Bojnice Castle is the most visited castle in Slovakia and the most photographed, and its appeal is immediate: a confection of pointed turrets, romantic towers, and terraced gardens reflected in a small lake, sitting above the spa town like a stage-set for a medieval fairy tale. In fact, most of what you see dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries — the castle was rebuilt in Romantic style by Jan Pálffy — though the original medieval fortification underneath goes back to the 12th century.
The interior is open for guided tours and contains period furniture, art, and the ornate rooms Pálffy designed. The cave beneath the castle, connected to the natural limestone cave system below the hill, is part of the tour. The castle hosts a popular International Festival of Ghosts and Spirits every spring, filling the courtyard with theatrical performances and costumed figures. Open year round, but hours vary by season; check before visiting.