Step Inside 24 Historic Homes You Can Still Visit Today
There’s something unforgettable about standing in the very rooms where history was made. Instead of reading about the past, you can walk the same halls, admire original furnishings, and see personal details that bring legendary figures to life.
From grand European palaces to unique American estates, these historic homes offer an up-close encounter with the people and stories that shaped the world — and you can experience it all in person.
1. Versailles Palace, France
This breathtaking royal residence stands as the ultimate symbol of absolute monarchy. Versailles Palace dazzles visitors with its 700 rooms, Hall of Mirrors, and meticulously manicured gardens spanning 2,000 acres.
Once home to Louis XIV, the “Sun King,” it now welcomes millions of tourists annually who marvel at its gilded interiors and priceless artwork.
2. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Perched dramatically on a rugged hill, this fantasy-like structure inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Neuschwanstein Castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II in the 19th century as a personal retreat.
Tours take you through lavishly decorated rooms featuring elaborate wood carvings, Byzantine-style paintings, and sweeping Alpine views that seem straight from a storybook.
3. Palazzo Vecchio, Italy
Standing boldly in Florence’s main square, this medieval fortress-palace has been the seat of power for centuries. Palazzo Vecchio houses the impressive Hall of the Five Hundred, adorned with massive battle paintings by Vasari.
Visitors can climb the tower for panoramic city views or explore secret passages once used by the powerful Medici family.
4. Blenheim Palace, England
Grandeur awaits at this monumental country house in Oxfordshire, birthplace of Winston Churchill. Blenheim Palace boasts over 200 rooms and 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland designed by Capability Brown.
Guests can tour state rooms filled with priceless tapestries, furniture, and paintings while learning about the influential Churchill family who called this UNESCO World Heritage site home.
5. Catherine Palace, Russia
Azure blue facades trimmed with brilliant white columns create an unforgettable first impression. Catherine Palace, located in Tsarskoye Selo near St. Petersburg, epitomizes Russian imperial opulence.
The reconstructed Amber Room dazzles with its amber panels, gold leaf, and mirrors. Summer visitors can stroll through formal gardens while imagining the lavish balls once held by Empress Catherine the Great.
6. Mount Vernon, Virginia
Overlooking the Potomac River sits the beloved home of America’s first president. Mount Vernon preserves George Washington’s 18th-century plantation with its iconic columned porch and carefully restored interiors.
Visitors can explore the mansion, outbuildings, four gardens, and even Washington’s tomb. The estate offers a genuine glimpse into colonial life through both the owner’s luxurious quarters and the stark reality of slave quarters.
7. The Biltmore Estate, North Carolina
America’s largest privately-owned home sprawls across 8,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Biltmore Estate, built by George Vanderbilt in the 1890s, features 250 rooms including a bowling alley, indoor pool, and 65 fireplaces.
Tours showcase original furnishings, priceless art, and vintage clothing. Don’t miss the spectacular gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted of Central Park fame.
8. Hearst Castle, California
High atop a coastal mountain sits a Mediterranean-inspired estate built by a newspaper magnate. Hearst Castle combines European architectural elements with William Randolph Hearst’s extravagant taste and impressive art collection.
Travelers marvel at indoor and outdoor swimming pools, guest houses, and rooms filled with authentic medieval armor and Renaissance paintings. The property even once housed its own private zoo!
9. The Breakers, Rhode Island
Opulence reaches new heights in this Italian Renaissance-style summer cottage overlooking the Atlantic. The Breakers was built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II in 1893 and features 70 rooms filled with marble, platinum, and gold details.
Tours reveal the staggering wealth of America’s Gilded Age through ornate ceilings, massive chandeliers, and cutting-edge conveniences that were revolutionary for their time.
10. Ernest Hemingway Home, Florida
Literary history thrives in this charming Key West residence surrounded by tropical gardens. Ernest Hemingway’s home, where he lived during the 1930s, retains its Spanish Colonial style and many original furnishings.
The property’s most famous residents might be the 60+ polydactyl (six-toed) cats, descendants of Hemingway’s own pets. His studio remains as he left it, complete with his writing desk and typewriter.
11. Graceland, Tennessee
Rock and roll royalty lives on at this Memphis mansion with its iconic musical legacy. Graceland preserves Elvis Presley’s personal style through rooms like the famous Jungle Room with its green shag carpet and Tiki furnishings.
Visitors can tour the mansion, see his collection of gold records, custom jumpsuits, and even board his private jets. The meditation garden serves as Elvis’s final resting place.
12. Winchester Mystery House, California
Staircases leading to ceilings and doors opening to nowhere define this architectural oddity built over 38 years. The Winchester Mystery House grew to 160 rooms as Sarah Winchester, heiress to the rifle fortune, continuously expanded it based on supernatural beliefs.
Guided tours navigate through the mansion’s bizarre features, including séance rooms and the number 13 appearing repeatedly in window panes and stair steps.
13. Imperial Palace, Japan
Surrounded by stone walls and water-filled moats in the heart of Tokyo lies a royal residence still in use today. The Imperial Palace grounds cover 1.15 square miles and include multiple historic buildings and meticulously maintained gardens.
