Things to do in Germany, Germany: The Best Castles

June 27, 2021 Kaleigh Reichenbach

Coordinates: 51°N 9°E / 51°N 9°E / 51; 9
Restaurants in Germany

1. Schloss Heidelberg

Schlosshof 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Baden-Wurttemberg Germany +49 6221 658880 [email protected] http://www.schloss-heidelberg.de
Excellent
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4.5 based on 7,450 reviews

Schloss Heidelberg

Each year, Heidelberg Palace attracts around one Million visitors from all over the world. Since the 19th century, These impressive ruins have been synonymous with Romanticism. The Heidelberg Tun, the statues on the facade and the gardens of the palace are Highlights of any visit.

Reviewed By JudyM1888 - Ocean View, Australia

A must do in Heidelberg.Take the funicular railway to the castle and enjoy fantastic views over the city.A guided tour of the castle allows a much better insight the the history and the lives of nobility who lived there. If you have lunch at the castle cafe-the apple strudel and the rhubarb water are highly recommended.

2. Fortress Marienberg

Festung Marienberg, 240, 97082 Wurzburg, Bavaria Germany +49 931 3551750 http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/deutsch/schloss/objekte/wu_fest.htm
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,216 reviews

Fortress Marienberg

This castle, the city's most prominent symbol since the 12th century, includes a museum, restaurant and formal gardens.

Reviewed By lucianonecar - Berlin, Germany

The opportunity to walk up the hill and experience the views, touch the walls, walk through adorned entrance doors, and see other aspects of the fortress from outside was unique. A must-do for those who come to Würzburg.

3. Schloss Neuschwanstein

Neuschwansteinstrasse 20, 87645 Schwangau, Bavaria Germany +49 8362 939880 [email protected] http://www.neuschwanstein.de/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 17,562 reviews

Schloss Neuschwanstein

Yet another of the eccentric King Ludwig II's magnificently odd architectural creations.

Reviewed By 430chuckd

You will be greeted at the entry to the little tourist shopping area where you will pay about 7 euros to park. From there you will walk to the nearby ticket office and purchase tickets for reserved tour times for one or both castles. This must be done on the day of your visit, and it's a good idea to get there early, since the time slots fill up rapidly and the number of people per slot is limited. Allow two hours between the starts of the tours if you plan to take the bus up to Neuschwanstein rather than walk, three hours if you walk. From the ticket office you will take a short walk uphill through a small shopping area with restaurants, hotel, a bank, gift shops, etc., following the signs to Schloss Hohenschwangau. It's best to see this castle first since it's the closest and the easiest stairway climb up the hillside. After this tour, which is about 40 minutes, walk back down to the nearby bus stop (you won't have trouble finding it) and purchase tickets at 2-1/2 euros each for the ride up the mountain stopping near Schloss Neuschwanstein, about a 10-minute drive and the buses run at 10-minute intervals. Or, you can use the walking trail if you’re in good shape, but it’s rather steep and long (about 40 minutes) and keep in mind that there are a LOT of stairs on the castle tour. The bus will let you off at a point with a very short hike to Mary’s Bridge (highly recommended if you’re not afraid of heights or rickety-feeling bridges), where you will get the best view photo view of the castle. From there walk back down to the bus stop and follow the signs mostly downhill to the castle, about a 10-minute walk. Taking the hiking path down from there after the 40-minute tour is easier than walking back uphill to the bus, since it’s all downhill. If you’re a serious German history buff and want to learn everything (and I mean Everything) about the history of the region, you can buy the museum tickets at the door. Don't miss the Linderhof Palace for jaw-dropping opulence while you're in the area. It's not as big as the castles, but the interior is truly impressive.

4. The Residenz

Residenzplatz 2, 97070 Wurzburg, Bavaria Germany +49 931 355170 [email protected] http://www.residenz-wuerzburg.de/englisch/residenz/index.htm
Excellent
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4.5 based on 2,636 reviews

The Residenz

This palace served as the home for Würzburg's powerful prince-bishops during the Enlightenment and is known for its extravagant artistic design and Baroque architecture.

Reviewed By monideepad - Bangalore District, India

We walked ahead and reached the Würzburg Residence with the Courtyard Gardens and the Residence Square. A very strong representation of the 18th-century Baroque palace architecture, the Würzburg Residence has been listed has World Heritage Site since 1981. As soon as we had stepped in through one of the three monumental gates, we realised that we had indeed saved the best for the last... Once within the Courtyard Gardens, we were appalled by its beauty and wonderstruck to see how thoughtfully it had been planned within the fortifications. Known to be one of the finest Baroque Gardens that Germany can boast of, the Courtyard Garden is made up of three sections, South Garden inside the gate, the East Garden, the and the Nursery The part of the Courtyard Garden or ‘Hofgarten’ close to the Residence or ‘Residenz’ comprises the east part. It is grand and in formal Baroque style with the terraces that create an illusion of spaciousness. As we moved further towards the south end, we noticed a transition in its style towards an English garden, with perfectly trimmed sharply conical 18th Century Yew trees, with sculptures at their base, with mini forests and meadows and an orangery at the far back. Monumental sculptures, statues of Greek Gods, figures, vases, urns decorate the park which has cute white benches. I was particularly smitten by the fountain because of the frozen water around. A small branch was lying on top of the frozen water and it was a spectacular sight. The Nursery is like a rough park. I could not help wondering how lush green and colourful the Courtyard Garden would look when in full bloom. The Courtyard Gardens could be visited free of charge, but for visiting the Residence, one has to take a guided tour. The baroque palace, Würzburg Residence, was built in 1720 at the request of Bishop Johann. The palace is made of yellow sandstone and hence emits a golden glow. I am very fond of palace tours as I am invariably intrigued about its interiors. Photographs were not permitted but I brought back memories of this Franconian Versailles which boasts of grand rooms, more than three hundred in number, spread over three wings; the central main, the north and the south wings. I was mesmerised by the ornately elegant golden and marble church ‘Hofkirche’, which was built for the exclusive use of the prince bishop, the grand, wide staircase, the ceiling decorated with frescoes, the alter decorated with paintings of Tiepolo, the chapel and the Imperial Hall; all of which bear the impressions of Baroque, Rococo or Neoclassical architecture and art. It goes without saying that Residence too was very badly damaged during the World War II, but thankfully, it was eventually restored.

