Bavarian Castles Tour  –  2024

King ludwig ii's castles and the bavarian lakes.

Home  >   Major Tours  >   Bavarian Castles

Neuschwanstein Castle helicopter view

Neuschwanstein

Hopfen am See from the air

Hopfen am See

Linderhof Castle

Discover the wonderful castles of King Ludwig II and the beauty of Bavaria's lakes and countryside.  Tour inside the castles with local guides and take time to explore on your own.  Alternate the visits to castles with other excursions, including a trip to the top of Mount Zugspitze, the Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, the Church in the Meadow, Oberammergau and other picturesque towns and villages in the region, and other highlights listed in the itinerary below.

Optional Extensions : Add the Three Nights Venice Extension to also visit one of Europe's most romantic cities, or one of our regional short or day tours to tailor your visit to Bavaria to pursue your own specific interests

The Slideshows in the In Depth section provide a quick overview of tour destinations and features.

Top Map Itinerary Extensions Features Images In Depth References Dates & Prices Contact Bottom

Bavarian Castles Tour Map

Day 1  –  DEPARTURE

Board your flight from your home destination to Munich, Germany.

This itinerary assumes this to be an overnight flight.

Air fare independently arranged.

airplane departing

Day 2  –  HOPFEN AM SEE

Arrival in Munich, Germany.  Your flight should arrive at the Munich Airport by 11:15 a.m. at the latest for the complimentary transfer at noon .

When the group is complete we head south to your home away from home in HOPFEN AM SEE, on the lake near Fussen (Füssen or Fuessen in German). Our home base here at the southern end of Germany's famous Romantic Road is within hiking distance of Neuschwanstein in the beautiful Bavarian Alps.

You are staying in a typical local "landhaus", where you are a friend, not a tourist. Your rooms are very gemuetlich, decorated in Bavarian country style, all with cable TV, telephone, refrigerator, extra sitting area, balcony, and a great mountain view.  You'll be treated to a welcoming Bavarian dinner on the Lake Promenade tonight.

>  Your tour includes: Transfer from airport to hotel, three-course welcome dinner with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after, overnight at Landhaus Koessel in Hopfen am See

Landhaus Kossel

Landhaus Kossel

Day 3  –  NEUSCHWANSTEIN, HOHENSCHWANGAU

Today we focus on NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE (Schloss Neuschwanstein in German), Germany's most famous castle.  First we go to Marienbruecke (Mary's Bridge) sitting high above the Poellat Gorge, where we can take the best pictures of the castle.  (If Mary's Bridge is closed because of ice or snow on the path, you will be taken to another lookout where you can take wonderful pictures of Neuschwanstein.)

From there we walk downhill for our inside tour of Neuschwanstein.  Afterwards there's time for lunch and a stroll on Lake Alpsee, where young Ludwig learned to swim.  Larger photos of Neuschwanstein, including helicopter views, are included in the Bavarian Castles Gallery in the In Depth section below.

In the afternoon we visit SCHLOSS HOHENSCHWANGAU, the castle built by his father Maximilian, where Germany's fairy tale king spent much of his childhood, and where he dreamed about his future castles.  Local guides in both castles.

Fantastic dinner tonight in the area where Ludwig II was planning his next castle, Falkenstein.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrances and guided tours of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, horse carriage, three-course dinner, Landhaus Koessel

Neuschwanstein Castle

Day 4  –  ZUGSPITZE, LINDERHOF, OBERAMMERGAU

Beautiful drive into Austria to Ehrwald where we take a cable car up to the ZUGSPITZE, at almost 10,000 feet Germany's highest mountain, with a matchless panorama.

We continue on to SCHLOSS LINDERHOF, Ludwig's beautiful hiding castle deep in the forest, which served as a background for the romantic fantasies of the young king.  Inside visit with local guide, and time to explore the formal gardens.  (The Grotto is closed for extensive restoration until the end of 2024.)

Back home via the pretty village of OBERAMMERGAU, known for the passion play, a tradition which derives from a vow made by the inhabitants in 1633 that if God spared them from the effects of the bubonic plague then sweeping the region they would perform a passion play every ten years.

Dinner in Fussen tonight.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, Zugspitze cable car, guided tour of Linderhof, three-course dinner, Landhaus Koessel

Linderhof Palace

Day 5  –  HERRENCHIEMSEE, BAD TOLZ

Today we focus on King Ludwig II's largest castle, HERRENCHIEMSEE, which he built on an island in Lake Chiemsee after a visit to Versailles.  Herrenchiemsee was Ludwig's most expensive project, he stayed here only about one week.

Boat and horse carriage rides to the castle and local guide for inside tour.

On the way back we stop in the beautiful town of BAD TOLZ (Bad Tölz or Bad Toelz in German).  Bad Tolz became famous for its spa.  It also features colourful painted buildings.

There's time to relax before we join the locals tonight for great atmosphere and food at a local brewery.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, boat and carriage rides, Herrenchiemsee tour, dinner, Landhaus Koessel

Linderhof Palace

Herrenchiemsee

Day 6  –  MUNICH, NYMPHENBURG

We go to MUNICH (München or Muenchen in German, sometimes Munchen on the net) and first we visit SCHLOSS NYMPHENBURG (Nymphenburg Palace), where Ludwig was born, and the Marstallmuseum, containing many of Ludwig's elaborate carriages.

An Orientation Tour of Germany's secret capital features the Olympic stadium, Olympic Tower, Leopoldstrasse, Schwabing, Ludwigstrasse, Odeonsplatz, Koenigsplatz, Karlsplatz, Church of our Lady, and Marienplatz where you see the Glockenspiel.

Afterwards plenty of time on your own for shopping, more sightseeing (BMW Museum, German Museum, Pinakothek, ... the options list is endless).  Dinner on your own in the evening.  Why not have a stein of beer at the Hofbrauhaus (Hofbräuhaus), Munich's famous beer hall?

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, Munich orientation tour, entrance to Nymphenburg Palace, Landhaus Koessel

Nymphenburg

Nymphenburg

Day 7  –  INNSBRUCK

Today we drive south through the mountains to INNSBRUCK on the Inn River, the capital of Austria's Tyrol.

First we visit Schloss Ambras, a Renaissance castle and palace located in the hills above the city.  It was built in the sixteenth century on the site of a tenth-century castle, and became the seat of power of the Counts of the Andechs.  The castle is notable for its exterior architecture and interior furnishings, and contains major art and armour collections.  We have a private guided tour.

In the city enjoy a nice stroll through its quaint medieval lanes, see the famous little Golden Roof below the impressive Austrian Alps, the Hofburg palace, and the Hofkirche, Innsbruck's fine Baroque church.  Free time to explore on your own, and maybe shop for Swarovski Crystal, which is made here.

Dinner in Austria tonight on the way back home.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance and private guided tour of Schloss Ambras, three-course dinner, Landhaus Koessel

Schloss Ambras

Schloss Ambras

Day 8  –  WIESKIRCHE, LAKE STARNBERG, ANDECHS

On our last exploring day we take the Romantic Road to visit the masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo, WIESKIRCHE, also known as the Church in the Meadow, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We continue to LAKE STARNBERG and at Berg see the Votivchapel and the cross in the lake where Ludwig died.  Then on to ritzy Starnberg with time for lunch and a stroll on the lake.

Afterwards a short drive to ANDECHS, a famous Benedictine monastery on the Holy Mountain.  The monks are also well known for making their own beer, which we have time to enjoy in one of the many beer gardens.

Enjoy your last evening with a wonderful farewell dinner in Hopfen.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, three-course dinner with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after, Landhaus Koessel

Schloss Ambras

Day 9  –  RETURN

Time to say "Auf wiedersehen".  Transfer to Munich Airport for your return flight home.

Your flight should not leave Munich before 10:30 a.m.

If you wish, you can extend your vacation with one of the optional extensions outlined below.

>  Buffet breakfast, transfer to airport

airplane returning

(Optional) Extensions

Three nights venice extension.

Turn your Bavarian Castles Tour into an even more magical vacation with an extension to Venice, described as "undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man" and as "one of Europe's most romantic cities."

This three-night extension takes the same approach to visiting Italy's Veneto region as our longer Italian Highlights Tour. 

Travel across the scenic Alps, visit Verona, the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet , and check into your 4-star hotel on Venice's Lido Island.  Ride the bus boats on the Grand Canal and see the Rialto Bridge, tour inside the palace and basilica on St. Mark's Square, go for a gondola ride, and visit the scenic islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello.  Shop if you wish, explore on your own, or relax on Lido Island's beach.

Price per person for double occupancy is EUR 799.  Single supplement is EUR 200.  Please see the table in "Dates & Prices" below for scheduled and private availabilities.

Full details are provided in this Three Nights Venice Extension itinerary.

Regional Extensions

Your can also customize your itinerary by combining the Bavarian Castles Tour with one of our three-day tours, slightly modified to carry on from your Bavarian tour.

The Rothenburg and Northern Bavaria 3-Day Tour explores the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in depth.  Marvel at the 16th century ramparts and towers surrounding the town, and its ancient houses, fountains, and cobbled lanes.  Also visit other notable landmarks in the region, including Harburg Castle (fully intact after 900 years), Würzburg Residence (grand palace),  Ulmer Minster (the tallest church in the world), and Augsburg's Fuggerei (the oldest social housing complex in the world).

The Salzburg and Eastern Bavaria 3-Day Tour explores legendary and attractive Salzburg, with one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps.  See Mirabell Gardens, Mozart's birthplace, and Fortress Hohensalzburg.  Choose between included excursions to Hellbrunn Castle, Hohenwerfen Fortress, or the Salzkammergut resort area.  On the return visit Hitler's mountaintop Eagle's Nest, the charming valley town of Berchtesgaden, and beautiful Lake Königsee.

Or you could add one or more of the day tours from our Day and Short Tours page to explore specific areas of interest to you.  That page provides an index to the tours, brief descriptions of each tour, and links to complete details.

Please feel free to contact us for help combining elements to build your ideal itinerary.

Tour Features

  • All features as per itinerary, departure guaranteed
  • Door-to-door transportation (all modes).  Leave the navigating to us.
  • 7 breakfast buffets
  • 6 three-course dinners with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after dinner
  • 7 nights' accommodation
  • All entrance fees, taxes, and local guide fees paid
  • No hidden extras, no optional excursions – already included
  • Maximum group size of 30 people, fewer on most tours
  • The tour language is English only.
  • There is no packing and unpacking, as we stay at the Landhaus Koessel every night.
  • The days are well planned to offer you many highlights, but you are never rushed.  Ideal combination of free time and planned activities.
  • Skip the lines at must-see attractions.
  • All visits are inside, not drive-by.  Learn the stories that bring old buildings to life.
  • You will see not only the highlights but also the spots where only the locals go.
  • Tour director – Let our experts make every day and destination fascinating!
  • Satisfaction assured – backed up by our money-back guarantee.

Complete printable itinerary in PDF format:  Bavarian Castles Tour Itinerary

Neuschwanstein

Hotel  –  The Landhaus Koessel

The Landhaus Koessel is located on Lake Hopfen, near Füssen, with beautiful scenery and mountain views of the Bavarian Alps.

You stay in Bavarian Country Style rooms, which are very spacious, with extra sitting areas, balconies, cable TV, direct-dial-telephones, coffeemakers, mini-bars, and hairdryers. You will feel at home immediately. High speed internet is available. For more information please see the Landhaus Koessel English-language website.

Find out for yourself what makes this particular place in the Alps so special that King Ludwig wanted to spend the rest of his life here.

