Sleeping in a castle in Northern Italy
Northern Italy

Sleeping in a castle in Northern Italy

Can you sleep in a real castle in Northern Italy? Yes, it is possible to sleep in a castle in Northern Italy, in regions such as Piedmont, Veneto, Lombardy, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Emilia Romagna, where there are several ancient castles transformed into beautiful hotels where you can sleep and eat and in some places even take advantage of an evocative wellness center, savoring the charm and atmosphere of times gone by.
In this article you'll find information about these hotels
4 stars, Bevilacqua, Verona
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The Relais Castello Bevilacqua is a 4-star hotel with a restaurant and gardens, set in an authentic 14th-century castle in the Verona countryside between Verona, Padua, Vicenza, and Rovigo. Here, you can experience the thrill of sleeping in a castle in Italy. This enchanting property, adorned with frescoes and artworks, offers an incredible stay with charming suites that feature unique characteristics such as exposed beams, terracotta or wooden floors, fireplaces, and canopy beds, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a true medieval castle.

Surrounded by lush gardens, the Relais Castello Bevilacqua also boasts an outdoor pool and is an ideal venue for weddings and events. The restaurant, All’Antica Ala, at Castello Bevilacqua serves traditional Venetian recipes reimagined with seasonal products typical of the Verona region. Guests can enjoy their meals in a dining hall with a grand fireplace and exposed beams. Throughout the year, the restaurant hosts special evenings such as murder mystery dinners, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the castle’s atmosphere.

Additionally, the Alchimia escape room can be booked for groups or families in the castle’s captivating surroundings. Nearby, there are unmissable attractions such as the city of Verona, located 50 km away, with its famous Roman amphitheater, the Arena, and the romantic House of Juliet. Vicenza, renowned for its Palladian villas, is also just 50 km away. The medieval village of Soave, known for its wine, is 33 km away, while Este, located in the Regional Park of the Euganean Hills, is 22 km away. Other notable destinations within reach include Padua, the city of the Three Without (saints without a tomb, without a name, and without relics), which is 54 km away, Mantua, a UNESCO World Heritage site, situated 57 km away, and the marvelous city of Venice, surrounded by the Venetian Lagoon, located 92 km away.

4 stars, Cassano d'Adda, Milan
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The Visconteo Castle is a 13th-century fortress located in Cassano d’Adda, where illustrious figures such as Gian Galeazzo Visconti and Ludovico Sforza resided, and where personalities like Leonardo da Vinci stayed. It offers a unique experience of sleeping in a castle in Lombardy. Today, after restoration, the Visconteo Castle is a charming accommodation facility that houses a 4-star hotel, a restaurant, and meeting and event rooms. The castle’s rooms and suites, overlooking the Adda River, are adorned with atmospheric details such as canopy beds, frescoes, and exposed beams, while providing all modern comforts. The bistro restaurant, Castello Meso, offers an ever-evolving menu with simple seasonal dishes presented artistically and with a special focus on traditional Lombard cuisine. The castle features numerous halls, including some with Giottesque frescoes, vaulted ceilings, and terracotta floors, providing a delightful setting for weddings, events, and business meetings. Nearby, within a short distance from the property, there are unmissable attractions such as Milan, located 30 km away, with its wealth of art and culture, Bergamo, situated 30 km away, with its marvelous historic center, the splendid Chiaravalle Abbey, located 35 km away, and the Adda Nord Park, an open-air museum with cycling and walking paths, ideal for outdoor excursions and activities, located 30 km away. The UNESCO World Heritage site of the workers’ village of Crespi d’Adda is also just 14 km away. Additionally, for the joy of children, the Leolandia amusement park and the Prehistoric Park are located approximately 10 km from the Visconteo Castle. All these destinations can be reached in less than an hour by car, allowing guests to explore and discover the beauties of Lombardy.

5 stars, Guarene, Cuneo (Piedmont)
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The Guarene Castle is a luxury accommodation facility located in an 18th-century castle in the heart of Piedmont. It features a spa and a restaurant and is part of the Relais & Châteaux brand. This enchanting castle hotel in Piedmont offers an unforgettable experience with spacious and elegant rooms and suites featuring terracotta or wooden floors, frescoed or silk-covered walls, and views that encompass the Langhe, the Alps, the Roero, and the gardens.

