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Neuschwanstein Castle and neighboring Hohenschwangau Once upon a time, there was a young prince who became king of a very pretty little country… He was mad about history, mad about castles, mad about the arts, so he built three magnificent castles in his native Bavaria, bringing with him a flood of equally mad spending.

Ludwig II of Bavaria’s life may have seemed like a tragic tale, but he left posterity and today’s world with castles straight out of his wildest dreams… including the most famous of them all: Neuschwanstein!

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Practical information

Where can I park to visit the two castles?
Avoid parking on the side of the road (it seems that vehicles that are not parked in the parking lots are fined).
Cost of parking: €7/day.

How to get to the castles?
Neuschwanstein :
On foot: it takes 40 minutes to get there, but beware: it’s a bit of a climb – and it’s free!
By shuttle bus (€2.60 return or €1.80 one way) to the Marienbrücke bridge.

Hohenschwangau :
On foot: 20 minutes.
By horse-drawn carriage

Horaires d’ouverture :
Neuschwanstein
April 1 to October 15: 9 am to 6 pm
October 16 to March 31: 10am to 4pm

Hohenschwangau
April 1 to October 15: 8am to 4pm
October 16 to March 31: 9am to 3pm

Admission: Admission is free for under-18s, and €15 excluding reduced rates for a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle. Combined tickets are available for Hohenschwangau Castle, opposite Neuschwanstein: €26, provided you visit both on the same day. The ticket purchased is valid for a guided tour at a specific time. Don’t be late!

1 | Exuberant Schloss Neuschwanstein

This magnificent castle built by Ludwig II of Bavaria is worthy of a fairy tale, and it’s not for nothing that Walt Disney drew inspiration from it for his Sleeping Beauty castle. Since then, it has become one of Germany’s most visited sites.

Planted in the middle of a forest, it’s a sight to behold, perched on its rock, with its towers and turrets! You really can’t miss it. Some 1.3 million tourists flock here every year. So make sure you choose the right time to go, especially in summer! It’s awe-inspiring!

We didn’t want to visit the castle because it was so crowded, and we were told there was nothing spectacular about it, and photos are not allowed inside. We preferred to visit the surrounding area. That’s how we discovered the view from the Marienbrücke bridge. It overlooks the Pöllat Gorge and the surrounding countryside. You’ll be amazed!

For a different view of the castle, and to avoid the crowds, you can go to a lesser-known belvedere. Cross the Marienbrücke bridge and take the slightly uphill, winding path. There are no signs, but you shouldn’t get lost. After 5 minutes, you’ll reach a platform with a magnificent view of the castle and surrounding area. This was by far the best angle from which to enjoy every line and curve of its architecture. And to see how this fabulous castle sits proudly on this big rock. The weather was quite misty that day, with the sun’s rays desperately trying to break through the thick cloud cover, adding to the magic of the place.

2 | Hohenschwangau Castle

It’s not as imposing as Neuschwanstein Castle, but it’s well worth the detour! Your eyes will be filled with yellow! This castle was once the residence of the Bavarian royal family, where Ludwig II spent his childhood. King Maximilian II of Bavaria acquired the ruins in 1832, and built the neo-Gothic castle you can visit today.