The castles in Germany are among the country’s most striking and memorable attractions. They hug rivers, overlook towns and cling to alpine mountains. They are magnificent and romantic. No trip to Deutschland would be complete without a visit to at least one of these glorious sights. Take your pick from these most breathtaking castles in Germany.
1 Neuschwanstein Castle
Unquestionably one of the most spectacular castles in Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle near Füssen in Bavaria, is a hilltop Neo-Romanesque structure, which was commissioned by King Ludwig II in the mid 1800s. Unfortunately for the king he only spent roughly 6 months living in the castle during his lifetime, although thanks to him more than 1.3 million tourists currently enjoy the castle’s amazing views and brilliant architecture each year. If you’re only planning on visiting one castle whilst in Germany, you consequently can’t go wrong with Neuschwanstein.
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2 Hohenschwangau Castle
Located a mere hop skip and a jump from Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle is another 19th century build, which was commissioned by King Maximilian II of Bavaria, over the site of an existing 12th century ruin. Whilst Hohenschwangau Castle may not have the same fairytale façade as Neuschwanstein, it is still one of the most spectacular hilltop castles in Germany, with its beautiful neo-gothic architectural style and wonderful 360 degree view of the surrounding countryside. The interior of the castle is also an absolute must-see, with fabulous royal décor and finishes adorning every room!
3 Löwenburg Castle
Löwenburg Castle, situated in Kassel in central Germany, is an “imitation castle” built as part of the gothic revival movement during the late 1700s. This does nothing, however, to detract from the structure’s historical, architectural and aesthetic value, with travelers flocking from all over the world to catch a glimpse of the castle. As with many other German castles, Löwenburg Castle also contemporarily acts as a museum housing everything from suits of armor to medieval weapons, which makes for an extremely interesting and historically informative visit.
4 Hohenzollern Castle
Located near Stuttgart in Baden-Württemberg, Hohenzollern Castle dates all the way back to the 11th century, although the contemporary structure was commissioned by King Frederick William IV of Prussia in the mid 1800s. The Hohenzollern Castle is consequently another of the gothic revival castles in Germany, which were extremely popular during this period. This is by no means a negative however, as the castle was built to be beautiful, and it does its job well! The art, artifacts and royal burial sites in and around the castle also come together to make Hohenzollern Castle a genuine must-see.
5 Lichtenstein Castle
Situated on a cliff top just south of Stuttgart in Baden-Württemberg, Lichtenstein Castle was constructed during the mid-1800s by Duke Wilhelm of Urach. As with most of the other neo-gothic style castles in Germany, Lichtenstein Castle is completely stunning in its edifice, with a towering fort-like façade, complete with towers, steeples and bridges. The armour and weapons on display inside the castle also help to draw you back into a medieval time of knights, kings and hand to hand combat!
6 Sanssouci Castle
The Sanssouci Castle is very different from many of the other towering gothic German castles, as it more closely resembles a sprawling single story chalet than a “castle.” The stunning architecture and gardens of this 17th century creation, however, put Sanssouci Castle in the same league as buildings like Versailles in France. If you’re hoping to see something a little different whilst traveling in Germany, then Sanssouci Castle is certainly the place for you!
7 Eltz Castle
Located on the banks of the Elzbach River near Koblenz, Eltz Castle, a stunning 12th century medieval structure, is an absolute attention grabber. Sitting roughly 70 meters above the surrounding countryside and standing eight stories high, the over the top construction of the building really aids to make it one of the most magnificent castles in Germany. It is therefore unsurprising that the castle’s well-known image was actually printed on the German currency for many years. If you only get to see one castle whilst travelling in this region, you should consequently make sure that it’s the Eltz.
There truly is an exciting collection of castles in Germany. Have you been to any? Do you have a favorite?
