Bückeburg Palace

Bückeburg Palace (Schloss Bückeburg) is the residence of the princes of Schaumburg-Lippe and one of the most striking palaces in the Weser Uplands of Lower Saxony. It grew from a medieval border fortress into a Renaissance palace with a moat, a park and the famous Golden Hall. A visit is by guided tour only, and the tour ticket can also include the princely mausoleum and the carriage museum of the court riding school.

Why it matters

The complex began as a border fortress of the counts of Schaumburg facing the bishops of Minden. Between 1560 and 1622 it was turned into a Renaissance residence in the Weser Renaissance style, built from Obernkirchen sandstone. Only two rooms from that era survive, the Golden Hall and the chapel. A fire in 1732 destroyed the east and south wings, which were rebuilt in late Baroque style. The gardens were laid out in the style of French ornamental gardens.

What to see

• Golden Hall: the ceremonial hall and the highlight of the tour.
• Chapel and inner courtyard: with a stair tower from 1562.
• Princely mausoleum in the park: included in the summer ticket.
• Carriage museum of the Fürstliche Hofreitschule: also included.
• Park and moat: for a walk after your tour.

The rooms can only be seen on a guided tour. The classic tour takes about 50 minutes; you then explore the mausoleum and carriage museum on your own. Plan 2 to 3 hours in total.

Tickets and hours (as of October 2026)

Tours run Tuesday to Friday hourly from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on weekends and public holidays hourly from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The palace is closed on Mondays. During the summer season until November 1, 2026, only the "Erlebnisticket" is sold: 17 EUR for adults, 14 EUR reduced, 8 EUR for children 6 to 15, free for children up to 5. It cannot be booked online; get it by phone, e-mail or at the palace shop. Ask the palace for winter prices. The website says the mausoleum is closed from October 5 to 16, 2026 for renovation.

Getting there

For navigation, enter "Reitweg, 31675 Bückeburg"; the signposted visitor parking is there. There is also a parking deck where parking on the upper level is free, plus spaces in the town center.

Good to know

Only the palace shop, the Alte Schlossküche cafe and the restrooms are wheelchair accessible; the rest of the palace is not. Dogs and other animals are not allowed on the tours.