A winter visit to an iconic German castle that served as inspiration for Walt Disney
Bavaria’s Neuschwanstein Castle sits among frost-covered trees during a winter visit to Schwangau. Adventuresome Co. photo.
Just outside of Munich, Germany, is an architectural beauty known for inspiring what is arguably the most widely-recognized castle of our time.
Neuschwanstein Castle, or Schloss Neuschwanstein, located in the Bavarian region of Schwangau, is known to have been a source of inspiration for the queen’s castle in Disney’s Snow White, and along the way, contributed as a reference for the design of the famous Princess Castle that is so closely tied to the juggernaut the Disney brand is today.
The castle was commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and was built in the late 1800’s, but was only partially completed by 1886, when King Ludwig II died in Lake Starnberg under mysterious circumstances. Neuschwanstein Castle then reopened to visitors within several weeks of the king’s death, and construction continued until ending – at least for the time being – in 1892.
According to one of the castle’s tourism websites, about 1.5 million visitors move through Neuschwanstein Castle annually these days. A tour through the main grounds takes small groups through dozens of the castle’s approximately 200 rooms, each of which feature marks of various historical eras, such as the Byzantine Empire and Gothic period. The interior is known for its opulence, featuring intricate designs and tiny details that make touring the inside of the castle a one-of-a-kind experience.
Another prominent feature near the castle to consider checking out is Marienbrücke, or Queen Mary’s Bridge, which is named after Kind Ludwig II’s mother, Queen Marie of Bavaria. The bridge is free to access when open to visitors and provides a stunning view of the castle and Bavarian Alps for anyone willing and able to take the 10- to 15-minute walk from the main castle. Fair warning that the path to get there – a dirt trail extending from the main paved path that takes visitors to the main grounds – can be very slick during colder months and is shut down when deemed unsafe for accessing.
Weather permitting, you can see the bridge from a designated viewpoint at the end of the ticketed Neuschwanstein Castle interior tour route. Just walk down the hallway from the shop to get there!
Marienbrücke, or Queen Mary’s Bridge, is visible in between bouts of fog during a winter visit to Neuschwanstein Castle. Adventuresome Co. photo.
Hohenschwangau Castle and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings are a short walk from Neuschwanstein Castle. Tickets for all three are available online on their official website, where you can purchase directly from castle operators. Remaining day-of tickets are available on site at Ticket Center Hohenschwangau and may only be purchased for same-day use.
Another great option is the pre-set bus tour that will take you from Munich proper to several sites, including Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Castle and – depending on the time of year – the village of Oberammergau. We suggest checking out this tour, but if you choose a day tour of any kind, be sure to confirm what all is included in the price, such as transportation, sites visited, ticket benefits such as skip-the-line or fast pass options, lunch and gratuity.
Notably, photography and videography inside the castle are generally prohibited, though journalists and others may apply for permits that are then reviewed by a castle administrator.
During the lower-traffic winter season, from October 16 to March 31, hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, with guided tours from 10 in the morning to 6 in the evening. Summer season hours, from April 1 to October 15, are Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours are available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer season.
For the English versions of the Neuschwanstein Castle tourism pages, click here and here.