There are an incredible 25,000 castles in Germany!
With so many castles it’s difficult to pick out just one favorite, so I’ve picked out my favorite castles in Southern Germany based on different criteria, since no two castles are alike:
Favorite Touristy Castle in Germany: Heidelberg Castle
Yes it’s touristy and on the Japanese tour bus circuit, but this 700 year old castle overlooking the city of Heidelberg has survived fires and a lighting strike and the castle tour is worth fighting the crowds.
Inside Heidelberg Castle visitors can also visit the World’s Largest Apothecary Museum showcasing over 20,000 pharmaceutical items and the world’s largest wine barrel. The crowds reach an all time peak in July and August so go at another time if possible, if not go early or later in the day.
Favorite Elaborate Castle in Germany: Herrenchiemsee New Palace
One of crazy King Ludwig’s castles, the Herrenchiemsee New Palace is the most elaborate, costing more than the combined total of famed Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. It’s decadence at its finest and is even housed on its own island (Herren Island) on the Chiemsee. Photos are not permitted inside, but the exterior hints at the luxury waiting inside. Not surprisingly it’s also a popular castle so it’s best to go off-season when possible.
Favorite Small Castle in Germany: Lichtenstein Castle
Lichtenstein Castle is sometimes referred to as Neuschwanstein’s Little Brother, since they’re both white castles, although Lichtenstein is a much smaller castle, but to be fair it is only a hunting castle. What it lacks up for in size it makes up for by perilously clinging to the edge of a limestone cliff.
Favorite Castle Tour in Germany: Ludwigsburg Palace
After a while many castle tours seem to blur together, but not the Ludwigsburg Palace tour where visitors will learn all about the secret lives of royalty including Duke Eberhard’s libido which unfortunately was reserved for his mistresses and not his wife. The tour also includes a look at the servant’s quarters where you can only imagine how difficult it would be to live in a cold dark room, while everyone else was surrounded by luxury.
Favorite Hike to a Castle in Germany: Hohenzollern Castle
There are much easier ways to reach Hohenzollern Castle than a 12km hike – like driving to the parking lot, but knowing that your destination is a castle is very good motivation to visit one of the most popular castles in Germany. Hohenzollern Castle dates back to the 11th century and has seen numerous wars including the Thirty Years War, fallen into ruin and even suffered from an earthquake. Go early to avoid the crowds and check the schedule in advance if you’re looking for an English tour.
Favorite Castle in Munich: The Residenz
The largest ceiling fresco I’ve ever seen is in the Munich Residenz.
There are two castles in Munich, The Residenz and Schloss Nymphenburg and Schlieissheim Palace located just outside of Munich. Schloss Nyphemburg and Schlieissheim Palace are more impressive on the outside, but I love the interior of The Residenz, and it’s one of the largest castles in Europe. Plus it also houses the Treasury where visitors can look at the crown jewels. The Residenz is conveniently located in downtown Munich.
Castle Ruins in Germany: Old Castle in Baden-Baden
I spent over an hour exploring these castle ruins for which there is no tour nor entrance fee. Despite the nice weather there was only a handful of other visitors there. I loved having free run of the place.
I’ve been to dozens more castles in Germany, but these are some of my favorites.
What are your favorite castles in Germany? You have more than 24,990 to choose from.
Oh how I want to visit each and every one of these…especially the little Lichtenstein Castle. Your photography beautifully captures these magnificent fortresses and your experiences! Thanks for sharing!
Jeff Titelius recently posted..Guided Canal Boat Tour Through the Historic City of Amsterdam
I came across your blog while doing some research for an article I’m writing for work and ended up reading posts for nearly an hour. You have a great style of writing
I like the Heidelberg castle too! I just wish it wasn’t so touristy.
Another great castle is the Burg Guttenburg, mostly because of the Bird of Prey Centre that’s there. I love birds of prey
From an English girl living in Germany.
bevchen recently posted..Walking around Würzburg in the rain
Lichtenstein castle looks simply amazing. Wow, what a view.
Sam recently posted..Getting the Most From a Travel Destination
Totally agree with you on Ludwigsburg! Best tour ever! Thanks for the list, there are a few I have not been to yet!
aunt spicy recently posted..JBD and HSG This is For You
Would you believe I did not see a single castle in Germany? They’re all so beautiful and I am determined to do a trip down through the centre of the country and see all of these (we checked out all the cities last time).
Andrea recently posted..I Think the Norwegians Are On To Something
Awesome tips! I have only been to one, but will put the rest on my “must see” list.
Expat-Mom recently posted..Up in Smoke – Be kind to your Electrical Devices
You know I love my castles in Germany! Reading this shows, I have more work to do. Lovely display. Hohenzollern and Lichtenstein are definitely high on the list.
Debbie @ European Travelista recently posted..European Travelista’s 7 Super Shots!
I lived in Heidelberg between 2001-2003, and I’ve been back to visit many times since 2003.
Living in the HD was in fact like a fairy-tale of sorts … aside from the fact that in history, the Schloß (what some of us expats referred as “the schlob”) was sacked a time or two …
fotoeins | Henry recently posted..1st-quarter: 3rd-month and 10 to go
So many beautiful castles! We really must travel to Germany soon – my daughters would love it! I’m a little worried about Lichtenstein Castle though – it looks a little precarious on the side of that cliff!
Lisa recently posted..Luxembourg Gardens with Kids
I’m planning a summer family trip to Berlin and Munich. Definitely bookmarking this to aid my travel plans, huge castle nerd here.
Jennifer recently posted..LEGOLAND Windsor Resort Hotel in England
Although I’ from (and in) Germany, I have visited and explored only about a dozen castles here (but have seen a lot more from a distance of course).
