25 Enchanting Facts About Neuschwanstein Castle

Where is Neuschwanstein Castle?

Neuschwanstein Castle, which literally translates to New Swan Stone castle, is located in Bavaria, Germany. It was originally called New Hohenschwangau Castle, as it was meant to be a grand recreation of Hohenschwangau Castle, where Ludwig II spent his childhood. The older Schloss Hohenschwangau now sits in Neuschwanstein's magnificent shadow.

Its modern name, thought to be a reference to Wagner's character, the Swan Night, was not acquired until after Ludwig II's death.

Travelers visiting Neuschwanstein Castle will need to travel to the village of Hohenschwangau, where the ticket center is located.

How tall is Neuschwanstein Castle?

Though not particularly tall — Neuschwanstein's highest tower reaches a height of 213 feet — the castle's perch on a hill gives it an imposing silhouette.

When was Neuschwanstein built?

Construction of Neuschwanstein broke ground during the summer of 1868, but the first foundation stone wasn't laid until September 5, 1869. By 1873, parts of the castle could be occupied by Ludwig II, though he never lived to see his full vision realized. The Bower and Square Towers were completed in 1892, nearly a quarter of a century after work on the castle began, and many years after Ludwig II passed away and the castle was opened to the public.

According to plans, the castle was meant to have more than 200 rooms. But just over a dozen were finished before funds for the project were cut. Estimates put the total square footage at roughly 65,000 square feet.

Why was Neuschwanstein built?

Ludwig II's reputation as an eccentric, reclusive king makes it easy to see why Neuschwanstein is so often called "the castle of the fairy-tale king." In a letter to his friend, the German composer Richard Wagner, Ludwig II said his intentions with Neuschwanstein were to "rebuild old castle ruin of Hohenschwangau…in the authentic style of the old German knights' castles."

He described "guest rooms with a splendid view of the noble Säuling, the mountains of Tyrol, and far across the plain;" and spoke of a Singer's Hall and an ample castle courtyard.

"This castle will be in every way more beautiful and habitable than Hohenschwangau," Ludwig II told Wagner.

But it is believed — almost without dispute — that Ludwig II built Neuschwanstein for political and deeply personal reasons. In 1866, Prussia emerged victorious from the Austro-Prussian War, forcing Bavaria to accept an alliance with the empire. King Ludwig II of Bavaria essentially lost his power. It is thought that Neuschwanstein became the centerpiece of Ludwig II's imagined kingdom, where he could act as a true royal.

The Life of King Ludwig II of Bavaria

Before King Ludwig II of Bavaria found himself a servant to Prussia, he had a rather comfortable childhood at Schloss Hohenschwangau. His parents noted an inclination for play-acting (a proclivity that would only deepen in later years), and he was fond of the musical dramas created by the great composer, Richard Wagner.

At the young age of 18, Ludwig II became King of Bavaria. But he would only reign for two years before Bavaria's foreign policy and military powers were seized by Prussia.

Inspiration for Disney Fairy Tales

Neuschwanstein Castle, with its white limestone façade and deep blue turrets, is rumored to be real-life inspiration for the castle in the Disney classic, "Cinderella," released in 1950. The resemblance, after all, is striking.

But there's another Disney castle that looks quite a bit like Neuschwanstein — and that's "Sleeping Beauty's" castle in Disneyland. Before Walt Disney began constructing his Californian theme park, he and his wife took a trip to Europe that included a stop at Neuschwanstein. Representatives of the park told The Orange County Register that Disney did have Ludwig II's remarkable home in mind for Sleeping Beauty's fairy tale palace.

When is the best time to visit Neuschwanstein?

Whether flanked by snow-covered peaks or gleaming-white in the summer sun, there's no bad time to visit Neuschwanstein Castle. But with some 6,000 tourists streaming through the ramparts every day, visitors may want to avoid the peak summer months of July and August.

To avoid long lines, get to the Ticketcenter Hohenschwangau very early (even before opening) or after 3:00 in the afternoon, when the crowds begin to thin. If possible, schedule your Neuschwanstein Castle tour on a weekend, or plan your visit in the off-season. Save for major holidays (Christmas, for example) the number of visits to Neuschwanstein drops significantly between November and April.

Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in Fall

A strong argument could be made for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in the fall, when the Bavarian Alps are transformed by autumn foliage, temperatures are mild, skies are relatively clear, and the summer crowds have dissipated. Munich is a popular home base for travelers who come to see Neuschwanstein and other beautiful German castles.

Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in Winter

While a snow-covered Neuschwanstein is the stuff of travelers' dreams, it can be tricky to visit the castle during this time of year. One of the best viewpoints — Marienbrücke, or Mary's Bridge — is typically blocked off during the winter, and the temperatures can plummet below freezing.

Neuschwanstein Castle in Spring

An off-season, springtime trip to Neuschwanstein Castle (in March or April) will offer travelers pleasant weather, photographs of the white castle against a lush green back drop, and slight crowds. Travelers visiting in May or June will enjoy similar benefits during their shoulder-season tour of Neuschwanstein.

Neuschwanstein Castle in Summer

Balmy weather, school holidays, and longer hours make Neuschwanstein Castle a particularly popular attraction in the summer. But visitors during peak months (July and August) should be prepared for long lines and considerable crowds.

