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11 Fairytale Castles in Germany: Most Beautiful Castles to Tour
Have you always wanted to visit a fairytale castle? Then you need to go to Germany, where some of the most beautiful castles in the world are waiting for you.
Germany is home to stunning medieval architecture, vast forests, and peaceful natural landscapes that make any visit feel like a fairytale. Whether you’re enjoying the Christmas Markets, checking out local theater, or visiting one of the top castles in Germany, you get the sense that you’re in a magical world.
To find the best fairytale castles in Germany, follow this helpful guide. You’ll learn about their history, how to visit, and why each castle is uniquely beautiful.
You may even find the perfect spot for a fairytale castle wedding in Germany!
🏰 I recommend this tour of German castles.
Map of Fairytale German Castles
Fairytale Castles in Northern Germany
1. Charlottenburg
by Ali of Berlin Travel Tips
If you’re looking for castles on your trip to Berlin, you’re in luck. The Charlottenburg Palace is gorgeous, and it’s a must for your Berlin itinerary. The palace was completed in 1699 and was the summer residence of Sophie Charlotte. When she died at the young age of 36, her husband, King Friedrich I, renamed the palace and the surrounding area after her to honor her memory. The palace also served as a retreat for seven generations of the ruling Hohenzollern family.
Today this beautiful castle is a museum where you can see various rooms and furnishings and get an idea of how Sophie Charlotte, Frederick I, and other members of the royal family lived. The changing styles of the different generations can be seen in different sections of the palace.
The park and gardens are also worth a visit. Directly behind the palace is a big fountain and ornate gardens, and the area surrounding the palace is a park filled with trees and pathways. There is no admission fee for visiting the grounds, so if you’re traveling on a budget, you can see the gardens for free.
If you’re interested in going inside Charlottenburg Palace, a ticket for either the Old Palace or the New Wing costs 12 euros. But you can buy a combo ticket for 17 euros and go to both. Both have audio guides, and the Old Palace also offers tours. This is a popular attraction, so try to go early in the day to beat the crowds.
To get to the castle, take the M45 bus or the 309 bus to the Schloss Charlottenburg stop. The closest Ubahn stations are Richard Wagner Platz (U7) and Sophie Charlotte Platz (U2) and the closest Sbahn station is Westend. It’s about a 15 minute walk from these Ubahn and Sbahn stations.
🏰 I recommend this tour of Charlottenburg
2. Cochem Castle
by Ann of The Road is Life
Perched on a hilltop and towering over the little village and river below, the setting of Cochem Castle is truly like a scene from a fairytale. Surrounded by rolling hills and sloping vineyards, there is no denying it’s one of Germany’s prettiest castles.
It’s located in the picturesque Moselle Valley in Rhineland and can be easily reached on a day trip from Cologne in just 1.5 hours by car. If you’re planning a road trip through Germany, Cochem makes an excellent addition to your itinerary.
The history of Cochem Castle goes back to the 12th century however the current castle was rebuilt in the late 19th century.
Tours of Cochem Castle are offered daily for €6 per person but keep in mind that they are currently only offered in German. Brochures are provided in many different languages making it easy to follow along with the tour.
After your tour of Cochem Castle, make sure to head for lunch at the castle’s tavern. Take a seat on their outdoor terrace and enjoy a meal with an incredible view. For a different perspective of Cochem Castle, take a ride up the Cochem cable car which brings you to the top of the neighbouring hill. From there you’ll see the Moselle River, town and castle all at once, the panoramic views are simply breathtaking.
🏰 I recommend this tour of Cochem Castle
3. Burg Eltz
by Sonal of Drifter Planet
Burg Eltz is Germany’s iconic castle that was once featured on the old 500 Deutsche Mark note. It is dreamy, romantic, and serene. It was constructed between the 11th and the 13th century so it is around 850 years old. It is still owned by the descendants of the same family that lived here in the 12th century.