Landhaus Koessel patio

At Lake Hopfensee

Hohenschwangau

Hohenschwangau

Tour group atop Mount Zugspitze

Atop Mount Zugspitze

View from Mount Zugspitze

View from Zugspitze

Oberammergau flower boxes

Oberammergau

Bad Toelz

Marienplatz, Munich

Tour group below Neuschwanstein

Below Neuschwanstein

Ludwig Votivchapel, Lake Starnberg

Ludwig Votivchapel, Lake Starnberg

Bavaria Tour group

On the way to Neuschwanstein

Singers' Hall, Neuschwanstein

Singers' Hall, Neuschwanstein

There are more pictures of tour destinations in the In Depth section below, in larger formats.  There are two automated Slideshows and a Gallery for selecting and examining larger images.

The Slideshows and the Gallery present the same images in the same sequence, but using different techniques.  The Slideshows are effortless. The gallery has more comprehensive captions.

I just returned from an unforgettable week in Bavaria with Astrid, her crew and their Bavarian Castles Tour.  Everything about this week far exceeded by expectations.

From the moment I was picked up at the airport until I was dropped off one week later, I was given the feeling that I was the personal guest of a Bavarian Friend who wanted only for me to see and experience their beloved homeland in a positive light.

Do yourself a favor and book this tour.  You will not regret it.  The attention to detail, the scenery, the food, the Bavarian history, the people, the lovely German/Bavarian countryside will all come together to create a wonderful week, the memories of which will last a lifetime.  This will not be my last adventure with European Castles Tours!

-  Dale Schaefer, Tennessee

We just returned from the Bavarian Castles Tour and it was Wunderbar.  The attention to detail and organization of the tour was impeccable....

Each day was packed with several sites to visit.  A meticulously planned itinerary allowed for just the right amount of time at each stop….  It is an English speaking tour.  The Landhaus Kossel is a comfortable and charming inn....  Food was delicious....

Each day we traveled in a comfortable Mercedes Benz bus, safely driven by Andre….  This tour is designed to be as easy and friendly as possible.  The driver and tour guide do all the hard work and attend to the details....

This is a truly outstanding tour, you will not be disappointed.  And Bavaria is soooo beautiful.

- "Happy Trails Boston", Massachusetts

Bavaria was my third tour with European Castles Tours, all different and all wonderful!  The special style of touring of Astrid and her team means small groups, flexible itineraries, incredible attention to detail, and perfect balance between scheduled activity and free time.  There is plenty of time to savor the usual tourist sites.... Friendly manners and warm smiles complete the package.  No surprise that Astrid's tours often include repeat customers!

- Penny Pernell, Pennsylvania

Thank you so much for the great tour you took us on.  All was very enjoyable!  There castles were the hi-light, but your planning, the Landhaus where we stayed, bus rides, dinners – all were first class.  Thanks you so much.

- Veronica McLean, Vancouver, Canada

Additional comments on this and other Castles Tours are provided on a separate   References Page  .

TripAdvisor logo

Comments, experiences and recommendations from guests on past tours are featured in our  References Video

Dates, Prices and Reservations

Complete printable itineraries in PDF format:

Bavarian Castles Tour Itinerary

Three Nights Venice Extension Itinerary

The Bavarian Castles Tours listed below are offered on the following basis:

Tour prices are for the land segment only.  Air fare is not included.

Prices are per person, in U.S. dollars, based on double occupancy. 

Single occupancy is available for a single supplement charge, triple occupancy rates are reduced, and there is a special rate for a child 8 to 16 years old sharing a room with two adults.

Guaranteed Departure:   The Bavarian Castles Tour is guaranteed to operate as scheduled and will not be cancelled due to a low level of participation.

A deposit of US $ 400 per person is required to secure a reservation on these tours.

Personal expenses, lunches and gratuities for the driver and local guides are not included.

Note re Inflation:   Due to inflation in the general economy and additional inflation in the travel industry prices may need to be increased in mid-season.  Prices in effect at the time deposits are paid are guaranteed not to change.

Bavarian Castles Tour  –  Remaining 2024 Departure Date

Bavarian Castles Tour  –  2024 Prices

Reservation info and online form >

Dates for all scheduled major tours >

The "Christmas Markets Tour" (King Ludwig II's Castles and the Bavarian Christmas Markets) shares much of the itinerary of the "Bavarian Castles" Tour detailed here.  Full details are provided on the Christmas Markets Tour page.

Private Tour Option

If our dates do not work for you we can arrange the tour for you or your party as a private tour.  Same itinerary as above in a private limousine or van, with bilingual, professional private guide / chauffeur.  Prices per individual are the same as for the regular group tour, plus a US $ 400 per day private tour premium for the group.

Contact us with your preferred dates and specific requirements at this private tour email link ... or phone one of the numbers below, or write to the address on our Contact page.

Contact Information

Email is fast, flexible, and free. You can write to us at  this email link  (or [email protected]).

You can call us in Germany  (Eastern Time + 6 Hours):

U.S. Phone:  (202) 580 - 8732  /  Direct number in Europe:  +49  171  546 6839

tosomeplacenew

Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich to Fussen + Bavarian Villages

Love it? Share it!

One of the major highlights of our Germany trip was visiting the beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle and the Bavarian Villages.  The Neuschwanstein Castle is a beautiful castle, located on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. We booked a guided Neuschwanstein Castle tour from Munich to Fussen.

The Bavarian countryside was a pleasant surprise. We didn’t know what to expect and with the castle on our minds – we didn’t think much of the Romantic Road or the picturesque towns and farms. But at the end of the trip (and as I am writing this post), the beautiful countryside and the pouring rain is what I miss.

Visit Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich to Fussen (+Bavarian Villages)

Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the MOST visited castles in the world. Due to its close proximity to Munich, it makes for a perfect day trip option. As you start your journey from Munich to Fussen to reach the Neuschwanstein Castle you will witness some of the picturesque landscape and villages in Bavaria.

Neuschwanstein Castle is a newer castle as compared to many of the castles and palaces that you will see in Europe. It does live up to its expectations of – medieval charm and style. The location of the castle, with the beautiful Bavarian Alps is a scenery to behold and remember. Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle is inspired by the Neuschwanstein Castle. Many refer to the Neuschwanstein Castle as the Cinderella Castle, Bavaria Castle or the Munich Castle or Disney Castle.

neuschwanstein castle tour pin

How to get to Neuschwanstein Castle? Day Trip to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich Germany

There are various ways to reach the Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich. We took a guided tour to the Neuschwanstein Castle and we absolutely loved it.

Here is why you should consider taking tours and who it is BEST suited for –

  • Best for people visiting for a day trip . Don’t worry about learning directions, signing car rental agreement or insurance – nada!
  • Cost: Guided day tours to the Neuschwanstein Castle will cost you the SAME or less in comparison to taking trains and changing buses to reach the Fussen/Neuschwanstein Castle. Definitely cheaper then car rental.
  • Convenience: Trust the local experts, sit back and won’t worry about changing buses, trains or finding parking.
  • Remember, if you wish to tour the inside of the castle, you need a guided your
  • Enjoy the View – As you reach the Neuschwanstein Castle, you will be surrounded by stunning mountains and landscapes, absorb it and enjoy. Don’t worry about the driving and parking!

Full day Tours – Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich

  • We took a day tour to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich to Fussen. Here is the guided tour we recommend
  • Pick up point was our hotel in Munich
  • The day trip can be done in 8-9 hours. (with the guided tour in the Castle.)
  • Entrance fee (13 euros) for the Castle was not included in the tour. Most tours will not include this fee, so always confirm
  • Entry to the Neuschwanstein Castle is only through the castle’s guided tours.
  • In this day tour, we explored various Bavarian villages as well.
  • If you are looking to visit the Neuschwanstein castle only, then consider booking this tour

Here are some more tour options

Most day tours are conducted in a mini van, bus or train to take you to Fussen and then Neuschwanstein Castle. At the castle, the staff will take you to the interiors (which is a guided tour, fee paid separately).

You can rent a car and drive to the Neuschwanstein Castle. It takes about 2 hours one way to arrive at the Castle. To explore the castle interiors, a guided tour is mandatory.

One way train journey to the Neuschwanstein Castle takes about 2.75- 3 hours. The journey will include some walk to the various stations and changing a bus to get to Fussen. You will easily find trains at the Munich Central Station to go to Fussen. The train station in Fussen is located about 5 kilometres away. If you are short on time or only have a day in Fussen, then either drive or take a day tour.

Trains run every hour from Munich Hauptbahnhof and costs about 56-60 euros return trip. You can easily find a day tour for this price or less. 

Driving towards Neuschwanstein Castle

Visit Neuschwanstein Castle & Bavarian Villages

Drive through the romantic road towards fussen and the bavarian alps.

We started our day at 7:00 am in the morning. After breakfast in our Munich central hotel, we hopped on to the van and embarked on to the Romantic Road of Germany to reach Fussen in the afternoon.

Fussen is a stunning German town, located in the state of Bavaria. What makes Fussen so unique is its location. It is located just north of the Austrian border, at an elevation of 808 metres and is characterised by greenery, hills, stunning castles and quaint neighborhoods. It is worth spending some time in Fussen to explore the medieval old town centre, which is sprinkled with Bavarian cafes and restaurants.

Fussen also lies in the beautiful Romantic Road (on the southern tip) and it is lined with UNESCO heritage sites like the Pilgrimage Church of Wies. Entry to the church is completely free and the interiors of the church are filled with stunning frescoes that are worth visiting.

Views of Fussen & Bavarian Villages

The Romantic Road is a stretch of highway between Würzburg and Füssen (which is about 350 kms) in southern Germany. Along the route, the highway is lined with a number of picturesque towns and castles. This route was used for trade purposes in medieval times. If you are driving along the Romantic Road and wish to explore more this medieval stretch, consider visiting Rothenburg as well.

It rained all day when we ventured on this day tour. Bavarian countryside was very serene and beautiful. It definitely didn’t disappoint us.

Church of Virgin Mary- Pfarrkirche Maria Geburt

Our first stop on the Romantic Road was Rottenbuch. We explored the church of Virgin Mary- Pfarrkirche Maria Geburt . It is the former monastery church of the Rottenbuch monastery. The interior of the church was beautiful with stunning frescoes.

Frescoes inside Church of Virgin Mary- Pfarrkirche Maria Geburt - Bavaria Germany

After the church visit, we continued towards Fussen and the Bavarian Alps. Tiny Bavarian houses and farms looked gorgeous in the beautiful rain.

Each of the tiny village that we crossed had a beautiful Cross at the village entrance, marking their belief in the Lord and His blessings – protecting their houses and crops. Many of these houses shared their space with farm animals. Farm animals occupied the ground floor and the humans the top floor. You can actually smell cheese if you take a walk around those stunning villages!

Bavarian Village

During the spring-summer seasons, these houses and lanes are decorated with beautiful flowers.

As we made it closer to the castle, we could see the beautiful clouds and the stunning Bavarian Alps.

You can view the  beautiful castle from a distance. This spot (image below) is perfect for pictures, with the alps and the castle in the backdrop.

Guide to Visit Neuschwanstein Castle 

The fairy tale castle of Mad King Ludwig – Neuschwanstein castle is what draws a lot of tourists to Fussen. The Neuschwanstein Castle had inspired Disney’s castles and so much so that people dream of weddings and fairy tale stories here.

Neuschwanstein Castle View from road side

Neuschwanstein Castle literally means “new swanstone castle” and most of the castle interiors have stunning depictions of swans on the walls and ceilings. The castle was built in the 19th century and was left incomplete after the King Ludwig’s death. The king built the castle to be his prime residence. He was inspired by medieval romanticism and was in a way an attempt to re-model and revive some of the forgotten Middle Ages castles in this ambitious architectural project.

