Fairytale Castles in Germany and Palaces you must see

Last Updated on October 28, 2024 by Ingrid & Alex

Germany has grown on me throughout the years and convinced me it is a fantastic travel destination I could never get bored of. Whether you spend two days in Munich, go on day trips from Munich, or look for fairytale castles in Germany, you will be impressed.

And we are talking about fairytale castles and palaces in Germany today. With such a large number, you could spend weeks and even months exploring them. 

In addition, Germany’s countryside is torn from a story with its painted wooden houses, colorful flowers, and gardens. Moreover, Germany has some of the best winter destinations in Europe, from fairytale Christmas Markets to perfect nature. 

But here is a list of Germany’s fairytale castles and palaces, as recommended by travel bloggers who have been there.

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Table of Contents
  1. Fairytale castles in Germany and palaces you must see
    1. Neuschwanstein Castle by Erica at TravelswithErica
    2. Burghausen Castle by Norman TheMunichGuide
    3. Rheinfels Castle by Bhushavali at My Travelogue
    4. Herrenchiemsee Palace by Tomas  at E&T Abroad
    5. Marksburg by Ruth at Tanama Tales
    6. Rheinstein Berg by James at Travel Collecting
    7. Colmberg Castle by Carolyn of Holidays to Europe
    8. Nuremberg Castle by Sharon at Exploringrworld
    9. Lichtenstein Castle by Hannah & Adam Lukaszewicz at GettingStamped
    10. Cochem Castle 
    11. Hohenzollern Castle by Hannah at Hannahshappyadventures
    12. Burg Eltz 

Fairytale castles in Germany and palaces you must see

Neuschwanstein Castle by Erica at TravelswithErica

fairytale castles in Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle is nestled in the mountains, just a short train ride from Munich.  It’s one of King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s castles and is exceptionally extravagant even though he died before the interior was completed.

The outside of Neuschwanstein Castle is breathtaking, but the interior is the real deal. Only 14 rooms inside the castle were ever finished because Ludwig II was quite particular about how he wanted each room to look, and he wanted each room to be over-the-top and detailed.

Please note that you cannot tour Neuschwanstein Castle without a guide and are not permitted to take photos of its interior.

I personally love Neuschwanstein Castle because it feels like you’re transported into a fairy tale. You’re in nature visiting a gorgeous castle. The interior is grand, with a unique style in each room that drips extravagance. The stunning interior and the nature surrounding the castle make for an experience you’ll never forget!

Here are a few ways of seeing Neuschwanstein Castle with an organized tour as a day trip:

Burghausen Castle by Norman TheMunichGuide

fairytale castles in Germany

Did you know you can visit the longest castle in the world on a day trip from Munich?

Burghausen Castle is altogether 1,051 meters long and dates back to 1025 AD. It was continuously expanded until it reached its current size in the 15th century.

It’s such a fun place to explore. There is a museum, a chapel, and even a restaurant you can explore as you move through the five ensuing courtyards until you reach the central bastion.

What I love the most about this castle is that people are still living in some of the outbuildings. There are regular trains to Burghausen from Munich, and it’s not at all hard to get there. It’s one of the best castles near Munich.

You should also know an enchanting little old town is right below the castle. The Austrian border is barely a kilometer away, and in summer, you can even go bathing in the beautiful lake on the other side of the Burghausen castle. The best part is that very few international tourists come here.

Rheinfels Castle by Bhushavali at My Travelogue

The stretch of Upper Middle Rhine Valley, the part of the Rhine River from Koblenz to Bingen, is so gorgeous that UNESCO lists it!

It is picture-perfect, with hills on either side, vineyards, castles, churches, and picturesque medieval villages and towns! It’s just too beautiful to describe in words.

One of these fabulous castles is Rheinfels Castle in St.Goars. While partially ruined, it fascinates me in three ways.

One, of course, is the watchtower that gave such a magnificent view of the Rhine.

The second is the cellar, the largest vaulted cellar in Europe, without support. 

Three, the underground tunnels – the main ones called the fox tunnels and the tiny tunnels that branched out from them called mine tunnels.

Today, as part of a guided tour, you can walk inside the fox tunnels in the dark winter evenings with just a hurricane lamp. It is rather eerie!

Here are a few ways of seeing the Rhine River with an organized tour as a day trip:

Herrenchiemsee Palace by Tomas at E&T Abroad

Herrenchiemsee Palace was built on the island of the same name, which lies on Lake Chiemsee in Bavaria.

This building was built by Ludwig II of Bavaria, who built the castle as a copy of French Versailles. He spent a lot of money to make this estate, yet he died before he could finish it.

Ludwig II visited the castle only once, about two years before his tragic death.

