10 Of The Most Beautiful Palaces In The World

Nidhi Kadere

Versailles, France

Built in the 17th century by King Louis XIV, the palace was the seat of power and the symbol of the absolute monarchy until the French Revolution.The Hall of Mirrors, the Grand Trianon, and the Petit Trianon are some of the highlights of this palace. 

Palace Versailles | Shutterstock

Forbidden City, China

It is the world’s largest palace complex, covering 72 hectares, consisting of 980 buildings with 8,707 rooms, surrounded by a moat and a wall, in the centre of Beijing. Built in the 15th century, the palace was the home of 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties until 1912.

Forbidden City | Shutterstock

Schönbrunn, Austria

Schönbrunn is the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, the imperial family of Austria. The palace was the birthplace of Emperor Franz Joseph and the scene of many historical events, such as the meeting between Napoleon and Emperor Francis I.

Schönbrunn Palace | Shutterstock

Potala Palace, Tibet

It is the iconic landmark of Tibet, located on the Marpo Ri hill in Lhasa. Built in the 7th century, the palace was the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, the spiritual and temporal leaders of Tibet, until 1959.

Potala Palace | Shutterstock

Topkapi, Turkey

Topkapi is the former palace of the Ottoman sultans, located in Istanbul. Built in the 15th century, the palace was the centre of the Ottoman Empire for almost 400 years, until the construction of the Dolmabahçe Palace in the 19th century.

Topkapi | Shutterstock

Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom

It is the official residence and the principal workplace of the British monarch, located in London. The palace is also known for its changing of the guard ceremony, which takes place every day at 11:30 am, and its staterooms, which are open to the public during the summer.

Buckingham Palace | Shutterstock

Alhambra, Spain

Built in the 13th century, Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex, located in Granada. The palace was the residence of the Nasrid sultans, the last Muslim rulers of Spain, until the Reconquista in 1492. The palace also has a stunning garden, called the Generalife.

Alhambra | Shutterstock

Mysore Palace, India

Built in the 20th century, the palace is a fusion of Hindu, Islamic, Gothic, and Rajput styles. It is the former residence of the Wodeyar dynasty, the royal family of Mysore.

Mysore Palace | Shutterstock

Pena Palace, Portugal

It is a fairy-tale castle, located on a hilltop in Sintra. Built in the 19th century by King Ferdinand II, the palace is the oldest European castle in the Romanticism style.

Pena Palace | Shutterstock

Winter Palace, Russia

Famous for its 1,057 rooms, which are decorated with gold, marble, and paintings, Winter Palace is the former residence of the Russian tsars, located in Saint Petersburg. Built in the 18th century, the palace is a monumental and majestic building, with a façade of 215 metres and a height of 30 metres.

Winter Palace | Shutterstock

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