The Castle has its critics, but its popularity and magnificence outshines the criticism. It brings in about 1.4 million visitors annually and quite popular with travelers of all ages.

Neuschwanstein Castle Parking 

Neuschwanstein Castle grounds   has parking areas, souvenir shops and horse-carriage rides to help you reach the hill-top. To reach the hilltop and view the castle, you can either walk/hike (20-25 minutes and free!), opt for bus rides (3 euros) or take horse-carriage rides (7 euros)

Neuschwanstein Castle Hike

My husband and I decided to do the short hike to the hill-top. It took us about 20 minutes to reach the castle entrance. The short hike is completely worth it. Hiking or walking up the rugged hill towards Neuschwanstein Castle will give you stunning views of Fussen and the surrounding areas. We witnessed waterfalls, bridges, horse-carriages, green fields and tons of scenery as we made our way to the castle.

Views from the hill Neuchwanstein Castle

There are amazing view-points for photos and selfies as well. The picturesque Bavarian Alps – all around will melt your heart.

Note: If you do not wish to hike, you can take a shuttle or horse-drawn carriage from the parking area to the castle entrance. Rates for bus rides were around 3 euros and horse-carriage rides around 7 euros.

There are more hiking trails in and around the castle grounds. Pöllatschlucht is a popular hiking trail, located at the end of the Mary’s bridge. Always use the recommended hiking path and wear sturdy shoes.

Neuschwanstein Castle Sign

Neuschwanstein Castle Bridge – Marien Burke or Mary’s Bridge

Near the Neuschwanstein Castle and on your hike, you will see a bridge. It is called the Marien Burke or Mary’s Bridge . It is a pedestrian bridge built over a cliff, which gives amazing views of the Neuschwanstein Castle and the Alps. Accessing the bridge is completely free.

This bridge was opened in the mid 19th century and today due to safety reasons, the number of people on the bridge is actually regulated. When we were there we had to line up to get to the bridge. BUT it is worth it. If you missed the Castle on your drive to Fussen, then here is your opportunity to get some amazing shots – these views won’t disappoint you.

Hohenschwangau Castle

As you reach the castle, you will see another castle – smaller in size and yellow in color – that’s the  Hohenschwangau Castle. 

Hohenschwangau Castle

Hohenschwangau Castle was built by King Maximilian II of Bavaria who was Ludwig II’s father.It was his childhood residence. King Ludwig II enjoyed living in Hohenschwangau, and in some ways this childhood castle paved the way to building his own castle, Neuschwanstein, on the site of the old Schwangau fortress, high above his parent’s castle.

The Royal family still reserves the right to reside in the Hohenschwangau Castle. Guided tours are available to this castle as well.

Neuschwanstein Castle Tickets

We had booked a guided tour of the castle. Photography is strictly prohibited inside. And guided tours are managed by the Bavarian Palace Department. There are guided tours available every half hour. The guided tour inside the castle was okay. You will have to take a guided tour to access the castle, so there is no way out.

  • Adult Entry : 13 euros
  • Children under the age of 18 years: Free (reservations are still required)

There are restoration work going on when we visited the castle. Based on the Neuschwanstein Castle official website, some of the castle rooms are still being restored, and will be completed by April 2019.

Neuschwanstein Castle History

Here is the stunning Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle Views

The castle is indeed, very beautiful, inside and out. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat from public life. He ascended the Bavarian throne at the early age of 18 years and was inexperienced in matters of war and administration. He paid for this palace out of his personal fortune and by means of extensive borrowing. The castle was left incomplete after Ludwig II’s untimely death.

Neuschwanstein Castle Close up

Neuschwanstein Castle is the most visited castle in the world and the Bavarian state receives a lot of revenue from the 3 castles that King Ludwig II built. Not to mention Neuschwanstein tops that list in incurring revenue for the state.

The castle construction work began in 1869 and by 1886, King Ludwig was living there. Despite its sheer size – 14 finished rooms – the kings court or office was not a part of the castle.

The Castle is built out of bricks, limestone and wood and its architecture is Romanesque revival style. The Mary’s bridge was originally made out of wood and was later replaced by steel.

An enormous amount of money was spent in building this castle and Ludwig only slept here for 11 nights, when he passed away unexpectedly (death due to drowning). When King Ludwig II died the Neuschwanstein Castle was far from completion. A lot of the castle wings were still in scaffolding. Due to the mounting debt, the Castle was opened for public viewing shortly after the king’s death.

Many of the near completed structures were either left as is or simplified to avoid further expenses.

Guide to the Neuschwanstein Castle Interiors

The guided tour of the Neuschwanstein Castle takes you through the 3rd and 4th floors of the building. This is where the kings room and apartments are. The tour ends on the 2nd floor where cafes and souvenirs stores are located. The second floor was incomplete when the King Ludwig II died.

In the third floor, you will see the stunning Throne Hall, king’s bedroom and the dressing room, study room and the lower hall. On the fourth floor, there is another Throne Hall (equal size like the one on the third floor), Upper Hall and a Singer’s Hall.

The ground floor has a royal kitchen and it is open for visitors. Washrooms are also located here.

Photography is not allowed inside, but we can tell you the Throne Hall and the Singer’s Hall were stunning.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle Tips

Here are some important things to keep in mind while preparing for your day trip to the Neuschwanstein Castle

Best Time to Visit Neuschwanstein Castle

  • Best time to visit Neuschwanstein Castle – November through April are considered as slow season and you will find ample photography opportunities. We visited in March and didn’t see any huge line-ups outside or inside of the castle
  • During winters, hiking trail and the Mary’s Bridge might be closed due to safety reasons (slippery surface, snow or rock fall). Please check the advisory before embarking on the trails.

Do you need to take a guided tour of the Neuschwanstein Castle?

  • Let me repeat, guided tours are mandatory for touring the inside of the Neuschwanstein Castle. Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket counter.
  • During summer or busy months, it is recommended that tickets and reservations be made in advance. If you are booking a day tour to Neuschwanstein Castle, the tour company will reserve the spots for you and you pay them later.

Is photography allowed at the Neuschwanstein Castle?

  • Photographing the Neuschwanstein Castle from outside is allowed.
  • Photography is prohibited inside. Drones are also NOT allowed.
  • If you wish to photograph the interiors, prior approval from the Bavaria State Department is required. Apply for approval here.

What is NOT allowed at the Neuschwanstein Castle?

  • If traveling with children, strollers or prams are NOT allowed inside.
  • Animals are NOT allowed inside as well.
  • Food and drink is not allowed inside. Including luggage and other bulky items.

Can you get married at Neuschwanstein Castle?

Wedding or ceremony of any kind is NOT permitted inside the Neuschwanstein Castle. You can however, get married at the castle entrance or on your hiking path towards the castle – that offers the Neuschwanstein Castle as a back drop.

Same thing for proposals. Let me tell you, it is SO romantic though!

Can you stay at the Neuschwanstein Castle?

  • No you cannot. You can however stay in Fussen or nearby areas to access the Neuschwanstein Castle easily.

Where to stay near Neuschwanstein Castle?

Here are a few options for you.

  • Hotel Villa Ludwig – The TOP rated hotel in Schwangau, for amazing castle views, hospitality and beautiful rooms. This is not a luxury hotel by price, but offers great value. Check out this hotel and book your stay  Hotel Villa Ludwig
  • Hotel Das Rübezahl – Located less then 5 kilometre from the Neuschwanstein Castle, this hotel has an outdoor pool and spa with amazing mountain views. Book your stay at the Hotel Das Rübezahl
  • Hotel und Gasthof Hanselewirt – Located less then 5 kilometres (or 2.6 miles) from the Neuschwanstein Castle. Bavarian style hotel with a roof top beer garden. Book your stay at the Hotel und Gasthof Hanselewirt    

Exploring more of Fussen, with a cheese platter

After exploring the Neuschwanstein Castle, we returned to the Romantic Road again, and this time for lunch. We visited a cheese farm and their owners presented us with delicious cheese and sausage platters.

This platter of cheese was more than enough for the two of us. You can request to create any kind of platters and all within reasonable budget (8 euros to 20 euros, depending on size of platter)

Here is a view of the Cheese farm and their restaurant – KaseHaus.

Cheese platter and their restaurant - KaseHaus

Pilgrimage Church of Wies

Couple of hours in to our road journey and it finally stopped raining. Our last stop for the day was the Pilgrimage Church of Wies .

Entrance of the Pilgrimage Church of Wies

The Pilgrimage Church of Wies is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is an rococo style church, designed in the 18th century by brothers John Baptiste and Dominikus Zimmermann. It is located in the foothills of the Alps, in the municipality of Steingaden in the Weilheim-Schongau district.

The interior of the Pilgrimage Church of Wies is gorgeous with its frescoes and the golden intricate details.

Pilgrimage Church of Wies

As its a UNESCO site, this place is frequented by visitors, unlike the baroque style church we visited in the morning. There are restaurants and gardens within the church grounds, for visitors to access.

Hope you found this guide helpful. You should definitely include one day of your Munich- Bavaria Itinerary to visit Fussen and the beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle.

More Germany Travel Resources for your trip

  • Exploring Munich in one day 
  • Day trip to Nuremberg from Munich 
  • Dachau Day trip from Munich 

Last Update: January 24 2019

Disclaimer : This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

Pin – Visit Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich to Fussen (+Bavarian Villages)

Exploring the Bavarian villages and the Neuschwanstein Castle came as a pleasant surprise on our trip to Germany. The Bavarian countryside is beautiful and something you don't want to miss. And the Neuschwanstein Castle is simply marvelous and the history behind it is equally interesting. Read the article for more

Mayuri is the founder & editor of ToSomePlaceNew. An Indian-Canadian globetrotter, she has traveled to over 100 cities and 40+ countries.

Mayuri has a graduate degree in History and is an MBA. She loves traveling the world particularly Europe, capturing historical nuances, and discussing that over a cup of coffee with her husband, Salil. 

She has lived in Portugal, Canada and India.

Similar Posts

10 Best Day Tours from Paris – History | Wine | Disney

10 Best Day Tours from Paris – History | Wine | Disney

Francois I, the king of France, rightly said, “Paris isn’t a city, it’s a world”. Definitely, there are lots to see and explore in Paris and each day you spend here will definitely take your breath away. We explored the Parisian highlights in 4 days and then we were greedy. We wanted to experience a…

Best German Souvenirs: 20 Unique things to buy in Germany

Best German Souvenirs: 20 Unique things to buy in Germany

Planning a trip to Germany? Well, while you’re thinking about packing, itineraries, and plane tickets, your friends and family are surely thinking about what presents you’ll be bringing home. Luckily, this beautiful country is a great place for some souvenir shopping. In this guide, we will share the best German souvenirs that you must bring…

6 Best Akureyri Whale Watching Tours (eco-certified)

6 Best Akureyri Whale Watching Tours (eco-certified)

Planning a trip to Iceland’s north? Do add one of these best Akureyri whale watching tours to your itinerary.  Whale watching is a popular activity in Akureyri and nearby areas such as Husavik. In this guide, we will share the top 3 whale watching tours in Akureyri that are eco-certified, and also share tips and…

11 Absolute Best Amalfi Coast Wine Tours

11 Absolute Best Amalfi Coast Wine Tours

The Amalfi Coast is a world-renowned destination for its stunning coastal scenery, but did you know that it also produces some of Italy’s most celebrated wines? If you are wondering where to go, then check out these best Amalfi Coast wine tours to embark on! The Amalfi area boasts a unique mix of soil and…

Is the Glacier Express worth it? Glacier Express Review

Is the Glacier Express worth it? Glacier Express Review

The Glacier Express is a popular train ride that takes passengers through the Swiss Alps. It is one of the most scenic train rides in the world, and many people wonder – is the Glacier Express worth it for its price tag? Stretching from Zermatt to St. Moritz (and vice versa), this unforgettable journey takes you…

Balkan Tour Packages: 6 Balkan Tours worth taking

Balkan Tour Packages: 6 Balkan Tours worth taking

Looking for best Balkan tour packages or escorted Balkan tours? You are in the right spot. In our recent trip to the Balkan nations, we did a mix of guided tours, independent travel (aka leisurely wanderings), and went through a long list of transportation options (from buses, ferries to private transfers). So, here are the…

13 Comments

Where was the 6th picture taken from? It looks stunning!

