Germany’s 5 Best Castles You Have To Visit At Least Once

# Germany's Must-See Castles: A Fairytale Adventure Awaits

Germany absolutely nails the castle game in Europe, and honestly, once you see them, you'll understand why. From dreamy storybook palaces to imposing medieval fortresses, there's something here for every castle enthusiast.

**Neuschwanstein Castle** is basically what happens when a fairytale becomes real. The name means "New Swanstone Castle," and it's so stunningly gorgeous that Walt Disney literally used it as inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle. Here's the fun part: despite looking like it's straight out of the Middle Ages, King Ludwig II (aka "the Mad King" for his extravagant projects) actually built it in the mid-1800s. Add in the fact that composer Richard Wagner created some of his masterpieces while staying here, and you've got a castle with serious cultural credentials.

**Burg Eltz** is another fairytale dream come true. Built between 1490 and 1540, this castle has been owned by the same family since 1157—that's 33 generations of ownership! Even crazier, it's one of only three Medieval castles along the Rhine that survived intact. The catch? You'll need to grab a taxi from Munstermaifeld and hike for 45 minutes to reach it. Trust us, it's worth every step. Pro tip: give yourself a full day to explore the entire Rhine region, but note that tours close from late autumn through mid-spring.

**Hohenzollern Castle** absolutely lives up to the hype. It's among Europe's most spectacular castles and attracts millions of visitors annually—partly because it still houses the Prince of Prussia. Guided tours feature actors in authentic medieval costumes, and during slower seasons, you can wander freely. Getting there requires a rental car from Stuttgart plus another 30-minute hike, though public transport options exist too.

**Lichtenstein Castle** is the ultimate cliffside drama. Perched dramatically on a massive cliff and connected by drawbridges, it replaces a medieval fortress that was destroyed back in 1377. The current fairytale version was built by Count Wilhelm of Württemberg in 1837 after he purchased the land, creating the romantic castle you see today.

**Schwerin Castle** feels plucked straight from your dreams. This 653-room palace sits on an island in Germany's third-largest lake and has an incredible history—starting as a fortress built by Slav tribes in 973, it was completely reimagined in the 1850s by Friedrich Franz II. Visit Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM (until 6 PM during summer).