Visit Schloss Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof Castles
Füssen in Bavaria is a good transit town when visiting Schwangau (Schloss Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau Castles) or nearby Linderhof, the Wieskirche, Ettal, and Oberammergau.
Füssen and Schwangau in the beautiful Bavarian Allgäu region are amongst the most popular holiday destinations in Germany. Vacationers enjoy the numerous outdoor activities but the huge number of day-trippers from Munich (München) comes mostly to see the Disney-like Schloss Neuschwanstein and nearby Hohenschwangau castles. Most travelers transit via Füssen, which is the final stop of the Romantic Road.
Top Sights to See in Schwangau, Southern Bavaria in Germany
Disney-like Schloss Neuschwanstein Castle, with around 1.2 million annual visitors, is undoubtedly the most popular sight in the Schwangau region. This white castle, with its medieval, neo-Romanesque look, was built in the late nineteenth century by Bavarian “Mad” King Ludwig II. Reservations to see the interior is highly advisable.
Nearby Schloss Hohenschwangau is an early nineteenth-century, neo-Gothic castle. King Ludwig spent much of his childhood here and the romantic setting inspired his own building spree. Hohenschwangau Castle is less popular than Schloss Neuschwanstein and can often be seen without prior reservations.
Great short hikes near Schwangau include the wild-romantic Pöllatschlucht (Pöllat Gorge) near Schloss Neuschwanstein and a walk to the Marienbrücke (Mary Bridge) for the indisputably best views of the castle. Many further and longer walks are available in the mountains above Schwangau.
Top Sights in Füssen – the Final Stop on the Romantic Road, Germany
Most travelers using public transportation to Schloss Neuschwanstein change from the train to the local bus in Füssen. Few venture into this small old town, which has a number of interesting buildings that are actually really old rather than nineteenth-century fantasies. Füssen is the official last stop on the popular Romantic Road (Romantische Straße) vacation route that connects many romantic sights in Bavaria.
- The Hohe Schloss (High Castle) in Füssen houses Gothic paintings from the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlung (Bavarian State Gallery) and the Städtische Gemäldegalerie (Municipal Gallery). In contrast to Hohenschwangau Castle, the Hohe Schloss in Füssen is real Late Gothic from the 15th century. Parts of the castle is even two hundred years older.
- Kloster St Mang (Monastery), a large former monastery, is probably the most impressive sight in Füssen. The monastery is mostly 18th-century Baroque. The crypt of the Klosterkirche (Abbey Church) in Füssen has the oldest wall paintings in Bavaria (dating from around AD 1000).
- The Franziskanerkloster in Füssen is a former Franciscan Monastery. In the monastery garden is the official end of the Romantic Road – a sign is available for photographic proof of a visit. However, the main reason to visit is the fine views that can be enjoyed from the monastery of the old town, castle, and monastery.
Popular Sights near Füssen and Schwangau, Germany
In addition to the fantasy castles in Schwangau and old town of Füssen, several further sights are within easy driving distance from Füssen. Most sights can be reached by public transportation but double-check return times as some buses offer limited services on weekend and during school holidays.
- Die UNESCO World Cultural Heritage-listed Wieskirche (Church in the Meadow) is a definitive work of the Bavarian Rococo.
- Oberammergau has many Luftmalerei (tromp d’oeil) painted building façades and is famous for the Passion Play performed every decade. Next performance is in 2022 and tickets are already on sale.
- Ettal’s Baroque abbey church has the only figure 8 floor plan in Germany.
- King Ludwig’s Schloss Linderhof Palace in a large, park in the Ammer Valley, is small but richly decorated. In contrast to the more popular Schloss Neuschwanstein, Linderhof can be seen without reservations or long queues.
The Füssen-Schwangau area is mostly visited by day-trippers from Munich going to visit Schloss Neuschwanstein. Transportation is easy by rail and bus from Munich although a car does make it easy to see many more sights in a shorter period.
More on King Ludwig’s Castles and Palaces
The three fantasy castles of King Ludwig are all near Munich and are popular day trips whether on bus tours, driving, or using public transportation. Schloss Neuschwanstein and Schloss Linderhof are to the southwest and may be seen on the same day when driving or on tours. Schloss Herrencheimsee is to the southeast and also a good stopover en route to Salzburg.
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Schloss Neuschwanstein and Schloss Hohenschwangau:
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Schloss Linderhof:
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Schloss Herrenchiemsee:
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