There are literally hundreds of historic castles in Bavaria, each with its own intriguing story, garden and antique collection to discover. Often situated amidst stunning scenery, overlooking the valleys and magical forests.
As there are far too many to point out all them here, I have narrowed it down to the 11 best castles in Bavaria, Germany.
List of best Bavarian castles:
01| Neuschwanstein Castle
Why is it one of the best castles in Bavaria?
The Walt Disney Castle. The Cinderella castle. Or simply one of the most beautiful castles in Germany. There are many nicknames given to this 19th-century palace perched on a steep hill in southwest Bavaria. And it’s not just a catch: Neuschwanstein castle is definitely the among the most famous Bavarian castles, and visiting it is simply a must-do experience.
Nestled in the Bavarian Alps and overlooking Hohenschwangau Valley, this castle was the dream of King Ludwig II, who almost bankrupted the entire country trying to build it, along with two other extraordinary projects. Work began in 1869 but, like many of Ludwig’s grandiose schemes, it was never finished. In fact, the king ultimately only ever spent about 170 days in residence at the castle.
Inspired by the operatic works of his friend, Richard Wagner, one of the most impressive rooms is the Sängersaal (Minstrels’ Hall) with its frescos depicting scenes from the opera Tannhäuser. You can wander through this and other completed sections, and don’t forget to gaze out of the windows for awesome views across the plains stretched out below!
Insider Tip: Neuschwanstein Castle is best seen on a guided tour from Munich. Don’t want to book a tour? You can get there yourself by taking the train from Munich Hbf to Füssen, then a bus to Hohenschwangau, then walking, taking another bus, or riding a horse carriage for the final leg to Neuschwanstein Castle!
Where: Town of Fussen, Southern Bavaria
Dates to: 19th-century
Style: Romanesque
Open for visiting? Yes. See here for more information.
Related Post: Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle: All You Need to Know Before You Go
02| Hohenschwangau Castle
Why is it one of the best castles in Bavaria?
Standing on a hilltop beneath Neuschwanstein Castle in the village of Hohenschwangau, this castle was built by King Ludwig II’s father, King Maximilian II of Bavaria. Unlike Neuschwanstein, this castle was actually used – as the childhood home of Ludwig II!
Hohenschwangau is definitely not as famous as Neuschwanstein Castle, but still worth visiting. With history dating back to the 12th Century, it’s much older than its more obvious neighbor. You can join one of many guided tours to get inside. Make sure to spend time to appreciate Germanic historic legends painted on the walls.
More than 300,000 visitors from all over the world visit the palace each year, many of whom combine it with a tour of Ludwig’s rather grander Neuschwanstein Castle on the same day.
Where: Town of Füssen, Southern Bavaria
Dates to: 19th-century
Style: Gothic
Open for visiting? Yes. See here for more information.
03| Nuremberg Castle
Why is it one of the best castles in Bavaria?
In the Middle Ages, the Nuremberg castle was one of the most important imperial castles of the Holy Roman Empire.
It’s well worth the steep walk up to this ancient castle–the views down to the city of Nuremberg are just as spectacular as the castle itself. The views are the best from the 13th-century defensive tower (Sinwell tower).
The castle is estimated to date back to 1105 AD. It was a prestigious residence for the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, earning it the title of the Imperial Castle.
Take the hour-long guided tour to visit the main parts of the castle and the chapel. There’s also a museum to browse through, filled with armour and weapons. I also recommend visiting the Deep Well, which was the castle’s most important source of water in times of siege.
Where: Nuremberg
Dates to: 12th-century
Style: Medieval
Open for visiting? Yes. See here for more information.
Related post: Nuremberg Old Town: Magical World Between the City Walls
04| Würzburg Residenz
Why is it one of the best castles in Bavaria?
Wurzburg Castle is the former residence of the prince-bishops of Wurzburg. Designed by renowned architect Balthasar Neumann, Würzburg Residence is a key work of south German Baroque architecture, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status.
The castle features a world-famous staircase with a ceiling painted by Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Representing the four continents, this is one of the largest frescoes in the history of painting.
