Unreal Places · Four countries · Series
5 places built where nothing should stand
These five buildings stand in places that look impossible: an abbey on a tidal rock, monasteries on top of stone pillars, a castle hidden in a forest valley, another on a lone hilltop, and a palace on a wooded peak. All five are real, and all are open to visitors.
The places in this film
- 1
Mont Saint-Michel, France
An abbey on a rock in a bay with very large tides. A bridge and shuttle link it to the mainland car parks.
- 2
Meteora, Greece
Monasteries built on sandstone pillars from the fourteenth century. Six are still active and open on different days.
- 3
Eltz Castle, Germany
A castle in a forest valley near the Moselle, owned by the same family for more than 850 years. Closed in winter.
- 4
Hohenzollern Castle, Germany
A castle on its own hill in the south-west of Germany. On misty mornings it rises above the cloud.
- 5
Pena Palace, Portugal
A red and yellow palace on a wooded peak above Sintra, near Lisbon. Entry is by timed ticket.
Tour links are partner links. They cost you nothing and help keep the guides free. How this works.
Plan it
- Best time
- April to October for all five. Eltz Castle closes for the winter months, and Meteora is quietest in spring and autumn.
- How long
- Each is a half-day to a full day. Meteora rewards an overnight stay for sunset and sunrise.
- Getting around
- Mont Saint-Michel, Eltz and Hohenzollern are easiest by car. Meteora has trains from Athens to Kalambaka, and Sintra has trains from Lisbon.
Good to know
- Check tide times for Mont Saint-Michel. The highest tides surround it with water.
- Meteora monasteries have dress rules: covered shoulders, and skirts or long trousers.
- Book Pena Palace tickets ahead in summer. Slots sell out.
Frequently asked
Is Mont Saint-Michel really an island? +
At the highest tides, yes. The sea surrounds the rock for a few hours. For the rest of the time it stands in a wide bay of sand. A raised bridge lets visitors reach it at any state of the tide.
How were the Meteora monasteries built? +
Monks carried materials up the rock by hand and hauled them in nets on ropes. For centuries, people and supplies reached the top the same way, or by long ladders. Steps were cut into the rock in the twentieth century.
Can you go inside Eltz Castle? +
Yes. Guided tours of the rooms and the treasury run during the open season, roughly from spring to early November. The castle is a short walk or shuttle ride down from the car park, through the forest.