While the inner palace remains private, visitors can tour the East Gardens and outer areas. Special public viewings occur on the Emperor’s birthday and New Year when the imperial family makes balcony appearances.
14. Gyeongbokgung Palace, South Korea
Majestic wooden structures with colorful painted details create a stunning royal compound in Seoul. Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395, served as the main royal residence during the Joseon dynasty despite being destroyed and rebuilt multiple times.
Guests can witness the changing of the guard ceremony, explore throne halls, and wander through pavilions set around serene ponds. Don’t miss the National Folk Museum located on the grounds.
15. Topkapi Palace, Turkey
Ottoman sultans ruled their vast empire from this sprawling complex overlooking the meeting point of two continents. Topkapi Palace in Istanbul houses incredible treasures including the 86-carat Spoonmaker’s Diamond and sacred Islamic relics.
Visitors can explore the harem’s intricate tile work, peek into the imperial treasury, and enjoy spectacular views where the Bosphorus meets the Golden Horn and Sea of Marmara.
16. Alhambra, Spain
Islamic artistry reaches its pinnacle in this breathtaking hilltop complex with views over Granada. The Alhambra combines fortress, palace, and gardens into a masterpiece of Moorish design featuring impossibly delicate carved stucco and mesmerizing geometric patterns.
Travelers wander through the Nasrid Palaces with their spectacular Court of the Lions and serene Generalife gardens. Water features create cooling effects and soothing sounds throughout the complex.
17. Qasr Al Watan, United Arab Emirates
Modern grandeur meets Arabian tradition in this recently opened palace in Abu Dhabi. Qasr Al Watan, part of the Presidential Palace complex, dazzles with white granite and limestone exteriors leading to interiors adorned with gold, crystal, and mosaics.
Tourists can explore knowledge-focused exhibits, see gifts from world leaders, and experience the evening light show. The Great Hall’s dome, larger than the one at St. Peter’s Basilica, leaves guests awestruck.
18. The Citadel, Egypt
Rising dramatically above Cairo’s skyline, this medieval Islamic fortification offers spectacular city views. The Citadel, built by Saladin in the 12th century, houses several museums and three mosques including the magnificent alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali.
Visitors explore ancient walls, palaces, and military museums while enjoying panoramic vistas stretching to the Pyramids of Giza on clear days. The site witnessed centuries of Egyptian history unfold.
19. Casa Rosada, Argentina
Distinctive pink walls make this presidential palace instantly recognizable in Buenos Aires’ historic center. Casa Rosada (Pink House) houses government offices and a museum showcasing presidential artifacts and historical exhibits about Argentina’s political history.
Guests can tour select areas on weekends, including the famous balcony where Eva Perón addressed her supporters. The building’s unique color reportedly came from mixing whitewash with ox blood in the 19th century.
20. La Chascona (Pablo Neruda’s Home), Chile
Whimsical architecture curves around a hillside in Santiago’s bohemian Bellavista neighborhood. La Chascona, built by Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda for his secret love Matilde Urrutia, reflects his eccentric personality and love of maritime objects.
Tourists discover quirky rooms filled with art, collections, and surprising architectural details. The name itself comes from Matilde’s wild red hair—”chascona” means disheveled in Chilean Spanish.
21. Government House, Australia
Victorian elegance defines this official residence of Australia’s Governor-General in Canberra. Government House, modeled after an English country manor, sits on 53 hectares of meticulously maintained gardens including a traditional English maze.
Visitors can tour stately reception rooms filled with Australian art and historical furniture during scheduled open days. The estate showcases both British colonial influence and distinct Australian character through its design and collections.
22. Palacio De Queluz, Portugal
Pastel pink exteriors hint at the Rococo delights waiting inside this royal summer retreat near Lisbon. Palacio de Queluz, often called Portugal’s Versailles, features ornate interiors with trompe l’oeil paintings, gilded woodwork, and magnificent tile panels.
Travelers wander through formal gardens adorned with fountains, statues, and a canal lined with traditional azulejos tiles. The palace served as home to the Portuguese royal family before they fled to Brazil during Napoleon’s invasion.
23. Schönbrunn Palace, Austria
Sunshine-yellow facades stretch impressively across Vienna’s landscape at this former imperial summer residence. Schönbrunn Palace contains 1,441 rooms decorated in Rococo style with crystal chandeliers, frescoed ceilings, and priceless furniture.
Guests tour the apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), then explore the vast gardens with their Neptune Fountain and Gloriette pavilion. The palace’s magnificent mirrored Great Gallery hosted a 6-year-old Mozart’s first royal performance.
24. Château De Chambord, France
Rising from the mists of the Loire Valley stands a Renaissance masterpiece that blends medieval French tradition with Italian design. Château de Chambord boasts 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces, and a famous double-helix staircase attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.
Tourists explore lavishly furnished royal apartments and can climb to the roof terrace with its forest of chimneys and towers. The surrounding 13,000-acre estate remains the largest enclosed forest park in Europe.