Inside Neuschwanstein Castle

Despite Ludwig's grand plans, only 14 rooms are currently finished — and on view for visitors. On the guided tour of Neuschwanstein Castle's interior, you'll have access to the cave-like grotto, the king's bedroom, and the Singer's Hall, among others.

Ludwig's Dressing Room

Highlights of the Dressing Room include the magnificent ceiling painting and murals illustrating the works of poets Walther von der Vogelwide and Hans Sachs. The entire room is finished in rich gold and violet silks.

Throne Room

Few rooms in Neuschwanstein capture Ludwig's obsession with being king quite as well as the Throne Room. The two-story space captures the majesty of Byzantine churches, and it is finished with a 13-foot-tall chandelier, a painted cupola, and elaborate floor mosaics. Ironically, there was never a throne in this space.

Exterior of the Castle

One of the highlights beyond the castle's walls is Marienbrücke, the bridge which hangs over a waterfall and offers the most iconic views (and photo opportunities) of Neuschwanstein. After your tour, be sure to spend some time exploring the wooden trails around the castle, which provide countless opportunities to admire the surrounding Bavarian Alps.

Neuschwanstein Castle Tours

While tour groups arranged by the Bavarian Palace Department are the only way to see inside Neuschwanstein, many tour companies do arrange day trips to the castle from Munich and other surrounding areas. Travelers interested in joining a tour company should look for an itinerary that includes stops at nearby Linderhof Castle, Hohenschwangau, and others.

Transportation From Munich

Travelers wondering how to get to Neuschwanstein from Munich — without joining a tour group — will find there are many options available for making the journey, including public trains and buses. Neuschwanstein is approximately two hours from Munich by car, with A7 being the primary motorway until either Füssen or Kempten. Parking for Neuschwanstein is all located at the village of Hohenschwangau. Trains to Neuschwanstein Castle from Munich will go as far as Füssen, from where visitors will need to transfer to a local bus.

Trains and intercity buses are also available for travelers seeking transportation from Garmsich or from Innsbruck to Neuschwanstein.

Transportation From Hohenschwangau

All travelers visiting Neuschwanstein will first arrive in Hohenschwangau, which is the location of the Ticketcenter, parking lots, Museum of the Bavarian Kings, and other attractions for tourists. From Hohenschwangau, visitors can reach Neuschwanstein by foot, by shuttle bus, or by horse-drawn carriage.

Walking to Neuschwanstein takes 30 to 40 minutes, and travelers should note it's a fairly steep, uphill climb.

Shuttle buses cost €3 round-trip, and take visitors from the parking lot P4. Buses cannot be driven directly to the castle, and visitors should expect to walk an additional 10 to 15 minutes afterward. In severe weather, the shuttle buses do not run, and travelers must either reach Neuschwanstein by foot or by carriage.

Taking a horse-drawn carriage to Neuschwanstein will likely complete your fairy tale experience to the castle. The round-trip cost changes, but is approximately €10.50. Like the shuttles, carriages cannot go directly to the castle, and travelers must be prepared to walk an additional 5 to 10 minutes before reaching the entrance.

Castle Ticket Prices

Neuschwanstein Castle tickets cost €15 for adults (as of October 2021), and include a guided tour at a specified hour. Tickets for visitors under 18 are free, and there are also reduced entry prices for senior citizens, students, and large groups.

Tickets must be purchased at the Ticketcenter in Hohenschwangau, though they can be reserved online — this is particularly helpful during peak season and holidays, when they can very easily sell out.

Guided Tours

Travelers can only get inside Neuschwanstein Castle on a guided tour, which is included in the price of admission. Tours are given in either English or German, though travelers can also take advantage of an audio tour, which is available in 17 additional languages. Tours last approximately 30 minutes, and include stops in the two-story throne room and the Tristan and Isolde-inspired bedroom, with a carved oak bed draped in blue silks.

Castle Hours

Neuschwanstein Castle is open from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. between April and October 15. From October 16 until March, the hours are 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

The castle is open every day of the week, save for December 24, 25, 31, and January 1.

Nearby Hotels

Travelers who want to stay close to Neuschwanstein should look at one of the hotels in the village of Hohenschwangau. For a romantic, fairy tale experience of your own, consider Villa Ludwig, one of the newer properties in the village. There are a number of cozy hotels and inns in nearby Füssen.

Places to Eat Near Neuschwanstein

Visitors can eat in the castle at Neuschwanstein's Café & Bistro, or at the eponymous Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein in the village. The latter boasts a sweeping terrace and gardens overlooking the castle. Craftsmen who built the castle reportedly dined at this site when it was a canteen in the 19th century.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors making the trek to Neuschwanstein should absolutely make time to visit Linderhof Castle (another palace commissioned by King Ludwig II) and his childhood home, Hohenschwangau Castle.

Important Things to Know

Travelers with disabilities may not find Neuschwanstein Castle to be particularly accessible, as even the shuttle buses and horse-drawn carriages to the entrance are followed by a short walk.

And while the castle is one of the most photographed attractions in all of Germany, no photography is permitted inside the castle — meaning you'll need to snap those Instagram pictures from outside.