This picture was taken just before reaching the castle grounds. We took a detour and entered a field and took this picture. When you drive to the castle grounds you will see many farms, just take one 🙂

Great idea! Thanks 😊

Your photos are really atmospheric, I love them! I always thought Germany was very romantic, but I love your shot of the Romantic Road. I do enjoy a hunt for a castle across Europe

Thats very sweet of you. Thank you – the Bavarian countryside is very beautiful!

The walls of the Pfarrkirche Maria Geburt look beautiful. And I’m so jealous you’ve been to Neuschwanstein Castle. It’s been on my bucket list for years, but I haven’t made it there yet. Your post reminds me I must go there this year. 🙂 Lovely read.

Oh you should. Let me know if I can help you in any way in planning the trip <3

Great place! I plan to go this year!

Happy Travels! Enjoy Germany <3

I like the valuable info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I am quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!

I am glad you enjoy my articles. Thank you visiting, I hope its helpful when you craft your travels! Happy Exploring 🙂

These pictures are nice shots and inspiring. Love how the fog made it scenic. I plan to follow the itinerary in this article for this summer trip. Could you confirm at what time did you go for the castle tour?

Thanks so much Aldo! For the guided tour of the castle, we went in at 12:15 pm. The ticket will have the time slot on it and please arrive 5-10 minutes before time. Visitors usually line up by time-slots and you don’t wanna miss 🙂 Happy Travels! Have fun on your trip!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

TheMunichGuide

15 famous castles near Munich, Germany

A massive list of the 15 most famous palaces and fairy tale castles near munich written by a local..

I bet, 9 out of 10 tourists visiting Munich come here to see one of our fairy tale castles. You might have seen pictures of Neuschwanstein castle already, but there are many more. In fact, almost every small town in Bavaria will have a little ruin or restored medieval fortress . There are just so many! This is exactly why I put together this list of the best castles near Munich.

And here is the good news: There are actually 5 castles in Munich itself ! This means, you don’t need to even need to leave the city limit (though you definitely should, as there are more than 20 amazing day trips ).

Neuschwanstein castle and hohenschwangau castle in Füssen

It probably needs no pointers, but you really should know that there are some amazing churches, museums, and parks in Munich. So, definitely also check out my list of the 20 best things to do in Munich . There is more to Bavaria’s capital than just palaces and ancient castles.

Note: I earn a small commission for purchases through GetYourGuide links in this article at no additional cost to you .

1. Nymphenburg Palace

Nymphenburg palace in the North-west of Munich as seen from the park

The fantastic Nymphenburg Palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Munich (it’s part of my 3-day itinerary ). The stunning baroque complex was once the summer palace of the Bavarian prince-electors and kings . Inside, you’ll find a mesmerizing mix of beautiful staterooms and a stunning central festive hall with outstanding frescos and stucco.

The huge landscape park around Schloss Nymphenburg will be the actual highlight, though. There are actually 4 more little palaces hidden in the forest . Each and everyone a little gem itself. There is the Badenburg, which is like a bathing palace, or the china-inspired Pagodenburg. I personally love the pure silver interiors of the Amalienburg, while others might love the secluded Magdalenenklause. It’s definitely among the top photo locations in Munich and a particularly nice place to visit in autumn .

The stone haal with frescoes inside Nymphenburg Palace in Munich

You’ll also find two outstanding museums (actually there are 4) there as well. Definitely don’t skip the Marstallmuseum (full of golden fairy tale carriages) or the Porcelain Museum (read my list of the 20 best museums in Munich for some more details).

Recommended tour: You should consider buying a ticket for the Hop-on-Hop-Off bus , as it’s the easiest connection to see tourist attractions outside the city center. It’s not much more expensive than the day ticket for public transport, but faster, as you can easily continue to Olympic Park/ BMW world, etc.

How to get there: Simply take tram #17 from the central station in Munich towards Amalienburgstraße and get out at Castle Nymphenburg.

2. Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein castle in winter - only a short day trip from Munich away

Schloss Neuschwanstein hardly needs an introduction. It’s probably among the top 50 most photographed places in the world , and once you stand in front of it, you’ll clearly know why: This fairy tale castle is just beyond beautiful.

And it really is a fairy tale. It looks like a medieval fortress. Know then, that King Ludwig II. only built it in the middle of the 19th century because he wanted to escape into a medieval fantasy world. It never got finished and almost bankrupted the house Wittelsbacher, which is the very reason the castle got opened to the public only a couple of days after the king’s untimely death. Here is how to visit from Munich .

Neuschwanstein Castel as seen from the Marienbrücke in Schwangau

Make sure to hike (10 minutes) to the Marienbrücke where you see the classic panorama of the castle . Also, be aware that getting tickets is a bit more complicated in summer. It’s probably best to book a tour because they got access to a special contingent. Otherwise, you have to be very early as the few available time slots sell out very fast.

Recommended tour: The most popular bus tour to Neuschwanstein castle (I tested it and it’s very well organized) | There is also a luxury bus tour available

How to get there: It is possible to get to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich with public transport, but it’s a bit more complicated. You have to take the regional train (BRB) to Füssen. From here, there is a bus (#78) that will take you to the foot of the mountain. You’ll have to walk the rest. Here is how to take the train to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich .

3. Residence Palace

The Munich Residence Palace in the hart of Bavaria's capital

If you are short on time, then the Münchner Residenz is probably your best choice. I actually included it in my 24 hours Munich itinerary . This palace was once the seat of the Bavarian Kings and prince-electors and is absolutely gigantic. There are more than 130 official staterooms and apartments in the gigantic city palace and it takes around 4 hours to see them all.

The Antiquarium inside the Munich Residence Palace

It’s definitely worth to bring some extra time to see the outstanding Treasury Museum on the ground floor and I generally don’t recommend taking the express tour, because there are few places on this planet where you can see a wider selection of beautiful staterooms from all different periods.

Inside the fantastic Cuvilliés Theater of the Munich Residence palace

Also, don’t miss the Cuvilliés Theater. It’s an authentic Rococo court theater which you will find in one of the courtyards (it’s a different entrance). Just make sure you get the combination ticket where both the treasury museum and the theater are included.

How to get there: It’s directly in Munich city center. You can walk from the subway stations Marienplatz or Odeonsplatz (5 minutes).

4. Schleissheim Palace

The baroque masterpiece Schleissheim Palace - one of the best and shortest day trips from Munich

Munich has many little hidden gems, and Schloss Schleissheim is definitely one of them. So very few international tourists come here. Which is quite the pitty because the fantastic baroque ensemble is nothing short of breathtaking. It’s also one of the very few places in Europe with an intact baroque garden .

The grand gallery inside Schleissheim palace near Munich

It only survived because the palace built by Max Emanuel of Bavaria fell into disuse after his death (as later generations preferred Nymphenburg). You should also know, that the ensemble actually consists of three palaces and that there is a beautiful little pleasure palace located at the end of the huge park: Schloss Lustheim. Inside, you’ll now find a priceless collection of very early European porcelain quite worth seeing.

How to get there: Take the suburban train S1 from Hauptbahnhof (to the airport) and get out in Oberschleißheim. From here, you can take bus #292 for 2 stops or walk.

5. Hohenschwangau Castle

Hohenschwangau castle near Füssen in Winter

Did you know there is another castle right next to Neuschwanstein ? In fact, there is yet another castle in nearby Füssen as well, but as a tourist, you should definitely consider visiting Schloss Hohenschwangau.

Hohenschwangau and Alpsee panorama

Why? Well, Neuschwanstein is a fantasy. It’s beautiful, but you won’t see anything even closely resembling what a true medieval Bavarian castle would have looked like. Hohenschwangau is a 19th-century reconstruction of a medieval castle ruin and inside you’ll get the real deal. While there are some later additions, it’s more or less pure and authentic. Fun fact: The descendants of the Bavarian kings still own one of the wings of the castle.

Recommended tour: Here is an excellent Neuschwanstein tour where you also visit Hohenschwangau

How to get there: It’s the same as getting to Neuschwanstein castle (see above).

6. Linderhof Palace

Linderhof palace near Ettal, Germany in SUmmer

King Ludwig II was an industrious monarch – at least when it came to building palaces and castles. Much to his dislike, he didn’t wield any real power so he lived most of his life secluded from public and Linderhof palace was his first and only finished project. It’s a very intimate palace with only a handful of rooms – but built to give the king utter privacy.

Linderhof palace in winter after a fresh snow fall

Make sure to take a full tour of the gardens as there are some marvelous little gems scattered around the majestic expanse. I personally love the Moorish pavilion with its fantasy peacock throne, but you should also tour the artificial grotto where King Ludwig had Wagner Operas performed!.

Recommended tour: This is the tour to Neuschwanstein castle that also stops at Linderhof

How to get there: I really recommend booking a tour or renting a car for this one. It’s faster and easier. But you can take the regional train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Then take bus 9606 to Ettal and then transfer to bus 9622 to Linderhof.

9. Burghausen Castle

The entrance to the Burghausen Castle

The Burg zu Burghausen is the longest castle in the world . Construction of the current building probably started around 1025 AD and the six consecutive castle courtyards reach a total length of 1051 meters. Research suggests that the place has been inhabited as early as the 16th century BC, but other than a scan few (invisible) remains of a wall, nothing from the bronze age settlement remains.

Sunset at Burghausen Castle with the little medieval chapel in the middle

Starting from the high medieval ages, the castle became an important seat of power for a sideline of the ruling Bavarian dukes . Together with its excellent military location, the castle was expanded multiple times to allow enough rooms for weapons and people and played an important role in the Thirty Year’s war. Today there are still people living in parts of the castle, but the majority of Burghausen fortress is a museum you can visit.

How to get there: Take the regional train to Markt Schwaben and then transfer in Mühldorf to the regional train to Burghausen.

8. Herrenchiemsee Palace

Herrenchiemsee Palace as seen from the park in early spring

I already mentioned King Ludwig II of Bavaria twice in this article and I need to do it one more time because he also built Schloss Herrenchiemsee . The king was a huge fan of Ludwig XIV (because of his sheer absolute power) and wanted a place like Versaille . Plans started as early 1869 but construction only started in 1878 – four years after his first successful visit of the French counterpart.

It is, by far, the most expensive and ambitious project and was never completed. Only the staterooms and the central staircase got finished (but those are incredibly impressive!). The king himself only ended up spending 9 full days at Herrenchiemsee Palace before his untimely death. Still, the setting on the lonely island on Lake Chiemsee is incredibly beautiful and the garden well worth a walk.

How to get there: You have to take the regional train from the central station to Prien am Chiemsee. Then, you have to walk to the harbor and catch the next fairy.

9. Nuremberg castle

Nuremberg's Kaiserburg castle near Munich

The city of Nuremberg is only one hour away from Munich by train and that time is well spent if you want to see a true medieval castle . The Kaiserburg in Nuremberg played an important military role between the 12th and 15th centuries. In fact, the German emperor held variously national diet meetings ( Reichstage ) in the castle. You can still visit the reconstructed chambers from that time.