The mirror gallery in Herrenchiemsee is even larger and longer than in Versailles itself. The room is over 75 meters long, has 33 crystal chandeliers, and requires over 2000 candles to illuminate.

Worth mentioning is also a pompous bedroom decorated with pure gold, the equipment of which was more expensive than the price of the island itself. Ludwig II imagined he would accept his audience here; unfortunately, he had never slept in this bed.

There is also a huge bathroom with a 6800-liter pool. Some of the unfinished rooms that remained empty can also be seen. It is said that there are up to fifty of them.

The ticket includes the entrance to an extensive museum about Ludwig II, so you can learn exciting things about his life and try to solve the mystery of his death.

The gardens and fountains around the castle are beautifully maintained, so walking along the island is an inseparable part of the Herrenchiemsee palace.

Take a tour from Munich and see the Herrenchiemsee Palace:

Marksburg by Ruth at Tanama Tales

fairytale castles in Germany

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a wonderland full of small towns, vineyards, hilltops, monuments, and castles!

With one day in the valley, I had to pick what to do carefully.  After tons of research, I came up with a plan. From Frankfurt, we took the train to charming Rudesheim.  Once we explored the town lined with half-timbered houses, we took a scenic cruise to Braubach.  

Why Braubach? Because Marksburg, the only castle in the area that has never been destroyed or fallen into disrepair, is located above the town.

The castle’s size, architecture, history, and location pull you.  There are about 40 castles in this part of the Rhine. But, the sight of Marksburg may make your jaw drop.  It is just that imposing (and hard to ignore).

You can walk or drive to the castle from Braubach. I recommend the walk (20 minutes) because the path passes through a forested area with gorgeous half-timbered houses.

Once at the top, you can buy tickets to tour the castle with a guide (tours last 50 minutes and are the only way to see the castle).

Get ready to be transported to Medieval times.  You are shown the gates, battery, chambers, kitchen, blacksmith workshop, chapel, and more.  One particular feature, the Riders’ Stairway, impressed me. These steps, carved out of bedrock, are so difficult to climb.  No wonder why the castle was never defeated.

My favorite part of the tour was the panoramic terrace. The views of the Rhine and its surroundings are breathtaking. After the tour, you can get a treat or snack at the on-site cafeteria and continue enjoying the views.

I hope you consider stopping by Marksburg on your next visit to the Frankfurt-Rhine region.

Rheinstein Berg by James at Travel Collecting

Rheinstein Berg (Castle) is one of the most beautiful castles on the Rhine River. It is perched atop a rocky outcrop about 270 feet above the river. From the castle, you can see stunning views over the surrounding Lorely Valley, Rhine River, and the cute town of Assmannshausen on the opposite bank. 

The original castle dates from the early 1300s, but it was rebuilt in the 1800s and then extensively restored after being purchased by a former opera singer in 1975.

A word of warning – you must be reasonably fit to enjoy it fully. However, the rewards are incredible views and a romantic fairytale castle to explore fully. Other highlights include the Burgundy Garden with a 500-year-old burgundy grapevine and the working drawbridge.

Rheinstein Castle has a gift shop and a small café where you can enjoy a glass of wine and beautiful views. You can even stay in the castle! 

This is a highlight of any trip to Germany if you are fit enough to navigate the stairs. An alternative to all those stairs is to enjoy a stunning view of the castle from the Rhine River on a river cruise between Koblenz and Rudesheim.

Colmberg Castle by Carolyn of Holidays to Europe

It may be a lesser-known castle, but Colmberg Castle on Germany’s Castle Road is definitely of the fairytale variety.

Situated in the small village of Colmberg, about 20 kilometers from Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Colmberg Castle (official name Burg Colmberg) sits on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful Franconian landscape below. As you drive towards Colmberg, you can’t help but notice the castle, with its turreted towers and formidable walls, as it comes into view.

Built during the Middle Ages, the castle was bought by Burgrave Friederich IV of Nuremberg in 1318. It was an essential possession of the House of Hohenzollern (a German royal dynasty) for almost 500 years.

Since 1964, the castle has been owned by a private family, who have restored it to its former glory and turned it into a hotel and restaurant. If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a castle, Colmberg is an excellent choice. Rooms feature modern conveniences but retain a medieval feel, and the hotel’s narrow, low-ceilinged corridors and wooden staircases add to the charm.

There’s a restored 15th-century chapel, banquet halls, and medieval decorations to explore.
Outside, a stroll around the beautiful gardens, through ancient stone archways, and alongside the fortified walls will almost have you believing you’ve stepped back in time.

It’s not only hotel guests who can enjoy a visit to Castle Colmberg, though. The restaurant is open for dinner and serves traditional cuisine, including local venison sourced from the Castle’s game reserve. During the warmer months, there’s nothing better than dining alfresco in the Castle’s courtyard, protected by the medieval walls and towers.

