If there’s one region of Germany that has basically built its tourism identity around castles, it’s Bavaria. And for good reason. This is the region that gave us Neuschwanstein, the fairytale fortress that basically defines what most people picture when they hear the word “castle”.

But Bavaria’s castle scene goes a lot deeper than one iconic silhouette in the Alps. It is home to some of Germany’s best castles, ranging from Rococo to Medieval.

What makes Bavaria such a rewarding place to castle-hop is the range: within a couple hours of Munich you can go from the over-the-top romantic fantasy of King Ludwig II’s palaces to the centuries of real political history packed into Nuremberg’s Kaiserburg. Munich is the perfect place to use as a base for day trips around Bavaria. Whether you’re chasing the perfect photo or you actually want to understand how these buildings shaped German history, Bavaria delivers both in spades. Here are my favorite castles and palaces that I think are worth visiting in Bavaria.

Where to Find the Best Castles in Bavaria

Imperial Castle of Nuremberg

Also known as the Nuremberg Castle, this magnificent medieval fortress dates back to the 11th century when it was built on a rocky outcrop. Due to its strategic location, you can probably imagine that it has incredible views over Nuremberg. The castle played a pivotal role in the history of the Holy Roman Empire, serving as a residence for German kings and emperors. It underwent several expansions, resulting in a complex series of buildings in different architectural styles connected by gates, walls and courtyards. 

Nowadays, visitors can buy a ticket to explore the interior or simply wander the exterior. Inside, you can see a very well-preserved medieval castle along with various exhibitions and museums that showcase the castle’s history, including its role during the Holy Roman Empire. If you prefer simply to enjoy the views, the castle’s courtyards and gardens are free to enter and provide breathtaking views over Nuremberg.

• Location: Nurembreg City Center
• Website: https://www.kaiserburg-nuernberg.de/

Munich Residence

If you only have time for one palace in Munich, make it this one. The Residenz was the political and residential seat of Bavarian rulers from 1508 all the way to 1918. And it shows! This is less a “palace” and more an entire royal city block, with 130 rooms, ten courtyards (one of which hosts a Christmas Market each year!), and enough architectural styles (Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical) to make you feel like four centuries have gone by on one visit.

The showstopper is the Antiquarium, a cavernous barrel-vaulted hall built in the 1500s to house Duke Albrecht V’s antique sculpture collection. It was later repurposed as a banquet hall, and is widely considered the finest Renaissance interior north of the Alps. Standing in it, I believe it! I was blown away by this room. Give yourself at least two to three hours in the Munich Residenz. This is not a quick stop.

• Location: Munich City Center
• Website: https://www.residenz-muenchen.de/

Würzburg Residence

Situated in the heart of the Bavarian city of Würzburg, the Würzburg Residence is absolutely enormous. The architects were inspired by several different European styles of the time, including Viennese baroque and French chateau, so the appearance feels familiar yet distinct. Dedicated to the arts, the interior is truly a masterpiece, especially the staircase room, the imperial hall and the white hall.

Stunning fresco murals are painted on the ceilings and walls showing a number of religious and secular scenes. You can expect to see lots of gilded details and ornate intricacies as you wander through on a self-guided tour of the residence. 

For me, one of the most impressive parts of the Würzburg Residence is how much was rebuilt after WWII. Würzburg, an industrial hub in the 1900s, was essentially razed by the Allied Forces with 90% of the city destroyed. There is a small exhibit inside which shows pictures from then and now. It is incredible and horrific to see the level of destruction. Yet the modern structure is evidence of the resilience and capacity to rebuild, at the cost of a quick $20 million Euros. Don’t miss the gardens behind the structure, full of extensive walking paths and a large French garden.

• Location: Würzburg (in the city center)
• Website: https://www.residenz-wuerzburg.de/englisch/residenz/index.htm

King Ludwig Castles

There are many castles in Bavaria, but some of the most famous are ostentatious palaces created by or for Bavarian King Ludwig II. I will talk about those first, and then feature a few other Bavarian castles. You can visit all three of the Ludwig castles – Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Hohenschwangau – on the same day, although it will be an exhausting & long day. I would recommend spacing out the castle visits for a longer stay in the Füssen area. 

Let’s start with the most famous Ludwig castle.

Neuschwanstein

Bankrolled by the enigmatic King Ludwig II, everything about this castle was designed in the high romantic style he loved. It was meant to serve as the private residence for Ludwig, but his suspicious drowning at age 41 prevented the castle from being fully completed. Its fairytale-like appearance and stunning location in the German Alps will look familiar to any Disney lovers. Walt Disney is rumored to have designed the Sleeping Beauty castle after Neuschwanstein. 

Things you need to know before visiting Neuschwanstein:

• This is the most visited castle in Bavaria, so be prepared for large crowds.
• You need to buy your ticket with a scheduled time slot a minimum of one week in advance.
• No pictures are allowed inside the castle.
• You are required to be on a guided tour. The whistle-stop tour leaves a lot to be desired (in my opinion), but you can at least get an impression of the romantic style and grandeur of King Ludwig II. 

Neuschwanstein is located at the top of a small mountain which can be accessed on foot via steep paved walking trail, by horse-drawn carriage or by shuttle bus. However, the shuttle bus doesn’t run in adverse conditions. We happened to visit Neuschwanstein in late April when it was 1°C (33°F) and sleet snowing, which we were completely unprepared for. Under these conditions, the shuttle was shut down and our only option was to walk 25 minutes directly uphill. In the sleet. Boy was that fun…

• Location: Schwangau (120 km from Munich)
• Website: https://www.neuschwanstein.de/

Hohenschwangau

Hohenschwangau was home to King Ludwig II of Bavaria throughout his childhood, and he lived there during the construction of Neuschwanstein. Designed in a neo-gothic style, a guided tour of this palace will show you some of the 90+ paintings that adorn the walls of this underrated castle. I actually preferred the visit to Hohenschwangau to Neuschwanstein because the tour was more informative and it was FAR less crowded. It felt like a much less touristy experience.

Perfectly paired with a visit to Neuschwanstein, you can buy a dual ticket to visit both castles in one day! With a marginal price difference, a visit to both castles is a no-brainer. While there are no pictures allowed inside Hohenschwangau, the lovely yellow exterior and wholly underutilized gardens make for a lovely photo backdrop. Don’t miss the quirky swan fountain along the side garden which Ludwig personally designed himself. 

• Location: Schwangau (120 km from Munich)
• Website: https://www.hohenschwangau.de/

Linderhof Castle

Linderhof is the least visited of the three Ludwig palaces mentioned here, but it was actually my favorite. I loved Linderhof for two main reasons.

1. Beautiful scenery and gardens: It is nestled into this wooded valley with a beautiful mountain backdrop. Surrounding the palace are stunning French gardens modeled off of the ones at Versailles. There is a naturally powered fountain in the middle which shoots an 80 foot spout of water every 10-15 minutes. 
2. Rococo details: Because this palace is smaller than the others, the rooms are packed with ornate details to make it seem more grand. The interior is meant to replicate Versailles, so there is even a Hall of Mirrors. The King’s Bedchamber here is incredible with a massive glass candelabra hanging in the center.

Linderhof was the only palace that Ludwig II commissioned and actually saw completed. No pictures are allowed inside, and you can only visit the interior on a scheduled tour.

• Location: Near ​​Füssen (100km from Munich)
• Website: https://www.schlosslinderhof.de/englisch/palace/history.htm

Did I miss any of your favorite German castles? Comment below so I can go to visit them!