The easiest way to visit Burg Eltz is by driving to it. The parking place is around a kilometer away from the castle so remember to wear comfortable shoes. Alternatively, you can also take a train to Moselkern Station and from there take a taxi. Visiting the Eltz Castle can be an adventure because you can walk from the train station, it is just 5kms. The forest around the castle makes this walk super rewarding.
Burg Eltz is open every day during summer, autumn, and spring from 9:30 am to 5 pm. A tour inside Eltz Castle costs €11 per person. The duration of the tour is around 35 minutes and is in German, English, French, and Dutch. Burg Eltz also has a restaurant and a souvenir shop inside.
In winters the castle is usually closed from the inside but it can still be enjoyed from the outside. It actually looks amazing when it snows!
4. Ramstein Castle
by Alexander and Cynthia from Travel your Memories
Burg Ramstein, also called Ramstein Castle, is located in Kordel near the Roman old city of Trier. It’s one of the best things to do in Trier. This castle is located on a 182-meter high rock on the edge of the Meulenwald forest.
The Castle was built in the 14th century and has often been occupied during wars. This is because the castle was strategically located for the trade routes that existed at the time. The castle is unique to see when you consider that many battles have taken place there.
Due to all these wars and financial shortages, the castle has fallen into disrepair. Because of this, it is not possible to see the castle from the inside, but you can still walk past the castle, which is impressive in itself.
The best thing about Burg Ramstein is that you can combine it with one of the most beautiful hikes in Germany called römerpfad.
This hike is 10 kilometers where you will see various Roman remains during the hike. The route takes about 3 hours to walk and is moderate in difficulty. You can do this route with children.
The hike starts at the parking lot Ramsteiner Weg 1. Once arrived, the route is indicated by signs.
5. Mariensburg Castle
by Raluca of Travel With a Spin
Just 20 km outside Hanover, high on a hill, stands the fairytale Marienburg Castle. It was built as a proof of love and birthday present by the last King of Hanover, George V, for his wife, Marie. The Queen longed for a romantic summer residence and the king accomplished her wish.
The architect chose a neo-gothic style for the building started in 1857. The result was a massive structure, with sky-high watchtowers and 160 rooms. Unfortunately, its royal owners only got to live in it for one year. While the castle was still being built, in 1866, the war between Prussia and Hanover broke out. Hanover was annexed by Prussia and the king fled to Austria, soon followed by his beloved wife. The palace was abandoned and nobody touched it for almost 80 years, until the end of WWII. That’s why the decorations and furniture inside are still original and in perfect condition.
Nowadays, the castle is still owned by the Royal House of Hanover, but it’s open to the public. Marienburg makes for a great day trip from Hanover. The countless turrets and pinnacles can be seen from the main road, while approaching the castle. Visitors can wander freely around the garden and exterior. The interior can be seen for a 12.5 euro fee. Once in the castle, the staterooms and private chambers impress people looking to find out more about the authentic royal style of life.
Fairytale Castles in Southern Germany
6. Neuschwanstein Castle
One hour from Munich lies a fairytale castle that inspired Disney – does it get more magical than that?
Neuschwanstein Castle gained modern fame when it inspired Sleeping Beauty’s Castle for Walt Disney when he was on a trip through Bavaria and the mountains in Germany. Now, it’s one of the most visited castles in all of Europe and is widely considered one of the most beautiful castles in the world. The lustrous white castle sits high in the Bavarian Alps, looking out over the natural forests and lakes.
Although the castle was built in the 19th century, it was built in the medieval style. King Ludwig II had a fascination with medieval stories and modelled the stunning palace on the ruins that are now the castle’s foundation. You can visit the area on your own, but you’ll need to pay to enter the castle. It costs 13 euros, but you get a guided tour for the price. Pictures aren’t allowed inside, which forces you to try to mentally capture the stunning frescos of the Arthurian legends in every room. Ludwig II shows his love for medieval opera in every room of his dream palace. Sadly, he never got to live in it.
