Do you want to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Germany? So here is the essential thing to know about this beautiful Bavarian castle!
Located south of Bavaria, in Germany , at the border with the Austria nearby, the Neuschwanstein Castle stands on a rocky cliff above 200 meters high, near the city of Füssen in the historical region of Allgäu.
Built in the 19th century under the impulse of King Louis II of Bavaria, it is today the most famous castle in Germany. Every year, more than a million visitors come to discover it! In the summer, it is 6,000 visitors a day who are rushing to discover the different rooms of the Castle, initially planned to accommodate a single person.
Would you like to visit the Neuschwanstein Castle? Then discover our mini tour guide to prepare your coming!
History of Neuschwanstein Castle
Under this beautiful name of Château de Neuschwanstein there is an unreal building, built at the top of the rocks of the Bavarian Alps, under the order of Louis II of Bavaria, in love with art and culture. In particular, he inspired the cartoonist Walt Disney for the Château de sa Belle au Bois dormant.
Rêveur et solitaire, Louis II de Bavière decides to build the Neuschwanstein Castle following various disappointments and defeats. This is notably the loss of Bavaria’s sovereignty for the benefit of Prussia, which provoked its progressive fold in its imaginary world, made of wonderful medieval castles.
The idea of the Château came from a visit to France in 1867. He decided to mix the neo-Gothic style, discovered during his journey, with the medieval style of the fortified castles built on the cliffside. To build the castle of his dreams, Louis II destroyed two old fortified castles and energize the mountain to lower the base of the old castles by 8 meters!
In 1885, the state of Bavaria was heavily indebted and its situation was catastrophic. The king is more and more lonely, and isolates himself in the mountains. The government then decides to deviate the king of power, for his mental state is judged abnormal by a commission of doctors missioned by him. Arrested and interned in the Château de Berg On the shore of Starnberg Lake on June 12, 1886, the king and his doctor were found dead drowned in the lake the next day. Since then, several theories have been running on the circumstances of his death: murder or suicide? The truth will surely never be known!
A few weeks after King Louis II died, Neuschwanstein Castle was opened to the public for the first time.
What to do and what to see at Neuschwanstein Castle?
The visits of Neuschwanstein Castle are only in the form of guided tours in the language of your choice (German or English) or with an audiophone (French in particular). You are accompanied by a guide throughout the visit, which lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the period and the influx of visitors.
Visit the Neuschwanstein Castle will allow you to discover the main rooms of the building: the entrance hall, the throne room, the dining room, the bedroom, the chapel, the bathroom, the large living room, the work room, the singing room and the kitchens.
The visit will also allow you to admire the decorations charged with each of the visiting rooms, as well as to learn more about the history of the castle and Louis II of Bavaria, to the tragic existence.
Good to know:
- Due to extensive renovation work, the Marienbrücke Bridge is closed until further notice.
How to visit the Neuschwanstein Castle?
Photo credit: wandering-around
Your ticket taken in Hohenschwangau, take 20 to 30 minutes to reach the castle on foot. In winter, when it snows, it is necessary to provide good shoes for ascension. Mini buses or carriages are also available to access the Neuschwanstein Castle more easily. For people with reduced mobility, you can access the castle thanks to its means of transport.
If you are planning to visit the Neuschwanstein Castle, we recommend that you combine it with a walk around the beautiful Lake Forggen , discovering the medieval city of Füssen , or to the visit of the castle of the royal family of Bavaria Hohenswchangau (a special ticket exists). You can also visit the Castle of Linderhof after the Neuschwanstein Castle.
Good to know. :
- Large backpacks or other baggage, strollers or baby doors are not allowed in the castle;
- It is forbidden to make photos or film inside the castle;
- Animals are not allowed in the castle;
- To recover, you can go to Café & Bistro on the second floor of Neuschwanstein Castle;
- People with reduced mobility are kindly requested to book in advance their guided tour (reservation fee: 1,80 € per person).
How to get to Neuschwanstein Castle?
To visit the Neuschwanstein Castle, there are several options. To inform you at best, we have detailed the various means of access to the site from Munich, the most popular meeting place to go :
- By car
If you have your own car or have opted for it car rental in Munich , you will need between 1h45 and 2h drive.
- By bus
Count between 2:00 and 2:30. You can find bus schedules here .
- By train
Take a train to Füssen, then catch a bus to Hohenschwangau Neuschwanstein Castles, Schwangau in Hohenschwangau. You will find all information about rates and times on DB company website .
Schedules & Rates of Neuschwanstein Castle
To visit the Neuschwanstein Castle, you will have to buy your ticket at the Hohenschwangau ticket office below the castle. So you have to buy your tickets before you go to the castle. It is possible to book tickets in advance, by booking them online, which can avoid last minute surprises. Indeed, it is sometimes possible that at noon, all the tickets available to visit the Neuschwanstein Castle are already sold. This also avoids the long queues to end, especially between July and September.
Opening hours of Neuschwanstein Castle
The Neuschwanstein Castle is open daily except January 1 and December 24, 25 and 31.
Billetterie de Hohenschwangau :
- From 1 April to 15 October: from 8am to 4pm;
- From 16 October to 31 March: from 9am to 3pm.
Visits to Neuschwanstein Castle:
- From April to October 15: from 9am to 6pm;
- From 16 October to 31 March: from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Good to know. : the last ticket is issued 10 minutes before the ticket office is closed, so the last visit is at 6pm or 4pm.
Neuschwanstein Castle rates
- Full rate: 15 €
- Reduced price: 14 €
- Entry free for persons under 18 years of age
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