Neuschwanstein is the most photographed castle in Germany, and the Bavarian Alps around it hold a handful of other sights that are easy to combine. The good news is that the area is small, the bad news is that the headline sights run on timed tickets and seasonal hours, so a little planning pays off. Here is how a first visit works, with the seasonal conditions that matter most in winter.
Book ahead: the castles
Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are visited by guided tour at a fixed time, and tickets sell out at weekends and in the holiday season. Reserve a specific slot before you travel. Both castles are open daily in the winter season, with tours from ten to four, and are closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. The Museum of the Bavarian Kings is open daily apart from the same holiday closures. Linderhof Palace runs daily guided tours from ten to half past four, but its Venus Grotto, fountains and most park buildings are closed until mid April.
Mind the closures
The Tegelberg cable car takes a scheduled break in early winter, depending on snow, so check its schedule. The Marienbrücke bridge, which gives the classic view of Neuschwanstein, closes when ice or snow makes it unsafe, so check the live status on the day. The castle shuttle bus runs only when the road is clear. None of these closures stops you seeing the castle itself, but they change the shape of the day.
How many days
One long day is enough for Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau if you start early, and a guided day trip from Munich packs in two castles in about ten hours. Two days let you add Füssen old town, the Museum of the Bavarian Kings and a lake walk. Three or four days make room for Linderhof, Oberammergau and the Wieskirche on a loop by car or tour, and for the Zugspitze and the Partnachklamm near Garmisch-Partenkirchen. A good rule is one night in Füssen or Schwangau for the castles, and one in Garmisch for the mountains, if you have time.
Getting there and around
From Munich, regional trains reach Füssen in about two hours, and a local bus or taxi runs from Füssen to Hohenschwangau in around ten minutes. From the ticket centre, walk up to Neuschwanstein in about half an hour, take the shuttle bus when it runs, or ride a horse-drawn carriage. Hohenschwangau Castle is a shorter climb. A car adds freedom for Linderhof, Oberammergau and the Wieskirche, which are awkward by public transport, but winter roads can be icy, so allow extra time. If you do not drive, a guided day trip from Munich or a tour with transport is the simplest way to see the more remote sights.
Where each sight fits
Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings cluster at Hohenschwangau, and a plan that starts with the museum, adds Hohenschwangau and finishes with Neuschwanstein works well. Füssen is the lunch stop and the best base. Linderhof, Oberammergau and the Wieskirche form a second loop to the east, and the Zugspitze and the Partnachklamm sit further east around Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Do not try to see all of them in one day.
Day trips from Munich
If you are based in Munich, a coach day trip is the easiest way to see the royal castles, while the train to Füssen suits independent travellers who book their own tickets. Check what is included in a tour, especially castle admission, and bring warm clothes and shoes with grip in winter.
Practical tips
Arrive early for security checks because late arrivals can be refused. Photography is not allowed inside the castles. Wear layers and sturdy shoes, expect snow on paths in winter, and carry some cash for buses and cafes. Check the Zugspitze lift status and weather before you commit to a mountain day, and check the Partnachklamm site for closures. Choose hotels by the sights you care about: Schwangau and Füssen for the castles, Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the mountains.
