Neuschwanstein Castle is undoubtedly one of the most magical castles in Europe. It is often compared to the Disney Castle from the early days of the film because of its finely crafted architecture and the look taken vividly from the fairy tale. We have heard that this comparison is not entirely coincidental, as Walt Disney himself was said to have just drawn inspiration from Neuschwanstein Castle.
We had the opportunity to visit this beautiful building in 2015 during our two-week hitchhiking trip from Bergamo (Italy) to Poland, where we crossed the Alps, Switzerland and Liechtenstein over several days. We found our accommodation in Fussen – a charming town near which Neuschwanstein Castle is located.
In this post, we want to show you up-to-date information about this castle and refresh the look of the article to make it as useful as possible when planning a trip to this iconic site.
Neuschwanstein Castle (Schloss Neuschwanstein) - Germany's most famous monument
Neuschwanstein Castle is a pearl of German tourism, attracting millions of visitors every year. During our visit, most of the visitors to the castle were organised tours, which visited the beautiful chambers of the castle in groups. So everywhere was crowded and everyone was hunting for the most beautiful ‘spots’ to take a memorable photo.
Unfortunately, when we visited Fussen the weather was quite rainy, so that at times the mountain fog obscured the view of Neuschwanstein Castle. However, we are not complaining, as in our opinion this added a lot of atmosphere and an aura of mystery to the castle.
A short history of the founding of Neuschwanstein Castle
The founder of the castle was the King of Bavaria, Ludwig II Wittelsbach (also known as Ludwig the Mad). He was a person who decided to build a real fairy-tale fortress inspired by stories from fairy tales and medieval rulers. The castle was to serve as a private refuge for the king and his family. Neuschwanstein Castle (translated as New Stone Swan) was built in the 19th century in the setting of the Bavarian Alps and was originally called Neue Burg Hohenschwangau (New Hohenschwangau Castle), a direct reference to Hohenschwangau Castle below.
Ludwig II was also known as the Fairytale King or the Dreamer. His greatest impact on his life came in 1866, during which Bavaria and Austria lost the war against Prussia. As a result of this defeat, he had to relinquish real command of the Bavarian army and thus ceased to be an independent ruler. This situation affected him so badly that he closed himself off and began to wallow in his dreams and longing for the days of independent Bavaria. For this reason, he decided to build Neuschwanstein Castle above Hohenschwangau Castle, where he had spent his carefree youthful years.
Construction of the fairytale fortress began in 1868 and lasted for 20 years. During this period, Ludwig II used royal funds and loans. these did not have any significant impact on the Bavarian treasury, but many nobles began to be disturbed by the King’s actions and in 1886 the Bavarian authorities declared King Ludwig II insane and, as a result of a conspiracy, overthrew his rule.
The dethronement of the king was tragic in its consequences, as only four days later the ruler’s dead body was found by one of the lakes. Also lying next to him was the murdered doctor, who had previously ruled him insane.
Neuschwanstein Castle was never 100% completed. Many of its rooms are still undeveloped. The masterpiece of Ludwig II the “Fairytale King” still delights millions of visitors today and is one of the most beautiful castles in the whole of Europe.
Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle - tickets and highlights
Entrance to area of Neuschwanstein Castle is free of charge and you can move freely in the courtyard and on the paths leading around the fortress. So if you want to see this amazing place from the outside, there is nothing stopping you from seeing this beautiful fortress for free.
Admission to the interior of the Neuschwanstein Castle is charged and for 2024 the ticket for an adult is €20.50 (€18 + €2.5 online booking fee). It is worth mentioning that it is advisable to buy your ticket in advance, as admission to the castle is limited and it is often necessary to book several days in advance. It is practically impossible to buy a ticket on site.
Importantly, when you buy a ticket, you also purchase a tour with an audio guide or a human guide, who narrates the history of Neuschwanstein Castle in English or German (depending on the time you choose).
If you are staying in Bavaria for a little longer, you might also want to consider a combination ticket, where you will be able to visit the three fortresses that Ludwig II built (Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings) for €57.50 (€55 + €2.50 online booking fee).
Tour of the castle chambers - a journey through legends
The tour of the castle starts from the palace courtyard, where you enter through automatic gates. You need a ticket to get through, which you scan at the entrance. Staff at this point also distribute audio guides.
Once equipped, your guide will take you up the stairs to the 4th floor of the Castle, where your journey through the fairytale palace begins. Many of the chambers have been decorated with beautifully executed frescoes with legends or hero stories as their theme. For example, in the Hall of the Singers, you can see the legend of Persiphal seeking the Holy Grail, or in the Royal Bedroom, where you will see the actions of characters known from the legend of Tristan and Isolde.
The second and first floors are available to explore on your own, where you will be able to see a visualisation of the history of the creation of the castle, buy souvenirs or have a bite to eat in the restaurant. The first floor, meanwhile, houses the historic kitchen.
We recommend buying your ticket online in advance. This way you will be sure to get inside the beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle and avoid long queues. In addition, your guide will be sure to give you an insight into the remarkable history of this fortress, giving you a better idea of the thoughts behind King Ludwig II’s construction of his enclave.
Excursions to the surroundings of Neuschwanstein Castle - viewpoints
After visiting the castle itself, it is also worth taking the path leading to the viewpoint. The most recognisable point (also known from many photos) is the viewpoint located on the MarienBrucke. This is a pedestrian bridge that leads over a cliff. It is from here that you will be able to see a spectacular view of the south facade of Neuschwanstein Castle. The bridge was built in 1845 and was named after Queen Mary.
We won’t say anything revealing, the bridge attracts many tourists and is very crowded. Everyone wants to take a beautiful photo of Neuschwanstein Castle against the backdrop of the Alpsee lake.
However, it is worth a trip to this place, as the views are truly amazing and will certainly stay in your memory for a long time.
Summary and map of Neuschwanstein Castle
Below you will also find the official map with walking routes and guided tours of the town of Schwangau. With it, you will definitely be able to better plan your visit to the picturesque area.
If you plan to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, be prepared that it will be quite crowded and relatively expensive. The place is highly tourist-oriented, so if you want to eat better and at lower prices, go to the less crowded Fussen.
It’s also worth planning a leisurely stroll by the Alpsee lake to get a feel for Bavaria’s beautiful nature.