The wellness center at Guarene Castle includes an indoor pool, caves, a sauna, a hammam, an emotional shower, a Finnish sauna, a Kneipp path, a salt cave, a panoramic terrace with a solarium, and a fitness area. Additionally, the spa offers customized massages and treatments, including specialties such as Thai massage, Indian Ayurvedic massage, and Tibetan sound massage.

The restaurant at Guarene Castle serves dishes from the Langhe region, reimagined and prepared with high-quality local ingredients, such as white truffles from Alba during the season. The meals are served in a spectacular dining hall with vaulted ceilings and ancient paintings adorning the walls. A well-stocked cellar allows guests to enjoy the finest wines from Piedmont.

Nearby, within a short distance from the property, there are unmissable attractions such as Alba, just 7 km away, known for its culinary traditions and the famous white truffle. The town of Barolo, home to renowned Barolo wines, is located 20 km away, while the city of Asti, with its medieval towers and the Palio horse race, is also 20 km away. The splendid Langhe region, with its hilly landscapes and vineyards, is within reach as well. All these destinations can be reached in less than an hour by car, allowing guests to sleep in a castle in Piedmont and explore its wonders.

5 stars, Oleggio Castello, Novara (Piedmont)
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The Dal Pozzo Castle is a prestigious accommodation located in Oleggio Castello, in the heart of Piedmont, in an ancient neogothic noble residence from the 18th century near Lake Maggiore. It features three restaurants, bars, and an outdoor swimming pool. The castle was built by the Visconti family and later became the property of the Dal Pozzo family for six generations. This luxury 5-star hotel offers 45 rooms and suites, elegantly furnished with a blend of historical charm and modern sophistication, allowing guests to experience the unique thrill of sleeping in a castle in Piedmont.

For dining, guests can choose from the award-winning Le Fief restaurant, which delights palates with creative and refined gourmet dishes, the Dan Garden Lounge for casual dinners immersed in the centuries-old park, the Folia Life bistro for light poolside meals, and the American Bar on the Italian Terrace for evening aperitifs.

At the Dal Pozzo resort, guests can enjoy unique experiences such as booking a personalized photo shoot in the castle, participating in cooking classes, having a picnic in the park, utilizing the bike room, joining guided tours and wine tastings, and playing at renowned golf courses near Lake Maggiore.

Within a short distance from the property, there are unmissable attractions such as Lake Maggiore, whose shores are just over 2 km away, Stresa, with its gardens and historic villas, located 20 km away, the Gran Paradiso National Park for nature lovers and hikers, and the city of Novara, 42 km away, with its historical and artistic heritage. Malpensa Airport is only 34 km away.

Capriva del Friuli, Gorizia (Friuli Venezia Giulia)
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The Castle of Spessa is a charming accommodation located in Capriva del Friuli, set in a castle built in the 13th century by the Ungrispach family and which has hosted illustrious figures such as Giacomo Casanova in the past. This enchanting accommodation offers the unique experience of sleeping in a castle in Friuli Venezia Giulia, with elegant and refined rooms immersed in the history and beauty of an authentic medieval castle, a spa, a summer club with a green outdoor swimming pool, three restaurants, wine cellars with a wine shop, and a golf course.

The rooms and apartments in this historic residence have a unique style, with some featuring 18th-century Venetian furnishings. For dining, guests can choose from La Tavernetta al Castello, offering original and experimental dishes, Bistrò il Gusto di Casanova, where they can taste the estate’s wines in an intimate setting, and Hosteria del Castello for a quick lunch immersed in the tranquility of the golf course.

The Golf & Country Club Castello di Spessa offers an 18-hole course amidst vineyards and water features in the gentle rolling hills of the surrounding area. The Vinum Spa is a 2,000-square-meter wellness center with an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, icefall, emotional shower, relaxation area, Kneipp path, herbal tea room, and treatment area where natural cosmetics made with grapes from the estate are used. A special corner is dedicated to grappa therapy, a treatment with antioxidant properties.