Your excellent pictures and descriptions make me want to see more castles.
My favorite castles here in my home region Südwestfalen (Southern Westphalia) and Bergisches Land are
Burg Altena (with the world’s first/oldest youth hostel) and Schloss Burg near Solingen.
In Northern Germany: Schloss Herrenhausen near Hannover and Schloss Celle (in downtown Celle).
Lichtenstein Castle = WOW! Haven’t been there, but looks like a must-see to me. I agree about Heidelberg Castle. It’s well worth fighting the crowds to see this amazing place.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Cruising San Francisco Bay
Those are some great castles in Germany! I’ve only seen a few castles when I was there. I enjoyed Neuschwanstein but like the look of Lichtenstein as well. However, I wouldn’t have wanted a room facing the cliff side.
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Best travel photos: My 7 Super Shots
Love Castles, Been to Heidelberg – Funny my picture this week is about a Castle too. Different country.
eileen ludwig recently posted..Denmark Castle Copenhagen Tivoli
Apart from those of mad King Ludwig, I haven’t seen any castles in Germany. Lichtenstein looks excellent – and slightly scary.
Sophie recently posted..Off the beaten track with kids in New York
I might just have to pop back up to Germany to see some of these. Inspiring!
Angie Away recently posted..How Do You Define Plane Crash? My Near-Death Experience in Kenya
Wow, Lichtenstein Castle looks like a fairy tale setting! Beautiful photos, would love to visit them all one day.
Ohhh that photo of the Lichenstein Castle makes my stomach drop!
Abby recently posted..Absinthe Las Vegas celebrates 500 shows with… astronaut suits
Love the castle perched on a cliff, great pics!
Angela recently posted..A trip, a photo – The amazing colors of Tyre’s sunset, Lebanon
Wow! Indeed some of these places could become my favorite, too; particularly the Lichtenstein castle. The only “castle” I’ve been to is the Iolani Palace in Hawaii – incidentally the only place in the USA where royalty actually lived. But that probably is no match to these great places. I have to make it to a European castle one day.
I visited all but two of those castles when I lived in Munich in 1991-92. I’ll have to dig out my slides of Herrenchiemsee New Palace – photos were allowed to be taken inside then, and I have dozens of slides. My favorite castle? I never met a castle I didn’t like, but Neuschwanstein really struck a chord with me – there was a light snow falling and it was simply magical.
Murray Lundberg recently posted..First Motorcycle Trip of the Season
Hi Laurel,
Just stumbled across your blog. I’m an ex-pat living in Burghausen, Germany. This is my second time as an expat here. My husband and I lived in Germany from the late 80′s through the mid-90′s. Went to the states, started a family, and are now back again for more adventures in Europe. Loved your comments on the German medical system. Forgot totally about the privacy thing. Had my tonsils out many years ago here and was hospitalized for 5 days. Also, your comments on hiking without sighting much wildlife hit home with us as well. We come from the Pacific Northwest and have spent lots of time in Montana and in the Canadian Rockies and miss the possibility of seeing bears or cougars or other wildlife (from a distance, of course). Anyway, on castles, have you visited the castle here in Burghausen, Europe’s longest castle? It’s quite impressive. Drop me an email if you’ re in the area… Anyway, am looking forward to more postings.
Hilary Fayen Higgins recently posted..New Member of my Bike Fleet
Hi Hilary,
Thanks so much for your comments, it’s always nice to hear from other expats. I’ve heard of Burghausen, but haven’t been yet, now I have a good excuse as it would be nice to meet you too.
Oh these are fabulous! The only one I’ve seen is the Heidelberg Castle, but that Lichtenstein Castle is incredible the way it’s perched so precariously on that cliff! I’m guessing it wasn’t always like that (as in erosion must have worn away the cliff)?
Wanderplex recently posted..Don’t let the weather put a damper on your vacation: 17 ideas for a rainy day
Ok, I’ve seen some of them, but gosh, Lichtenstein Castle looks amazing! Why didn’t I know anything about it before?
Laura recently posted..An Insiders Guide to North Cornwall
So many great castles. It is almost a tease that they are so close to me and yet so unwieldy to get to without a car. I like the Hohenzollern castle. Especially the history that it was the beginnings of the families that went to start Prussia near Berlin. Germany was sort of born in this area, if you look at it half skewed like that.
Ah well, I’ll just have to figure out a friend with a car or deal with the convoluted train changes to see them. Thanks for sharing.
Andrew recently posted..Culture Flows Both Ways
Lichtenstein Castle is my favorite. It looks like something straight out of Grimm’s Fairy Tales!
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted..THE PERUVIAN AMAZON- Day 6 Photo Gallery
Not sure how to go about this but I need information on how to get from Munich to Lichtenstein via train. Is this doable?
Maybe this should help your users. We have just finished work on detailed map of castles in Germany. You can seach by various parameters like date of foundation or type of building. The link is : http://www.tixik.com/map-of-castles-in-germany-3748070.htm
Hope that helps !
This was so helpful. Big thanks to the person who posted the map with links to specific castles/locations. That was a great idea.
@Tonya – Glad that it was helpful and agreed, the map was very useful.
We just went to Heidelberg this past weekend to see the fireworks. They only do it 3 times each year. It was a really great show. They light the castle up in red to remember when it was burned down. Lichtenstein Castle is just like a fairy tale. I would LOVE to see that one too!!
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Holy cow – I can’t believe there are nearly 25,000! The Heidelberg Castle is not my favorite, but I really would love to get to Lichtenstein Castle!
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