How to visit Neuschwanstein, a fairytale castle in Bavaria: schedules, prices

I had been wanting to return to the Neuschwanstein Castle, which I had already visited twice, but many years ago.

However, not long ago, in a short getaway to Bavaria al southern germany in which I could also visit Christmas markets and the town of Fussen, I have had the opportunity to walk through this impressive castle again.

Neuschwanstein es one of the most visited castles in Europe, which is understandable because it is one of those majestic monuments that you can see on our old continent.

This castle is popularly known for having been taken as a reference by Walt Disney to design the sleeping beauty castle what can we see in Disneyland.

I don't know if this is really true or an urban legend, but without a doubt Neuschwanstein It is a true fairy tale castle.

Its stylized design will catch your attention, but above all its location on a cliff next to the mountains of the Tyrolean Alps, south of the Bavaria region, which will leave you impressed by its majesty.

Curiosities history of the Mad King's Castle in Neuschwanstein

I can tell you that it is not a castle of the Middle AgesBut Construction began in the summer of 1868 by who was known as the Mad King, Louis II of Bavaria.

Just as it happened where the very close one is now located Hohenschwangau Castle, on said cliff there were the remains of a medieval fortification.

It was precisely his father, Maximilian II of Bavaria, who in 1832 decided to rehabilitate the aforementioned Hohenchwangau, which became the favorite summer residence of Louis ii.

That was because he fell in love with the romantic landscape of mountains and lakes that extend around the surroundings of Fussen.

Louis ii He was named king in 1864, when he was barely 18 years old, but his reign was soon marked by the defeat of Bavaria and Austria in the War of 1866 with Prussia.

Therefore he became a king without really power, which led him to create his own “reino” with the construction of castles.

Neuschwanstein It was going to become a castle for his retirement, as the young king became increasingly shy and lonely.

Finally, in 1886 Louis ii He drowned in a lake under strange circumstances when the castle was about to be finished.

Just a few weeks after his death, the Neuschwanstein Castle It was opened to public visits, and is currently visited by 1,6 million people a year.

Where is Neushwanstein Castle

For visit Neuschwanstein Castle you must travel to the aforementioned town of Fussen, south of Bavaria.

From there you will reach Visitors Center where the ticket offices are located, which is located at the foot of the aforementioned Hohenchawangau Castle, on the shores of the lake Alpsee.

In that area of ​​the lake there are several hotels that were built at the end of the 19th century.

How to go up to visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria

For climb Neuschwanstein Castle you have three options.

On the one hand, take the bus that takes tourists up to the cliff where the castle is located, which will cost you 1,80 euros to go up and 1 euro to go down.

On the other hand, you can go up on one of the horse carriages that take you to the castle (6 euros to go up and 3 euros to go down), which take about 20 minutes to get there.

And, of course, you also have the option of walk up, which you may be encouraged to do when in high season there are long lines to catch the bus.

Keep in mind that the walk will take you about 45 minutes.

Where to buy tickets to visit Neuchwanstein

Previously, before climb to the castle You must have purchased tickets for the visit, which takes place only in guided groups that leave every so often.

For this reason the entries They have the time assigned for the tour which you must join.

Keep in mind that you cannot buy these tickets upstairs in the castle, but you must purchase them at the box office which are found in the aforementioned Visitors Center.

But due to capacity limitations and the large influx of visitors to this monument, in practice it is essential. buy Neuschwanstein tickets in the official website in advance of your trip to Germany.

Of course, for your visit, you must get to Neuschwanstein Castle with enough time to go up to the castle and arrive at the assigned time for the guided tour that corresponds to you, so do it well in advance.

Of course, it is prohibited to go up by car, which you must leave parked in the visitor area (6 euros).

What to see when visiting Neuschwanstein Castle

When climbing the castle, the first thing you should do is approach the Mary's Bridge (Marienbrüke), an impressive metal bridge that joins two mountains.

From this bridge that was ordered to be built by Maximilian II In tribute to his wife, you have excellent panoramic views of Neuschwanstein Castle and of the plain and the lakes that extend at the foot of the cliff.

If you get on the bus, the bus stop is located right next to the path to the bridge.

Then you will have to walk about 5 minutes to reach the entrance of the castle, with a recently renovated façade.

Private halls of Ludwig II of Bavaria in Neuschwanstein

During the castle visit, which has one duration of just 30 minutes, you will tour its main rooms.

Thus, on the second floor you will see the rooms for private use Louis II of Bavaria, such as his bedroom, dining room, chapel, office, or the surprising grotto and greenhouse.

Throne Room in Neuschwanstein Castle

On this floor there is also the great Hall of the Throne.

For its part, on the third floor you will find the largest of the rooms in the castle, the so-called Hall of the Singers.

To highlight the lavish interior decoration of the castle, where the paintings inspired by the medieval sagas from which he was inspired Wagner to compose his famous operas.

This way you will see scenes from various sagas, such as Tristan and Isolde, Parsifal o Lohengrin.

Visiting hours of Neuschwanstein Castle

The Neuschwanstein Castle visiting hours They are, from April to October 15, from 9 a.m. to 18 p.m., and the rest of the year, from 10 a.m. to 16 p.m., but if you are going to get the tickets at the ticket offices, keep in mind that they close two hours before the ticket office. end time of visits.

El Neuschawanstein Castle closes on December 24, 25 and 31, and January 1.

Neuschwanstein Castle ticket prices

The ticket prices The general price is 15 euros (17,50 euros for online purchases); the reduced price for seniors+65, students and disabled people, 14 euros (16,50 euros); and for children and young people up to 17 years old, admission is free.

Map: how to get to Neuschwanstein Castle

El Neuschwanstein Castle It is located 110 kilometers southwest of the city of Munich, an hour and a half by car.