Sights in the Neuschwanstein Area

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Area Information

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Getting There

euschwanstein is located 3 km (1.8 mi.) ESE of Füssen. near the border of Austria. You'll find Füssen at the end of routes B16 and B310 where they meet the B17. About 240 km by road from Zürich (2.5 - 3 hours) and 125 km from München (1.5 - 2 hours). Garmisch-Partenkirchen is roughly 20 miles (32 km) to the E as the crow flies, although almost twice as far by road on the quickest route through Reutte, Austria, less than one hour.

Other Castles

Linderhof

his 'hunting-lodge' is less than an hour from Neuschwanstein, 30 minutes or less from Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

It's a small, elegant chateau, more Petit Trianon than castle, with extensive grounds. The dining room table, among other sights, is memorable. Actually a dumbwaiter, it shuttles between seated king and basement kitchen. The reclusive king need be seen by no one during dining.

The furnishings are exquisite and the grounds lovely. Ludwig's favorite, it's the only one of his castles completed.

Perhaps most interesting, the Venus Grotto. This huge manmade cave recreates a scene from Tannhäuser, complete with lake and swan boat. And, yes ... the king did arrange private performances of Wagner's operas staged here!

Linderhof is 10 km (6 miles) E of the B23 (running from Garmisch N). You turn just above Ettal. By the way, if you have time in the area there's an interesting monastery at Ettal.

or our recommended two-castle visit you must shuttle between Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. The shortest trip (45-50 minutes) is through Austria, taking some back roads.

Much of this is little more than a forest road (paved) from Reutte more or less directly to Linderhof. Take the B17 S from Füssen to Reutte. The main road to the E at Reutte goes on to Innsbruck which is not where you want to go. Make the turn that takes you E, up and out of town; there may be signs to Plansee. You'll drive for 6-7 km (4 miles) along the the lakes, past Plansee and then up and through the woods across the border (no border control point). You'll reach Linderhof in about 5-6 km (3-4 miles) past the border. The total trip is about 42 km (25 mi.).

It's a lonesome but lovely, largely forested, trip. You'll understand why the royal hunting preserve was here. This shortcut is half the distance and time of the alternate route via Lermoos, through Garmisch.

Herrenchiemsee

Bavarian Versailles, on an island complete with beer garden ... only in Bavaria! Located on Herreninsel in the lovely Chiemsee, it's quite near to München and not close enough to Neuschwanstein to normally be included as part of a single-day daytrip. Certainly meriting a stop if you're in München area. We've not visited.

Hohenschwangau

udwig's childhood home. Neuschwanstein was built to escape from hated youthful memories and a relic from an earlier era. Just across the little valley from the main attraction. Unless you arrive in the area late in the day or have extraordinary waits it's easily included in a day's visit. If we had time for only two castles, though, we'd choose Neuschwanstein and Linderhof.

Other Nearby Attractions

Wieskirche (The 'Church in the Meadow')

hile in the Füssen area, try to take a few minutes to visit the Wieskirche. This is a spectacular Baroque church. Baroque isn't our cup of tea, but even at that it's worth a second visit to us. Whatever your personal tastes, you'll appreciate that this church represents the height of the Baroque movement.

Don't expect a monster of a church. It's quite literally a church in a meadow. You'll be surprised, though, if you go expecting a little country church like one in an identical meadow in New England. It's quite large, if not by capitol city cathedral standards ... and very pretty.

ieskirche is almost 30 km (16 miles) from Neuschwanstein. Take the B17 N to Steingaden, then E on the road to Wildsteig, turning S after less than 3 km along. Wies is at the end of the road. Figure on a half hour. If you need lunch after your visit to Neuscwanstein you can avoid prices and crowds near the castle. There are several restaurants in the towns along the B17. Unfortunately we don't recall the name of the town or restaurant where we had a fine meal, but you'll unlikely find a bad one in the Allgäu.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

his traditional ski resort left us cold. But we've been spoiled by towns in the Swiss mountains. If you've not been to one, though, you may find it attractive. Admittedly, much of the architecture does look like you'd expect an Alpine setting to look.

Oberammergau

amous for woodcarvings, painted building fronts and the decennial Passion Play ... held in 2000.

The area, including all sights near and at the castles, will be overrun this year as the Passion Play will be running. This brings 5-6,000 extra tourists a day to the area from the last week in May through early-mid October. Rooms will be scarce, (including around the castles), prices inflated and attractions more crowded.

Thinking of adding the Passion Play to your itinerary? Tickets went on sale 7-8 years ago. We're no experts, but unless you find a scalper or a tour with an open seat you're unlikely to turn up tickets. Wait 2-3 years and buy tickets for the 2010 performance.

berammergau is 12-15 km (8 miles) N of Garmisch.

Zugspitze

ou can visit an Alp (the Zugspitze) either from near Obermoos, Austria or Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. While modest by Swiss standards, the Zugspitze is the tallest mountain in Germany (well -- part of it is -- most of it is Austrian) at nearly 10,000 feet (3,000m).

You'll find the weather different at the top than at the bottom; read our tips on Mountain Weather and conditions.

he Austrian access to the 'spitze is reached from Füssen past Reutte and on to Lermoos on the 314 and 187. The turn to Obermoos and the Zugspitze is just past Lermoos. From Füssen to Obermoos is about 40 km (25 miles) and should take about 45 minutes.

If you travel from Füssen to the Zugspitze via Lermoos you'll pass "Julie's Cafe" in Lermoos on the left ... no connection to TWEnJulie!

Overnighting

hould you overnight in the castle area, which we recommend, you can save a few dollars for equivalent lodging by crossing the border to nearby Reutte in Austria, only 15-20 minutes away. We stayed at the Hotel Goldener Hirsch (around $80) - Tel: 43 5672 2508 (and 2808) Fax: 43 5672 2508. You may want to visit the nearby, interesting castle ruins.

The nearest major town to Neuschwanstein is Füssen. Hotels and B & Bs abound. Their prices are a bit inflated, we think, because of the castle. Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are in Schwangau, a tiny village a few minutes north of Füssen. There are two or more 'B & Bs' there, possibly a hotel. See Neuschwanstein Country for accommodation listings.

While there are many beds in the immediate area, we perceive the value-for-money equation to be a bit more in our favor in Reutte.

Daytrips From:

ünchen: two hours or less by car from Neuschwanstein, a bit closer to Linderhof. We'd go to Neuschwanstein first, and early, to shorten the likely wait and hit Linderhof on the way back. Given the dearth of stunning mountains in Germany, you might choose to visit the Zugspitze instead of Linderhof if the weather is good, if you have the time, and if you'll have only one day in the area. By train, two hours to Füssen from München, then a short bus ride. Many day tours by bus from München.

ürich: perhaps three hours from Füssen if you drive straight through. A bit long for a day trip, but if you're lucky with the waiting time (and arrive early) you'll have plenty of time to see both Neuschwanstein and Linderhof and return at a decent hour. By train the trip is five+ hours.

Further Information

ou'll find lots of information on the area, much in English, including places to see, hotels, events, and a host of links at the following websites:
Neuschwanstein Country
The Castle Neuschwanstein in Schwangau
Neuschwanstein

Our friends at the Iphofen Tourist Office ask us to remind you that they, like other tourist offices far from Upper Bavaria, have no information to offer about the royal castles or other attractions in the area.

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