Unfortunately, parts of this beautiful Bavarian castle were destroyed in a devastating fire in 1945, but a long process of restoration has brought it back to its former glory.
It’s a good idea to join one of the guided tours so that you can get more information about the ceiling painting and visit the most impressive rooms of the Residence. The guided tour takes 45 minutes and is available both in German or English. The tour’s price is included in the admission fee (regular ticket 9 euros, reduced 8 euros, under 18 free).
Where: Wurzburg
Dates to: 18th-century
Style: Baroque
Open for visiting? Yes. See here for more information.
Related article: Würzburg: A Charming Wine Town in Bavaria
05| Marienberg Fortress
Why is it one of the best castles in Bavaria?
Built in the 12th-century near the historic city of Wurzburg, the iconic Marienberg Fortress has witnessed centuries of turbulent history and was often under siege.
Prominently situated on a hill 100 meters above the Main River, the fortress rises up from vineyards that stretch all the way to the horizon. It’s a bit of a walk from the city center to get up there, but it’s definitely worth it.
Although most of the current buildings were constructed between the 16th and 18th centuries, there has been a fort there since ancient times. It gained importance later when it served as a home of the local prince-bishops for nearly five centuries. The fortress was severely damaged during World War II when large parts of the fortress were destroyed by bombs.
Make sure to visit the adorable garden (Fürstengarten) on the eastern side of the complex, which is arranged geometrically with fountains, flowerbeds, and pavilions. A stroll around the outer wall is enjoyable as well.
Inside, some highlights include the Princes’ Hall, the Treasury, and the Museum für Franken, which houses a Baroque artwork collection dating back to 1712. Last but not least, there is a restaurant with an outdoor terrace, so you can enjoy some coffee & cake before continuing your visit.
Where: Wurzburg
Dates to: 12th-century
Style: Early Medieval Fortress
Open for visiting? Yes. See here for more information.
Related article: Würzburg: A Charming Wine Town in Bavaria
06| Linderhof Palace
Why is it one of the best castles in Bavaria?
Renovated at the request of eccentric King Ludwig II, whose imagination stood behind the construction of the magnificent Neuschwanstein and Herrenchiemsee castles, Linderhof is undoubtedly one of the top sights in Bavaria.
Ludwig already knew the area around Linderhof from his youth, when he had accompanied his father King Maximilian II of Bavaria on his hunting trips in the Bavarian Alps. Once he inherited the original building, they started large restorations and enlarged the grounds.
Built in the style of a 19th-century French castle, this spectacular Baroque building is also known as the Little Versailles. The interior features lavish furniture and decorations. Outside, beautiful fountains, lawns, and symmetric flower arrangements form an enchanting landscape.
Where: The village of Ettal in Graswang Valley
Dates to: 19th-century
Style: Baroque
Open for visiting? Yes. See here for more information.
07| Herrenchiemsee New Palace
Why is it one of the best castles in Bavaria?
Herrenchiemsee is a complex of royal buildings on Herreninsel, the largest island in Chiemsee lake in southern Bavaria. The island, formerly the site of an Augustinian monastery, was purchased by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1873. He chose it for the location of his Royal Palace of Herrenchiemsee (New Palace), copying the palace and gardens of Versailles, which is why it is nicknamed “Bavarian Versailles”.
Construction of the castle began in 1878 under Georg Dollmann, including a total of 13 planning stages. When Ludwig II died in 1886, this Bavarian castle was still incomplete, and sections of it were later demolished.
Highlights include the large Staterooms, State Staircase, State Bedroom, and the Great Hall of Mirrors. The king’s own rooms were in the intimate Small Apartment, designed in the French rococo style.
Where: Herrenchiemsee, Lake Chiemsee
Dates to: 19th-century
Style: Baroque
Open for visiting? Yes. See here for more information.
Related article: 7 Ways to Enjoy Chiemsee Lake, Bavaria
08| Nymphenburg Palace
Why is it one of the best castles in Bavaria?
