Want to play the Game of Thrones? These 10 castles are for rent

Playing the "Game of Thrones" can be dangerous. As Cersei Lannister said in Season One of the popular TV drama, it usually either ends with winning or dying.

What if you could get a taste of what it feels like to live like a Lannister without the constant worry of being dethroned or poisoned?

Home-sharing site HomeAway has an entire category just for castle rentals, with hundreds of palaces that could help you relax like a royal. Unsurprisingly, most of these fortresses are in rural areas of Europe and have sprawling grounds -- some even have a moat.

Renting these castles is definitely more budget-friendly than buying or building your own (at least short-term). Last year, British mortgage company London & Country estimated the cost of seven castles featured in "Game of Thrones." Highgarden -- home of House Tyrell -- came in at £97,695,000 (about $143,362,528), for example. But a night in a similar castle in France with rose and exotic gardens averages just $94 per night.

Whether you've been longing for the opulence of the Red Keep or the fires of Winterfell, here are 10 castles that could give you a taste of a lord's life. You know, without the Wildling attacks, terrible betrayals or lack of indoor plumbing.

The Twins: Lisheen Castle in County Tipperary, Ireland

This early 19th century castle that resembles half of The Twins, home of Lord Walder Frey, costs an average of $1,112 per night. It has nine bedrooms and eight bathrooms, and sleeps up to 16 people. It was originally a country estate but was burned in 1921 during the Irish War of Independence. It was then restored over five years in the 1990s, according to its website.

The Twins: Lisheen Castle in County Tipperary, Ireland

The castle has a library, cable TV and Internet access. Caterers are available to take care of meals, and the staff offers escorted outings to popular tourist destinations. It's also available for events like Red Weddings (still too soon?).

The Tower of Joy: Ballyhannon Castle in County Clare, Ireland

This imposing 15th century Celtic tower that looks like the Tower of Joy costs an average of $796 per night. Up to 10 people can sleep in the castle, and the nearby coach house sleeps up to 15. The two buildings have a total of 5.5 bathrooms.

The Tower of Joy: Ballyhannon Castle in County Clare, Ireland

The castle has fireplaces, a hot tub, washer and dryer and Wi-Fi. While catering isn't included, the castle's owners could help your family set up food service and events.

Highgarden: Château de la Touche in Trébry, France

An apartment in this 16th century castle costs an average of $93 per night and offers a garden of roses and exotic flowers that Margaery and Ser Loras Tyrell might enjoy. The apartments each have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and sleep up to four people.

Highgarden: Château de la Touche in Trébry, France

Other amenities on the property include a fireplace, satellite TV, washer and dryer, board games and bicycles.

The Water Gardens: Castell Bohio in Majorca, Spain

Relax like a Martell in this castle-like Spanish retreat with its own private pool. The home costs an average of $177 per night, has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and sleeps up to seven people.

The Water Gardens: Castell Bohio in Majorca, Spain

The property is close to beaches and golf courses, according to the HomeAway listing, and has free Wi-Fi, cable TV, a fireplace and air conditioning.

The Red Keep: Castello delle Quattro Torra in Siena, Italy

Like the Red Keep looms over King's Landing, this castle with a red-tiled roof is perched high on a hill. An apartment in the castle costs an average of $167 per night and sleeps up to four people with one bedroom and one bathroom.

The Red Keep: Castello delle Quattro Torra in Siena, Italy

The castle is surrounded by a garden, and visitors have the opportunity to take traditional Italian cooking classes during their stay.

Casterly Rock: Borgia family castle in Cortona, Italy

While it doesn't overlook the Sunset Sea, a view of the Trasimeno Lake from this hillside castle may be almost as nice as the view from Casterly Rock. The castle was once owned by the Borgia family, which was about as power-hungry and notorious as the fictional Lannisters who have called Casterly Rock home for generations. The castle costs an average of $1,267 per night. It has seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, two half-baths and sleeps up to 13 people.

Casterly Rock: Borgia family castle in Cortona, Italy

The castle has a swimming pool, tennis court and Internet access. The property also offers catering services.

Castle Black: Mugnana Castle in Greve in Chianti, Italy

This castle is more than 1,000 years old, according to the HomeAway listing, and it sports an arch-filled courtyard similar to the one in the ancient fortress of Castle Black. The castle has eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms and sleeps up to 16 people. It costs an average of $739 per night.

Castle Black: Mugnana Castle in Greve in Chianti, Italy

The Tuscan countryside is much warmer than The Wall, so the castle has a swimming pool where you can soak up some sun.

The Bloody Gate: Château de la Cressonniére in Cezais, France

This 14th century castle looks a lot like the Bloody Gate that guards the entrance to the Vale of Arryn. It costs an average of $266 per night. It has four bedrooms and three bathrooms and can sleep up to 10 people.

The Bloody Gate: Château de la Cressonniére in Cezais, France

The castle has an outdoor pool, a fireplace and cable TV.

Winterfell: Petit Chateau Gascon in Saint-Justin, France

The round stone towers of this 15th century castle resemble the towers of the ancestral home of House Stark in the North. It costs an average of $262 per night. It has six bedrooms and three bathrooms and sleeps up to 15 people.

Winterfell: Petit Chateau Gascon in Saint-Justin, France

The castle has a fireplace, wood stove, pool, pool table, Internet access and cable TV.

The Dreadfort: Torre Belvedere in Barattano, Italy

This 13th century castle has the same square towers as the Dreadfort, home of House Bolton. However, this castle looks a bit more hospitable than the one where Theon Greyjoy had a very unpleasant stay. One of the six one-bedroom apartments in the fortress costs an average of $74 per night.

The Dreadfort: Torre Belvedere in Barattano, Italy

The castle has a swimming pool, TV, optional catering services for dinner and bicycles for guests to use. The listing doesn't mention any dungeons (thankfully).