Castles, Mountains & History: A Day in Bavaria
When I first saw the famous Neuschwanstein Castle during Disney’s iconic Soarin’ attraction, it immediately earned a place on my travel wish list. Later, when I realized this fairytale castle was just a few hours from the airport I’d be departing from after my Danube River cruise with AmaWaterways, I knew I had to make it happen.
I specifically chose a tour that offered more than just a visit to Neuschwanstein castle. Over the course of the day, we would stop at three different locations, including two castles built by King Ludwig II — the mysterious Bavarian king who died at just 40 years old and was known for being far more fascinated by fantasy, architecture, and the arts than politics.
Finding the right tour company made all the difference. Since we’d be spending several hours on the road, I appreciated the smaller group size and comfortable coach seating. Our bus was stocked with beverages and snacks, and throughout the drive our guide helped prepare us for the day ahead with maps, timing details, and helpful tips for each stop. It’s always such a bonus to get an excellent guide and ours truly was. She gave an overview of the castles and shared some history of Germany along with her own personal stories relating to the Berlin Wall and its effect on her own family. Along the drive, we had gorgeous views of the Bavarian countryside and the snow covered Alps in the distance, which added so much to the experience.
Neuschwanstein Castle Tour
Our first stop of the day was the charming village of Hohenschwangau and the world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle. Before we arrived, our guide stressed just how important it was to stay on schedule since castle tours operate on strict timed entry slots — definitely not the kind of place where you can show up late.
The fairytale-like Neuschwanstein Castle — famously known as the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle — sits dramatically atop the hillside overlooking the Bavarian countryside. There are three ways to reach it: hiking up the hill (about 25 minutes if you’re in good shape), taking a horse-drawn carriage (which feels perfectly on theme), or using the shuttle bus. Since our tour time was limited and our guide knew the best strategy for avoiding crowds, she directed us to take the shuttle up first so we could visit Mary’s Bridge before it became too busy.
And the views from Mary’s Bridge truly were jaw dropping.
The bridge stretches high above a rushing mountain stream and offers the iconic postcard view of Neuschwanstein Castle framed by the Alps behind it. After we snapped our photos, we followed the paved downhill walking path (takes less than 10-minutes) to the castle courtyard wher the tours begin. Along the path, there are multiple places to take in the gorgeous views of the alps, lake and surrounding countryside.
Once inside the courtyard, we scanned our tickets at our assigned tour time and entered the castle through the turnstiles. Photography isn’t allowed inside, but guests are provided with an audio guide while touring several rooms of the castle King Ludwig II began building in 1869. Ludwig loved swans and peacocks, and nods to both can be found throughout the elaborate interiors. Although the castle became one of the most famous in the world, it was never fully completed, and Ludwig himself only lived there for 170 days before his mysterious death.
One bit of trivia that I found amazing was there was running water in his bathroom served via gravity from springs that originated in the surrounding mountains — an incredibly advanced feature for the time.
After the tour, I stopped at a restaurant with wonderful castle views and enjoyed a classic Bavarian themed lunch before walking back into town. Hohenschwangau is so charming and there are several restaurants, gift shops, hotels and the area sits near a gorgeous lake and offers hiking trails.
Oberammergau
Our second stop was the picturesque Bavarian town known Oberammergau. We had about 30 minutes to meander through the charming shops, browse for beautiful souvenirs and take in more views of the stunning mountains. I loved the little Christmas shops and think ornaments are always a wonderful souvenir to bring home and unwrap a memory each year when decorating your tree.
Linderhof
Our third stop of the day was Ludwig’s castle Linderhof, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the smallest of Ludwig’s three palaces. Linderhof was the only one completed during his lifetime and was inspired by the decadence of Versailles. We toured it’s lavish rooms (so much gold and poreclain!) and after the tour, we enjoyed the gardens and fountains.
For a king known for his solitude and secrecy, it’s incredible that the castles born from his imagination are now some of the most visited and admired places in all of Germany.
The castles and history of Europe have always fascinated me, and spending the day exploring the villages nestled in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps was truly a highlight of my travels. There are so many different ways to experience Neuschwanstein Castle and the surrounding Bavarian Alps, and I’d love to help you find the best fit for your trip. Whether you’re a Disney fan, a castle lover, or simply fascinated by Bavarian history, this is absolutely something worth adding to your bucket list one day.
You can book the tour I experienced directly here or reach out to me at [email protected] or fill out a quote request here. I am an Certified Travel Advisor, my assistance is 100% complimentary and I would love to work with you.