5. Eltz Castle

Burg Eltz 1, 56294 Wierschem, Rhineland-Palatinate Germany +49 2672 950500 http://www.eltz.de
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,808 reviews

Eltz Castle

Reviewed By 877margarets - Napier, New Zealand

Only on Sat and Sunday the bus goes from Treis Karten. You’ll need a full day. Train from Cochem before 10. 15 to Treis Karten Station. Turn left from the Railway Station, there is the bus stop. The Burg Eltz bus leaves at 11.15. The bus winds its way through villages for 1/2 hour ( at least) and finally you get to the parking area for Burg Eltz. Turn right and follow the track through the forest for 20 minutes. The walk isn’t that difficult and is very attractive. Take photos when you see the castle! We didn’t have time to fit in the tour that you have to take to see the castle. ..But, you could if you wanted to fill in the time until the return bus at 13.10. ... unfortunately, we were on a tight schedule and chose to walk down to Moselkern. It was a pleasant 4.9 km down hill walk. It took us one hour, ten minutes. . We waited for the hourly, 3pm train back to Cochem. As I’m older, I’m glad I took a walking pole. At some parts the track was uneven and the pole gave me support. I wouldn’t walk the track if it was damp. It could be dangerous. A taxi from Moselkern cost E45 one way.

6. Schloss Hohenschwangau

Schwangau -Ortsteil Hohenschwangau, 87645 Hohenschwangau, Bavaria Germany +49 8362 930830 http://www.hohenschwangau.de/430.html
Excellent
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4.5 based on 3,445 reviews

Schloss Hohenschwangau

The yellow Gothic castle in which King Ludwig II spend his childhood.

Reviewed By BenGenn - Brisbane, Australia

We stopped here on the way to Schloss Neuschwanstein. An amazing and beautiful castle with a fascinating history, a wonderful place to visit in the area.

7. Wartburg Castle

Auf der Wartburg 1, 99817 Eisenach, Thuringia Germany +49 3691 2500 http://www.wartburg.de
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4.5 based on 1,234 reviews

Wartburg Castle

This imposing medieval fortress, which stands atop a mountain on the outskirts of Eisenach, is best known as the place where Martin Luther sought refuge following his excommunication in 1521 and serves as one of Germany's most prolific national symbols.

Reviewed By adventureat50plus - Stuttgart, Germany

According to google the castle did not open till 11 but it was open at 10. We walked up the Lutherweg from our hotel. It was a steep but shaded 1.8 km with informative signs about Luther and other aspects of world history. We arrived at 10:30 which was good because it was Saturday and crowds were arriving. There were no tours but you could download the app which gave information for each room. We really enjoyed exploring the castle at our own speed and learning about Elizabeth...as well as Martin Luther and German history. It was an unusually hot day so it was a relief that the castle had AC and dehumidifiers since we had to keep the masks on the whole time.

8. Schloss Benrath

Benrather Schlossallee 100-106, 40597 Dusseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia Germany +49 211 8921903 [email protected] http://www.zollfeste-zons.de/schloss-benrath
Excellent
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4.5 based on 721 reviews

Schloss Benrath

Reviewed By cleom708

We spent a great day at this palace, everything was amazing from the building to the beautiful gardens. You could truly travel back in time

9. Hermitage Castle (Altes Schloss Ermitage)

Eremitage 4, 95448, Bayreuth, Bavaria Germany +49 921 759690 http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/deutsch/schloss/objekte/bay_as.htm
Excellent
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4.5 based on 304 reviews

Hermitage Castle (Altes Schloss Ermitage)

Reviewed By cmbreuer2016 - Queensland, Australia

We visited in winter, a lot of the statues and fountains were covered but it was still stunning. I imagine that in a few months the gardens and parklands would be wonderful. It is well worth a visit.

10. Residenzschloss Ludwigsburg

Schlossstr. 30, 71634 Ludwigsburg, Baden-Wurttemberg Germany +49 7141 186400 [email protected] http://www.schloss-ludwigsburg.de/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 839 reviews

Residenzschloss Ludwigsburg

Ludwigsburg Residential Palace is one of the largest Baroque buildings in Europe to survive in its original condition. It offers a striking tour through the centuries - from Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassical.

Reviewed By N8229HVbarbaraa - Adelaide, Australia

It is a beautiful palace and definitely well worth a visit. There are quite a few rooms one can visit and the staff are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. One should take time though and just look and enjoy looking through the rooms and the ceilings. Incredible. Also the surrounding gardens.

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