City: Bavaria
Top Things to do in Bavaria
Countries
The 10 Best Castles in Bavaria, Germany
Anthem: Bayernhymne (German)
"Hymn of Bavaria"
Restaurants in Bavaria
1. Schloss Heidelberg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,450 reviews
Each year, Heidelberg Palace attracts around one Million visitors from all over the world. Since the 19th century, These impressive ruins have been synonymous with Romanticism. The Heidelberg Tun, the statues on the facade and the gardens of the palace are Highlights of any visit.
Reviewed By JudyM1888 - Ocean View, Australia
A must do in Heidelberg.Take the funicular railway to the castle and enjoy fantastic views over the city.A guided tour of the castle allows a much better insight the the history and the lives of nobility who lived there. If you have lunch at the castle cafe-the apple strudel and the rhubarb water are highly recommended.
2. Schloss Linderhof
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,539 reviews
A bizarre, yet glamorous, castle built by King Ludwig II.
Reviewed By David190343 - Wetherby, United Kingdom
Ludwig II's admiration of Louis XIV was played out here in a spectacular fashion. Sumptuous furnishings and decor with gold leaf everywhere in a series of splendid rooms all within a jewel of a building and a lovely setting. Must be seen.
3. Fortress Marienberg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,216 reviews
This castle, the city's most prominent symbol since the 12th century, includes a museum, restaurant and formal gardens.
Reviewed By lucianonecar - Berlin, Germany
The opportunity to walk up the hill and experience the views, touch the walls, walk through adorned entrance doors, and see other aspects of the fortress from outside was unique. A must-do for those who come to Würzburg.
4. Schloss Neuschwanstein
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17,562 reviews
Yet another of the eccentric King Ludwig II's magnificently odd architectural creations.
Reviewed By 430chuckd
You will be greeted at the entry to the little tourist shopping area where you will pay about 7 euros to park. From there you will walk to the nearby ticket office and purchase tickets for reserved tour times for one or both castles. This must be done on the day of your visit, and it's a good idea to get there early, since the time slots fill up rapidly and the number of people per slot is limited. Allow two hours between the starts of the tours if you plan to take the bus up to Neuschwanstein rather than walk, three hours if you walk. From the ticket office you will take a short walk uphill through a small shopping area with restaurants, hotel, a bank, gift shops, etc., following the signs to Schloss Hohenschwangau. It's best to see this castle first since it's the closest and the easiest stairway climb up the hillside. After this tour, which is about 40 minutes, walk back down to the nearby bus stop (you won't have trouble finding it) and purchase tickets at 2-1/2 euros each for the ride up the mountain stopping near Schloss Neuschwanstein, about a 10-minute drive and the buses run at 10-minute intervals. Or, you can use the walking trail if you’re in good shape, but it’s rather steep and long (about 40 minutes) and keep in mind that there are a LOT of stairs on the castle tour. The bus will let you off at a point with a very short hike to Mary’s Bridge (highly recommended if you’re not afraid of heights or rickety-feeling bridges), where you will get the best view photo view of the castle. From there walk back down to the bus stop and follow the signs mostly downhill to the castle, about a 10-minute walk. Taking the hiking path down from there after the 40-minute tour is easier than walking back uphill to the bus, since it’s all downhill. If you’re a serious German history buff and want to learn everything (and I mean Everything) about the history of the region, you can buy the museum tickets at the door. Don't miss the Linderhof Palace for jaw-dropping opulence while you're in the area. It's not as big as the castles, but the interior is truly impressive.
5. Schloss Hohenschwangau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,445 reviews
The yellow Gothic castle in which King Ludwig II spend his childhood.
Reviewed By BenGenn - Brisbane, Australia
We stopped here on the way to Schloss Neuschwanstein. An amazing and beautiful castle with a fascinating history, a wonderful place to visit in the area.
6. The Residenz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,636 reviews
This palace served as the home for Würzburg's powerful prince-bishops during the Enlightenment and is known for its extravagant artistic design and Baroque architecture.