While it’s beautiful in the summer, winter is the best season to visit this fairytale German castle. When the sun glistens on the white snow and the pine forest has a peaceful stillness, you’ll feel the fairytale magic.
A visit to Neuschwanstein is the perfect day trip from Munich. Take the train from the main station in Munich to Fussen. Then take the 73 or 78 bus to get to the castle.
🏰 I recommend this tour of Neuschwanstein castle
7. Burg Rheinstein
by James Ian from Travel Collecting
Rheinstein Castle (Burg Rheinstein) is perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Rhine River. It was built in the 13th century to collect tolls from people traveling along the river. In the 17th century, it was abandoned and became a ruin. It was rebuilt in the 19th century and has been owned by the current owners since the mid-1970s.
Today, with its turrets, towers, and dramatic location, Rheinstein looks like something out of a fairytale. You can take a self-guided tour through the castle, which typically takes about 45 minutes. Highlights include 17th century antique furniture, a collection of 15th century armor, and beautiful 14th century stained glass windows. Don’t miss the impressive Knight’s Hall, the gothic chapel, and the terraced gardens, including the Burgundy Garden where a 500-year old vine still produces grapes used to make burgundy wine.
The other highlight of your visit is the Kleiner Weinprinz restaurant. The restaurant has an outdoor terrace with sensational views over the river and the terraced vineyards on the opposite banks of the river.
The entrance fee is 7 euros. The castle is closed from late December to early March.
There are several ways to get to Burg Rheinstein. The most romantic is to take a river cruise down the Rhine between Koblenz and Bingen. There are several boats a day, and you can take an early boat, stop off to visit Rheinstein, then catch a later boat to continue the cruise. You can also drive or take the train. The nearest train station is Trechtingshausen Station, about a half-hour walk away.
🏰 I recommend this tour of Burg Rheinstein
8. Hohenzollern Castle
by Maartje & Sebastiaan from Tidy Minds
Hohenzollern Castle is one of the most magical castles in the world. Because of its unique hilltop location, it looks like it could be staged there for a fairytale movie. The medieval castle was built on top of a steep hill, creating a dramatic first sight for approaching visitors driving towards the hill. You’ll see the fairytale castle with its fortifications and turrets above the trees.
The castle is unique, as it’s still privately owned by its old noble family. And not just any noble family! The House of Hohenzollern used to be the royal family, up to the last German emperor Wilhelm II. The current head of the family is the great-great-grandson of the last emperor and still holds the title of Prince of Prussia.
The family doesn’t use the castle as their residence, as it’s now a castle museum. But if you’ll see the family flag at the castle turrets, the family is staying at the castle.
The main highlights of the castle are its unique location are authentic interiors and furnishings. Especially the Count’s Hall which is beautifully preserved. It has the type of arches and rib vaulted ceilings you usually see in gothic churches, which makes the main hall a truly spectacular sight.
You can enjoy the castle and its surroundings from outside and you’ll only have to pay for the car parking. But you should definitely see its authentic interior as well. Once you’ll buy a ticket, you’re free to visit the castle by yourself, without a tour guide.
🏰 I recommend this tour of Hohenzollern castle
9. Hohenschwangau
by Cosette of KarsTravels
Schloss Hohenschwangau is a castle on a hill in the town of Hohenschwangau near Füssen. It’s right across from the more famous fairytale castle Neuschwanstein. Both castles should not be missed on a 6 week European Road Trip. Although less famous than its neighbour, Hohenschwangau is not less beautiful and definitely worth the time to visit.
The castle was built in the 12th century, but abandoned in the 16th century. Crown Prince Maximilian of Bavaria bought the ruins in 1832 and rebuilt it in 5 years into a romantic neo-gothic summer castle. The castle gets its medieval look from the 4 corner turrets and walls with crenellation.
