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The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee

Near Garmisch-Partenkirchen · Germany

Background

World Heritage since
2025
Type of site
Cultural
Built under Ludwig II
1868–1886

This serial property consists of four palace complexes in Bavaria's alpine region, built under King Ludwig II between 1868 and 1886 as personal retreats and imaginative escapes. UNESCO says they draw on the Wartburg, Versailles, German fairy tales and Wagner's operas, in historicist styles with advanced 19th-century techniques, carefully set into their landscapes, and were opened to the public shortly after the king's death in 1886.

Neuschwanstein, above Hohenschwangau near Füssen, was built from 1869 to Eduard Riedel's neo-Romanesque plans, paid for from the king's own fortune and borrowing. Wikipedia counts more than 1.3 million visitors a year and 61 million since it opened.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 1868Ludwig II begins his palace building
  2. 1869Work starts on Neuschwanstein
  3. 1886The king dies; the palaces open to the public
  4. 1892Neuschwanstein is completed
  5. 2025Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Neuschwanstein
    The fairy-tale castle above the Pöllat gorge; guided tours only, tickets booked a month ahead.
  2. 2
    Marienbrücke
    The bridge with the classic view of the castle.
  3. 3
    Linderhof
    The small palace near Oberammergau, the only one Ludwig saw finished.
  4. 4
    Herrenchiemsee
    Ludwig's Versailles on an island in the Chiemsee.
  5. 5
    Schachen
    The king's mountain house above Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
  6. 6
    Hohenschwangau
    Ludwig's childhood castle across the valley from Neuschwanstein.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Book a Month Ahead
Wikivoyage: Neuschwanstein is visited by guided tour only; buy tickets online at least a month ahead, as walk-up slots go by mid-morning.
Two Hours from Munich
Direct trains to Füssen about every two hours, then the castle bus.
Walk Up from Hohenschwangau
Marked paths climb to the castle; the signboard times are generous.
Twenty-Five Minutes Inside
The castle tour is short; the walk and the bridge take the rest of the day.

Neuschwanstein from Munich

From the GoGo Munich guide · Open the Munich Guide ›

  1. 10:00
    Neuschwanstein and the Marienbrücke4 hrs
    The castle and the bridge view.
  2. 18:30
    Augustiner Beer Garden2 hrs
    Back in Munich, under the chestnut trees.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Sep–Oct. Freezing days in Dec–Feb. Rainy season Jun–Aug.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Aug (185 mm), driest Feb (65 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
The Pilgrimage Church of Wies is 33 km from Neuschwanstein; Linderhof pairs with Oberammergau for a second day from Munich.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 1726 · Wikipedia: Neuschwanstein Castle · Wikivoyage: Füssen (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Munich guide · UNESCO listing