The Most Beautiful Fairytale Castles in Germany

Germany is a country with hundreds of castles, so which castles in Germany should be on top of your list? We’ve already covered castles in the world and fairytale castles in Europe and each time Germany stood out with so many beautiful castles. So here’s one especially on the castles of Germany. I’ve asked my fellow travel bloggers what is they’re favorite fairytale castle in Germany, and added my own favorites.

Castles in Germany

We’ll start with the number one fairytale castle of Germany, even of the world, and then more beautiful castles will follow. All are perfect stops on a road trip tour with castles in Germany.

Schloss Neuschwanstein, Schwangau, Bavaria

Contributed by Cosette from KarsTravels.

From all the castles in Germany Neuschwanstein is the all-time fairytale castle. This castle is the inspiration behind Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. It’s in the top of the most popular tourist destinations of Europe. Some 1.5 million people visit the castle each year.

So where is this castle Cinderella’s castle is based on located in Germany? It’s in the town of Schwangau, near the city of Füssen. In Southern Germany, almost on the border with Austria. King Ludwig II of Bavaria commissioned the construction of the castle in 1869. The operas of Richard Wagner together with the Romantic style were an inspiration for the architecture of the castle. Ludwig II was a fan of the operas of Wagner.

The only way to visit the castle is to go on the 35-minute guided tour. Tickets cost €15 for adults. There’s no entrance fee for anyone under 18. Reserve tour tickets online or at the ticket center in Schwangau. They can’t be bought at the castle itself. Take about 3 hours for your visit. Also take into consideration that you need time to find a parking space and walk to the castle. Peak visitor season is from June till August.

The Mariënbrücke nearby gives a perfect view of Neuschwanstein. Here you can take perfect photos of the castle. You’re not allowed to take photos inside the castle. However you can take as many photos from the outside as you wish.

Burg Eltz, Wierschem, Rhineland-Palatinate

Contributed by Birthe from Cities and Seasides.

Only a stone’s throw away from the famous Moselle river, you can find breathtaking Burg Eltz. It’s rightfully one of Germany’s more popular castles, as it’s a true feast for the eyes inside and out. The surroundings are equally pretty, as almost 900-year old Burg Eltz is encircled by what seems to be a fairytale forest. Nowadays, the Eltz family still owns the place, but they do not live here anymore. 

The easiest way to get to Burg Eltz is by car, but there’s also a bus that drives up to the castle’s parking lot (€4 to park here). From there you have three options to get to the entrance: an easy walking path of 1,2 kilometres, a steeper path of 800 metres and a shuttle bus (€2). The first alternative is a great choice, as the walk through the forest is lovely and the views on Burg Eltz mesmerizing.  

Once at the castle gates, you can buy your ticket (€12 for adults) that includes a 40-minute tour of the interiors. This is mandatory if you want to go inside. During the tour you’ll not only discover the wonderfully well-maintained rooms, but also the fascinating story of this gorgeous castle. The ticket also gives you access to the courtyard and the treasure chamber, which you can visit by yourself after your tour.  

As Burg Eltz is well-known, it’s best to visit in the early morning or late afternoon, to avoid the largest crowds. The castle is open every day between April 1 and November 1, from 9.30 to 17.00. As you’ll only spend a couple of hours at Burg Eltz, you can combine it with a visit to the lovely Moselle town of Cochem.  

Burg Rheinfels, Sankt Goar, Rhineland-Palatinate

Contributed by Morgan from Crave the Planet.

A dreamy medieval castle named Burg Rheinfels sits over the top of the magnificent Rhine River in Western Germany. Built in 1245 and nestled above the super cute half timbered wine village of Sankt Goar, it inspires fantasy lovers to stay for 1-3 days.  

It is one of dozens of castles that litter the steep hillsides within the UNESCO world heritage site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley.

Less busy than some of it’s more famous German counterparts, Burg Rheinfels allows for a slower pace of exploration and less crowds. It also is a pitstop on the newly developed Castle Hotel to Castle Hotel hiking trail in the region. 

If you can book a stay at the Romantik Schloss Rheinfels, it’ll be a night you never forget. The castle also offers a museum, bookstore, cafe and restaurant. 

It’s easy to reach from Frankfurt or Luxembourg airport via train, bus or car. The tours are open Friday to Sunday 10:00 to 16:00. Admission is €6 for adults and children from 6 – 14 years is €3. Children up to 5 years are free. A family ticket with parents with their children is €13. 

Schloss Hohenschwangau, Schwangau, Bavaria

Contributed by Cosette from KarsTravels.

