Beautiful Palaces in the World

Once home to kings and queens, palaces were built not only to act as royal residences, but to project power and prestige. As such, monarchs and emperors vied with one another, commissioning lavish summer homes and assembling exquisite art collections with which to fill their endless halls and royal chambers.

Besides the magnificent architecture and artworks, the former royal residences also boast gorgeous grounds and gardens, with plenty of fabulous fountains and flowerbeds on display. Due to their significant artistic, cultural and historical value, these beautiful palaces now make for some of the most popular tourist attractions and museums around.

1. Grand Palace

Lying on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Grand Palace can be found right in the heart of Bangkok. Built in 1782, the sprawling complex and its extensive gardens were once home to the Thai kings of old.

Now partially open to the public, the palace boasts lots of beautiful buildings, regal courtyards, and pretty pavilions, with a wealth of lovely Thai traditional architecture on show. The undoubted highlight, however, is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is the most revered Buddhist site in the whole of Thailand.

2. Mysore Palace

With its ornate facades, elegant arches, and magnificent marble domes, Mysore Palace in India really is a showstopper. Built between 1897 and 1912 to showcase the Wadiyar dynasty’s fabulous wealth and power, the palace is actually just one of seven in Mysore, which is fittingly nicknamed ‘the City of Palaces.’

Although so many amazing monuments and landmarks can be found around town, Mysore Palace’s arresting architecture and lush landscaped gardens make it Mysore’s most popular tourist attraction.

3. Buckingham Palace

One of the most famous and photographed buildings on Earth, Buckingham Palace in London has long been the residence of the British monarchs. Originally built in 1703 to be a large townhouse, over the years, it was slowly enlarged and redesigned, with its famous facade added in 1911.

In total, the palace boasts 775 rooms, with many of them replete with fabulous furnishings, exquisite paintings, and age-old statues. Of these, the most impressive are the staterooms. These are opened to the public each August and September and are where visiting heads of state stay when in London.

4. Potala Palace

Set in an absolutely epic location atop of Marpo Ri hill in the centre of Lhasa Valley, Potala Palace has long been one of the most important and impressive monuments in the whole of Tibet. Once the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas, the striking red and white palace was erected in 1649, although earlier versions have stood in the same spot since at least the 7th century.

The colossal edifice contains over 10,000 shrines, with more than 200,000 statues thought to be dotted around its hallowed halls and ceremonial chambers. With towering mountains rising all around it, Potala Palace makes for an awe-inspiring sight and is an enduring symbol of Tibetan Buddhism.

5. Alhambra

Perched atop a plateau overlooking Granada, Alhambra has long been one of the most renowned and recognizable palaces on Earth. Built by the Nasrid sultans in the 13th century, the large complex proudly exhibits lots of absolutely exquisite Andalusian architecture, with intricate designs and motifs wherever you look.

Wandering around its beautiful gardens, sturdy fortifications, and colonnade-lined courtyards is a delight, while the Museum of Fine Arts has a fabulous collection of artworks for visitors to peruse.