Castles of Germany: Historic and Beautiful German Castles
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Germany is said to be home to over 200,000 castles. It’s almost impossible to plan a visit to Germany without making time to visit at least one castle.
German Castles To Visit: (Jump To)
We have barely scratched the surface but these are five favorites from our last trip.
Old Castle Stuttgart
Right in Stuttgart Germany’s historic core, the Old Castle (Altes Schloss) pairs Renaissance architecture with the Württemberg State Museum, making it an easy win if you’re mapping castles in Germany with minimal transit time. Combine a courtyard photo stop with the Castle Church and Schlossplatz nearby to maximize a one-day route through central Stuttgart.
For most tourists, the central German city of Stuttgart flies under the radar. Car enthusiasts know the city because of its connection with automobile manufacturers Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. The city is also home to a wonderful zoo.
The best castle to visit is Stuttgart’s Old Castle. Built in 950, the castle saw numerous renovations and additions until the New Castle was built next door in the early 19th century. Restored after a fire in 1931 and again after damage during World War II, the castle is now home to the Württemberg State Museum.
The castle is one of the most important Renaissance buildings in the region. Also, make time to visit the Castle Church across the courtyard.
Heidelberg Castle
Perched above the Neckar, Heidelberg Castle delivers classic Germany castle views, the giant wine cask, and the Apothecary Museum—all walkable from Altstadt sights on a short hill climb or funicular. It’s one of the most famous castles in Germany for a reason, so arrive early or late for fewer crowds and cleaner photos of the terrace and river valley.
Sometimes referred to as Heidelberg Palace this hillside castle complex towers over the beautiful riverside village of Heidelberg.
Much of the castle lay in ruin with some structures having been rebuilt. The largest structure, the Ottheinrich Building, houses artifacts and boasts an impressive collection of statues on its exterior courtyard facade.
Also on the site is the German Apothecary Museum, a giant old wine barrel, and a terrace with the best view of the Heidelberg river valley.
For more on the city, check out our one-day Heidelberg itinerary.
Hohenschwangau Castle
Across the valley from Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau Castle is the quieter Schwangau option with richly painted rooms and lake views that feel straight out of Bavaria. Book the paired ticket time slots when possible to link both castles in Germany on the same day without downtime between tours.
Overshadowed by its more famous son, Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau Castle has a rich history. Built on top of a rock with a view of a lake, the castle was built around the 14th century. A sorted history of occupations, sales, and eventual abandonment fill the castle's rich history.
The castle interior is a thing of beauty, themed to represent the “Swan District” (Schwangau), wall paintings, statues, and even a courtyard fountain are adored with swans.
Harburg Castle
On the Romantic Road, Harburg Castle is a well-preserved medieval fortress with walls, towers, and a moody courtyard that reads perfectly in photos. It’s a strong pick if you want authentic Middle Ages architecture without the heavy crowds that follow Bavaria’s headline castles.
Harburg Castle is a medieval era castle on Germany’s Romantic Road and is one of the best-preserved buildings from the Middle Ages. The building checks all the castle boxes, with its high castle walls, interior courtyard, and even a torture chamber.
Check out our full castle tour here.
Neuschwanstein Castle
This is the Bavaria icon—Neuschwanstein Castle belongs on any list of the best castles in Germany, with timed tickets and the Marienbrücke viewpoint delivering that postcard shot. Plan your visit window around the bridge’s status and light conditions, and pair Neuschwanstein with Hohenschwangau to round out a full Schwangau castle day.
Neuschwanstein is the castle you’ve been imagining. If there is one castle in Germany you must visit it is Neuschwanstein.
Located up the hill from the aforementioned Hohenschwangau castle, the unfinished architectural masterpieces was the project of King Ludwig II who died during construction. Despite the castle’s historic appearance, the building is only around 150 years old with much of the interior unfinished.
Make sure to get a view of the castle from Mary’s Bridge. The metal bridge over a waterfall is not for those with a fear of heights.
Read about our visit (including tips on how to get there) in a previous post.
