(photo credit Thomas Wolf)
If it is romantic fairytale castles that will get the attention of the kids, you have come to the right place...
On of the top attractions in Bavaria is the spectacular Neuschwanstein Castle, which along with the neighbouring Hohenschwangau Castle, offers a unique insight into the extravagance and dreamy world of Bavaria's most famous King, Ludwig II.
Having grown up at Hohenschwangau, Ludwig dreamed of another castle a short hike away, on a spot where he liked the view. The castle was apparently built as a homage to Richard Wagner, a close friend of the king, and its fairytale exterior is matched by its ostentatious interior, as the king personally oversaw all details of its construction. Take a video tour here, and you will then understand why more than 1.3 million people visit each year. Tourists started visiting just weeks after the king drowned in a nearby lake, just months after he had moved in. Having recently been declared unfit to rule, it has never been established if the death was suicide or something more suspicious.
Visits inside are only possible on an organised tour, and tickets an only be bought on the day in the ticket office in the village of Hohenschwangau below the castle. You are advised to get here early to avoid the worst of the crowds, especially in summer. Tickets include tours which leave at a specific time, so you need to be punctual. Tours sometimes sell out in the peak season, so you are advised to book in advance which you can do online here.
Tickets on sale at the Ticketcenter
April to 15 October: 8 am-5 pm
16 October to March: 9 am-3 pm
Opening hours of Neuschwanstein Castle
28 March to 15 October: 9 am-6 pm | 16 October to 27 March: 10 am-4 pm
open daily except 1 January and 24 / 25 / 31 December
Entry prices:
12 euros regular / 11 euros reduced
Children and young people under 18 are free.
Königsticket (King's ticket) for both Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle on the same day: 23 euros regular / 21 euros reduced
Kombiticket "Königsschlösser"
(combination ticket King Ludwig II's palaces): 24 euros
The combination ticket is valid for six months; you can visit each of the palaces Linderhof, Herrenchiemsee and Neuschwanstein once.
Contact
Ticket-Center Hohenschwangau
Alpseestrasse 12
D-87645 Hohenschwangau
Telephone +49(0) 83 62 - 9 30 83-0
Fax +49(0) 83 62 - 9 30 83-20
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
You may prefer to take an organised tour from Munich, of which there are plenty.
If you want to get to Neuschwanstein by public transport, here is how to do it.