Schloss Hohenschwangau is across from the aforementioned schloss Neuschwanstein. Neuschwanstein is more famous, but Hohenschwangau castle is equally as beautiful and definitely worth your time. The castle is situated on a hill in the town of Schwangau. Schwangau is near the city of Füssen on the border with Austria.

The castle of Hohenschwangau was built in the 12^th century, it was however abandoned in the 16^th century. In 1832 Crown Prince Maximilian of Bavaria bought the ruins and rebuilt it in 5 years. He choose to turn it into a romantic neo gothic style summer castle.

The interior of the castle is set in Biedermeier style. The enchanting castle has 4 corner turrets. The outside of the castle is yellow colored, all enhancing its fairytale like appearance. The symbol of the swan is ever present. There are over 90 wall paintings, mostly depicting German mythology.

You can’t park at the castle, you have to park in town. Parking lot P4 is the closest. From here it’s a 20-minute uphill hike to the castle. You can also take a carriage to the entrance of the castle. The castle can only be visited on a 45-minute tour. Tickets can be bought online or at the ticket center in the village. Tickets aren’t available at the castle itself. Prices are €21 for adults, kids 7 and up are €18. Take at least 2 hours for a visit. There are over 90 steps in total in the castle, and there’s no elevator.

Burg Rabenstein, Ahorntal, Bavaria

Contributed by Kathryn from Coffee and Mascara. 

Burg Rabenstein is in Ahorntal, which is located within the Franconian Switzerland-Veldenstein Forest Nature Park in North Bavaria. It sits atop a rocky hill spur surrounded by deciduous forests with sprawling views of the valley below.

The castle is a former high medieval aristocratic castle originally built in the 12th century. Today, Burg Rabenstein is a boutique hotel with 22 charming guest rooms and a dining hall where guests are welcome to dine together. The castle is very remote so anyone staying at the hotel would eat dinner and breakfast on-site. During the warmer summer months, guests are invited to lounge on the patio at the outdoor beer tavern.

If you are not a guest of the hotel, they do offer a variety of tours ranging in price from €10 – €13 for adults and €5 for children. Tours last approximately an hour and you get to see a lot of the castle during your tour. There is also a Falconry on-site where you can view over 80 species of birds of prey. If you’re fortunate, you may even get to hold a Siberian Owl on your arm.

Due to its secluded nature, I recommend staying overnight at the castle to enjoy all it has to offer. Otherwise, I would allot 4-5 hours for your visit. This will allow you sufficient time to tour the castle and grounds, view the birds of prey in the Falconry, as well as tour the nearby caves. Sophie’s Caves are a short walk from the castle. They are a natural work of art and some of the most stunning and active flowstone caves in Germany. Tours cost a mere €3.50 for adults and €2.50 for children and are well worth the visit.

Schloss Mespelbrunn, Mespelbrunn, Bavaria

Contributed by Brandon from Zimmin Around the World.

Perhaps one of Germany’s prettiest moated castles, Mespelbrunn Castle is in the town of Mespelbrunn. Mespelbrunn Castle is about halfway between the cities of Frankfurt and Würzburg right off the A3 highway. 

Mespelbrunn didn’t start off as a castle, in fact in 1412, it was a house owned by an Archbishop. Fifteen years later, his son turned the house into a fortified castle adding sturdy walls to the castle, a 
tower, and he created the beautiful moat that is seen today. Different generations kept adding on or rebuilding the castle to what it currently is.

Today, Mespelbrunn Castle is still owned by the Counts of Ingelheim. But the castle is open for visitors. Although visitors can’t access the entire castle, it’s worth taking a guided tour through the castle. 

The grounds and inner courtyard are free to roam without a guide. There is a small €5 fee for adults to visit the inside of the castle. To fully enjoy the castle, no more then a couple hours is needed to 
visit the grounds and take the tour. Mespelbrunn Castle is smaller than other castles throughout Germany, because of its secluded location, charm, and history, Mespelbrunn Castle is well worth visiting.

Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin, Berlin

Contributed by Ali from Berlin Travel Tips.

Charlottenburg Palace is a Baroque palace that was built in 1695 as a summer palace for Sophie Charlotte, who was the Queen Consort of Prussia at the time. She died at the young age of 36, and then the palace was named after her. It’s one of the best castles in Berlin, and it’s definitely worth a visit.

As each generation of Hohenzollern rulers came to the palace, they made it their own with different changes and designs. Today when you visit, you can still see these differences from one room to the next. Throughout the castle, you can admire art collections, porcelain, antique furniture, and many other gorgeous relics of the royal family’s past.

