Somehow we always tend to talk about France and the beautiful castles that you can find there. Being a big fan of castles, I visited quite a few there and more precisely the ones around Versailles. Yet, when you look around, you will quickly realize that a lot of places actually have castles that will simply blow your mind.
Because I visit them randomly during various visits in Germany, I will not do a “road trip” description of each and every castle I found. If you are looking for a dedicated road rip for castles, you can find one itinerary here, where we drove a specific rout through north west Germany and more specifically along the Mosel river. That place is very famous for its high density in castles. This post will be more a list of castles that you can find per area as described on that picture below. So stay tuned =) this post is going to be updated when I find a new beautiful place to highlight!
1. Bayern
Hohenzollern Castle
Hohenzollern Castle is the ancestral seat of the imperial House of Hohenzollern. It is located atop Mount Hohenzollern, above and south of Hechingen, on the edge of the Swabian Jura of central Baden-Württemberg, Germany. That castle is probably my number one. It looks pretty much like Hogwarts, perched ontop of a trunked cone shaped mountain. This place is pretty unexpected as it is the only mountain in the area that has that particular shape. Definitly a breathtaking place with an exceptional architecture and landscape. All this combined with an outstanding landscape. Regardless of the weather you visit, you will be mesmerized. One thing that I still want to see, is that place during foggy or cloudy days! Definitely an unique sight!
To reach the castle, there is the possibility to take a shuttle service or to walk up. the hike up is not long but steep and might be hard during very hot days depending on health conditions.
Neuschwanstein
Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany. While purely designed as a residence, that castle combines outstanding luxury, architecture all this combined with an exceptional landscape.
No wonder that castle attracted so much attention! It looks like a fairy castle right out of a book!
You can visit the inside of the castle and discover its many secrets like a unique lift system that allows to decorated the table directly from the kitchen underneath. Also make sure to take the hike up to the view point to have a clear picture of the castle!
the parking is directly located in the village below. it requires a little walk up or the use of a shuttle.
Schloss Lichtenstein
Privately-owned Gothic Revival castle located in Swabian Jura. Designed by Carl Alexander Heidelhoff, the name “Lichtenstein” means “shining or bright stone”.
That castle is located ontop of a mountain, directly overlooking Echaz valley. The main building is itself located ontop of an isolated stone that makes the castle only reachable through a hanging bridge. While the castle itself is relatively small, the view and the location make out of that place a unique scenic place. Regardless of the season, the visit is worth it.
It is also recommended to go up the opposite mountain and reach (walking) the viewpoint. That way, you can admire the castle and it’s surrounding forest.
you can reach the entry of the castle directly by car.
2. Rheinland-Pfalz
That area can also be done at once through a road trip described here!
Cochem’s Reichsburg
Number 3 in my favorite castle ranking. That castle was expected to be built in the year 1000 and completely destroyed by Louis XIV in 1689. It was then rebuilt and restored in the year 1868 and 1877. That castle is built on top of a hill right behind the city of Cochem. A truly beautiful and unique sight. Overall Cochem is a strange and animated city. It looks old and authentic but at night, it wakes up and becomes a real party city. The castle is beautiful. You can reach it only by walking from the city upwards to the castle. There are tours organized that will make you visit every bits of it!
Side note: that city is quite pricy as it is very touristic. We spent the night there as we were not sure about all the distances and accessibilities. However, if I’d go back, I’d stay somewhere around that city and make the road to the castle for the half day.
What I really liked about that castle is the combination of an unique architecture along with a breathtaking landscape. The location close to a river bend and flanked by mountains gives that place an unique touch. You definitely feel like in an old city controlling the traffic along the river like back in the fantasy books.
Eltz Burg
Second favorite castle of Germany for me! If by any chance you did read the book « the sword of truth », this is how i would imagine the castle of the sorceress Shota.
Eltz Castle is a medieval castle nestled in the hills above the Moselle River between Koblenz and Trier, Germany. That castle is located in between mountains and is virtually cute and protected from the rest of the world. That castle stands proudly ontop of a little rock, with a little garden, in between of a dense forest and high mountains. It looks so unreal and unexpected that you feel like dreaming.
It’s architecture also has something very particular and stunning. Regardless of the weather and the season, the castle is unique in many ways and is worth a trip.
Here again, make sure to walk up to the look-out.
To reach it, you can either park at the main parking and hike all the way there (which is quite a stretch) or take a shuttle. There is also a less frequented road at the back, from which you can take a nice hike in the forest to reach the castle.
Marksburg Castle
The Marksburg is a castle above the town of Braubach in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is one of the principal sites of the Rhine Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site. That castle is among the few ones that has not been destroyed during the multiple wars. it served as a protection for the royal family and could host an army as well as a very heavy artilery that could shoot through the valley and the rivers around. The castle itself is located ontop of a mountain that offers a beautiful view. the place is truely breathtaking.
access is easy, by car you can reach the entry of the castle directly.
Stolzenfels Schloss
Stolzenfels Castle is a former medieval fortress castle turned into a palace, near Koblenz on the left bank of the Rhine, in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. That castle was completly destroyed during war and was rebuilt by Prussian Crownprince Frederick William IV in 1842. That castle is rather modern but offers a beautiful view over river and Koblenz area. it seems also to be an ideal place for weddings ;D
It can only be reached by walking up from the parking lot. the hike seems steep but the trail is rather smooth and he elevation gain well distributed.
Looking for other hiking or travel destinations? Check here!
Looking for other places to stay ? check here!
Or do you simply have a question? Contact me!
Very very informative 👍🏼
Hi there ! Thank you very much! if you have any questions, feel free to let me know!
Ping :Switzerland’s Most Beautiful Castles and Where to Find Them – Mike's Travelbook