Castles · CASTLE GARDENS & GROUNDS
Grounds-only tickets cost a fraction of full admission and, at a surprising number of castles, hold the better half of the visit. These 13 say exactly what is and is not included.
Spend a full day at De Haar Castle, the Netherlands’ largest castle. Walk through lavish rooms, see where famous visitors stayed, and follow garden routes through formal French planting, ponds, canals, bridges, and wooded parkland. Entry includes the castle, exhibitions, gardens, and an online walking map. An audio tour costs extra.
“the castle is very nice, beautiful gardens but there are many stairs.”
Meet your English-speaking guide near Versailles train station for a small-group walk through the grand gardens, fountains, Tapis Vert, and Grand Canal. Then enter the palace with timed admission and explore the Royal Chapel, King’s State Apartments, and Hall of Mirrors at your own pace. Guides such as Aaron, Toby, Mado, and OJ are known for lively historical stories.
“Our tour guide Toby was phenomenal! Super knowledgeable and full of stories; not only for the tour but also about the town and culture! He went our pace, athletic, and it was amazing! He took photos of us, and gave us extra inside knowledge on other things around the area and our future plans!”
Meet your guide in Paris for a 30-minute RER ride to Versailles. Walk the gardens with guides such as Aaron, OJ, Mado, or Toby, then enter the palace independently with timed admission. Train tickets, a small group, and flexible return time make this a practical half-day visit.
“Our guide, Aaron, was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the history of the gardens of Versailles. He made it fun and enjoyable (even though it was raining!). Would definitely recommend this tour for incoming tourists”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Starbucks beside Wadakura Fountain Park, then walk through the park and Imperial Palace East Gardens. You’ll see Edo Castle ruins, gardens, ponds, and former castle grounds while guides such as Kenta, Glenda, Sato, Kei, and Miko explain Japan’s samurai, shogun, and imperial past. The palace buildings are not open to the public.
“Our guide Glenda, originally from Singapore, was extremely knowledgeable on Japan's history and especially, in relation to the Emperor's, Shogun's, Samurai's and the Imperial palace and gardens. Her English language was perfect and she spoke clearly and slow, unlike some other guides we have had in Japan. Glenda also gave us many recommendations for other sights to visit. The tour had a maximum of 10, making it an intimate experience. I strongly recommend this tour and ask for Glenda.”
Meet your English, French, or Spanish-speaking guide at the fortress entrance on Avenida del Alcázar. In about one hour, you’ll visit the former royal residence, selected rooms, and formal gardens, including the Avenue of the Monarchs. Guides such as Carmen and Paquita have been praised for lively explanations, but confirm the fortress is open before booking.
Visit New Zealand’s only castle at your own pace. Admission includes the restored house, written guides, a garden map, and a native plant trail. Allow at least two hours for the castle, gardens, café, and rooftop lookout. You will need your own transport from Dunedin, and the short tower climb is steep.
“Lovely self guided tour inside Lanarch Castle and walking around the surrounding gardens. Very beautiful and peaceful. Very detailed information provided about the history of the castle. Great way to spend the weekend. We spent about 2 hours there.”
Spend a full day walking the grounds of De Haar Castle near Utrecht. Your ticket covers the maze, Roman Garden, deer park, forest, ponds, bridges, and picnic meadow, but not the castle interior. Travel by bus, bicycle, car, or rented e-bike from Utrecht or Vleuten.
Travel from Kutaisi to Batumi with an English or Russian-speaking guide, stopping at Petra Fortress, Batumi Botanical Garden, and the city’s old and modern sights. Guides including Saba, Zura, George, and Georgi have tailored routes for guests. Transport, bottled water, Wi-Fi, and a guide are included, while entrance fees are extra.
“Our guide Georgi was great, very chill and always willing to answer questions. Yet, I think that the Botanical gardens stop was a bit of a failure. Very expensive only to be driven for 10 minutes through the gardens with a very unfriendly and non-English speaking driver. Either remove this stop or make it worth the 30 lar per person. I also didn't like the restaurant but that's just a personal taste since I didnt appreciate how pushy the owner was. An overall recommended experience but not necessarily a value-for-money option”
Travel from Kutaisi to the Black Sea with an English-speaking guide, visiting Petra Fortress, Batumi Botanical Garden, Batumi Boulevard, Ali and Nino, the Alphabet Tower, and Europe Square. The 10-hour small-group tour includes transport, water, and a guided Batumi walk. Guides such as Jemali, Teona, Saba, and Alex are praised for their care and local insight.
“The guide (Alex) was very good, we exchange a lot of stories and curiosity from respective country! And the fish from Batumi was super good :)”
Meet your English- or Japanese-speaking guide at JR Himeji Station, then spend two hours exploring Himeji Castle’s six-story tower and its traps, repairs, and history. Finish with an hour in Kokoen Garden. Guides Chiyuki, Junko, and Rie-san are praised for making the visit clear, lively, and personal.
“We really liked our kind and knowledgeable guide who gave us a deep understanding of the castles history and beauty. Chiyuki was very fun and helpful, and we really enjoyed the tour with her.”
From Batumi, you’ll visit the sloping gardens above the Black Sea, the 1,500-year-old Petra Fortress, and Georgia’s Miniatures Park. Expect hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, Wi-Fi, and a guide in English, Russian, or Georgian. Guides such as Nini and Malkhaz lead the outing, with entry fees paid separately.
“The local guide Malkhaz was excellent, very knowledgeable, kind , helpful, with deep information of the places we visited. recommend to everyone. 10 out of 10”
Spend two hours tracing shogun and imperial history around Tokyo’s Edo Castle ruins and Imperial Palace East Garden. Your English-speaking guide leads you from Wadakura Fountain through Otemon Gate, samurai guardhouses, the former Honmaru, Tenshu-dai, and Ninomaru Garden. Small-group and private options are available, with guides such as Mari and Isao noted for patient, engaging explanations.
“Sehr interessante Tour mit vielen historischen Fakten - unser Guide war super und hat geduldig alle unsere Fragen beantwortet!”
Spend four hours with an English-speaking private guide exploring Kanazawa’s castle, gardens, shrine, and geisha district. You’ll see Kenrokuen’s famous pond and pine, walk through Gyokusen’inmaru Garden, and finish among Higashi Chaya’s teahouses, crafts, sake, and gold leaf shops. Guides such as Megumi, Lee Stephen, Gucci, and Sho are available.
“Gucci is a formidabile guide. Kanazawa is a very interesting place and she made it even more special introducing us to its important history and to the various artcrafts of the region.”
By the kind of castle day, rather than the country.
