If you want to see some fairytale castles whilst you’re visiting Munich, you’re in luck! Not only does Munich contain the castle that inspired Walt Disney, but it also has the longest castle in the world.
Discover the history of the monarchs of Bavaria as you admire the fairytale castles, the Medieval fortresses, and all the Royal treasures each castle contains. The following castles are a must on any Munich itinerary.
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Where to Stay in Munich Munich is the best place to base yourself if you want to visit the close-by castles and palaces. You can book a rental car, or take the train, to see the best castles near Munich. Le Méridien Munich: Located next to the Munich train station, this luxurious hotel offers a modern interior and marble bathrooms. You can relax at the pool and spa or enjoy Bavarian dishes and beer at the Irmi restaurant. If you visit during Oktoberfest season, the Oktoberfest at Theresienwiese is within walking distance. Book your stay here. City Aparthotel München: This hotel is in the centre of Munich, only a 2-minute walk away from the Sendlinger Tor and the Karlsplatz (Stachus), and in walking distance to the Frauenkirche Church. You can choose between rooms, apartments, or a rooftop suite. Book your stay here. Eden Hotel Wolff: The Eden Wolff hotel offers individually decorated rooms ranging from classic to modern styles. After sightseeing, you can relax on the terrace overlooking the city, the bar, or the restaurant. The hotel offers spa facilities, including a steam room and a sauna. Book your stay here. How to Get to the Best Castles Near Munich The best way to visit the castles close to Munich is by car, as some palaces and castles are in remote areas of Bavaria. I recommend booking a car through Discover Cars, where you can compare all rental car agencies’ prices, and you can cancel or modify your booking for free. They also guarantee the best price. Click here for more information and to check the latest prices. If you want to see the stunning castles Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof Palace, you can book a tour from Munich. Click here for more and to book your daytrip. You can also book a guided tour from Munich to visit Herrenchiemsee Palace. Click here for more information and to book your tour. Alternatively, you can take the train to visit some of the castles. Click here for more information on train tickets.
12 Castles to Visit Near Munich
1. Hohenschwangau Castle
This quintessential fairytale castle perched high on the cliffs with lake Alpsee below was the childhood home of King Ludwig II, built by his father, King Maximilian II of Bavaria, from the ruins of an older 12th-century castle that housed the knights of Schwangau.
Though not quite as stunning as its sister castle, Schloss Neuschwanstein, a guided tour is still worthwhile to see the Royal apartments that King Ludwig II redesigned, the kitchen, and the gardens.
Where: Schwangau
When: 19th century
Style: Gothic Revival
Open for visit: Yes, check here for more information.
2. Neuschwanstein Castle
The more impressive sister castle of Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein, was built by King Ludwig II in honor of the composer Richard Wagner and used as a personal retreat by the shy ‘fairytale king’.
It is an impressive castle with turrets built on a hill above the village of Hohenschwangau and is one of the most visited castles in Germany.
A guided tour allows you to see the private apartments and staterooms, highlights including the Throne Hall and Singer’s Hall.
If you think it looks like the Walt Disney castle, you’re correct – Neuschwanstein was the inspiration for the Magic Kingdom!
Where: Schwangau
When: 19th century
Style: Romanesque Revival
Open for visit: Yes, check here for more information.
If you want to see the stunning castles Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof Palace, you can book a tour from Munich. Click here for more and to book your day trip.
You might also like: The best castles to visit in Germany.
3. Linderhof Palace
Another Bavarian Royal Castle built by King Ludwig II, Linderhof is the smallest of three and the only one which the King saw finished.
The luxurious villa is built in the style of the 18th century French Summer Palaces whilst the park borrows its style from the Orient as well as from scenes from Wagner’s operas of which the King was a huge fan.
Admire the Baroque exterior before heading inside on a guided tour to see the Rococo splendor at this miniature German Versailles.
Where: Ettal
When: 19th century
Style: Baroque
Open for visit: Yes, check here for more information.
4. Lustheim Palace
An Italian-style garden villa built by Elector Max Emanuel (who later became King Maximilian II) for use as a hunting and pleasure palace, Lustheim Palace is part of the larger Schleißheim palace complex and has a baroque pleasure garden with a canal system.
The palace interior today contains a museum with a large collection of Meissen porcelain along with the original frescos and paintings, the ceiling fresco in the Great Hall once being the largest in the world.
Where: Oberschleißheim
When: 17th century
Style: Baroque
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
5. Nymphenburg Palace
The main Summer palace of the former Bavarian Electors and Kings of the House of Wittelsbach, this castle (otherwise known as ‘The Castle of the Nymph’) is one of the largest Royal Palaces in Europe.
The birthplace of Max Emanuel, who became King Maximilian II, the palace was designed in the French style and has magnificent gardens with a canal on which visitors can enjoy a gondola ride during the Summer months.
