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Castle · Füssen, Baviera
Schloss Neuschwanstein
The castle that Ludwig II commissioned from 1869, built on a rock above the Pöllat gorge in Schwangau. It can only be visited inside on a guided tour at a pre-booked time.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Schloss Neuschwanstein
Schloss Neuschwanstein is in the Hohenschwangau district, in the municipality of Schwangau, about four kilometers from the center of Füssen. King Ludwig II of Bavaria commissioned its construction beginning in 1869 on the site of two small ruined medieval fortresses, with a design by Eduard Riedel inspired by medieval knightly castles. The style is neo-Romanesque, and construction continued until 1892, after the king's death.
Ludwig II built the castle to withdraw from public life and lived there for only a few months. Seven weeks after his death, in 1886, the castle was opened to the public. Today it receives more than one million visitors a year, and since being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site it is part of the ensemble of Ludwig II's castles, along with Linderhof, Herrenchiemsee and the royal house at Schachen.
The guided tour goes through the king's apartments, highlighting the Throne Room, the carved-wood sleeping chamber and the Singers' Hall (Sängersaal), inspired by Wartburg Castle and the legends that Richard Wagner brought to the opera. Many rooms were left unfinished. Taking photos or filming inside is prohibited, and backpacks, baby strollers and large items are not allowed.
Entry is only by guided tour at a fixed time, and tickets are sold on the official Hohenschwangau website. Any remaining tickets go to the Hohenschwangau ticket office (Ticket Center) only for the same day and usually sell out early in busy months. The façade and outer courtyard can be seen without a ticket, but the inner courtyard only as part of the visit.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
The guided tour is short, about half an hour, but the whole outing — including the ascent, the wait and the descent — takes three to four hours.
Best time
The earliest morning tours have a more relaxed climb. From May to October the bus up near the castle runs more regularly. In winter the castle remains open for visits, but the scenery and the pedestrian access can be icy.
How to get there
From Munich, take the regional train to Füssen (about two hours) and, in front of the station, the bus lines 73 or 78 to Hohenschwangau (about ten minutes). From there you can walk up in about 40 minutes, take a carriage, or the bus that goes near the Marienbrücke; from the final stop it's about a 15-minute walk to the entrance. Those driving use the numbered parking lots in Hohenschwangau.
Tip
Buy your ticket in advance and arrive in Hohenschwangau one-and-a-half to two hours before the scheduled time: the climb and the queue at the gate take time. If you're also going to the Marienbrücke, do the bridge before the tour and descend via the path that passes by the castle. The classic view of the entire castle is from the Marienbrücke, not from the courtyard.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Schloss Neuschwanstein
Can you enter Neuschwanstein without a guided tour?
No. The interior is only visited on guided tours with fixed times. Without a ticket you can see the castle from the outside and reach the entrance area, but not the inner courtyard.
Where do I buy the ticket?
On Hohenschwangau's official ticket website, in advance. Any remaining tickets are sold at the Hohenschwangau Ticket Center for the same day only and subject to availability.
Can I take photos inside?
No. Photos and videos for personal use are prohibited inside. Outside, photography is allowed; drones may not take off or land on the castle grounds.
Is the climb tiring?
On foot it's about a 40-minute walk up a paved slope from Hohenschwangau. If you prefer to save your legs you can take the carriage or the bus, which operate depending on weather and demand.