Hohenschwangau Castle

Hohenschwangau Castle in Schwangau, near Füssen in southern Bavaria, is the yellow castle facing Neuschwanstein across the valley and the place where King Ludwig II spent his childhood. Smaller and more lived-in than its famous neighbor, it shows how a 19th-century royal family actually lived, with walls covered in legends of knights and swans. If you are visiting the Royal Castles, this is the one that explains Ludwig's dreams.

Where it is and how to get there

Hohenschwangau sits in the Allgäu region, right at the foot of the Alps and close to the Austrian border. From Munich, it is about two hours by car or a little longer by train, which makes it one of the most popular day trips from the city.

• By train: Take a regional train from Munich to Füssen, then a local bus to Hohenschwangau village. The Deutschlandticket covers regional trains and local buses.
• By car: Follow the A7 autobahn to its end at Füssen and continue to Schwangau. Several paid parking lots are in Hohenschwangau village.
• Note for fall 2026: The main road through Schwangau has been closed since September 15, 2026, for roadwork expected to last until about mid-December, with a detour via Hohenschwangau. Allow extra time.
• Up to the castle: From the Ticket Center it is a 20 to 30 minute uphill walk, or about 10 minutes by horse-drawn carriage (not in winter).

A short history

A medieval castle called Schwanstein stood here by 1397. By the early 1800s it was a ruin that had been sold for demolition. In 1832, Crown Prince Maximilian, later King Maximilian II, bought it and rebuilt it in Gothic Revival style by 1837. More than 90 murals based on designs by Moritz von Schwind and others illustrate legends such as Lohengrin and the Nibelungs, themes that shaped young Ludwig and later inspired Neuschwanstein. Since 1923, the castle has belonged to the Wittelsbach Compensation Fund and has been open as a museum, with much of its Biedermeier furnishing intact.

Tickets and opening hours

Visits are by guided tour only, lasting about 45 minutes, in German or English, with audio guides in many other languages (as of October 2026):

• Hours: March 28 to October 15, daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; from October 16, daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1.
• Prices: adults €23.50, reduced €19.50, ages 7 to 17 €12, under 7 free.
• Booking: The official online shop adds a €2.50 service fee per ticket. Tickets cannot be exchanged or canceled. The Ticket Center at Alpseestraße 12 sells only a limited number of same-day tickets.

Accessibility and families

There is no elevator, and the tour involves about 180 steps. Kids under 7 enter free, and the short tour with its knight stories usually holds children's attention well.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you are already going to Neuschwanstein. The two castles tell one story: here you see where Ludwig grew up surrounded by romantic legends, across the valley you see what he built from them. Book both tours with enough time in between, and visit in fall for colorful forests around the lake.

Nearby

• Neuschwanstein Castle: Ludwig's fairy-tale castle, booked through the same Ticket Center.
• Museum of the Bavarian Kings: history of the Wittelsbach dynasty on the shore of the Alpsee.
• Alpsee: lakeside trail and boat rentals just below the castle.
• Marienbrücke: the classic viewpoint over the Pöllat Gorge.
• Füssen: a charming old town a few miles away.