Mostly surrounded by mighty walls, often located on high mountains, and usually easily incorporated into a hike: there are castles worth seeing in Germany at almost every turn and in every corner. Sometimes all that remains are ruins. Here are our favorite castles in Germany!
Eltz Castle | Rhineland-Palatinate
Even if you don’t know the name of this castle, you’re guaranteed to have seen it before: Eltz Castle in the Eifel region. The well-preserved walls are something like the model castle in Germany, located in the river valley of the Elz, on a slope in front of a green forest, with cute, white half-timbered details and walls so thick that they could still be used for defense today.
But don’t worry: the gates are open to visitors, from April to November. And that’s despite the fact that the castle is still owned by the Eltz family. A guided tour of the castle provides plenty of interesting information about the Middle Ages, and the castle’s own restaurant provides refreshments. Don’t forget to take a photo of the bridge leading to the castle!
👉 Click here to visit the Eltz Castle website.
Wartburg | Thuringia
Wartburg Castle near Eisenach is probably one of the most famous and important castles in German history and is therefore also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was here that Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German during his apparent imprisonment, thus driving forward the Reformation and laying the foundation for a common German written language. But even aside from that, a visit to Wartburg Castle is like stepping into another era, especially since the fortified building is so well preserved.
Various guided tours, from classic tours to family tours to flashlight tours for little explorers, make your visit both educational and entertaining, while the café and herb garden are perfect for satisfying your hunger. A real highlight is the castle construction site, where the various trades involved in a medieval building site are presented. Touching and trying things out is expressly permitted! And on the first, second, and third weekends of Advent in 2025, the inner courtyard is transformed into a beautiful Christmas market.
👉 Click here to visit the Wartburg website.
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle | Rhineland-Palatinate
Pfalzgrafenstein Castle is one of the few island castles in Germany. It rises unmistakably in brilliant white in the middle of the Rhine. Of course, there was a reason for this: from here, the Palatinate counts could levy a toll on river shipping. Fortunately, this is no longer the case today, but the castle is still an absolute eye-catcher. And you can even visit it (except in December and January). A ferry runs to the island from Kaub. It can be ideally combined with a hike along the Middle Rhine.
👉 Click here to visit the Pfalzgrafenstein Castle website.
Veste Coburg | Bavaria
It doesn’t get any thicker than this. The Veste Coburg is a stone monster. And actually more of a fortress than a castle. However, the original castle complex is still clearly recognizable, partly because the walls were never conquered in battle. (But they were once conquered by trickery. Nasty!)
The Veste can be seen from almost anywhere in the city of Coburg, which is definitely worth a visit, and can be viewed after a short climb through the equally beautiful Hofgarten. Inside the Veste, a permanent exhibition guides visitors through the history of the complex, the city of Coburg, and the noble family of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. The highlight (if you like that sort of thing): the huge collection of weapons. In addition, changing special exhibitions are organized. From the wall, there is a completely unobstructed view of the surrounding countryside.
👉 Click here to visit the website of the Veste Coburg art collections.
Altena Castle | North Rhine-Westphalia
A true jewel of the Sauerland region, Altena Castle has dominated the landscape of the town of the same name in the Lenne Valley for centuries. In the 20th century, the building was extensively restored thanks to numerous donations, and for several years now, an adventure elevator has been whizzing visitors up the 80 meters in 30 seconds. Finally, relief for the numerous school classes in the area who had to climb the stairs. Of course, those who wish to can still walk up.
Inside the castle, a museum takes visitors back to the medieval past, and on a guided tour for children, young visitors can be knighted or listen to old legends. From November 7, 2025, to January 6, 2026, the castle will also be illuminated with enchanting colorful lights, taking away some of the darkness of winter.
👉 Click here to visit the Altena Castle website.
Trifels Castle | Rhineland-Palatinate
Richard the Lionheart was once held captive here. The mighty Trifels Castle in the Palatinate Forest towers over the surrounding area, visible from afar on a 50-meter-high sandstone rock on the Sonneberg. In the past, the so-called imperial regalia were even kept there, including the sword, crown, and scepter of the Roman-German emperors. Replicas of these are still on display in the castle museum today. (The castle is closed in December and January.) Although Trifels fell into disrepair after the Middle Ages, the castle was rebuilt in the 20th century. However, history buffs will have to be forgiving, as it is not true to the original. The climb is still worth it, not least for the fantastic view.
👉 Click here to visit the Trifels Castle website.
Hohenzollern Castle | Baden-Württemberg
We’re cheating a little here. Hohenzollern Castle is not actually a real medieval castle. But there used to be a castle on this site. Today, only a chapel remains. The rest of the current building was constructed in the 19th century, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Quite the contrary!
When visiting the castle, guests step back in time, so to speak, and a free app even provides an audio guide during the tour. Those who like it particularly romantic can even get married here. From November 21, 2025, to January 6, 2026, the castle will also be transformed into a real Christmas paradise during the “Royal Winter Magic” event.
