When your own four walls get too boring and a walk in the park outside your door is just too dull, you need that certain something extra: the right amount of pomp and ostentation. You’ll find plenty of that and more in these nine fairytale castles in Germany.
1. Neuschwanstein Castle | Bavaria
A fairytale castle for a fairytale king: Neuschwanstein Castle was built out of fascination and now exudes a similar allure. The unmistakable monumental structure was built in the 19th century by order of the Bavarian King Ludwig II. Who wanted to express his enthusiasm for the Middle Ages. Or perhaps to escape from the present?
Today, the castle is one of the most visited attractions in Germany. No wonder! Perched high above the surrounding countryside, Neuschwanstein Castle is the perfect photo opportunity and a lasting memory. It can only be visited on a guided tour, and we recommend booking well in advance. If you are looking for a particularly romantic experience, take a horse-drawn carriage (almost) all the way up to the castle. The best view of the castle is from the Marienbrücke (closed in winter), but you need a head for heights to see it.
2. Nymphenburg Palace | Bavaria
The magnificent 18th-century Nymphenburg Palace is one of the most popular destinations in the Bavarian capital, and rightly so. The imposing complex is resplendent in magnificent white, especially on sunny days, of which Munich has plenty, and is perfect as a backdrop for fairytale selfies. And on a long Sunday stroll in the extensive park, all your everyday worries will be forgotten in no time.
Concerts are also held at Nymphenburg Palace with a focus on classical music. So if you’ve ever wanted to experience a symphony in an authentic setting, this is the place for you. Of course, the magnificent building can also be visited (advance online booking is recommended) and no one leaves the palace museum without new knowledge.
3. Charlottenburg Palace | Berlin
Baroque in Berlin: Charlottenburg Palace in the district of the same name in the German capital was once the summer residence of the Prussian kings. The entire building complex includes the palace itself, a picturesque palace garden, a mausoleum and the New Pavilion. So there is plenty to see. Incidentally, none other than Queen Luise of Prussia is buried in the mausoleum.
Thanks to its central location, the area is wonderfully easy to reach, making a trip to Charlottenburg Palace almost a must during a stay in Berlin. A walk through the palace garden takes you through more than 300 years of garden art, while the buildings themselves can be viewed for an entrance fee. In the aptly named “Golden Gallery”, you might want to put on sunglasses to protect your eyes from the splendor. It’s definitely worth a visit!
4. Heidelberg Castle | Baden-Württemberg
The Heidelberg Castle is considered the cradle of German Romanticism. And anyone who has been there knows why. Not only is the castle picturesquely situated at the entrance to the Neckar Valley, high above the rooftops of beautiful Heidelberg. No, it is also half in ruins. Overgrown with moss and bathed in sunlight, it is no wonder that numerous poets in the 18th and 19th centuries were inspired by the old walls.
Today, the castle is Heidelberg’s most famous landmark. You can either walk up or take the funicular. From the terrace, you have a magnificent view of the city and the Neckar. The best view of the castle itself, however, is from the Philosopher’s Walk on the opposite hillside. But if you don’t fancy the hike, you can also take a great photo from the north side of the Neckar at the Old Bridge: Heidelberg, the castle and the bridge in one picture. Fantastic!
5. Sanssouci | Brandenburg
A carefree day trip destination. That’s what the name “Sanssouci” means, a summer residence of the kings of Prussia (now there are already two!), fantastically situated on a hill in Potsdam. And that was also the will of the builder, Frederick II “the Great” of Prussia, who wanted to create a refuge for himself in the palace where he could forget all the worries that weighed so heavily on the royal head. It still works today.
The palace’s most impressive features are the imposing terraces that lead down to the castle garden in six stages. A unique motif that is best captured in panorama mode. Today, the “Prussian Versailles” is a popular excursion destination, not only from the capital, and since 1990, Sanssouci has been a Unesco World Heritage Site.
6. Moritzburg Castle | Saxony
It would be hard to find a more fairytale-like moated castle than Moritzburg Castle. Built in the 18th century on an artificial island in a lake north of Dresden, it was commissioned by the Duke of Saxony, Augustus the Strong. When the prince wants something, he gets it. With its four round towers, Moritzburg Castle is unmistakable and looks just as magnificent today as it did back then. It is hardly surprising that the residence has been the backdrop for numerous films. Including the Christmas classic “Three Wishes for Cinderella”. In winter, the castle even hosts a Cinderella exhibition, while in summer, the theme is all about the Baroque period.
The extensive park with numerous outbuildings extends not only to the island itself, but also to the areas around the lake. So you can easily spend a whole Sunday here in (well-tended) nature. It is only about 15 kilometers from Dresden.
7.Benrath Palace | North Rhine-Westphalia
And another summer residence. In the 18th century, the Palatinate Elector Karl Theodor commissioned the construction of a hunting and summer residence in the small village of Benrath, south of Düsseldorf. This also explains why today’s Benrath Palace is surrounded by a truly gigantic garden of over 60 hectares. The garden is still lovingly tended and cared for to this day. In summer, the grounds are a lush green and attract crowds of Düsseldorf residents to what is now the district of Benrath.
Those who are more interested in architecture can visit the castle on a guided tour. A real architectural highlight is the magnificent, circular domed hall. It is very popular with wedding couples, because nowhere else can you get married in such a noble way as here.
8. Schwerin Castle | Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Schwerin Castle may not have a sea view, but it does have the almost equally impressive Lake Schwerin on its doorstep. The former residence of the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin rises proudly on the “Schlossinsel”, directly in front of the shore of the old town. Where the dukes once lived, the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania now meets. You can’t blame the parliamentarians for this, after all, the monumental building is pretty.
Nevertheless, Schwerin Castle is open to visitors. Inside, in addition to the state parliament, the Schwerin State Museum is also housed, which provides an insight into the building’s eventful past. The castle garden is worth a visit anyway. And the Mecklenburg State Theatre uses the castle as a magnificent backdrop for the annual Schwerin Castle Festival. Incidentally, the castle, together with 37 buildings in the old town, has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2024 as the Schwerin Residence Ensemble.
9. Hambach Castle | Rhineland-Palatinate
It looks more like a fortress than a castle, but it was converted into a palace. And Hambach Castle is also steeped in history. In 1832, tens of thousands of people gathered here for the “Hambacher Fest” to protest against the so-called “restoration” of the old monarchies and to express their democratic spirit. To this day, Hambach Castle is therefore considered a symbol of German democracy.
Accordingly, the museum there is all about the events of 1832 and their impact in Germany and Europe. But even without the cultural background, Hambach Castle is a wonderful destination in the Palatinate. And it can be perfectly integrated into any kind of hike (or wine tour).
