🏰 Where to go for a fairy tale: 10 palaces and fortresses of Germany

The castles of Germany look like fairy-tale film sets. But a trip to see them takes some planning. Tickets are sold in time slots, lines form at ticket offices in summer, and some fortresses are closed in winter. We picked ten of the country's most beautiful castles and broke down for each one how to get there, how much admission costs, and what to see inside. The list includes both the heavily promoted Neuschwanstein and the quiet Eltz, which no enemy has taken in eight centuries.

You can't cover everything in one day: the castles are scattered from the Baltic all the way to Bavaria. First you'll find a table with tickets and opening hours, then ten sections with photos, prices, and directions. You can visit each castle on your own, without an organized tour.

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Castles of Germany: tickets, hours, and regions

💡 In short:

Buy tickets online in advance: at Neuschwanstein, entry is by time slot.
Arrive at opening time; before 10:00 there are noticeably fewer tour groups and less heat.
Prices and opening hours: as of 09/2026, verified on the official website

Castle	State	Ticket (09/2026)	In winter
Neuschwanstein	Bavaria	21 € (as of 09/2026, website)	open
Hohenzollern	Baden-Württemberg	ticket required (website)	open
Heidelberg	Baden-Württemberg	ticket required (website)	open
Schwerin	Mecklenburg-Vorpommern	ticket required (website)	open
Wartburg	Thuringia	halls require a ticket (website)	open
Cochem (Reichsburg)	Rhineland-Palatinate	ticket required (website)	open
Eltz	Rhineland-Palatinate	14 € (as of 09/2026, website)	closed from November
Marburg	Hesse	ticket required (website)	open
Marienburg	Lower Saxony	ticket required	open
Lichtenstein	Baden-Württemberg	ticket required (website)	open

Next come ten castles in order: from the most famous to the most underrated.

1. Neuschwanstein Castle

White facade and tower of Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein is the most recognizable castle in Germany, perched on a cliff above a gorge in southern Bavaria. It was built by King Ludwig II in the late 19th century (official website). In 1886, the castle opened to paying visitors to help cover construction costs. Its silhouette became the model for the "Sleeping Beauty castle" and made it onto the Disney logo.

Inside, you'll see the knights' hall, the throne room with candelabras, and a tall tower with a private chapel. The walls are decorated with frescoes based on Wagner's operas and Germanic legends. The swan motif comes from the name itself: "Neuschwanstein" translates as "new swan stone."

How to get there: by train to Füssen, then by bus to Hohenschwangau and a 1.5 km uphill walk (see map).
Ticket: €21 per adult (as of 09/2026, official website), children under 18 free, online booking costs €2.50.
Who it's for: first-time visitors to Bavaria who love palaces and Alpine views.
The catch: in summer, thousands of people come here, and without a time slot you'll wait in line for a long time.

Neuschwanstein tours from Munich

2. Hohenzollern Castle

Hohenzollern Castle on a hill in an autumn forest

Hohenzollern sits atop a hill in the Swabian Alps, 50 kilometers from Stuttgart. It is the ancestral seat of the imperial Hohenzollern family. The castle was completed in 1867 and, like its Bavarian neighbor, embodies the idea of a utopian knight's castle. Because of its elevation, it has been nicknamed the "castle in the clouds" (official website).

Inside, 140 rooms await you, featuring the crown of the German emperors, belongings of Frederick the Great, and a large weapons collection (tickets on the website). The castle hosts falconry days, concerts, and a winter show called "Royal Winter Fairy Tale." Check the event schedule on the website in advance.

How to get there: by train to Hechingen, then by bus to the castle and up the road.
Ticket: adult ticket at the official rate (as of 09/2026, official website).
Who it's for: anyone interested in Prussian history and weapons collections.
Not for: those who aren't up for an uphill walk.

Find a hotel near Hohenzollern

3. Heidelberg Castle

Red sandstone ruins of Heidelberg Castle among the forest

Heidelberg Castle rises above the old town on the banks of the Neckar. The first mention of it dates back to the 13th century, making it one of the oldest castle structures in the country (official website). The castle was struck by lightning twice, and wars reduced its walls to ruins. So today you see two faces: a restored wing and the remnants of former towers.

