Unusual venues

10 fairytale castles in Germany everyone must see

It's not difficult for a traveler to find themselves in a fairytale; all it takes is knowing which direction to head next. Germany is one of the few countries in the world that can boast of castles of enchanting beauty. tripmydream has prepared a small guide to the most notable of them for its readers.
29 march 2023
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6 min

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1. Neuschwanstein Castle

Near the Austrian border lies the wonderfully romantic Neuschwanstein Castle. Once serving as a refuge for King Ludwig II of Bavaria, it has now become a popular attraction for travelers from around the world. Visitors claim that the castle is always charming, no matter the season.

The castle can only be visited as part of a tour, which costs €15, but children are free. You can stay in one of the hotels in the nearby town of Füssen or in the surrounding villages — there are plenty of options available.

Opening hours: April – October 15 — from 9:00 to 18:00, October 16 – March — from 10:00 to 16:00

To reach Schwangau, you should take a train from Munich to Füssen (it departs from Pasing Station), and in Füssen, switch to bus No. 78.

You can also visit the magnificent Neuschwanstein and Linderhof during the exciting “Luxurious Castles of Bavaria” tour.

2. Dresden Castle

In one of the oldest and undoubtedly most beautiful buildings in Dresden, electors and kings once resided. The castle is notable for its impressive size and interesting mix of architectural styles — from Romanesque to Neo-Renaissance.

You can book a hotel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

This “mishmash” can be explained by the fact that the castle was reconstructed and transformed under the influence of new trends over several centuries (from the 12th to the 19th): initially, there was a fortress here, which gradually turned into a real castle gem of Saxony. Therefore, it will be interesting not only to see the building but also to learn about its rich and fascinating history. In addition to the entrance fee, you will also have to pay for things like the cloakroom, but in return, you will receive excellent service for tourists.

Check the ticket prices, and there is also the possibility of purchasing a combined ticket to visit several parts of the residence.

Opening hours: from 10:00 to 18:00
Closed on Tuesdays

3. Stolzenfels Castle

This castle has even been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is due to its exceptional historical importance, numerous valuable exhibits housed within its walls, and, of course, its beauty.

The greatest interest for visitors is the so-called Knight's Hall. Here, castle guests can see a collection of historical weapons and medieval household items, and also enjoy the wonderful views of the Rhine. The entrance fee is €4-8.

Opening hours: January to March and October-November — from 10:00 to 17:00, March — from 9:00 to 17:00, April to September — from 9:00 to 18:00, December — closed.

4. Löwenburg Castle

Once upon a time, Wilhelm IX had the brilliant idea to build a castle in Germany that could compete in beauty with the famous structures of Britain. He personally oversaw the construction of Löwenburg, constantly making his own corrections and additions.

Löwenburg Castle
Photo author - ubl57

Today, this "authorial" creation is proudly called the "Lion's Castle", and it lies on one of the most popular tourist routes in Germany — the "German Fairy Tale Road". Incidentally, Löwenburg was used as a template by the creators of famous Disney stories, so if you feel a sense of cartoon déjà vu — don't be too surprised.

The standard entrance fee is €4 (please confirm).

Opening hours: January–February from 10:00 to 16:00; March–October from 10:00 to 17:00.

5. Lichtenstein Castle

This is one of the few castles still owned by the descendants of its founders, in this case, the Dukes of Urach. Fortunately, the owners have been quite hospitable, and the unique building is almost entirely open for visits.

Lichtenstein Castle
Photo author - Marcela

And there is indeed much to see here: the ancient structure, located at an altitude of 817 meters, houses an impressive collection of historical and cultural heritage artifacts. Additionally, the castle has undergone several destructions and restorations, evidenced by the ruins of the old castle that can be found near the main building.

Opening hours: January — closed, February to March — weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 16:00, April to October — daily from 9:00 to 17:30, November — weekends and holidays from 10:00 to 16:00.

6. Hohenschwangau Castle

Another pride of Bavaria is Hohenschwangau Castle, which translates to "High Swan Land".

Famous monarchs often spent their time here, and King Ludwig II even lived here for most of his life and received the legendary composer Richard Wagner. The castle is located near the famous Neuschwanstein, and if you wish, you can combine visits to these two castles.

Opening hours: October 16 to March 18 — from 9:00 to 15:30, after March 18 — from 8:00 to 17:00.

To get to Schwangau, first take a train from Munich to Füssen (departing from Pasing Station), and then take bus No. 73, 78, 9651, or 9606 in Füssen.

7. Heidelberg Castle

This semi-ruined castle, perched on the slope of the picturesque Königstuhl Mountain, attracts around a million tourists to Heidelberg every year! Even the parts of the castle that survived the wars make a strong impression.

The terraces, offering breathtaking views, and the luxurious interiors, available for viewing as part of a guided tour, are also in good condition. One of the interesting exhibits housed within the castle is the largest wine barrel in the world.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday — from 8:00 to 18:00, December 24 and 31 — from 8:00 to 13:00, December 25 — closed.

It is most convenient to reach Heidelberg from Nuremberg. The distance between the cities is 227 km.

You can book a hotel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

8. Marienburg Castle (Hanover)

This fairy-tale palace is also known as "Sleeping Beauty Castle": it features a princess salon, once arranged for the daughters of King Ludwig II and decorated with paintings based on the Sleeping Beauty story.

Marienburg Castle (Hanover)
Photo author - Florian Folta

The building is executed in the Neo-Gothic style, with beautiful interiors, although some were never completed due to historical circumstances (the abolition of the Kingdom of Hanover).

We recommend visiting if you have other tourist plans nearby, as the castle is notably distant from popular cities.

Opening hours: January 2 to March 4 — from 11:00 to 16:00, March 5 to November 8 — from 10:00 to 18:00.

9. Herrenchiemsee Palace

Bavarian King Ludwig II was a well-known admirer of Louis XIV. In his desire to emulate his idol, the German monarch went so far as to create a kind of German version of the legendary Versailles.

Herrenchiemsee Palace
Photo author - Ray Anderson

The result of this idea was the construction of Herrenchiemsee on the island of Herren in the middle of the large Chiemsee lake. Visiting this palace will be especially interesting for those who have already been to Versailles, as there are many architectural references to the "original," such as the Hall of Mirrors.

Opening hours: April to the end of October — from 9:00 to 18:00; end of October to March — from 9:40 to 16:15.

The easiest way to reach the castle is from Munich — the distance to the lake is about 70 km.

10. Schwerin Castle

On its own small island lies the luxurious Schwerin Castle. This structure became the crowning achievement of the career of German architect Georg Adolf Demmler, who was born and lived in Schwerin.

Schwerin Castle
Photo author - Varitatio Delectat

The castle is an example of eclectic style. Two bridges over Lake Schwerin connect the palace island to the city and gardens.

Opening hours: October 15 to April 14 — Tue-Sun from 10:00 to 17:00, April 15 to October 14 — Tue-Sun from 10:00 to 18:00.

Using our website, tripmydream, you can find airline tickets starting from 15 EUR. Look for the cheapest flights in the Flight Discounts section. To do this, select the departure point, and the service will find the most advantageous offers for you.


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