Unlike Neuschwanstein which is white on the outside, Hohenschwangau is yellow. The combination of the medieval look and the yellow walls makes for an enchanting castle.
The interior of the castle is in Biedermeier style. The castle is decorated with over 90 wall paintings from different artists, among them Moritz von Schwind. Depicted are German mythology and the ever-present symbol of a swan – a favourite of Ludgwig II.
You can’t park at the castle, but you can park at P4 in the town of Hohenschwangau and then hike 20 minutes to the castle or take a carriage ride to the castle. There’s an entrance fee, €21.00 for adults, €18.00 for kids from 7 years old and up. Kids under 7 are free of charge.
Right now the castle can only be visited with a guided tour at a fixed admission time. Guided tours take approximately 45 minutes and are available in German and English or with a portable Audio Guide device.
Near Schloss Neuschwanstein is a viewpoint that gives a perfect view of Hohenschwangau castle.
🏰 I recommend this tour of Hohenschwangau
10. Nuremberg Castle
by Slavka from On2Continents
Nuremberg is a lovely city in northern Bavaria, Germany. It’s a perfect destination for low-season city breaks when there are fewer crowds compared to the summer months.
Nuremberg is world-famous for its charming medieval architecture and WWII history. As the main centre of Nazi Germany, the city is home to several sights documenting this dark chapter of European history.
But the top place that dominates the city is Nuremberg Castle. The castle complex consists of several medieval buildings fortified into a massive hilltop fortress with several inner courts and a garden.
The castle was built in the 11th century and it was an important seat of the Holy Roman Emperors until the 16th century. The last of them was Maximilian I. Later, the castle lost its importance and was left alone for several centuries until it was significantly damaged during WWII. It took several decades to rebuild it into its original form.
The castle is easily accessible on foot from the historical city centre. Visitors can view several areas of the castle complex such as the Palace with Double Chapel, Imperial Castle Museum, Castle Gardens, Deep Well, and Sinwell Tower. Tickets are separate for each section, but you can combine them as well. The cost is usually under 10 euros. They offer guided or self-guided audio tours.
Those who would like to get married on a royal property can rent the Wedding Hall for the ceremony and the Knights’ Hall for the reception. Wouldn’t that be the perfect setting for a fairytale wedding?
11. Nymphenburg Castle
by Bec from Wyld Family Travel
Who would have guessed that in the sprawling metropolis of Munich lies a hidden gem that so many people miss seeing when they visit Munich.
Nymphenburg Castle sits perfectly in the bustling city providing a beautiful getaway from the noise and chaos.
Once a home to Royal families it is now one of the most forgotten attractions in Munich. You can easily get here by public transport and it is also one of the stops on the Munich hop-on, hop-off bus. The Castle is open for you to tour through to see how the Bavarian Royal families used to live. Inside you will see lavishly decorated rooms, bedroom suites that are to die for, and all the other household items that a Royal family needs.
On-site you will also find the Marstall Museum which holds all of the old carriages and sleds that were used to transport the royals through the city and beyond. At the back of the castle, you will find the Nympehnburg Gardens. These amazing gardens were once only open to the Royal family but are now a place where Munich residents come to bask in the sun, feed the ducks, sit in a beer garden or exercise.
Whether you visit the castle glistening under the summer sun or covered in snow in the winter you will be delighted with everything that Nympehnburg has to offer.
Admission starts at 12 Euros for adults but prices depend on the season you are visiting in.
Opening hours are also dependant on the season so checking the website for current opening hours is the safest option.
🏰 I recommend this tour of Nympehbburg Castle
Book Your Trip to Germany Today!
Transportation
The best ways to get around Germany are by car or train.
Driving across Germany is easy, intuitive, and fast. You’ll get to access more off-the-beaten-path adventures, and skip waiting in queues at train stations.
My recommendation: Use Expedia.com to compare rates for rental cars.