Nearby, within a short distance from the property, there are unmissable attractions such as Gorizia, with its charming historical center and Gorizia Castle, located 10 km away, the city of Trieste, with its lovely waterfront and the picturesque Miramare Castle, 54 km away, the Collio region, renowned for its fine wines, and the Sanctuary of Castelmonte, an important pilgrimage site, 26 km away. All these destinations can be reached in less than an hour by car, allowing guests to explore and discover the beauties of Friuli.

Gabiano, Alessandria (Piedmont)
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The Gabiano Castle is a charming accommodation located in Gabiano, in the province of Alessandria, in Piedmont, with a panoramic position overlooking the Po River and surrounded by a 260-hectare estate of vineyards and a park. This ancient castle, with origins dating back to the 8th century, is among the largest and oldest in Monferrato, and the park surrounding it houses a rare garden maze classified as a historical monument. In addition to enchanting accommodations that offer the thrill of sleeping in an authentic castle in Piedmont, the property features a restaurant, meeting rooms, a panoramic outdoor swimming pool, a shop, and a private fishing pond.

The rooms, suites, and apartments are located within the medieval village and have been renovated while preserving the authentic atmosphere of the castle, with canopy beds and stone fireplaces, while offering modern comforts. The I 3 Orologi restaurant is housed in the ancient vinegar cellar and serves local cuisine with vegetables and fruits from the castle’s garden. In the castle’s shop, located under the medieval arcades, guests can taste and purchase wines produced by the estate, as well as other local labels.

In the property, you can also book unique experiences such as guided cellar tours, gourmet dinners, truffle hunting experiences, and picnic baskets. Nearby, within a short distance from the property, there are unmissable attractions such as the Monferrato region, with its hilly landscapes and vineyards, the city of Alessandria, with its historical and artistic heritage, 52 km away, the Sanctuary of Crea, an important pilgrimage site, 15 km away, and Lake Viverone, ideal for outdoor activities, 45 km away. All these destinations can be reached in less than an hour by car, allowing guests to explore and discover the wonders of Piedmont while sleeping in a castle.

Alfiano Natta, Alessandria (Piedmont)
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The Relais Castello di Razzano is a charming accommodation built in the late 17th century and located in Alfiano Natta, in the province of Alessandria, in the heart of Monferrato, Piedmont. Here, you can experience the incredible opportunity to stay and sleep in an authentic castle in Piedmont, with elegant and refined rooms and suites, a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, a wine cellar, the ArteVino museum, and production of wine, extra virgin olive oil, and vinegar.

The Restaurant of Castello di Razzano offers traditional Monferrato dishes with a modern twist, using locally sourced ingredients and estate wines served in the charming castle’s halls, adorned with chandeliers, antique furniture, and a grand fireplace. The Wine Cellar of Castello di Razzano is an elegant and evocative shop where you can purchase wines and other products from the three agricultural estates owned by the property.

In addition to visiting the ArteVino museum, which displays agricultural equipment from bygone times, and admiring artworks by local artists exhibited in the Castello di Razzano, guests can participate in tastings and experiences such as picnics on the estate. Within a short distance from the castle, you can visit the beautiful territory of Monferrato, which, along with Langhe and Roero, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Just 20 km away, you will reach Asti, 30 km to Casale Monferrato, 50 km to Alba, 52 km to Alessandria, and 60 km to Turin.

4 stars, Cison di Valmarino, Treviso (Veneto)
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CastelBrando is one of the largest and oldest medieval castles in Europe, now a prestigious accommodation located in Cison di Valmarino, in the province of Treviso, in the Prosecco area, halfway between Venice and the Dolomites. In this enchanting estate from the 10th century, perched on a panoramic position overlooking the town of Cison di Valmarino, you can savor the unique sensation of sleeping in a castle in Italy. Surrounded by a 50-hectare estate, CastelBrando includes a 4-star hotel, a spa built on ancient Roman baths, museums of medieval weapons and costumes, restaurants, bars, and an outdoor swimming pool. The castle and its premises offer an atmosphere of authentic elegance, with historic furnishings and fascinating architectural details.