Reviewed By monideepad - Bangalore District, India
We walked ahead and reached the Würzburg Residence with the Courtyard Gardens and the Residence Square. A very strong representation of the 18th-century Baroque palace architecture, the Würzburg Residence has been listed has World Heritage Site since 1981. As soon as we had stepped in through one of the three monumental gates, we realised that we had indeed saved the best for the last... Once within the Courtyard Gardens, we were appalled by its beauty and wonderstruck to see how thoughtfully it had been planned within the fortifications. Known to be one of the finest Baroque Gardens that Germany can boast of, the Courtyard Garden is made up of three sections, South Garden inside the gate, the East Garden, the and the Nursery The part of the Courtyard Garden or ‘Hofgarten’ close to the Residence or ‘Residenz’ comprises the east part. It is grand and in formal Baroque style with the terraces that create an illusion of spaciousness. As we moved further towards the south end, we noticed a transition in its style towards an English garden, with perfectly trimmed sharply conical 18th Century Yew trees, with sculptures at their base, with mini forests and meadows and an orangery at the far back. Monumental sculptures, statues of Greek Gods, figures, vases, urns decorate the park which has cute white benches. I was particularly smitten by the fountain because of the frozen water around. A small branch was lying on top of the frozen water and it was a spectacular sight. The Nursery is like a rough park. I could not help wondering how lush green and colourful the Courtyard Garden would look when in full bloom. The Courtyard Gardens could be visited free of charge, but for visiting the Residence, one has to take a guided tour. The baroque palace, Würzburg Residence, was built in 1720 at the request of Bishop Johann. The palace is made of yellow sandstone and hence emits a golden glow. I am very fond of palace tours as I am invariably intrigued about its interiors. Photographs were not permitted but I brought back memories of this Franconian Versailles which boasts of grand rooms, more than three hundred in number, spread over three wings; the central main, the north and the south wings. I was mesmerised by the ornately elegant golden and marble church ‘Hofkirche’, which was built for the exclusive use of the prince bishop, the grand, wide staircase, the ceiling decorated with frescoes, the alter decorated with paintings of Tiepolo, the chapel and the Imperial Hall; all of which bear the impressions of Baroque, Rococo or Neoclassical architecture and art. It goes without saying that Residence too was very badly damaged during the World War II, but thankfully, it was eventually restored.
7. Schwetzingen Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 629 reviews
Schwetzingen Palace is famous for ist beautiful and harmonious gardens. Remarkably, the original design, in all ist diversity, survives to this day. Highlights are the Rococo-theater, the mosque and the Apollon temple.
Reviewed By JonesyTraveller - Schwetzingen, Germany
Stunning gardens. Only €3.50 after 17:30. Beautiful mosque, bird garden and lakes. You need 3 hours to do it justice.
8. Schloss Berchtesgaden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By Chooks64 - Gloucester, United Kingdom
We have just had a tour with Francisca. We arrived for the 3 o'clock tour and were greeted by a friendly cashier who spoke English and gave us an English script for the tour. We turned out to be the only 2 on it and our lovely guide spoke English for us explaining everything in detail and with good humour. There is so much to see and lots of rooms to visit- more than we saw at Hohenschwangau castle. I think we talked for longer than our allotted time but we're not rushed on our tour. A must see if you are in Berchtesgaden.
9. Hermitage Castle (Altes Schloss Ermitage)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 304 reviews
Reviewed By cmbreuer2016 - Queensland, Australia
We visited in winter, a lot of the statues and fountains were covered but it was still stunning. I imagine that in a few months the gardens and parklands would be wonderful. It is well worth a visit.
10. Lustheim Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By alexh2009 - Huddersfield, United Kingdom
Combine with the other Schloß and worth’s a visit. The walk from the schloss to the hunting lodge is idyllic through the gardens. The porcelain collection is very impressive if that is your sort of thing.