The medieval chapel inside Nuremberg castle

Sadly, Nuremberg was heavily bombed during World War II and the castle was hit as well. Only the chapel, quite through a miracle, survived almost intact. The rest was reconstructed in the 1950ies. Fun fact: The imposing stables right next to the castle was turned into a youth hostel in 1937 . So, if you are looking for castles near Munich you can stay in, this could be your best (and cheapest) bet.

How to get there: There are frequent highspeed trains (like every 20 minutes) from the central station to Nuremberg (takes just 1 hour; don’t take the regional train, it takes twice as long). From here you have to walk through the old town (or take the taxi).

10. Blutenburg castle

The wide water moat around Blutenburg castle in Munich

Sometimes you don’t need to drive far to visit an amazing place, and Schloss Blutenburg on the outskirts of Munich is certainly a testament to that rule. The small castle from the 15th century with its big water moat is one of the lesser-known sites in Bavaria’s capital and very few tourists come to visit.

The beautiful chapel inside Blutenburg castle in Munich

There are probably two reasons: Other than a beautiful gothic chapel from the 15th century, nothing of the original interiors remains. Today there is a library inside. And of course, the other big castles in Munich are probably a bit more impressive. Still, if you got the time, it’s a beautiful place to visit in summer, as there is a little beer garden right under the wall . Also, there is a Christmas market every year inside the courtyard which is well worth noting!

How to get there: Take suburban train S2 to Altomünster and get out in Obermenzingen. Bus #143 to Freiham will get you directly to the front of Blutenburg Castle.

11. Salzburg Fortress

Salzburg castle and old town in Austria

The city of Salzburg counts among the most popular day trips from Munich and the medieval fortress abutting the UNESCO World Heritage old town is just one of the reasons. The Hohensalzburg (essentially translates as “high castle salt”) was the seat of power of the mighty bishops of Salzburg until the late medieval ages .

Starting from the Baroque times, most of them started to live in palaces outside the city walls, but it served an important military function until the 17th century and was continuously expanded. What I personally love about it is not the sheer size of it (though it counts as one of the biggest castles in Europe) but rather the fact that you can still visit medieval state apartments.

The Prince's Chambers inside Salzburg castle

And let me tell you when they ask if you want to buy the cheap ticket for the standard tour or the more expensive ticket with the Prince’s Chambers , then DON’T thinks for a second to go on the short tour. It sounds like you are paying 3 euros for seeing only two more rooms, but those two rooms are the only truly furnished and spectacular rooms inside the whole fortress (the rest is bare walls).

Recommended tour: Guided bus tour from Munich

How to get there: Take the direct train from the central station (make sure it’s a EuroCity) and make sure you take your passport as you will be crossing the border to Austria (sometimes there are checks on the train). Take a bus to the old town and then you have to ride the funicular up to the castle.

12. Regensburg Castle

The Thurn und Taxiscastlen Regensburg

Tranquil Regensburg is quite a special place, as here you will find the biggest palace in Germany which is still owned by the original family and is still in use . In fact, you might actually see Princess Thurn und Taxis on your tour through her palace. Naturally, you are only allowed to see the old staterooms and not her private apartments.

The grand ballroom inside Thurn und Taxis castle

Still, the powerful house of Thurn and Taxis was responsible for the German postal service for almost 500 years and amassed wealth beyond measure in that time. Regensburg was also the place where the perpetual diet of the holy roman emperor sat from 1663 to 1806. In the later years, the emperor wasn’t present any longer. Only a powerful principal commissioner and the house of Thurn und Taxis was able to hold this (very expensive office) from 1741 until the end in 1806. This is the very reason you will find an imperial throne room inside the Thurn und Taxis Palace .

How to get there: There are regular trains from Munich to Regensburg. Once there, it’s only a short walk to the castle.

13. Würzburg Residence

The Würzburg residence place in Autumn as seen from the garden

After you have seen everything in Munich itself, you should consider doing a day trip to Würzburg. Here you can see the lavish Würzburger Residence, which is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site . Mark my words: You won’t see a more beautifully decorated palace in Germany anywhere else.

There are countless frescos by the Italian genius Tiepolo inside and the staterooms are nothing short of breathtaking. In fact, you’ll find the largest ceiling fresco in the world in the main stair house.

The staircase with the huge by Tiepolo inside the Würzburg Residence

Definitely join one of the tours of the emperor’s apartments (the tour is included in your entrance fee) to see the famous mirror cabinet. Also, don’t miss the beautiful chapel which you will find in one of the courtyards of the palace. Tiepolo couldn’t work on the frescos in winter (as it was too cold for the plaster), so he furnished the chapel with a couple of beautiful oil paintings.

The marienburg in Würzburg as seen from the alte mainbrücke

There is also a medieval castle in Würzburg (the so-called Marienburg ) but it burned out during World War II, so it is just a lovely from outside. These days, you’ll find a museum inside, but no original interiors.

How to get there: Take the highspeed train (ICE) from Munich central station (2 hours, don’t take the regional train as it will take above 3 hours). From here you can either walk or catch a bus (like #554) from the bus terminal in front of the station in Würzburg.

14. Kaltenberg castle

Kaltenberg castle near Munich

Schloss Kaltenberg is quite the average Bavarian castle. Local’s would tell you the place is not special at all, and they wouldn’t be wrong either save for the fact this medieval castle still remains in the positions of the descendants of the Bavarian kings and one of them (prince Luitpold of Bavaria) actually still lives there. Which means you can’t go inside.

two knights with lances at the kaltenberger rittertournier

But here is the thing: Once a year the prince of Bavaria hosts a medieval knight tournament on the meadows in front of the castle. The Kaltenberger Rittertournier is one of the largest medieval festivals in the world and your main reason to visit the castle in summer. It always takes place on three weekends in July. Here is the website.

How to get there: You have to rent a car. As an alternative, you could take the S4 to Geltendorf and then either walk or try to catch a taxi to the castle. Sometimes, there are shuttle buses for big events.

15. Alter Hof castle

The alter hof castle in Munich, Germany

Last, but certainly not least, I want to mention the only true castle in Munich itself . Before the Bavarian dukes moved into the Residence Palace (back then known as Neue Veste ) in the 16th century, they lived in an old medieval castle. Most of the Alter Hof (old court) was destroyed in the 19th century, but the late gothic west wing still exists.

The castle was renovated in 2007 and you can now visit a little free museum in the ancient gothic cellar . As a tourist, you’ll also find an info point in the basement. The Bavarian National Museum (make sure to visit, it is a-mazing!) still has a couple of exhibits from the old court, especially the famous ancestor cycle of house Wittelsbach from the 15th century.

How to get there: You can easily walk from the Odeonsplatz or Marienplatz subway stations.

Other castles near Munich

The old court in Bamberg with the cathedral behind it

I already mentioned 15 castles in Munich and the cities around it, but there are in fact quite a couple of other places you could visit. Dachau (where you will also find the concentration camp from the Nazi times ) has an old palace with a beautiful renaissance ceiling. Bamberg also has quite the spectacular palace and the remains of an old court. The Veste Oberhaus in Passau or Trausnitz Castle in Landshut could be an option as well.

Essentially, you will find a little palace or castle in every city in Bavaria . It’s why I think Munich is so worth visiting ! Often, the city hall or a library is installed these days. Germany was, you have to know, split into a thousand little shires for almost a thousand year and each and every little aristocrat had to represent their power one way or another.

In the 19th century, there was a big medieval revival and a lot of old castles were reconstructed or built from scratch. I did, however, mention the most important castles near Munich is this article. But if you ever take the car through Bavaria and leave the highways, you’ll be amazed how many other smaller ruins and castles there are.

Inside the beautiful Justizpalast in Munich

Also, there is one more “palace” in Munich you should be aware of. The Palace of Justice (Justizpalast) at Karlsplatz. It’s quite a beautiful spot and free to enter. Find out more about the Justizpalast here .

So, this was my guide to the most famous castles near Munich. I hope I was able to give you a good overview and you can now plan your Bavaria itinerary. Still, feel free to ask any questions in the comments.

The 15 most famous castles near Munich, Germany you need to visit. A local's guide to the best places and castles in Munich and all the surrounding areas. Plan your perfect Munich itinerary.

1 thought on “15 famous castles near Munich, Germany”

This is very detailed with supporting pictures! Thank you so much! You gave me and my boyfriend a lot of great ideas of where to go in Munich! Thank youuuuu!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

* Checkbox GDPR is required

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The 5 Best Neuschwanstein Castle Tours 🏰 [2024 Reviews]

Built by Ludwig II of Bavaria, it’s a very interesting attraction in that it’s kind of a paradox. When constructed, castles were no longer necessary to guard a city while featuring sensationalized medieval design.

It’s actually the inspiration for the iconic Disney Cinderella’s castle. As the most visited castle in all of Germany, we highly recommend taking a tour so you aren’t waiting for hours to get in.

We have all the top tours of the Neuschwanstein castle from Munich right here, so you don’t have to wonder which ones are worth it.

Be sure to see our reviews of Eagle’s Nest Tours and Eagle’s Nest Tours .

Best Neuschwanstein Castle Tours From Munich

Quick answer: the 5 best rated tours of the neuschwanstein castle.

  • Neuschwanstein Castle & Linderhof Premium Tour From Munich 
  • VIP Tour to The Royal Castles Neuschwanstein and Linderhof from Munich
  • Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip From Munich
  • Private Mini Van Tour to Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof, Ettal & Oberammergau
  • Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip by Van From Munich

Neuschwanstein Castle Tour Reviews

1. neuschwanstein castle & linderhof premium tour from munich.

  • Duration: 10.5 hours
  • Departure: In front of GALERIA Kaufhof
  • Departure Time: Morning
  • Includes:  Skip-the-line tickets, g uide, s nacks, d rinks on board,  Wi-Fi

Why not visit one legendary German castle when you can knock two out in one day? The From Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle & Linderhof Premium Tour will take you there and pack in a lot more fun throughout the day. If you’d like to explore German history and some of the most beautiful places in all of Europe, buckle up because you’re in for a ride!

Meet up with your guide early in the morning in front of Galeria Kaufhof so you can get back in time for dinner. You’ll be boarding a luxury bus with plush seats, nice features, and more than enough space to kick back and relax.

Your driver will also serve as your tour guide, sharing interesting historical and local information as you go. Plenty of snacks and drinks are available on board, along with wi-fi to make sure you’re always connected.

We highly recommend donning some good walking shoes, because you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Once you arrive to Neuschwanstein, your guide will lead you through the crowds so there’s no waiting in line for tickets.

While there is a shuttle bus that takes you up, you will have to walk down which can take at least half an hour. The castle is absolutely breathtaking, and really does look like something out of a fairytale.

Set against a lush countryside, you’ll have plenty of time to take photos and learn all about the castle.

Head along the legendary Romantische Straße (Romantic Road) and stop for lunch or head to the Marienbrücke bridge. Lunch here is absolutely delicious!

Then, you’ll see the picturesque village of Oberammergau known for its woodcarving, intricately-frescoed buildings, and its Passion Play which is only performed once every 10 years!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other experiences you may enjoy:, 2. vip tour to the royal castles neuschwanstein and linderhof from munich.

  • Duration: 11 hours
  • Departure: Sonnenstraße 1, 80331 München
  • Departure Time: 9 am
  • Includes: Transportation, snacks, soda, air-conditioned vehicle, entrance fees for both castles

Next up, we bring you a very similar tour to our first one, with some notable differences. The VIP Tour to the Royal Castles Neuschwanstein and Linderhof from Munich will take you to these two iconic castles and ensure you won’t be waiting around.

Seeing both castles on public transport or by driving yourself is just so much more complicated so sit back and enjoy the ride!

