Schwangau Things to Do

4 more images

There's like a terrace a bit down the castle where you can get a good shot of the castle plus a good view of the gorge below. Benches are also there to rest for awhile after a tiring walk to the castle grounds from the small town below.

You have to wait at the inside right after the entrance for your batch number to flash on the red electronic board. And when you see your batch number which is printed on your ticket, you pass over the turnstile.

4 more images

The Marienbrucke is located over the Pollat Gorge and it's made up of steel. Lots of people go to the bridge as it offer the best view of the Neuschwanstein castle. There is a waterfalls below and few steps before the bridge, there's a stairs going down leading you to a very refreshing scenic walk down back to the Schwangau town. It's about half an hour walk back - of course you have to take in the sights around including several waterfalls and running streams. The Marienbrucke (Marian Bridge) is the last stop in our castle tour.

4 more images

The theaterically designed castle is located on top of a hill in Schwangau. I joined the tour group from Radius Tour and we left the Munich Hauptbahnhof at around 10am, tour cost EUR35 including all the transport and a comic guide.

When you're in Munich, put this one in your agenda. Takes around 2 hours from Munich to Schwangau by trian/bus.

The castle holds a lot of interesting stories about the mysterious King Ludwig II, but it's available in wikipedia and around the internet so don't make me cut and paste the stories, read it.

Despite the slight discouragement of our guide to Rothenburg about this castle (not a medieval, it's a new 19th century castle, not the most beautiful castle in germany, blah blah), I still followed my instinct. Well, it was amazing notwithstanding the age of the castle.

By the way, photography is not allowed inside the castle - when there are truly breath-taking views of the interior and the articles inside.

The castle is one the most popular sights in Germany with over 60 million visitors since it opened to the public right after King Ludwig II died in 1886. See wikipedia for more stories.

Entrance to the castle is EUR9, which is in addition to our tour fee of EUR35.

4 more images

The yellow castle below the Neuschwanstein castle is the Schloss Hohenschwagau, it also sits on top a lower hill and right in the main town area of Hohenschwagain beside the swan lake.

It is also the residence of King Ludwig II during his childhood years and built by his father - Bavarian King Maximillian II.

This castle is less popular than Neuschwanstein but if you're already in the area, it's quite interesting to visit.

Opening hours are 9am to 6pm April - September; 10am to 4pm October - March. Entry is EUR9

4 more images

Probably the most famous castle in Germany, set against a fantastic backdrop of lakes and mountains, and steeped in the history of a tragic fairy tale King, you would be crazy to miss out on visiting this spectacular place.

4 more images

A short walk away from the Royal Castles, you can find the mountain, Tegelberg. It has fantastic views from the top, and you can either walk up or take the Cablecar up. There is a restaurant at the top and the views over the Alps are amazing. You can watch the hang gliders and paragliders jump off the top, and if you wish, you can take a walk to the very very top of the mountain where there is a cross. It is quite a hairy walk in parts though, and after some way up, it is recommended that only experienced climbers continue.

The "fairytale castle" of King Ludwig II, with over 1 million visitors a year.

Kind Ludwig II commissioned the castle to be built in 1868. The solitary monarch's desire was to turn his friend Richard Wagner's operas into reality. The architectural plans were drawn up by Eduard Riedel, and building began in 1869. In 1874, George Dollmann took over the construction. The interior decoration was almost finished at the time of Ludwig II's death in 1886. The castle itself was not completed by Julius Hoffmann until 1892.

Special feature:
The monumental castle stands on a jagged cliff, towering 200 meters above the river valley. It was first open to the public on August 1, 1886 - hardly a month after Ludwig's demise.

4 more images

There are two castles in the Schwangau area, Schloss Neuschwanstein, the most famous castle of "Mad King Ludwig II" which the Disney castle was modelled on. The other castle, Hohenschwangau was where Ludwig II's family lived and where he stayed when Neuschwanstein was being built. You can buy a ticket for a tour of both of the castles which gives you enough time to see each one. The road up to both castles are quite steep, but there are horses and carts you can take up for a small price. Hohenschwangau often gets overlooked, and it isnt quite as spectacular from the outside, but not going on the tour, you would definately be missing out!