Where: Munich
When: 17th-19th century
Style: Baroque
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
You might also like: The best castles to visit in Bavaria.
6. Amalienburg
Not to be confused with Amalienborg Palace, which is in Copenhagen, Denmark, the German Amalienburg near Munich is the ornate hunting lodge and small pleasure palace (aka pleasure pavilion) located on the grounds of Nymphenburg Palace.
From the exterior, the palace looks rather simple, but inside, you’ll be astounded by the rich décor, the round Hall of Mirrors in the Bavarian colors of silver and blue sure to make your jaw drop!
Where: Munich
When: 18th century
Style: Rococo
Open for visit: Yes, check here for more information.
7. Badenburg
The ‘House of Baths’ is another palace pavilion located within the larger Nymphenburg Palace complex, this 2-storey building housing the first heated indoor baths, large enough to swim in.
Above the basement baths, there is a banqueting hall and private chambers decorated with oriental wallpaper along with ceiling frescoes and stunning stucco work.
Where: Munich
When: 18th century
Style: Baroque
Open for visit: Yes, check here for more information.
8. Munich Residenz
The largest city palace in Germany, the Munich Residenz, is the former royal palace of the Wittelsbach monarchs of Bavaria and the former seat of government.
Originally a small castle with a moat, the castle was developed over the centuries; however, much of the palace was destroyed during the bombings of WWII, so what you see today has been mostly reconstructed; the palace now houses the residence museum and treasury where you can see the furniture, tapestries, paintings, religious items, and other treasures on display.
Where: Munich
When: 14th-20th century
Style: Renaissance
Open for visit: Yes, check here for more information.
9. Blutenburg Castle
This moated castle with its picturesque towers was used as a hunting castle by Duke Albrecht III and, due to its riverside location with two ponds, makes you feel as if you’re on an island rather than the banks of the River Würm.
A palace chapel is included on the site, a simple building from the outside but containing Gothic masterpieces inside.
Where: Munich
When: 15th century
Style: Gothic
Open for visit: Check here for more information.
10. Herrenchiemsee New Palace
Located on the largest island of Lake Chiemsee, Herrenchiemsee is made up of a complex of royal buildings that King Ludwig II intended to be a copy of Versailles to honor Louis XIV of France; however, King Ludwig II died before the completion of his grand plan and subsequently the palace and gardens were never completed with some parts demolished.
Guided tours of the New Palace are available, with highlights including the Great Hall of Mirrors, the State Bedroom, and the State Staircase and there’s also the King Ludwig II Museum to help you understand more about this shy ‘fairytale King’.
Where: Herrenchiemsee
When: 19th century
Style: Baroque
Open for visit: Yes, check here for more information.
You can also book a guided tour from Munich to visit Herrenchiemsee Palace. Click here for more information and to book your tour.
11. Trausnitz Castle
The residence of the Wittelsbach dynasty, Trausnitz Castle, was built by Duke Ludwig I and became the seat of the hereditary rulers of all of Bavaria.
Take a guided tour to see the medieval Old Knight’s Hall, the castle chapel, and the Fool’s Staircase, and admire the view overlooking the village from the Tower Terrace before visiting the on-site museum (the Chamber of Art and Curiosities) that contains 750 exhibits from the Bavarian rulers.
Where: Landshut
When: 16th century
Style: Medieval
Open for visit: Yes. Check here for more information.
12. Burghausen Castle
The longest castle complex in the world, measuring in at 1,051.02 meters (3,448 feet 2 inches) long, Burghausen Castle is also unique in that it retains almost all of its medieval fortifications.
Located above the town of the same name between the River Salzach and Lake Wöhrsee, the castle has an inner courtyard and five outer courtyards with a chapel, apartments, and a castle museum with an art gallery located in the private rooms of the Great Hall all open to the public.
Where: Burghausen
When: 11th- 16th century
Style: Gothic
Open for visit: Yes, check here for more information.
Interested in more German Castles? Check out, Burg Eltz.
FAQs about the Best Castles Near Munich
The best castles near Munich are the fairy-tale-like castle Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau Castle, Linderhof Palace, Burghausen Castle, Lustheim Palace, Herrenchiemsee Palace, and Trausnitz Castle.
There are many castles outside Munich that are worth visiting. Yet, the most famous castle close to Munich is Neuschwanstein Castle. It was built by King Ludwig II and served as an inspiration for Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
All of the best castles near Munich are within a 2-hour drive. There are also some historic castles in Munich worth visiting if you don’t want to drive or take public transportation.
PIN IT!
Re: 2. Neuschwanstein Castle.
“If you’re thinking it looks like the Walk Disney castle you’re correct – Neuschwanstein was the inspiration for the Magic Kingdom!”
May one suggest it should read Walt Disney?
However, great work, thank you!
Kind regards,
David Henderson
Australia
Thanks! Changed that!