I use Expedia every time I rent a car to ensure I’m getting the lowest rate and all the amenities I need, without needing to have 10 tabs open comparing sites. You can save hundreds of dollars using their site!
Trains are awesome for saving money, but they do take more time. I always use Trainline to get the best deals on trains.
Travel Insurance
My travel mantra is “something will go wrong, embrace it!” Or at least it feels like it is, because that’s what happens on every trip I take.
Since visiting the best German castles involves a lot of transportation and even some hiking, it’s a good idea to invest in travel insurance. With Safety Wing, it’s easy and affordable! You’ll be protected against lost or stolen items, injuries, and even cancellations.
👉 Find out how much it costs to protect your trip today with Safety Wing travel insurance.
Best German Castle tours
To help you see these fairytale castle Germany destinations, I’ve gathered the best German castle tours for you to take.
Closing Thoughts on the Most Beautiful Castles in Germany
If you’re looking to visit a fairytale castle, you need to head to Germany. Disneyland may have fake spires and princesses, but Germany is home to the real thing.
Not only will you be visiting some of the most beautiful destinations in Germany, but you’ll also learn a lot about the country’s history. Many people stop considering German history at WW2 and never learn about the magical wonders of German royalty.
I’m a big fan of eccentric royalty and pretty buildings, which is one of the main reasons I love Germany so much.
Don’t wait to live your fairytale dream at a German castle!
🏰 I recommend this tour of German castles.
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Living Abroad Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy expat travel insurance?
100% YES! — With basic coverage averaging just $5-10 USD per day, enjoy peace of mind with a plan from Safety Wing!
🌎 What is the best country to live in as an expat?
It depends – the best country to live in as an expat will depend on your unique needs. I developed this free quiz to help you figure out where is right for you!
📍 How do I pick a country to live abroad?
It depends – picking a country to live in is hard. That’s why I developed this $7 course to share all of the steps I’ve taken when deciding to move to 20+ different countries, and how I handle homesickness when I get there.
Ultimately, making the choice of where to move is going to be hard. But the hardest thing is deciding to move abroad at all!
💼 How do I get a job as an expat?
You can find work abroad via local job boards or temp agencies. My favourite way to work is remotely, so I always look for jobs on FlexJobs.com when I live abroad. They hire for 100% remote roles only.
If you’re looking to teach English abroad, Premier TEFL has the best online course to get you great work!
💰 How do I open a bank account abroad?
Wise.com offers free global accounts, and the cheapest money transfers. Since it can be a headache to open bank accounts in different countries (it took me 2 months in the UK!), Wise.com is a great solution.
I actually use it as my primary bank now worldwide due to the multi-currency debit card. (Read more)
👯♀️ How do you make friends abroad?
Meetup.com – Meet likeminded people who share a similar hobby with Meetup! It’s free to join, but some activities may cost money, like if you go to a cafe and get a coffee.
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Learn languages in no time with iTalki! Moving abroad is an opportunity to learn the language. You don’t need to know it before you leave home.
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Yes! – VPNs allow you to access more of the internet. From US Netflix in the UK to social media sites banned in Asia. It’s a really helpful and cheap thing to ensure your online activities aren’t restricted.
🧳 What’s the best luggage for living abroad?
This is my favourite luggage set for long term travel. You can read more about my review of types of suitcases for travel here.
🏡 How do I tell my friends and family I want to live abroad?
Take this $7 course and learn the exact script I used to tell my family I was moving abroad … and then when I did it again. I even include tips for prepping your family, and for how to handle family who aren’t supportive.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy cheap flights?
To find cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner. (Read more)
🏨 What’s the best site to find cheap hotels?
To find cheap hotels, I recommend Booking.com. (Read more)
Or stay for free with Trusted Housesitters!
🚗 What’s the best site to rent cars abroad?
To find cheap rental cars, I recommend Discover Cars.
🚗 What’s the best site to find tours?
To find epic tours, I recommend Viator.