Nymphenburg Palace was built as a summer residence to celebrate the birth of the long-awaited heir to the throne, Max Emanuel, who was born in 1662 to the Bavarian Elector Ferdinand Maria and his wife, Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, after some ten years of marriage.
The palace is now one of the most famous sights of Munich. The baroque facades comprise an overall width of about 700 meters. Some rooms still show their original baroque decoration while others were later redesigned in rococo or neoclassical style.
Situated in the west of Munich, Nymphenburg is a real magnet both for locals and tourists alike: the main building alone receives alone has more than 300,000 visitors per year. The highlights include the famous “Gallery of Beauties” commissioned by Ludwig I, former bedroom of King Ludwig II and lavish banquet hall with ceiling frescoes by Johann Baptist Zimmermann.
Make sure to plan enough time for your visit (especially in the summer): expansive landscaped gardens and museums can keep you busy all day long.
Where: Munich
Dates to: 17th– to 19th– centuries
Style: Baroque, Neoclassical, Rococo
Open for visiting? Yes. See here for more information.
09| Prunn Castle
Prunn Castle, with its massive keep, is of medieval origin and was built in around 1200 during a period of particular prosperity in the surrounding Kelheim region.
The location is very impressive; the castle towers on a steep limestone cliff overlooking the Altmuhl River Valley, with the river just below. Besides the spectacular views from within the walls, the castle is worth a visit for its original medieval décor.
The castle experienced a second prime in late Gothic times under the ownership of Frauenberger von Haag (1338-1567), which is documented in the manuscript of the Nibelungenlied (“Prunner codex”), which was later discovered in the castle.
The castle includes a permanent exhibition detailing the history of this Bavarian castle and its inhabitants, providing fascinating information about topics such as hunting, clothing, law, tournaments and festivities.
Where: town of Riedenburg, Kelheim
Dates to: 13th-century
Style: Gothic
Open to visit: Yes. See here for more information.
10| Neuburg Palace
Why is it one of the best castles in Bavaria?
Neuburg Palace is an iconic Renaissance palace built in the 16th-century to serve as the seat of the principality of Pfalz-Neuburg. It was expanded in the next century with two round towers that add an imposing look to the original baroque structure.
The castle features a decorated courtyard, several Baroque grottoes, and a beautiful Renaissance Knights’ Hall. A chapel with medieval frescoes is part of the complex–it’s the oldest newly built protestant church in the world, although construction of the shell began as a catholic court chapel in 1537, with a small apse, in which the altar with a crucifixion group, commissioned in 1540, is placed.
Due to its importance in history of the principality, the castle is home to a large collection of paintings, tapestries, weapons, furniture, portraits, and textiles that reflect the rich culture of the place.
I got the opportunity to experience the unique Neuburg Schlossfest – a renaissance festival hosted in the Old Town. Every two years, the locals dress in magnificent renaissance robes, march past the historical fair and hold concerts and knightly games. It feels like a trip back to 500 years ago. Even without the surreal festival, Neuburg Old Town and the palace are a great place to visit.
Where: Neuburg/Donau
Dates to: 16th-century
Style: Medieval/Baroque/Renaissance
Open for visiting? Yes. See here for more information.
11| Willibaldsburg Castle
Why is it one of the best castles in Bavaria?
Williamsburg Castle is a large castle complex whose construction began in the 14th-century. It was largely expanded and fortified, and until the middle of the 18th century, it was the representative castle and seat of Eichstätt’s prince-bishops.
The castle sits above the Altmühl valley, where the Altmühl river forms a sharp bend. The resulting ridge was an ideal spot for the medieval castle. The complex includes a 420-meter long fortification wall.
A world-class botanical garden once existed on the grounds for a long time. In 1998, this original botanical garden was reproduced as the newly opened Bastion Garden.
Where: Eichstatt, Upper Bavaria
Dates to: 14th-century
Style: Medieval
Open for visiting? Yes. Click here for more information.
Which of these Bavarian castles is your favorite?
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Veronika Tomanova is the founder of award-winning solo female travel blog Veronika’s Adventure, featuring travel tips, guides and stories from around the world. She is from Czech Republic and has been to 30+ countries.