The main attraction in the tiny mountain town of Hohenschwangau is without a doubt Neuschwanstein Castle. So much so that we didn’t even bother calling this post “Hohenschwangau” and instead simply labeled it Neuschwanstein. If you ever trek out to this little Bavarian village near Munich, it will only be because you wanted to see what is probably the most famous castle in all of Europe. However, once you’re in Hohenschwangau there are a number of other things that you should definitely check out before you leave. But, we will of course start our discussion with Neuschwanstein Castle.
Neuschwanstein Castle
A relatively modern castle by European standards, Neuschwanstein was built by King Ludwig II in the late 19th-century with construction starting in 1869. King Ludqig II was known for his over the top garishly opulent style of excess in all things. He was known as a rather shy person, that was running away from the reality of his responsibilities as a monarch. This castle was his idea of a fantasy land where he could finally escape this reality. Unfortunately, the dream never matched his reality and the king kept changing and adding to the plans so the castle was never finished and he only got to live there for 6 months before his death.
The constant changing plans and exorbitant demands meant that the project was constantly over budget and eventually left the king bankrupt and under he burden of a huge debt. King Ludwig II was eventually dethroned due to his poor financial situation and his lack of interest in governing. He eventually died in 1886 by drowning and the new government in Bavaria opened the castle to the public almost immediately following his untimely demise. Now thousands of people enter this magical fairytale castle every day as part of tour groups. The government recovered all the debt from the project by 1899 and have been making a profit ever since.
To make the most of your visit to this famous castle that Walt Disney used as his inspiration for Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World, first we must discuss how to get to the castle. The easiest way would be to simply drive to the town of Schwangau, where the castle resides, park at the visitors center, buy your tickets and then either walk up the hill to the castle or take either the cable car or the Cinderella-style horse and carriages that bring you to the top for 6EUR or a shuttle bus for about 2EUR.
If you don’t have your own car you can use public transportation by booking a train ticket from Munich Hauptbahmhof to the village of Füssen, from here you can take a short bus ride (#78 Bus or #73 bus will both take you where you need to go…you can buy tickets from the driver or purchase them in advance) from Füssen to Hohenschwangau which only takes about 10 minutes and drops you off at the base of the hill of the castle. Alternatively you can purchase a Bayern ticket which allows you unlimited use of local trains and buses in the region. So for $25 you can get from Munich to Füssen and from Füssen to Hohenschwangau. Make sure to book your entire group on one ticket, as each additional traveler is only $7. You can book a maximum of 5 people on each ticket. The only drawback is the timeframe is limited. The ticket is only valid on weekdays after 9am till 3am the next day.
Once in Hohenschwangau you will be dropped off right at the ticket office where you can purchase combo tickets for the two main castles in Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castle, or if you’ve booked your tickets beforehand you can simply pick them up here by waiting in a much shorter line. Your tickets will entitle you to take advantage of the tours they provide of the castle interior that leave every 5 min. The tours of the interior are fairly anticlimactic, but still worth your time. Just beware that they don’t allow photos inside the castle.
To purchase tickets in advance click HERE. Just make sure you show up at the ticket office at least an hour before your tour time so that you have enough time to walk up to the castle and stop at all the great vantage points for photos. Alternatively, you can book an all-inclusive guided experience from Munich that involves transfer to and from the castle as well as your guided tour and takes care of everything.
Marienbrücke
Also known as Mary’s Bridge, Marienbrücke is a must stop on any trip to Neuschwanstein. Outside the castle is a well marked path that guides visitors to Marienbrücke. By following this short hike (approximately 15 min) you’ll eventually come across a bridge spanning the valley below between two mountainous outcrops. From this bridge, you’ll get what most consider to be the best view of the castle. The bridge is often crowded with tourists, but your photos from this vantage point will be astounding. If you go during winter though, there is the chance that the bridge is closed due to weather, so keep that in mind.
For arguably an even more stunning view there is a secret lookout along the path (you’ll have to find a well traveled path diverging from the main hike that you’ll take into the woods and up a steep hill). Here you’ll typically see a short line of people waiting to take stunning photos for their instagram feed. For an excellent guide of photography viewpoints around Neuschwanstein check out these excellent blogs HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. Don’t miss out on the view from the Allagau Hiking Trails.
Allagau Hiking Trails
One of the best things that you can do while visiting Hohenschwangau is spend an afternoon hiking. And, one of the best hikes in town also has one of the best views of the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. To learn how to find this almost impossible vantage point click HERE. You can do some of the hikes on foot or on bike. For more information on how to do the hike click HERE.
Schloss Hohenschwangau
Yet another stunning castle just a short walk from Neuschwanstein. This castle predates Neuschwanstein by over 100 years. Built by Prince Maximilian II of Bavaria in the 18th-century. The castle is a short walk from the main trails around Neuschwanstein and the tour of the inside, included in your tickets, doesn’t take very long. Make sure to start your day early so you have time to see both castles.
Eat some Cheese
Schwangau is famous for its Bergkäse, also known as mountain cheese, that is made from the milk of the Alpine cows that graze on the grass on the sides of the mountains. This cheese from the Allgäu region is legendary. Make sure to order some if you stop in the town for lunch/dinner. Another Bavarian delicacy is Käsespätzle, which is essentially German Mac and cheese. Think potato noodles are drenched in melted cheese. And, as an aside, if you’re looking for something sweet, head to Kurcafe and try the local specialty, Sissi-Torte, a chocolate lovers dream dessert.
Visit Alpsee Lake
The lake that forms the backdrop between Neuschanstein Castle and the Alps behind is named Alpsee. Here you can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and swimming in summertime as well as ice skating in the winter time. Check out all the available activities HERE.
Museum of Bavarian Kings
The Museum of Bavarian Kings spotlights the royal Wittelsbach family, especially King Maximilian II & King Ludwig II by allowing you to walk through a couple rooms of their most luxurious possessions while telling the family’s story.
Other Things to Check out While Visiting Schwangau
