Published 26th Mar. 2025
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Purveyors of power and prestige, home to kings and queens, and architectural masterpieces in their own right, palaces offer a glimpse into the opulent and lavish lifestyles of royals past. With stunning examples around the world, it is well worth adding visits to a palace or two to your next holiday itinerary. But what is the most beautiful palace in the world? From the fortress complex of Alhambra to the sprawling courts of The Grand Palace in Bangkok, we’ve compiled a list of most beautiful sites to aid you on your royal voyage. Inspired? Prepare for a taste of the regal life with our list of the most beautiful palaces in the world...
Once the primary residence of the French kings (from Louis XIV to Louis XVI), the Palace of Versailles is the epitome of royal opulence and architectural grandeur. Originating from humble beginnings, the palace started out as a hunting lodge, constructed by Louis XIII in 1624. Almost 60 years later, Louis XIV extended the site, moving his entire glittering court from the French capital to Versailles. The site was infamously stormed by peasants during the French Revolution, but thanks to extensive restorations, it still stands tall, offering a window into the extravagant lives of its former inhabitants.
Image by Ingrid/stock.adobe.com.
Ah, the Alhambra: part palace, part fortress and part manicured gardens, set among the rolling hills of Granada. Claiming the title of Spain’s most visited attraction, this impressive structure dates back to the 13th century and is widely regarded as an iconic example of Islamic architecture, although its history remains shrouded in mystery. Each building set in the expansive complex is adorned with delicate geometric mosaics, which demonstrate the sophistication of Moorish design (and place it firmly on our list of the most beautiful palaces in the world).
Image by Adivin / Getty Images.
Another Hispanic palace, the Palacio Real stands proud in the centre of Madrid. Although the beautiful building is now only used for royal ceremonies, it served as the designated residence of the Spanish royal family until 1975. Felipe V ordered its construction in the 1700s with the aim of outdoing every other European palace, but he passed away before he could see his vision accomplished. Although the resulting Baroque behemoth is only a quarter of Felipe’s planned size, it still boasts an astonishing 2,800 rooms, each adorned with regal silk and velvet wall hangings and elaborate stucco ceilings.
Image by Monica Gumm/LAIF-REA.
Perched atop a forest-clad hillside in the Sintra Mountains, the Romanticist-style Pena Palace wouldn’t look out of place within the pages of a fairy tale. Originally a Medieval chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Pena (more commonly known as the Virgin Mary), the palace features brightly-coloured red and yellow buildings trimmed with refined white battlements and layered with detailed blue mosaics. The eclectic mix of architectural styles (Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, New-Romanesque and Indo-Gothic) undoubtedly make it one of the most creative palaces on our list, and Pena is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.
Image by saiko3p / Getty Images.
One of four royal palaces in Morocco, Dar al-Makhzen (Royal Palace of Rabat) is the primary dwelling of the Moroccan king. As it’s an active residence, you’ll have to admire the eye-catching architecture from its striking front gates, but don't worry: the palace’s exterior still manages to stun, with its dazzling brass doorways and intricate ochre, azure and emerald tilework. Its official name is equally as charming; El Mechouar Essaid, meaning 'The Venue of Happiness'.
Image by Westend61 / Getty Images.
Nicknamed the ‘City of Palaces’, any of Mysore’s seven could have been included on our list of the most beautiful palaces in India, but Mysore Palace pips the others to the post in our roundup of the prettiest palaces in the world. Dating back to 1912 and previously the home of the Wadiyar dynasty, Mysore is instantly identifiable, with grand archways flanked by rectangular pale-pink buildings and crowned with maroon-hued orbs. The best time to visit the exquisite creation is during the Dasara festival, held from September to October, when the palace is illuminated by 10,000 lights.
Image by Daniel Gauthier / Getty Images.
Thailand’s Grand Palace, set in the heart of Bangkok, is perhaps more accurately described as a sprawling complex of courts, temples and throne halls. The grand structure was built in 1782, and became the royal family’s official home up until 1925, when they began to move to other pretty palaces in the city. Additional edifices were gradually added over time, many of which were designed in Ratanakosin (old-Bangkok) style, with arguably the most famous being the architecturally awe-inspiring Temple of the Emerald Buddha. With its sprawling size, glittering statues and towering buildings, it’s really no surprise that the Grand Palace is the city’s most popular tourist attraction.
Image by Csondy / Getty Images.
One of the most well-known names on our list of the most beautiful palaces in the world, Buckingham Palace remains the residence of the British royal family. Dating back to 1703, the 775-room palace replaced St James’ as the monarch’s official home in 1837. Today, the King’s presence is denoted by the red, blue and yellow Royal Standard flag, while the Union Flag is flown to mark his absence. From mid-July to September, the 19 heavily gilded State Rooms open their doors to the public, and you can also wander around (or picnic) in the immaculately kept Palace Garden.
Image by Nadia Isakova/robertharding / Getty Images.
Following his conquest of Constantinople in 1459, Sultan Mehmed II commissioned the construction of Topkapi Palace on the banks of the Bosphorus. Once established, this impressive edifice became the home of future sultans until the 18th century, at some points housing as many as 5,000 residents at a time. Entry to the Court of the Janissaries is free to the public and visitors can explore the harem, its 400 rooms, terraces and halls steeped in storied and salacious history. Each room is increasingly resplendent, complete with ornate ornamentation and gold Arabic carvings – we'd expect nothing less for the revered rules of the Ottoman Empire.
Image by RuslanKaln / Getty Images.
Situated on the southern side of Florence’s River Arno, Palazzo Pitti was the brainchild of Florentine banker Luca Pitti (hence its name). Built in 1458, the palace was subsequently bought by the Medici family, who ruled over the region of Tuscany, before it was passed to the Habsburg-Lorraine and Savoy dynasties in the late 18th century. In 1919, Palazzo Pitti was donated to the state, and today, the palace has been transformed into four museums: the Palatine Gallery, the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, the Gallery of Modern Art and the Museum of Costume and Fashion. We’d recommend visiting at sunset to see the pietraforte facade bathed in a soft-pink glow.
Image by TT/Getty Images/iStockphoto.
Written by Luisa Watts | Header image by 1001nights / Getty Images.
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