I enjoyed my overnight stay at Colmberg Castle and highly recommend a visit.

Nuremberg Castle by Sharon at Exploringrworld

fairytale castles in Germany

This lovely, restored castle sits on a hill above the old town of Nuremberg. It’s right at the Medieval wall, which is still intact and a pleasure to see, too.

First built in 1037, the castle hosted German kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire as they traveled from place to place.

The castle was restored or redecorated several times, most recently due to the damage inflicted during World War II.

Begin your visit with a walk through the pleasant gardens. First laid out in the 1500s, the garden today features roses and pagoda trees. The southern garden area will delight you with its circular flower bed surrounded by maples.

Next, climb the short but steep path to the castle courtyard. Notice the lime tree in the center. For centuries, the castle courtyard has featured a lime tree. Artist Albrecht Durer reported dancing under the lime tree at the summer solstice party in 1455. And it’s believed the castle court met under the tree branches once upon a time.

A small museum displays artwork, including stained glass with battle scenes. Antique weaponry, official documents, and the Holy Roman Empire crown jewels will also be seen.

Take the wooden spiral stairway to the top of Sinwell Tower. You’ll be rewarded with views of Nuremberg and its orange-colored roofs. As you enjoy the vistas, it’s easy to imagine life hundreds of years ago when rulers lived in the castle and walked the winding, cobblestone lanes of Nuremberg.

Some tours to consider for Nuremberg:

Lichtenstein Castle by Hannah & Adam Lukaszewicz at GettingStamped

Liechtenstein Castle is located in the southwest of Baden Wurttemberg on the edge of the Swabian Alps in Germany and is an absolute dream. This gothic-style castle was built on a cliff surrounded by rolling hills and valleys and is considered one of the most fairytale-esque castles in Germany and Europe! 

In our opinion, the best way to get to the castle is by car. Renting a car in Germany is inexpensive, and we’ve always felt safe driving throughout the country. Once you arrive, a parking lot is available for a small fee. 

The only way to glimpse inside is to take the 30-minute guided tour. The tour is not given in English, and no pictures are allowed inside, but it’s totally worth it to see inside the magnificent structure. You can also explore the castle’s courtyard before or after your tour. 

Inside, you’ll see armor, weapons, a chapel lined with stained glass windows, and a knight’s hall featuring Gothic and medieval-style decor. You’ll find beautiful bridges on the grounds connecting the castle structures. There’s so much to see at the Liechtenstein Castle!

Cochem Castle

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Cochem is one of the most romantic little towns in Germanytucked away between vineyards on the banks of the Mosel River. 

The perfect destination for a laid-back vacation, it is also home to one of the loveliest castles in Germany: Cochem Castle.

As soon as we approached the colorful village, we spotted the castle on top of a hill and were impressed by its beauty. There are two ways to reach the castle, and we took both when we decided to see the region from up the hill. 

Climbing through the woods felt like we were in nature. We also had the chance to return down through the small city center, which was filled with wine and souvenir shops.

The castle dates from the 11th century and sits between different types of vineyards. It is the largest castle on the Mosel, and every year, during the first week of August, medieval performers, artisans, and various other folk wait to welcome guests to our castle festival.

We stayed overnight, and I wish I had more time here because there are plenty of things to do in Cochem. 

Hohenzollern Castle by Hannah at Hannahshappyadventures

fairytale castles in Germany
Source: Pixabay

Hohenzollern is a stunning fairy-tale German castle located in Baden-Wurttemberg. It’s perched at the top of a mountain.

The views leading up to the castle are just as spectacular as those from it. Its complete restoration sets it apart from many fairy-tale castles in Germany, which are often just ruined.

The castle grounds also include a restaurant and beer garden. After our summer visit, we relaxed in the beer garden with a stein. It was the perfect end to a great day.

Hohenzollern is best visited by car. It takes less than an hour from Stuttgart and under two hours from Freiburg. Alternatively, take the train to Hechingen station. From here, a shuttle bus can go up to the castle.

However, some of the best views of the castle are from a distance. Therefore, visiting by car is best, as you can stop to take photos. Hohenzollern is just one of many amazing places to visit in Baden-Wurttemberg.

Burg Eltz

Burg Eltz was another stop on our drive through Germany’s Romantic Road to Colmar and Strasbourg in France. 

Maybe one of the most Instagrammable castles in Germany, Burg Elz, is hidden away between some hills and in the heart of a forest. Once we parked our car, we had a 20-minute walk in the woods, which was pleasant enough. 

The castle is set above the Moselle River, between Koblenz and Trier, and it is owned by the same family that had it in the 12th century. 

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