You no longer have to be royal to own a castle — here's proof

Maria NoyenFeb 1, 2024, 03:01 IST

You don't have to be a royal to own a castle nowadays.Courtesy of Highlands Castle, Stef Burgon

For centuries, castles have been considered the go-to living situation for royalty.
But nowadays, you don't have to be royal to buy a castle. You also don't have to come from money.

For thousands of years, the typical castle owner wasn't just rich — they were royal.

That's still half true. Take the British royals as an example. As of 2024, their real-estate portfolio still includes multiple castles across the UK, from Windsor Castle and Hillsborough Castle to Balmoral, widely considered the late Queen Elizabeth II's favorite royal residence.

But the castle market has evolved. Here are five castles owned by young couples, entrepreneurs, and families to prove that you don't have to be a king or queen to have a property fit for royalty. Sometimes, you just need to know how to dream big.

A dad built his son three castles in the Adirondack Mountains, and they're now open to guests.

Highlands Castle, the largest mini-castle on the estate, sleeps up to eight guests.Courtesy of Highlands Castle

A descendant of a steel tycoon built his daughters a Gothic-style castle in Connecticut to make their princess dreams come true.

The castle comes with a moat.Courtesy of Compass

In Scotland, a millennial couple transformed a medieval castle into a boutique guesthouse with a sustainable ethos.

Kilmartin Castle.Airbnb/Kilmartin Castle

Elsewhere in Scotland, a British businessman transformed a derelict castle into a whimsical rental — and painted it pink.

The Pink Castle exterior.Courtesy of The Travel Chapter

In Italy, a Gen Zer lives in a 900-year-old castle with 45 rooms that her family has owned for 28 generations.

Castello Sannazzaro.Ludovica Sannazzaro Natta

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You no longer have to be royal to own a castle &mdash; here's proof