Inside, it's worth seeing the huge wine barrel and the German Pharmacy Museum. The climb to the castle is by funicular, and the ticket already includes the ride (Bergbahn Heidelberg). From here you get the best view of the city's red roofs.

How to get there: take the tram to the stop at the funicular station, then continue up.
Ticket: Schlossticket with the ride and museums at the official rate (as of 09/2026, official website).
Who it's for: those who combine the castle with a walk through the old town.
The catch: much of the castle remains a ruin, with fewer state rooms than visitors expect.

Tours in Heidelberg

4. Schwerin Castle

Schwerin Castle with a bridge over the water

Schwerin Castle stands on an island in a lake and is connected to the city only by a bridge. Because of its airy forms, it is called the "northern Neuschwanstein". But it is almost a thousand years older than its Bavarian counterpart: the first mention dates back to 973 (Schlösser MV).

Today the castle houses the parliament of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and some of the halls are open to tourists. You can walk through the state rooms with gold decoration and see the throne room.

How to get there: by train to Schwerin, then about 20 minutes on foot from the station to the bridge.
Ticket: adult ticket at the official rate (as of 09/2026, official website).
Who it's for: those traveling to northern Germany, toward the Baltic.
The catch: the castle is closed on Mondays.

Hotels in Schwerin on Trip.com

5. Wartburg Castle

Half-timbered buildings in the inner courtyard of Wartburg Castle

Wartburg stands in Thuringia at an elevation of 400 meters, and it is the first German fortress on the UNESCO World Heritage list (Wartburg). The reformer Martin Luther lived here for almost a year and translated the Bible into German. The castle has existed since 1067, and part of the fortifications still bears traces of that era.

Entrance to the grounds is free, while the halls and museums require a ticket (Wartburg Eintritt). In winter, a Christmas market is held here, and in summer you can catch a performance of Wagner's opera "Tannhäuser" right within the historic walls.

Getting there: by train to Eisenach, then by bus to the castle.
Ticket: halls and museums require a ticket (as of 09/2026, official website).
Who it's for: those who care about the history of the Reformation and Wagner's music.
The catch: the castle sits on a steep hill, and the climb on foot is not for everyone.

Wartburg tours

6. Cochem Castle (Reichsburg)

Reichsburg Castle on a hill above the town of Cochem

Reichsburg stands above the town of Cochem on the Moselle River. It is an imperial castle: it appeared in the 12th century, survived destruction, and was rebuilt in the 19th century (Reichsburg Cochem). Cochem itself has almost no new buildings, so the old town and the castle together create the picture of a medieval city.

Inside, you will be guided through interiors with knightly weapons and antique furniture. Every Friday and Saturday, a medieval feast with dishes based on old recipes is held here. In August, there is a festival with a crafts market, musicians, and poets.

Getting there: by train to Cochem, then uphill from the station following signs to the castle.
Ticket: interior tour at the official rate (as of 09/2026, official website).
Who it's for: those traveling through the Moselle Valley who enjoy wine and history.
Not for: those who are not ready to climb uphill after a long journey.

Cochem hotels on Trip.com

7. Eltz Castle

Eltz Castle hides in a wooded valley in the foothills of the Eifel. Its tricky location has never allowed an enemy to capture it. It has been the private property of one family for about 800 years, and the owners let tourists onto their grounds (Burg Eltz).

Inside you will see the knights' hall, the armory, a medieval kitchen, and a large collection of ancient relics. The ticket already includes a guided tour of the halls. The castle is open from late March to November 1; it is closed to visitors in winter.

How to get there: by train to Moselkern or Hatzenport station, then on foot along a forest trail to the castle.
Ticket: €14 per adult including the guided tour (as of 09/2026, official website).
Who it's for: those who want to see a castle never ravaged by war.
The catch: you can only get there on foot along a forest trail.

Tours to Eltz Castle

8. Marburg Castle

Gothic facade of Marburg Castle with corner turrets

Marburg Castle is one of the oldest castle structures in Germany; it was founded in Hesse, probably as early as the 10th century (Märchenstraße). The Brothers Grimm studied here, and some of the university's lecture halls are still located on the castle grounds.

