Who among us has not daydreamed about Disney’s Cinderella’s Castle? A few years back, I learned that there was a castle, in southern Germany, that had been the real-life inspiration for Cinderella’s Castle, and I have always wanted to visit. The castle, Schloss Neuschwanstein, is a 19th century Romanesque Revival palace, set high on a hill above the village of Hohenschwangau, near Fussen and it does not disappoint!
The castle was built by Ludwig ll of Bavaria and was intended as a home. Shortly after completion he died, and the palace was open to the public. It is visited by 1.3 million people annually. You can explore the outside and surrounding area and you can purchase the tour ticket to go inside the castle.
The castle!
Fussen is about a 2-hour drive from the Munich airport or a 1 ½ hour train ride from Munich so it makes a great day trip from the city. But you must plan ahead if you are in a high tourist season. The lines are said to be hours long. I purchased my tickets online ahead of my trip and had only a 15-minute wait in line once I arrived. (The “purchase tickets today” line was very long indeed). At the time you purchase your ticket, you also pick a tour time and then you must show up at the ticket office 2 hours prior to that tour time to pick up your actual ticket. It is a process but just do it – this castle is so worth it!
In addition to Schloss Neuschwanstein, you can purchase tickets to another nearby castle, Schloss Hohenschwangau and/or the Museum of the Bavarian Kings. Near the ticket center, in the village, are a few shops and restaurants as well. This is also where you will park if you have arrived by car. (There is a parking fee and bring a few coins for the public restrooms as well).
The Neuschwanstein castle can only be reached by shuttle bus, horse-drawn carriages or on foot. We choose to walk up – about a 20-30-minute walk. The whole area is very hilly, and you will do a lot of walking and steps, to tour the castle, so make sure you are wearing a sturdy walking shoe. Also, make sure to give yourself time to park and walk to the tourist center to get your ticket picked up and then be at the castle entrance ahead of your entrance time.
Your first view of the castle will take your breath away – it is just that gorgeous and the closer I got to it, the more in awe of everything I was! There is a nice walking path around the backside of the castle, and you won’t want to miss the views of the valley below. The best view is from Marie’s Bridge which is about a ½ mile walk from the castle – once on the bridge, look to your left for an epic view of the castle. You can choose to cross the bridge and continue uphill to another lookout area or just return the way you came.
The inside tour is a guided, group tour that lasts about 35 minutes. You are not permitted to take pictures inside the castle, but it is still gorgeous! You see the spectacular, gold throne room, an ornate and elaborate bedroom, a dining and drawing rooms, the great Hall of the Singers and the castle kitchens. The paintings, the details, the furnishings - it really is like a fairy tale!
Overall – Neuschwanstein castle is one of my favorite castles ever (along with Pena Palace in Portugal)! Cinderella fan or not, I think you will agree that this castle is a perfect, fairy tale castle and a day of exploring well spent!
A view from the castle
Southern Germany countryside