Meet up early in the morning with your driver/guide who will pick you up in a luxury van. This mode of transport will save you approximately 4 hours of travel time, which you can use instead for exploring and learning! On board, you’ll learn all about the area and its history, along with that of the castles.

With snacks and soft drinks on board, you’ll be all fueled up, hydrated, and ready to go once you arrive! The first item on the list is Schloss Linderhof, which was inspired for France’s opulent Palace of Versailles.

You can definitely see the similarities, with an enormous courtyard, gold statues, and fountains. Take about an hour to walk around, and even visit the gift shop for some interesting souvenirs.

On the way to Schloss Neuschwanstein, you’ll pass by Oberammergau and its church, which are absolutely stunning! The frescoed buildings are sure to be something new for everyone, and is more than picturesque.

Once you arrive to Neuschwanstein, you’ll have plenty of time to go to the Marienbrücke bridge which offers some of the best photos of the castle. Next up, you’ll go to the actual castle, passing the line of people waiting to buy tickets.

Learn all about its history, walk around, and then head out for a delicious lunch and relax your feet!

3. Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip From Munich

  • Duration: 9.5 hours
  • Departure:  Dachauer Straße 4 in Munich
  • Departure Time: Contact tour operator
  • Includes: Transportation, full d ay trip to Füssen and Neuschwanstein Castles, f ully-guided tours

The From Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip Tour is a slightly shorter option than the other two we’ve covered so far. Instead of seeing Linderhof, you’ll instead see the enchanting town of Füssen, Hohenschwangau Castle, and more.

If you want to learn about German history and see some of the most breathtaking places Europe has, this is the tour for you. This tour will start off in the morning time, with departures either at 9:30 am or 10:30 am – depending on which one you prefer.

Most of the tour transportation will take place on a cozy, comforting train while some will take place on comfortable, private buses. If you’re on the hunt for one of the best all-day tours for the entire family, we highly recommend this one.

The entire train ride is gorgeous, with lush greenery as far as the eyes can see. It’s an incredible moment when you start seeing Neuschwanstein Castle come into view, perfectly placed atop a hill with forested mountain peaks complementing the turrets.

You’ll skip the line to buy tickets and choose to either walk or be transported by carriage/shuttle up to the castle where you’ll see the huge valley from the foot of the castle walls.

Your guide will tell you all about the history of the castle as you walk around the grounds, including the “mad” King Ludwig II who wanted to and eventually became a legend himself. Constructed in the 19 th century, it has inspired many stories such as Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle which is the centerpiece of Disneyland today.

Your guide will take you to the best vantage points, not only of the castle but of the waterfall gorge, and Merienbrücke bridge suspended in the air! Included in your ticket, you’ll also have access to a VIP interior tour of the king’s private chambers by a guide who is a specialist in these castles.

4. Private Mini Van Tour to Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof, Ettal & Oberammergau

  • Duration: 8 to 11 hours
  • Departure: Hotel pickup and drop-off included
  • Departure Time: 8:30 am
  • Includes:  Driver/guide, live commentary on board, professional guide, private tour

Our next tour is a comprehensive one that’ll take you to many of the top destinations in the country. The Private Mini Van Tour to Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof, Ettal & Oberammergau is pretty self-explanatory with its title.

With a small group size of maximum 8 people, you’ll be able to see so much more than if you were to partake in a large group tour!

To start off, you’ll be picked up bright and early in your hotel lobby. This is particularly convenient because you won’t have to spend more time or money organizing separate transportation to an outside meetup point.

From the very beginning, we knew that our guide would play a big role in making our tour so great thanks to their knowledge, efficiency, and friendliness.

Hop on your private transport and head straight to Linderhof Palace. Keep in mind that this tour is optional, so if you and the rest of your group aren’t interested you can continue on to Ettal Monastery and Basilica.

However, Linderhof is grandiose, and clearly inspired by the Palace of Versailles with its gold statues, and luxury at every turn.

Ettal Monastery was originally founded in the 1300’s but completely rebuilt in the 1700’s due to a massive fire. With Baroque and Rococo architecture, this imposing church rises above the countryside at the foot of the Alps. The interior is just as impressive with intricate carvings, statues, and more in gold and marble.

Continue on in the private transport vehicle, where you’ll arrive at Neuschwanstein. Skip the line of people waiting to get in, and start your hike up to the castle! Your guide will lead you through the grounds, telling you all about its interesting background and how it came to be from Ludwig II.

After you’ve explored Schloss Neuschwanstein and its fairytale-like appearance, head to Oberammergau Church and the charming little village it’s located in! This is definitely another highlight of the tour, and we highly suggest checking out their Christmas market!

5. Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip by Van From Munich

  • Duration: 9 hours
  • Includes:   Hotel pickup and drop-off, t our guide, s cenic drive along Bavaria’s Romantic Road, w alking tour of Neuschwanstein Castle

Bavaria is undoubtedly one of the most endearing, picturesque areas in all of Europe. If you want to explore it adequately in just one day, our next tour is a comprehensive one.

The From Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip by Van Tour will take you not only to see incredible pieces of architecture, but to the quaint villages that add so much character to Bavaria.

This is another tour that includes both hotel drop-off and pickup, and thanks to the small group sizes you don’t have to sit around waiting for everyone else.

Begin your scenic drive along the Romantic Road in the Bavarian Alps, which is lined with endless countryside and mountains on either side. The large windows of the van are perfect for viewing it all, or even taking some photos and videos without any obstructions.

On the way to Neuschwanstein, you’ll stop by different little villages which are so fascinating! The architecture, frescos, and wood carvings are so unique and are always a favorite among guests.

This is a great way to stretch the legs, get some fresh air, and take restroom breaks, as well. Once you get to Neuschwanstein, your guide will hop out and ensure you skip the long lines to head straight to the castle.

This 19 th -century masterpiece is simply magnificent, with its turrets raising high in the air along with the mountain peaks in the background.

The Hohenschwangau village in the valley below also looks incredible from here. You’ll learn all about how the palace came to be, thanks to Ludwig II of Bavaria.

Take time to walk through the gorge featuring cascades and waterfalls – it really does look like something out of a storybook. Head to the UNESCO World Heritage Church of Wieskirche which is an oval rococo church built in the late 1740s by the Zimmermann brothers.

This is one of the most important places of pilgrimage in the country, and is still used for church services today.

Why You Should Visit Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is in Bavarian region and is one of the most popular castles in the world. I’m sure you recognize it as the castle from Walt Disney’s Cinderella.

  • Historical significance : Neuschwanstein Castle was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and was his personal resisdence. It is a stunning example of Romanesque Revival architecture and is one of the most visited castles in Europe.
  • Beautiful setting : Neuschwanstein castle is not just the only thing to look at, the surroundinng mountains and forests are just as beautiful. It overlooks the Alpsee lake and gives you amazing views of the surrounding area.
  • Unique design : The interior has intricate wood carvings, beautiful murals and lavish furnishings. Visitors can take a guided tour the castle while admiring its unique design and architecture.
  • Accessibility : Neuschwanstein Castle is easy to get to from Munich by train or bus. There are quite a few tour companies that have guided tours of the castle. We highlight our favorites above.
  • Rich cultural experience : Neuschwanstein Castle is a unique cultural experience where tourists can learn about the history and culture of Bavaria. The castle should be high on the list of places to go for anyone in Bavaria.

Whether you are interested in history, architecture or just want to see the stunning scenery, don’t miss the opportunity for a visit.

Munich Tour Guide

Getting there.

It’s really easy to get to Munich, thanks to the fact that it’s so well-connected to other European cities. As the second-busiest airport in Germany, most major airlines service Munich International Airport (MUC) such as EasyJet, Lufthansa, and KLM. From the US, you’ll find much more affordable flights if you depart from New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other major cities.

If you’re coming from a nearby city, taking the train is probably the most relaxing option. You don’t have to deal with airports and the routes there are typically beautiful countryside. The bus is another option within Europe, though will take significantly longer. FlixBus is the top operator here, and you will find multiple trips per day.

Getting Around

German cities are wondrous with public transportation, so you can count on Munich being a breeze to get around.

Train, Tram, Bus – Something we love about Germany’s big cities is how reliable and on-time their public transportation is. The U-Bahn is very popular, with various stops around the city. There are also 8 S-Bahn lines that go through the city center and extend out to the suburbs and right outside the city limits. The buses and trams are helpful for taking you places that aren’t covered by the U-Bahn and S-Bahn lines.

We highly recommend always validating your ticket using the blue machines in the stations, as there are pretty significant fines if you get checked and don’t have your ticket validated. It’s worth checking out the Munich Card which is perfect if you’re going as a tourist, as it also gives discounts to approximately 100 different attractions and tours!

E-Scooters – These have been exploding in popularity, especially among younger residents. Reaching up to almost 13 miles per hour, they’re convenient, especially if you don’t want to deal with parking or just need to travel short distances that wouldn’t make sense to take public transportation for. However, they can be dangerous as a lot of people aren’t used to them. Make sure you’re riding in bike lanes when they’re available as sidewalks are not allowed. While helmets aren’t required we highly recommend using one.

Bike – Good ole biking is still one of the best methods, and you’ll find many people in Munich commute to work or for all errands. There are also e-bikes out there, if you don’t want to work up a sweat before you arrive to your location.

Driving – Driving is possible but is not exactly what we’d recommend due to the crazy traffic at times and difficulty in finding parking.

Rideshare/Taxi – You can easily spot a Munich taxi, thanks to their cream color. Hail one on the street, plan ahead by booking one with your hotel, or use the app FREE NOW to book one.

Walking – One of the best ways to really get to know Munich is on foot. The old town is best explored this way, as it’s completely pedestrianized with large walkways and many neighborhoods located very close by.

Where to Stay

Altstadt – We can’t help but recommend this area above any other, especially if it’s your first time in Munich. This is the center of the city, both geographically and historically. The “Old Town” was originally a medieval walled city and is filled with iconic landmarks like Marienplatz which is the main square with 2 town halls. Residenz palace, Viktualienmarkt food market, and the legendary Hofbräuhaus are all some of the must-sees. Due to its location, it’s super easy to get to any other part of the city as well.

Maxvorstadt – Also known as the “Museum Quarter”, you can expect tons of top-notch museums and art galleries here. There are many beautiful boutique hotels here, so if you’re into art or history this is another great option.

Schwabing – Full of students and beautiful art nouveau architecture, it’s great if you like charming cafes and places to work on your laptop. It also has Englischer Garten which is the biggest inner-city park in the world!

Glockenbachviertel – If you’re into more lively neighborhoods with bars and entertainment aplenty, this is a great option. It’s more “hipster” and definitely the trendiest neighborhood in the city. However, there aren’t many tourist attractions, per se, aside from the Deutsches Museum located on the River Isar.

Haidhausen – This is a charming neighborhood full of restaurants and cafes packed together around the infamous Gasteig. It’s easy to walk around, and gives you more insight into how locals live.

Restaurants and Eating Out

We’ll say this now: Bavarian food is delicious . There are all kinds of bratwurst, pretzels, Spätzle, and so much more to try.

Augustiner Klosterwirt – Located in the center of the city, it’s the perfect place to go if you’re on the hunt for a traditional Bavarian restaurant. It’s right across from the stunning Frauenkirche, and is known for its Schweinsbraten. However, it can get pretty busy with a nice mix of tourists and locals.

Haxnbauer – If you’re looking for a good pork knuckle (Schweinhaxen) you’ll find it here. This is what the restaurant is known for, and you’ll see that just by looking into the window where you’ll see them rotating around.

