Neuschwanstein Castle

Southwest Bavaria in Germany's Füssen district is home to the historicist Neuschwanstein Castle, a 19th-century building perched atop a rocky slope above the settlement of Hohenschwangau. King Ludwig II of Bavaria commissioned the mansion as a getaway and a tribute to Richard Wagner. Ludwig decided against using Bavarian public monies to build the palace and instead used his own fortune and a significant amount of borrowing. Although it started in 1869, construction was never finished.

Neuschwanstein, which was finished in 1886, was motivated by Ludwig II's stated wish to live somewhere created "in the genuine style of the old German knights." The King was supposed to use the castle as his personal abode until his death in 1886. Soon after his passing, it became accessible to the general public. Since then, Neuschwanstein Castle has welcomed more than 61 million visitors. Annual visitor numbers exceed 1.3 million, peaking at 6,000 per day in the summer.

Book in advance, particularly in the summer when Neuschwanstein can receive up to 6000 visitors per day, as guided tours are often offered in both English and German (now the only way to explore the castle). You must purchase your ticket either online or directly from Hohenschwangau. A little documentary on the castle and its builder serves as a nice summary as the tour comes to a close.

The castle is still open all year even though restoration work won't be finished until 2023. In the winter, hours are a little bit reduced. There are various gift shops and a reasonably priced cafe on the property.

Location: Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germany