Explore the Magnificent Castles of Germany

There are thousands of amazing destinations worth exploring in Germany. You might head to Munich for traditional soft pretzels and wheat beer, to Berlin for a glimpse at the iconic Berlin Wall or Cologne for a tour of the breathtaking Dom Cathedral.

However, there is no question that a highlight of any vacation in Germany will be the beautiful castles found throughout the country. These top castles are show-stopping landmarks that no visitors will want to miss.

Neuschwanstein Castle

Since this is both one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe and one of the most-photographed structures in Germany, the Neuschwanstein Castle definitely deserves to top this list.

The castle is situated in the German Alps, which means that the surrounding beauty is almost as captivating as the structure itself. Unlike many castles, Neuschwanstein was designed to be a showpiece retreat for Ludwig II of Bavaria, and its beauty was recognized by Walt Disney, who used it as the basis for Cinderella’s castle.

Be sure to take a tour of the entire castle and finish the day with a meal at the onsite cafe that looks over the alpine peaks for unforgettable vistas.

Hohenzollern Castle

For anyone interested in German history, there are few landmarks that hold more promise and appeal than Hohenzollern Castle. Constructed in the 11th century but largely destroyed, the beautiful castle was given new life thanks to a complete remodel in the 19th century.

King Frederick William IV of Prussia wanted Hohenzollern Castle to be a sort of royal retreat and a place where significant items could be stored safely.

Today, it is a place where you can spot artifacts like clothes from Frederick the Great and even crowns from previous Prussian kings. Hohenzollern Castle is just 30 miles from Stuttgart, making it the ideal day trip for visitors.

Hohenschwangau Castle

This castle, located just outside of Füssen, is another of the many ancestral castles that fell to ruin and then was updated in the past 200 years.

This time, King Maximilian II of Bavaria decided to breathe new life into Hohenschwangau and make it his official summer residence.

After Maximilian’s death, his wife Marie continued to live in the castle, which looks almost Mediterranean thanks to a yellow exterior and terra cotta roof tiles.

Schwerin Castle

This castle is unique in part because it is located on an island in the middle of a lake. Schwerin Castle was first erected in the 10th century, but it went on to become the home of countless grand dukes of Mecklenburg.

Over the past 100 years, it has served as a training school for kindergarten teachers, a bomb shelter during World War II and a museum.

Today, the magnificent castle, boasting dozens of elegant turrets, is the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state parliament building.

Lichtenstein Castle

Built in the 18th century, Lichtenstein Castle is one of the newer structures on this list after the Neuschwanstein Castle. While its exterior is impressive, most visitors head to the castle for what is inside.

Lichtenstein Castle boasts an enormous collection of historic weapons and armor, making it a great place to spend an entire day.

When planning your next getaway to Germany, be sure to add at least one of these amazing castles to your itinerary.