Liebighof – This place is magical, with both their food, decorations, and general atmosphere. It’s absolutely Bavarian, but features unique dishes or twists on dishes that you may not have seen before. Their Pfanne dishes are based on pan-freid potatoes, and their Liebighof Spezialpfanne comes with fried eggs, potatoes, steak, and bacon.

Pepe Nero – This one is a bit different than the others, as it’s not typically Bavarian. This Italian chain, however, is still very popular in Munich and if you’re on a budget it’s one of the best choices you can make. Large portions of pasta and pizza on the cheap are found here, and their service is speedy, too.

Viktualienmarkt – Located in the city center, if you want some fresh eats, this is the best place to do so. Due to the natural beauty of Munich, you have to enjoy a picnic or two if weather permits.

The Potting Shed – Organic, local, and fresh is what you’ll find here. This is a more “trendy” restaurant, and is usually filled with locals rather than tourists. The food is really tasty, and they put on live music on Thursdays.

Showroom – If you’re looking for the perfect spot for a date night, give Showroom a go. Just make sure you’ve first made reservations as it is pretty in-demand. There is no menu, though. Rather, you’ll select however many courses you’d like, your preferences, and the chef will create something special based on that.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Munich has just about everything you could want for nightlife, whether it be clubbing til the morning, an underground rave, or chill dinner and drinks with a beautiful view.

Die Goldene Bar – Located at the Haus der Kunst, it’s absolutely beautiful, no matter the season. However, in the summertime it really glows, with its gorgeous terrace and views. The gilded wall maps are almost 100 years old, and the chandelier commands attention in this elegant atmosphere. If you’re into craft cocktails, this is the place to be.

Bar Garçon – This small bar is laidback and another great spot for a nice conversation and interesting twists on classic cocktails like the Negroni or Manhattan. The cash-only bar makes its own simple syrups and juices every morning as well.

Backstage – This diverse location is great for just about anyone, of any background or age. You’ll see everything from heavy metal, reggae, to electronic music. With people from all walks of life, it’s a very welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere and always a good time.

Call Me Drella – With a mix between vampires and fairytales, this is definitely a unique place. You’ll find some mixture of disco, funk, hip-hop, electro, and rock here. As you can imagine, there’s quite the eclectic crowd but the atmosphere is consistently great.

Milla – This underground club takes you back in time to a 90’s Berlin and is one of the best for underground shows. All furniture was purchased at flea markets and suits their vintage style perfectly.

Harry Klein – If you’re a fan of minimal music then check out this compact club with 2 floors perfect for watching the international and local DJs that come to play here.  

Weather in Munich is a bit unpredictable, to be honest. The summers are nice and warm, though it’s not uncommon for it to rain quite a lot. However, this is probably the best time to go in terms of weather. Winters can get frigid, icy, and snowy!

Attractions

Marienplatz and Neues Rathaus – You may not have to pay to enter this main square, but there’s still plenty to see and due. The history of the area is very interesting, and dates back hundreds of years ago. On one side of the square you’ll find the Altes Rathaus, or the old town hall, and on another side, the Neues Rathaus, or new city hall. The Mariensäule column dedicated to the Virgin Mary was erected in 1638, and the Fischbrunnen in the early 19 th -century. There are also tons of different places to shop and eat.

Englischer Garten – We covered this park briefly earlier, but it’s one of the most beautiful places in the city. If you’re looking to get a jog in or walk with your significant other to a nice picnic sot, this is the place to be.

Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens – This large Baroque palace was once the summer residence of the Wittelsback Electors back in the 1600’s, and has the Nymphenburg Canal on either side. The Central Pavilion is located here, featuring many different fine furnishings and pieces of art.

Munich Residenz – This opulent palace consists of 3 massive sections – the earliest of which was built in the 1500’s and now serves as their museum. Once serving as the seat of government and residence of Bavarian dukes, electors, and kings for over 400 years it has quite the history behind it.

The Olympic Park – Today, you can find a ton of fun things to do here such as a stadium roof climb, ziplining, and a VIP tour where you’ll see the facility’s amazing architecture and designs. However, back in 1972 it served as the home of the Summer Olympics and was once a training ground for the Royal Bavarian army. You’ll find one of the best views of the city nearby, at the 290-meter-high Olympic Tower.

BMW Welt/Museum – Displaying over 100 years of auto history, innovation, and technical prowess of cars and motorcycles, the museum is absolutely a place to go for vehicle lovers! You’ll find many different old cars and motorcycles on display, as well as racing models, sports cars, concept cars you’re sure to be fascinated by!

The BMW Welt dives even further into past models and history, with a huge exhibition area and insight into the design process. If you choose, you can also take a tour of the BMW Group Plant to watch the production process.

Christkindlmarkts – If you haven’t been to Bavaria before, you don’t know the magic that is their Christmas Markets. Full of colored lights, evergreen trees, holiday music, and cheer, you have to go at least once. The biggest market is located in Marienplatz, but Rindermarkt has tons of adorable figurines for Nativity scenes, along with delicate Alpine woodcarvings!

Berchtesgaden – If you are a history buff you are probably familiar with Berchtesgaden and the Eagles’s nest. By taking a tour of Berchtesgaden you can see where the German elite spent their vacation time.

  • No Sunday shopping – This is typical in most of Germany, it seems. The vast majority of stores close on Sundays, so make sure you have enough toiletries and food beforehand! However, if you do for some reason have an emergency, there are various pharmacies who will be open. You can find them oftentimes at airports and larger train stations.
  • German is different in Bavaria. If you understand or speak German, you may have a harder time understanding Bavarians as their dialect is influenced by Italian language and Swiss accents.
  • Museums are inexpensive (usually) and worth it. You’ll find a bunch of cool, unique museums in Munich and they’re worth going to as some are just 1 euro to get in! We highly recommend the Kartoffelmuseum, or the “potato museum”.
  • It’s not uncommon to see traditional Bavarian clothinc, like lederhosen and dirndls. These are typically worn for special occasions like a wedding.
  • Be prepared for rain in the summertime. It doesn’t usually get cold or windy in the summer months, but it’s not uncommon to have a downpour. Bring an umbrella!

Tour Guides

The Neuschwanstein Castle & Linderhof Premium Tour is our Editors Choice for the best tour of the Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich

Robert Baker

Related articles, the 5 best eagle’s nest tours from munich [2024 reviews], the 5 best berlin guided tours [2024 reviews], the 5 best dachau concentration camp tours from munich [2024 reviews].

September Sale   Book now for   up to 60% off!

Bicycle the Best of Bavaria Plus! Munich

No departure dates available.

No dates, no problem! Subscribe to our newsletter to receive:

  • Travel inspiration for similar adventures
  • Alerts of the newest adventure deals

By submitting this form, I agree to the TourRadar T&Cs and Privacy policy .

You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter, check your inbox!

It seems you have entered this contest already! Keep an eye on your inbox for the winner.

  • Road Cycling
  • Partially Guided

Places You’ll See

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

  • Rothenburg on the Tauber, Creglingen, Dinkelsbühl, Landsberg, Ausburg, Castle Neuschwantstein, Donauwörth, Murnau,
  • Introduction
  • Day 1 Arrive in Rothenburg
  • Day 2 Rothenburg Loop to Bad Windsheim
  • Day 3 Pedal from Rothenburg to Dinkelsbühl
  • Day 4 Bicycle from Dinkelsbühl to Donauwörth
  • Day 5 Ride from Donauwörth to Augsburg
  • Day 6 Pedal from Augsburg to Landsberg
  • Day 7 Bicycle from Landsberg to Füssen
  • Day 8 Loop ride to Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Day 9 Füssen to Murnau
  • Day 10 Murnau to Munich
  • Day 11 Tour ends today in Munich

Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

What's Included

  • Accommodation
  • Additional Services

ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours

Operated by

ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours

Number of tours

10 to 89 years old

Response time

within 3 days

Response rate

Two sisters and a lifetime of adventure...Since Monica's first trip to Italy at age 9 months (when she went skinny dipping at the Lido of Venice) and since Maria Elena's debut as an expert "gelato" consultant in Italy on tour, at age 5, we have made Italy a permanent part of our lives. Rick Price...

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation policy.

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Customer Reviews

  • Tour Operator ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours 4.9
  • CarinaMoravec · 5th August 2022 Experience Plus Bike Tours is a real quality organization. The Rhine to Adriatic tour was beautiful, with incredible... Show more
  • DerekHill · 12th September 2019 well run thoroughly enjoyable
  • MichelleWittsHewinson · 30th August 2018 The chalk arrows were the easiest thing to follow. Although I learnt how to use a new app - RWGPS - which worked very... Show more

Dates & Availability

Why book with tourradar.

  • Flexible payment options
  • Trusted and vetted operators
  • Rated excellent on
  • Best price guarantee
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Earn €50 in travel credits

To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in Austria, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.

  • Upcoming departures
  • August 2025
  • Wednesday 16 Jul, 2025 Saturday 26 Jul, 2025 English Sold Out €5,348 See Similar Tours For These Dates
  • Wednesday 27 Aug, 2025 Saturday 6 Sep, 2025 English Sold Out €5,348 See Similar Tours For These Dates
  • 1 Other Unavailable Departure

Good to Know

  • Currency € Euro Austria and Germany

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

  • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
  • Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Austria and Germany. Ideally 6 months before travel.
  • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
  • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • For any tour departing before 9th November 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 9th November 2024, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
  • Some departure dates and prices may vary and ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
  • The following cards are accepted for "ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
  • TourRadar is an authorised Agent of ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours. Please familiarise yourself with the ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
  • Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
  • Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
  • Israel Tours
  • Grand Canyon Vacation Packages
  • Great Barrier Reef Tours
  • East Coast Australia Tours
  • South Australia tours
  • Balkans Seniors tours
  • 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in February

Keep Exploring Europe

  • 10 Best European River Cruise Lines and Companies
  • Best 10 day Europe Itineraries (with Prices)
  • 10 Best Cycling Tour Companies 2024/2025
  • 10 Amazing Private Bicycle Tours 2024/2025
  • 10 Best Cycling Tours 2024/2025
  • Europe from Rothenburg ob der Tauber
  • Western europe Bicycle
  • Operators in Europe
  • Bicycle the Best of Bavaria Plus! Munich Tours in Western Europe
  • Austria and Germany Tours
  • Western Europe Tours
  • Europe Tours
  • Bicycle Tours
  • Family Tours
  • Road Cycling Tours
  • Group Tours
  • Partially Guided Tours
  • Germany tours
  • Austria tours

Bavarian Castle Tour

Füssen Castle Tours

Travel back in time and discover the history of füssen on our bavarian castle tours.

  • Most Popular!
  • Hour Glass 8 Hours
  • Map Marker Füssen

Skip the Line: Half day Tour from Füssen

Explore Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle, where you have about three to four hours to see both castles and the surrounding area.

  • Hour Glass 4 Hours

Neuschwanstein Castle Tickets and Tour

Skip the line with an express ticket to visit the Neuschwanstein Castle & save precious vacation time and unnecessary stress.

Private Day Tour from Fussen

Spend less time waiting & more time exploring when you skip the line at Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof in this Private day tour from Fussen to Neuschwanstein Castle, Oberammergau and Linderhof Castle.

  • Hour Glass 6 hours
  • Map Marker Munich

Join Our Half-Day Tour from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle

This half day trip includes round-trip transportation by Car, Train and skip-the line-ticket to Neuschwanstein castle. Take a professional guided tour of the fairy tale castle of the last King Ludwig II of Bavarian.

Private Half-Day Tour from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle

Spend the day in a fairy tale during this private half-day tour of the Bavarian heartland from Munich.