The outside of Charlottenburg Palace is also gorgeous. The palace is surrounded by a huge park and ornate manicured gardens. And even though you have to pay to go inside the castle, you can wander through the park and gardens for free.

The ticket price is €12 for either the Old Palace or the New Wing, or you can buy a combo ticket for €17 that gets you into both on the same day. Tickets include a multimedia self tour in the form of an app you can download to your phone. Allow at least an hour to visit the palace, more if you plan on visiting both sections. The palace museum is closed on Mondays.

Charlottenburg Palace is located at Spandauer Damm 10-22, 14059 Berlin. The closest Ubahn and Sbahn stations are S Westend, U Richard-Wagner-Platz, or U Sophie-Charlotte-Platz. It’s about a 15 minute walk from each.

Schloss Biebrich, Wiesbaden, Hesse

Contributed by Philipp from Journication.

When you have than one day in Wiesbaden or looking for a good day trip: Then visiting Biebrich Palace is one of the best things to do in Mainz .

Biebrich Palace near Wiesbaden was built from 1700 and repeatedly expanded for various occasions and purposes. It is the baroque residence of the princes of Nassau. It is one of the most important baroque buildings on the Rhine. The castle park with the artificial ruin Mosburg belongs to the complex.

Biebrich Palace originated from a small garden hut, which in the course of time got more and more floors and wings added.

The palace is still in use today: For representative events of the state government of Hesse or the German Armed Forces. Above all, however, as the municipal registry office of Wiesbaden. The palace park is freely accessible and is used as a recreational area for the city’s population, especially in the summer.

Schloss Marienburg, Pattensen, Lower Saxony

Contributed by Fiona from Travelling Thirties.

Marienburg Castle, near Hannover, may not be as well known as the likes of Neuschwanstein and Eltz Castles but it certainly rivals their beauty.

This fairytale-like castle comes to life in the autumn with the beautiful red, yellow and orange leaves falling around the castle adding an extra burst of colour to the hilltop Castle.

King George V had the castle built for his wife, Queen Marie, as a romantic summer escape from the Royal court. After its construction in 1867, the royals only used the castle for one year before King George V was exiled to Austria, making it one of the best preserved castles in Germany.

Marienburg Castle is located in the small city of Hildesheim. In the summer month’s tours run from Hannover to Marienburg castle but in the winter you will either need to drive to the castle or take public transport to Nordstemmen train station.

In comparison to many other German castles entry is relatively cheap, Adult tickets cost €12.50 and children’s tickets are €9.50. Tours are optional but highly recommended to learn the amazing history of this castle and the royals. You are also able to climb the tours and take in the views over the castle.

Be sure to check out the library and marvel at its beauty.

The castle is open from 10am until 6pm and there are extended hours until 8pm in some seasons, make sure you check the website when planning your trip. It is recommended that you spend the whole day exploring the castle and the surrounding forest.

Stolzenfels Castle, Koblenz, Rhineland- Palatinate

Contributed by Seth from The Wanderlust Dragon.

Stolzenfels Castle stands guard over the Rhine River, a lone sentinel over Koblenz, Germany, and shining as a priceless gem of Rhine Romanticism. Originally, Stolzenfels was built as a toll castle circa 1250 CE. It was destroyed in 1689 during the War of Grand Alliance and reconstruction didn’t begin until 1836 when King Frederick William IV commissioned Karl Friedrich Schinkel. While the castle is beautiful, it’s really known for its furniture, some of which is original even today and represents the styles of the German Romantic period. 

Once you get to Koblenz, the castle is just a car ride away. Depending on where you are you can wind up and through the forests nearby and arrive within 30 minutes to an hour at most. Entry prices are relatively cheap: €5 per adult and €3 per child. They do offer family tickets: €5 for one parent and children or €10 with two parents and children. Finally, they also offer reduced prices for groups of ten or more people: €4.50 for adults and €2 for children. They offer two tours for groups of 30 or more people. The longer tour lasts about 2 hours and costs €110 while the short tour lasts 45 minutes and costs €85.

If you are visiting on your own, you can easily spend several hours here. There are lovely spots on the grounds for a picnic. While you’re there you can also visit Koblenz proper which is filled with other wonders including the Deutsches Eck where two main rivers meet and the Ehrenbreitstein fortress. 

That’s a Wrap On Our Castles in Germany

There are such beautiful castles in Germany, you can make a whole tour around them.

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