Photo: Tauno Räsänen and Simo Räsänen (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Culture and heritage · Germany
Neuschwanstein Castle
King Ludwig II's castle above a gorge in the Bavarian Alps. A day combining the castle, the Marienbrücke and the Alpsee.
Munich and Bavaria · Germany
The experience
King Ludwig II began Neuschwanstein in 1869 on a rock above the Pöllat gorge near Hohenschwangau, as a fairy-tale castle inspired by the world of German legend. It is often said to have inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle, and it is one of the most visited castles in Europe.
The interior can only be seen on a guided tour of about 30 minutes, with timed tickets booked in advance from the Hohenschwangau ticket centre; the few left are sold on the day only. From the ticket centre the walk up takes 30 to 40 minutes, or you can take the bus or a horse-drawn carriage.
For the finest view of the castle, walk to the Marienbrücke, the bridge suspended over the gorge. Below lie Hohenschwangau Castle, Ludwig's childhood home, and the clear Alpsee, good for a quiet walk with the family.
The castle is about two hours from Munich by car and about an hour and a quarter from Schloss Elmau. We book your tickets and a private driver, and suggest arriving in the morning before the tour coaches.
Germany
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