Within the property, there are two restaurants: the elegant and refined Sansovino, open for groups and events, with historic Venetian-style rooms, and the more informal and modern restaurant and pizzeria La Fucina. There is also the Claudia bar gelateria, which, during the summer months, allows guests to enjoy a beautiful panorama from its terrace. The Princess Spa is located within the ancient castle walls and, amidst ancient artifacts and panoramic terraces, offers guests a heated indoor pool with hydrojets and counter-current swimming, a 45-degree Roman bath, a Finnish sauna, a Mediterranean sauna, a Kneipp vascular path, an infrared sensory sauna, a Himalayan pink salt cave, chromo-aromatic showers, relaxation areas, four panoramic whirlpool pools, and a Private Spa.

The Brando shop offers books and locally crafted items. The property is also surrounded by 50 hectares of parkland and forest, where guests can take walks along nature trails. Nearby, within a short distance from the property, you will find Cison di Valmarino (2 km) and Follina (4 km) – two of the most beautiful Historic Italian Villages – and unmissable attractions such as the city of Treviso (42 km), with its canals and charming historic center, the city of Conegliano (24 km), famous for Prosecco wine, Asolo (38 km), one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, and the Natural Park of the Belluno Dolomites (50 km), a paradise for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts. All these destinations can be reached in less than an hour by car, allowing guests to explore and discover the wonders of Veneto.

4 stars, Cervesina, Pavia (Lombardy)
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The Castle of San Gaudenzio, dating back to the 14th century, is now a charming accommodation located in the countryside of Cervesina, in the OltrePò Pavese region. This enchanting 4-star hotel, surrounded by a century-old garden, offers a unique stay experience in a real medieval castle, with antique furniture, frescoed halls, a library, stone courtyards, and an armory gallery. The rooms at the Castle of San Gaudenzio feature parquet floors, coffered ceilings, monumental fireplaces, and ancient paintings.

The restaurant, Ristorante DAMA at the Castle of San Gaudenzio, offers creatively inspired local recipes that are both simple and delicious. It is set in a renovated barn with a fireplace and exposed beams. The ancient stables have been transformed into an indoor swimming pool and a fitness room. Within a short distance from the Castle of San Gaudenzio, you will find the Tazio Nuvolari racetrack (5 km) with a museum of vintage cars, the Terme di Rivanazzano (14 km) with sulfuric waters and mud treatments, and the Vigevano Golf Club (54 km).

Furthermore, in the surrounding area, you can visit unmissable attractions such as Voghera (7 km), famous for its Cathedral and Visconti Castle, the city of Pavia (26 km) with its rich historical and artistic heritage, the Certosa di Pavia Monastery (32 km), a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, the Oltrepò Pavese, a renowned wine region, and the Ticino Park, a perfect natural oasis for outdoor activities and excursions. All these destinations can be reached in less than an hour by car, allowing guests to explore and discover the beauty of Pavia and its surroundings while experiencing the unique opportunity to sleep in a castle in Lombardy.

Vigoleno, Piacenza (Emilia Romagna)
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The Castle of Vigoleno is a charming accommodation located in the province of Piacenza, within a restored fortress from the 10th century. This enchanting hotel offers the unique experience of sleeping in a castle in Emilia Romagna, with elegant and refined rooms that immerse guests in the history and atmosphere of an authentic medieval castle. It is situated in the Borgo di Vigoleno, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, certified with the Orange Flag. The San Giorgio restaurant inside the Castle of Vigoleno serves products and dishes from the local tradition, prepared with high-quality ingredients.

The castle and its premises provide an authentic and evocative atmosphere, with historic furnishings and fascinating architectural details. Within the fortress, there is a museum offering visits to the Mastio (main tower), the Romanesque Church, and the Noble Floor of the Castle. Nearby, within a short distance from the property, you will find unmissable attractions such as the Regional Park of the Piacenza Hills, ideal for outdoor excursions and activities, Salsomaggiore Terme, the city of Piacenza with its artistic and cultural heritage, the splendid Certosa di Padula, an impressive Carthusian monastery, and the famous city of Parma with its beautiful Ducal Palace. All these destinations can be reached in less than an hour by car.

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