The castle stands on a hill above the town and is considered part of the "German Fairy Tale Route." This route connects places where the Brothers Grimm lived and where their fairy tales are set. The ticket here is cheaper than at heavily promoted castles, so the visit is easy to fit into a walk around old Marburg.

How to get there: by train to Marburg, then uphill from the center following signs to the castle.
Ticket: admission at the official rate (as of 09/2026, official website).
Who it's for: families with children and anyone who grew up on Grimm's fairy tales.
The catch: part of the premises is occupied by the university, so not all halls are open.

Hotels in Marburg on Trip.com

9. Marienburg Castle

Aerial view of Marienburg Castle among the forest

Marienburg Castle sits near Hanover and still belongs to the royal House of Hanover. King George V built it in the second half of the 19th century as a gift for his wife, Queen Marie. She turned the castle into the family's main summer residence. Today its doors are open to tourists.

The castle is surrounded by a large park, and the windows look out over the plains of Lower Saxony.

How to get there: from Hanover by suburban train and bus, the trip takes about half an hour.
Tickets: adult ticket at the on-site rate, check prices at the ticket office.
Who it's for: those staying in Hanover who want to get out of the city for half a day.
The catch: easy to confuse with the Polish Malbork when searching in a navigation app.

Hotels in Hanover on Trip.com

10. Lichtenstein Castle

Lichtenstein Castle on a cliff with a bridge in autumn

Despite the name, this Lichtenstein is not in the principality but in Baden-Württemberg, about an hour from Stuttgart. The name translates as "light stone." The castle was built in the mid-19th century, during the German building boom, in the neo-Gothic style (Schloss Lichtenstein).

The tall lone tower on the cliff brings Rapunzel to mind. The castle stands on the edge of a precipice, with a narrow road running through the gorge below. Inside, the state rooms are open with weapons and hunting trophies, and the viewing platform offers a view of the Swabian Alps.

How to get there: from Stuttgart by train and bus, the trip takes about an hour.
Tickets: adult ticket at the official rate (as of 09/2026, official website).
Who it's for: those who want to see the most "fairytale" silhouette in Swabia.
Not for: those short on time and not ready for transfers.

Tours from Stuttgart

Planning a trip to several castles is easier if you choose a base and route in advance. Below we answer frequently asked questions about tickets, travel, and seasons.

Tours and tickets

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which castle in Germany is the most beautiful and where should you go first?

If this is your first trip, start with Neuschwanstein: it is the most recognizable and conveniently connected to Munich. For a quieter visit, choose Marburg Castle or Lichtenstein, where there are fewer tour groups. In one day you can realistically see one major castle plus one small one along the way.

How much does a ticket cost and do you need to book in advance?

Prices vary: admission to Neuschwanstein costs 21 € per adult (as of 09/2026, ticket prices), and Eltz costs 14 €. For popular castles like Neuschwanstein, book your time slot online in advance, otherwise in summer you will end up in a long line at the ticket office.

How do you get to the castles without a car?

Most castles are connected to cities by trains and buses. Neuschwanstein, Wartburg, Heidelberg, Schwerin, Marburg, and Cochem are accessible from major cities by train. For Eltz Castle and Lichtenstein, part of the route is by bus or on foot, so allow time for transfers.

When is the best time to go and what is closed in winter?

The best season for most castles is May and September: warm but with fewer tour groups. Eltz is open from late March to November 1 and is closed in winter (opening hours).

How many days do you need to see several castles?

Two or three days are enough for two or three castles including travel and sightseeing. Do not plan more than one major castle per day: the queue, tour, and travel each take half a day. Close pairs like Cochem and Eltz are convenient to combine in one day because the route between them along the Moselle Valley is short.

In short: what to book

If you have only one day near Munich, go with Neuschwanstein with a morning time slot. History and weapons enthusiasts will enjoy Hohenzollern and Wartburg. For a trip along the Rhine and Moselle, combine Cochem and Eltz. Those looking for fewer tourists will like Marburg Castle and Lichtenstein.

Book tickets in advance and stick to one castle per day: rushing spoils the experience more than the weather does.

Find a train between German cities on Trip.com

Castles of Germany: 10 most beautiful, tickets and tips 2026