelt 2023 Christmas movie, estranged siblings decide to spend the holidays at a famous Scottish castle. Here, they reunite with their mother, and a surprising family secret is disclosed.
Did you know
The film marks the onscreen reunion of actors Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf, who were previously seen together in the TV show Party of Five.
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
(Feature image credit: IMDb)
Related | There’s A Real Town Called Santa Claus In The US — And It’s As Festive As It Sounds
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Yashita Vashishth
Assistant Editor – Growth
Writer by day, reader by night, Yashita has a flair for all things travel, wellness and food. She has ..Read More