5 Castles in Germany You Shouldn’t Miss

Traveling to Germany, most visitors enjoy the iconic old towns, historic structures and beautiful scenery. Most travelers also include castles into their itineraries. However, there are so many castles in Germany, it’s hard to figure out which ones to visit and which ones to skip. This is why this list includes some of the best castles in Germany. No matter where in Germany you are planning on traveling, there will be a beautiful castle nearby and should you not stay close to the one castle you absolutely want to visit, simply take a train or express bus to get there.

Here are 5 Of The Best Castles in Germany You Shouldn’t Miss:

Schloss Liechtenstein

Lichtenstein Castle is often referred to as the “Fairy tale castle of Württemberg,” and the little cousin of the famous Neuschwanstein Castle near Munich. This 1840s Gothic Revival castle was built on a large rock near Tübingen. Even though the castle is rather small, the hike up is lovely and the top offers splendid views of the surrounding villages. Visitors can join an English or German guided tour leading you around the first and the second floor. It is even possible to rent various parts of the castle for events like weddings. The castle is not open in January and only on weekends in February, March and November. Check out their website for details on opening hours and admission fees.

How to get there: Click for directions via Google Maps

Burg Hohenzollern

About a 40 minute drive from the small fairy tale castle Lichtenstein lies the majestic Hohenzollern castle. It is the ancestral seat of the Hohenzollern family dynasty and is situated at the periphery of the Swabian Alb Mountains. It is the third castle built atop the Hohenzollern Mountain. The first one was built in the early 11th century and the final castle was built between 1846 and 1867 as a family memorial. While you should definitely tour the castle itself, the best views of the stunning structure can be admired from Zeller Horn mountain just across from the castle.

How to get there: Click for directions view Google Maps

Schloss Herrenhausen

The Royal Palace of Herrenhausen offers both a historic flair and romantic gardens. This location was home to local royals and became the summer residence of the Royal House of Hanover in the 19th century. What I enjoyed most about this palace is the gardens in front of the main hall. There are countless Roman statues and beautiful flowers and bushes in the palace garden that make for the perfect afternoon stroll. It is truly one of the more unique castles in Germany. 

How to get there: Click for directions view Google Maps

Schloss Linderhof

Linderhof Palace is one of the three castles built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria but the only one he actually lived to see completed. Sun-King Louis XIV of France was Ludwig’s inspiration and he built Linderhof according to the famous Palace of Versailles in Paris. It is also true that Linderhof is a very private castle, in which only four rooms were used for public events. The castle is located in a large park with various different attractions, such as the Venus Grotto, the Moroccan House and the Moorish Kiosk. If you are in Munich, you should definitely check out this castle.

How to get there: Click for directions view Google Maps

Schloss Neuschwanstein

The ultimate castle in Germany, Schloss Neuschwanstein is on most people’s itinerary when traveling Germany. It’s no wonder that this castle is so popular, as was the real-life inspiration for the Disney castle. You can easily get to this castle from Munich by public transit or local tour buses. Another reason this castle should be on your bucket list is the mysterious history surrounding it. King Ludwig II of Bavaria built the castle according to his own visions but suffered a strange death in a nearby lake. He did not live to see his dream castle completed.

How to get there: Click for directions view Google Maps

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