Skip-the-Line Half- Day Tour from Munich Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau

Our tour starts at 7:15 am and we pick you up with a mini-bus or by train from Munich Main Station (Hauptbahnhof)  The Half-Day Tour includes round-trip transportation to and from Neuschwanstein Castle as well as a Skip-the-Line ticket for the Neuschwanstein castle.  Take a professionally guided tour of the fairy tale castle of the last King Ludwig II of Bavaria!

Guaranteed entrance with Skip-the-Line ticket to Neuschwanstein is INCLUDED, so you won’t wait in the main admission queue and save a lot of time and stress to have a good day! You will be back at 14:25 pm  in Munich

  • skip-the-line ticket Neuschwanstein
  • Transportation
  • Train Ticket

Does not include:

– Castle Hohenschwangau

Skip-the-Line-Half-Day Tour from Munich to Neuschwanstein&Hohenschwangau

Our tour start at 7:15 am pick you up with a mini Bus or by train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof)  to Neuschwanstein Castle on this half-day trip that includes round-trip transportation by Car, Train, and skip-the line-ticket to Neuschwanstein castle, take a professional guided tour of the fairy tale castle of the last King Ludwig II of Bavarian.

Guarantee entrance fee with “skip the line ticket” to Neuschwanstein it’s INCLUDED, so you won’t wait in the main admission queue and save a lot of time and stress to have a good day. Back by train direct to Munich arrive 14:25pm

-Skip the line ticket Neuschwantein

-Transportation

-Train ticket

-Ticket Hohenschwangau

  • Map Marker Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Skip-the-Line-Half-Day Tour from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Neuschwanstein Castle

Enjoy our skip-the-line ticket to Neuschwanstein Castle and don’t waste your time waiting in lines. This combined car/train tour provides a nice opportunity to drive through the Alps.

  • Hour Glass 3.5 Hours

Rent a bike to Neuschwanstein Castle + skip the line ticket

The bike tour from Füssen starts at 9:00am and goes directly to Castle Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwanga through unforgettable scenery along the Alps!

  • Hour Glass 12.5 Hours

Full-Day Bike Rental

Rent a bike for a full-day adventure from Füssen center to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles.

We have some of the most beautiful castles in the world, surrounded by stunning views of the Austrian Alps. We offer half-day tours , full-day tours , bike tours , and bike rentals so you can explore the area on your own. Choose the tour that works for you and join us for a day among Füssen’s beautiful castles.

IMAGES

  1. Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich with Linderhof Palace tours

    bavarian castle tours from munich

  2. How to get from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle [a local's travel guide]

    bavarian castle tours from munich

  3. Tripadvisor

    bavarian castle tours from munich

  4. Bavarian Castle Tour Neuschwanstein And Linderhof

    bavarian castle tours from munich

  5. The Best Neuschwanstein Castle Tours from Munich

    bavarian castle tours from munich

  6. How to Visit Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich

    bavarian castle tours from munich

VIDEO

  1. #munich #castle #disney #hiking #solotravel

  2. Nymphenburg Castle Munich 74

  3. Munich Residence Germany

  4. Do you know that Bavarian Gem? Hohenschwangau Castle, Germany #travel #bavaria #germany #history

  5. Munich Surroundings. Germany in November 2016

  6. Neuschwanstein Castle from Waterfall Bridge

COMMENTS

  1. Bavarian Castle Tour

    Bavarian Castle Tour offers the best castle tours from Munich, Füssen, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and Innsbruck/Austria. We cater to individuals and groups of up to 50 people. Choose from our range of castle tours, or contact us to book a private tour. We also offer bike tours, bike rentals, and even airport shuttle services from Munich ...

  2. Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace Day Tour from Munich

    Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace Day Tour ...

  3. Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich 2024

    Travel from Munich to Bavaria's Neuschwanstein Castle on this day trip that includes round-trip transportation by train. Often known as Germany's "Cinderella castle," Neuschwanstein was actually the inspiration for a different Disney story, the 'Sleeping Beauty' castle at Disneyland. Take a guided tour of the castle, and hear stories about the "Mad" King Ludwig II, who commissioned it ...

  4. Skip-the-Line Day Tour from Munich to ...

    Our tour start at 7:15 am pick you up with a mini Bus or by train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Neuschwanstein Castle on this half-day trip that includes round-trip transportation by Car, Train, and skip-the line-ticket to Neuschwanstein castle, take a professional guided tour of the fairy tale castle of the last King Ludwig II ...

  5. Half-day Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich

    Take a Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich . Our tour starts at 7:15 am and we pick you up with a mini-bus or by train from Munich Main Station (Hauptbahnhof) The Half-Day Tour includes round-trip transportation to and from Neuschwanstein Castle as well as a Skip-the-Line ticket for the Neuschwanstein castle. ... Bavarian Castle Tour +49(0 ...

  6. Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof VIP All-Inc Tour from Munich

    Conclude with free time in the charming village of Oberammergau. 10.5-hour trip from Munich to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. Travel by luxury coach through the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. Visit the stunning Linderhof Palace, a 19th-century Bavarian treasure. Guided tour of Neuschwanstein Castle, prized home of King Ludwig II.

  7. Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich

    About. Visiting Bavaria's magical Neuschwanstein Castle by train makes it an even more memorable experience. On this tour, relax on the ride from Munich to Fussen, where you have the option to walk or catch a carriage ride up to the castle. Save valuable vacation time by getting skip-the-line access, and learn about the site's fascinating ...

  8. From Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip by Van

    Spend a day in picturesque Bavaria with this van tour from Munich. Spend the day enjoying a drive on the Romantic Road in the Bavarian Alps. On the way to the castle of Neuschwanstein, you'll pass through old, quaint Bavarian villages and scenic countryside. When you reach Neuschwanstein you'll be taken on a guided tour of the castle, which ...

  9. The BEST Bavaria Castle & palace tours 2024

    The best Bavaria Castle & palace tours are: From Munich: Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Castle Full-Day Trip. From Munich: Neuschwanstein Castle Full-Day Trip. Füssen: Neuschwanstein Castle Skip-the-Line Ticket w/ Audio. From Munich: Rothenburg and Nördlinger Ries Day Trip by Bus.

  10. Bavarian Castles Tour

    Bavarian Castles Tour - 2024

  11. Neuschwanstein Castle

    We are able to accommodate a 7th person for a small extra fee. (Option) Neuschwanstein + Hohenschwangau Combi-Ticket: EUR 45,-. Children under 18, Neuschwanstein & Linderhof: FREE. Highline 179 and Elevator to the Ehrenberg Castle Ruin: EUR 15,-. All our tours can be customized to suit your needs and interests.

  12. 10 Best Bavaria Tours & Trips from Munich

    10 best Bavaria tours from Munich. Compiled by. Melissa Munich travel expert at TourRadar. Munich Xmas Markets. 5 Days Munich and Bavaria (Neuschwanstein Castle & Konigssee Lake) 8 Day Munich including Nuremberg, Salzburg, Rothenburg & Neuschwanstein Linderhof. Magical Bavaria.

  13. Bavarian Castles with Neuschwanstein: Private Tour from Munich ...

    6-day Private Bayern — Switzerland Live guided Trip from Munich. from $3,884.67. Price varies by group size. Munich, Bavaria. Wintertour to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich. 29. from $73.19. Munich, Bavaria. Third Reich - Facts about WWII : Small Group Walking tour.

  14. Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich to Fussen + Bavarian Villages

    Full day Tours - Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich. We took a day tour to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich to Fussen. Here is the guided tour we recommend; Pick up point was our hotel in Munich; The day trip can be done in 8-9 hours. (with the guided tour in the Castle.) Entrance fee (13 euros) for the Castle was not included in the tour.

  15. 15 famous castles near Munich, Germany [+ insider tips from a local]

    15 famous castles near Munich, Germany

  16. The 5 Best Neuschwanstein Castle Tours [2024 Reviews]

    4. Private Mini Van Tour to Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof, Ettal & Oberammergau. Our next tour is a comprehensive one that'll take you to many of the top destinations in the country. The Private Mini Van Tour to Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof, Ettal & Oberammergau is pretty self-explanatory with its title.

  17. The BEST Bavaria Tours and Things to Do in 2024

    From Munich: Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Castle Full-Day Trip. Discover the splendid castles of Ludwig II, King of Bavaria. Visit fairytale Neuschwanstein, intimate Linderhof and scenic Hohenschwangau, before traveling through the little town of Oberammergau. Likely to sell out. From $83.52.

  18. Skip-the-line Half-Day Tour from Munich

    Half day Tour Munich. Our tour start at 7:15 am pick you up with a mini Bus or by train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Neuschwanstein Castle on this half-day trip that includes round-trip transportation by Car, Train, and skip-the line-ticket to Neuschwanstein castle, take a professional guided tour of the fairy tale castle of the last King Ludwig II of Bavarian.

  19. Skip-the-Line Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich

    Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Private Tour from Munich. 9 hours 30 minutes. Free Cancellation. From. $619.86. Why you are seeing these recommendations. Day Trips in Munich: Check out 112 reviews and photos of Viator's Skip-the-Line Neuschwanstein Castle Tour from Munich.

  20. Private Half-Day Tour from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle

    Our tour starts at 7:15 am and we pick you up with a mini-bus or by train from Munich Main Station (Hauptbahnhof) The Half-Day Tour includes round-trip transportation to and from Neuschwanstein Castle as well as a Skip-the-Line ticket for the Neuschwanstein castle. Take a professionally guided tour of the fairy tale castle of the last King ...

  21. Bicycle the Best of Bavaria Plus! Munich

    Bicycle the Best of Bavaria Plus! Munich, a 11 days tour from Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Bad Windsheim, Augsburg and 4 destinations. Best Selection - Best Price - Trusted Payments. ... Creglingen, Dinkelsbühl, Landsberg, Ausburg, Castle Neuschwantstein, Donauwörth, Murnau, Munich; Itinerary . Expand All. Introduction. Day 1 Arrive in Rothenburg.

  22. Train: Innsbruck to Munich

    Good day, we are a couple with Deutchland tickets which we'll use to go to Garmisch and to other destinations in Bavaria. We've booked 1 night only in Innsbruck from where we'll train to Munich for several days. Can we use the Deutchland ticket...

  23. How To Visit Nymphenburg Palace: A Complete Guide

    Get a taste of Bavaria's royal past and visit Nymphenburg Palace, ... Munich Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: 1-Day or 2-Day Ticket. 1 - 2 days; Optional audio guide; Certified by GetYourGuide. 4.2 (3,124 reviews) ... He went on to commission the Neuschwanstein Castle — the famous fairytale castle that inspired Disney's Cinderella Castle.

  24. Neuschwanstein Castle, Munich

    Neuschwanstein Castle, Munich | Tickets & Tours - Viator

  25. Castle Tours from Füssen

    Our tour start at 7:15 am pick you up with a mini Bus or by train from Munich Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) to Neuschwanstein Castle on this half-day trip that includes round-trip transportation by Car, Train, and skip-the line-ticket to Neuschwanstein castle, take a professional guided tour of the fairy tale castle of the last King Ludwig II of Bavarian.

  26. List of Bavarian monarchs

    His duchy was annexed to Bavaria-Munich, which reunited the Bavarian duchy. Albert IV the Wise: 15 December 1447 ... Mauricienne Fébronie de La Tour d'Auvergne (1652-1706) 1668 ... (Fairy tale king) Ludwig II constructed Neuschwanstein Castle, Herrenchiemsee, and Linderhof Palace during his reign (1864-1886), threatening not only to go ...

  27. THE TOP 10 Bavaria Tours & Excursions

    Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace Day Trip from Munich. 922. Escape into the Bavarian countryside—and visit two of Germany's highlight castles in one day—on this hassle-free coach tour from Munich. Set off in the early morning, and learn about King Ludwig II, who built numerous palaces during his reign.