The 11 Most Beautiful Palaces Around the World
Palaces often evoke a certain delight, sparking curiosity for the most fantastical displays of grandeur and opulence. The most beautiful palaces in the world all speak to that feeling—while also spanning vastly across centuries, countries, and architectural styles. Long used as official royal residences, they have stood as symbols of wealth and status, while showcasing what the epitome of taste and refinement looks like in different time periods and cultures.
Diversified in both style and function, these palaces are chock-full of rich details that reflect the values of entire civilizations, from the Mysore Palace in India illuminated each year for Dussehra (a major Hindu festival), to the design of Summer Palace in Beijing, which conjures Buddhist and Daoist ideals of spiritual reflection and detachment.
Despite certain differences, they remain united in their reflection of great architecture and are homages to entire empires of taste. From those that boast the finest gardens to ones that offer grandiose displays of craftsmanship and the decorative arts, AD brings you a curated selection of the 11 most beautiful palaces found around the world.
Photo: Vicki Jauron/Babylon and Beyond Photography/Getty Images1/11Versailles (France)
To speak of Versailles is to speak of the “blueprint” for countless royal palaces across Europe. What was once a modest hunting lodge built in 1623 by Louis XIII was transformed into a lavish residence by his son Louis XIV in the late 17th century. A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, it boasts dramatic windows and ornate detailing. The grandeur of the palace spills outdoors, with meticulously landscaped gardens, fountains, and sculptures. Less visible to the naked eye are the numerous hidden doors and secret passageways scattered throughout the residence, which Louis XIV and his successors used to move discreetly between rooms.
Photo: frentusha/Getty Images2/11Summer Palace (China)
Dating back to the Qing dynasty (1644 to 1911/12), the Summer Palace in Beijing reflects some of the best qualities of traditional Chinese architecture. As UNESCO describes in their designation for the palace, it is “an outstanding expression of the reactive art of Chinese landscape garden design, incorporating the works of humankind and nature in a harmonious whole.” The entire palace was rebuilt in the 1860s after being destroyed in the Second Opium War. Then Empress Cixi supposedly dipped into navy funds, diverting the government’s money to finance the restoration of the palace.
Photo: Sean Pavone/Getty Images3/11Grand Palace (Thailand)
Recognizable for its ornate pavilions diligently adorned with fine gold leaf decorations and pointed spires, this palace marries traditional Thai architecture with touches of European neoclassical design. Inside the Temple of the Emerald Buddha sits a magnificent, revered statue of the Buddha, carved skillfully from a single block of jade.
Photo: Herbert Kehrer/Getty Images4/11Neuschwanstein Castle (Germany)
King Ludwig II commissioned this castle in 1869 as a fantastical retreat reflecting the very medieval legends and fairy tales that oft leave audiences daydreaming. Built in the Romanesque Revival style (with touches of Gothic and Byzantine influence), the castle’s towering spires, arched windows, and intricate stone carvings are certainly storybook material. Thus, it’s no surprise that the castle served as inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.
Photo: Sylvain Sonnet/Getty Images5/11Buckingham Palace (England)
Originally built as Buckingham House in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, the palace was acquired by King George III in 1761 and later became the British royal family’s official residence in 1837, when Queen Victoria took the throne. A blend of neoclassical and Victorian styles, the palace was expanded over time, with additions such as the grand central courtyard and elaborate stucco work spearheaded by Josh Nash, and the east wing extension by Edward Blore. In totality, the palace boasts 775 rooms, including both a post office and private cinema.
Photo: ka2shka/Getty Images6/11Montaza Palace (Egypt)
Originally built as a royal summer residence for Khedive Abbas II in 1892, the Montaza Palace possesses a priceless view of the Mediterranean Sea, visible from its elegant towers and many balconies. The palace is a unique blend of Ottoman and Florentine styles: The detailed ornamental work and colorful tile additions reflect Ottoman influence, while the tall square tower and elaborate cornices are reminiscent of Italian Renaissance villas.
Photo: John Harper/Getty Images7/11National Palace of Pena (Portugal)
The National Palace of Pena is impossible to miss, even from afar. Featuring a whimsical red and yellow exterior and decorative battlements, it demonstrates a playful and eclectic combination of several architectural styles—Gothic, Manueline, Moorish, and Renaissance. The design details continue with the palace’s interior, which showcases stucco ceilings and azulejos, the traditional Portuguese ceramic tiles.
Photo: Juha Huiskonen/Getty Images8/11Linderhof Palace (Germany)
Taking inspiration from Versailles, the Linderhof Palace was designed in the Rococo style, featuring ornate stucco work, gilded interiors, and lavish decorations drawn from the iconic French palace. The surrounding gardens are designed in a mix of Baroque and English landscape styles, complete with fountains, statues, and the famous Venus Grotto, an artificial cave inspired by Wagner’s operas.
Photo: World of Photos/Getty Images9/11Mysore Palace (India)
Completed in 1912, this sprawling palace—replete with domes, arches, and a grand façade adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures—is a stunning example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Every year, the palace hosts the 10-day Dussehra festival and is lit daily with nearly 100,000 bulbs.
Photo: jvazquezm/Getty Images10/11Alhambra (Spain)
Dating back to the 13th century, the Alhambra is a masterpiece of Islamic Moorish architecture. From labyrinthine arabesque decorations to its iconic display of geometric patterns and exquisite tilework, no detail is amiss when it comes to the palace’s design. Elegant horseshoe arches and slender columns complete the vision. The name “Alhambra” comes from the Arabic word meaning “the red house,” referring to the reddish hue of the palace’s walls at sunset.
Photo: Frank Vanden Bergh/Getty Images11/11Golestan Palace (Iran)
One of the oldest historic monuments in the city of Tehran, this palace was originally built in the 18th century during the Safavid dynasty. It combines two distinct architectural styles: Its breathtaking tilework and mirrored mosaics clearly call upon traditional Persian style, while the surrounding ornate gardens and fountains are inspired by French palaces.
