Lichtenstein Castle

Lichtenstein Castle in the village of Honau, part of Lichtenstein in Baden-Württemberg, is one of the most photogenic castles in Germany. Perched on a narrow limestone pillar at the edge of the Swabian Alb, about 800 feet above the Echaz valley, it looks like a storybook illustration come to life. Built in the 1840s and inspired by a popular novel, it is still owned by the Dukes of Urach and makes an easy, memorable day trip from Stuttgart.

Why it is worth visiting

Lichtenstein is a product of the Romantic era. A medieval castle once stood on the rock, but by 1802 it had been torn down and replaced by a forester's lodge. Then Wilhelm Hauff's 1826 novel Lichtenstein turned the site into a symbol of Württemberg history. Count Wilhelm of Württemberg, later the first Duke of Urach, bought the property in 1837 and had architect Carl Alexander Heideloff design the Gothic Revival castle you see today, completed in 1842. Unlike many "fairy-tale" castles, it sits right on the cliff edge, and the drawbridge crossing is a highlight in itself. The ruins of the older castle, Alt-Lichtenstein, lie a short walk away.

What you will see

The courtyard, bastions and old cannons can be explored on your own, with sweeping views over the valley. The interior is shown only on a guided tour lasting about 30 minutes, with departures roughly every 20 minutes. Highlights include:

• The armory and the chapel with late medieval stained glass
• The wood-paneled drinking room painted with hunting scenes
• The richly decorated King's Room, Coat of Arms Room and Oriel Room
• The Knights' Hall, the largest and most lavish room

The official website does not state which languages tours are offered in, so ask at the ticket desk if you need English. Drones are banned over the site.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, according to the castle's website:

• April to October: daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5:30 p.m.)
• March, November and December: daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry 3:30 p.m.)
• January and February: closed; also closed December 24 to 26

Prices since January 2026: courtyard only €6 for adults (€4 for children aged 6 to 16); guided tour including courtyard €16 for adults, €14 reduced and €10 for children. Tickets are sold at the entrance only, with no online booking for individual visitors.

How to get to Lichtenstein Castle

The castle is roughly an hour's drive south of Stuttgart, near the city of Reutlingen. Stuttgart Airport is the closest international gateway. By car, follow the B 312 from Reutlingen up the Honau climb; the main parking lot next to the Schlossschenke restaurant costs €2 per day, and a paved path of about 250 meters leads to the gate.

Public transportation does not reach the castle directly. Take a Deutsche Bahn train to Reutlingen, then a regional bus toward Lichtenstein (Unterhausen or Honau) and walk uphill; plan your route in the DB or naldo journey planner. On Sundays and public holidays from May to October, the Sonnenalbexpress between Reutlingen and Engstingen stops at Aufberg near the castle. The Deutschlandticket covers regional buses and trains in the area.

Practical tips

• The castle is not wheelchair accessible: you enter over a wooden drawbridge and the interior has a spiral staircase. Wheelchairs can be used in the courtyard, and accessible restrooms are at the Schlossschenke.
• Strollers are not allowed inside the rooms.
• Dogs must stay on a leash and may only join the tour if carried.
• Allow one and a half to two hours for the tour, courtyard and viewpoints.

Nearby

Combine your visit with the Nebelhöhle or Bärenhöhle show caves in nearby Sonnenbühl, the treetop ropes course next to the castle, or the half-timbered old town of Tübingen, about half an hour away.