Famous Castles Near Munich: The Most Beautiful Castles Around Munich Germany
Planning a trip to Munich and wondering which castles are worth visiting? You’re in the right place!
On our trip to Bavaria, visiting the castles near Munich quickly became one of the highlights of our entire visit.
There is something magical about seeing these fairytale castles in person, especially when they’re surrounded by mountains, lakes, and charming Bavarian villages.
What surprised me most was how easy it is to visit several famous castles near Munich in one day.
Some, like Nymphenburg Palace, are located right in the city, while others like Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle make incredible day trips through the Bavarian countryside.
Each castle offers something unique, from ornate royal interiors to stunning alpine views.
If you’re looking for palaces in Munich or castles near Munich Germany, castles around Munich, or even the closest castle to Munich, this guide will help you plan the perfect itinerary.
I’ll share a little history, what the interiors look like, and the best tours to visit each one so you can decide which Munich castles to add to your trip.
Let’s explore the most beautiful castles near Munich and plan your perfect Bavarian castle adventure.
Planning Your Castle Visits Near Munich
Visiting the palaces and castles near Munich is a highlight of any Germany trip. Bavaria is the very best place to visit in Germany!
I am only going to list the most popular castles in Munich, Germany and castles around Munich.
First, lets look at castles close to Munich and those castles outside Munich.
Castle In Munich
Nymphenburg Place or Schloss Nymphenburg is located within the city of Munich so you can easily get an Uber, ride the train, or jump on a hop on hop off Munich Tour to get there.
Castles Near Munich
Neuswanstien, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof are about an hour or two outside of Munich.
Many travelers combine multiple castles around Munich into one itinerary. Popular options include:
- Neuschwanstein + Hohenschwangau (same location)
- Neuschwanstein + Linderhof Day Trip
- Nymphenburg Palace (half-day visit in Munich)
Each castle offers a unique experience, from fairytale fantasy to royal elegance.
We will talk about the different tours later, this is more to let you know that you can visit one palace in Munich and several within an hour or two of munich!
Let’s start with the most famous castle near Munich – Neuschwanstein!
1. Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world.
Built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the 19th century, the castle was intended as a private retreat rather than a royal residence.
King Ludwig II was known as the “Fairytale King,” and Neuschwanstein reflects his love of fantasy, medieval legends, and the operas of composer Richard Wagner.
Construction began in 1869, but the castle was never fully completed. King Ludwig II died before it was finished, and the castle was later opened to the public.
Today, Neuschwanstein Castle is one of Germany’s most visited attractions and even inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
What the Interior Looks Like
Although the exterior looks medieval, the interior features modern conveniences for the time, including indoor plumbing and central heating.
Some of the Highlights Include:
- Throne Room with elaborate murals and gold accents
- Singer’s Hall inspired by medieval legends
- King Ludwig II’s ornate bedroom with intricate wood carvings
- Grotto room designed as an artificial cave
The interior is incredibly detailed, colorful, and inspired by mythology and opera themes.
It is beautiful, unfortunately you are not allowed to take pictures inside, so I didn’t! I can tell you it is worth visiting!
Best Tours to Visit Munich Castles
Taking a tour from Munich is the most popular way to see the castles outside of Munich. They typically will hit all three!
Here are a few options to consider:
2. Hohenschwangau Castle
The castle next to Neuschwanstein is Hohenschwangau Castle. It was the childhood residence of King Ludwig II.
Built by King Maximilian II, Ludwig’s father, the castle served as the royal family’s summer and hunting retreat.
Unlike Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau Castle was completed and fully lived in. The castle offers insight into Ludwig II’s early life and influences.
What the Interior Looks Like
The interior features warm, colorful rooms with murals depicting German legends and medieval stories. Highlights include:
- Swan Knight Hall
- Queen’s bedroom
- Oriental Room
- Hohenstaufen Room
The rooms are more intimate and lived-in compared to Neuschwanstein.
Best Tours to Visit
- Combined Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Tour
- Guided Hohenschwangau Interior Tour
- Small Group Bavaria Castle Tour
Both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are must visit fairytale castles close to Munich! If I could only visit 2 these would be it!
Honestly, the first two times I visited Bavaria I only visited these two. One my third trip is when I decided to go to a few more and I am so glad I did!
3. Linderhof Palace
Linderhof Palace is my favorite schloss near Munich! It is not as grand as Neuschwanstein but the interior is unbelieveable.
Linderhof Palace is another creation of King Ludwig II and is the smallest of his three palaces.
Located in a beautiful alpine valley, Linderhof was inspired by French palaces, particularly Versailles.
Unlike Neuschwanstein, Linderhof Palace was completed during Ludwig’s lifetime and served as his favorite residence.
What the Interior Looks Like
Linderhof is known for its lavish and ornate interior, featuring:
- Hall of Mirrors
- Royal bedroom with gold accents
- Audience Chamber
- Dining room with mechanical dining table
The palace is incredibly ornate, with gold decorations and luxurious furnishings.
Best Tours to Visit
- Linderhof + Neuschwanstein Day Tour from Munich
- Small Group Bavarian Castles Tour
- Linderhof Palace and Oberammergau Tour
Although this palace was smaller, it is worth a trip to see.
Nymphenburg Palace is located in Munich. It served as the summer residence of Bavarian royalty.
Construction began in 1664 and expanded over time into one of Europe’s largest royal palaces.
The palace is surrounded by expansive gardens, canals, and smaller palace buildings.
What the Interior Looks Like
Nymphenburg Palace features elegant baroque interiors, including:
- Great Hall with frescoed ceilings
- Gallery of Beauties commissioned by King Ludwig I
- Royal apartments
- Ornate reception rooms
The palace interiors are grand and elegant with classical European style.
Marstall Museum
There is a musuem which is a seperate ticket from the palace itself. The musuem was amazing. It features carriages and sleighs.
My favorite part were the carriages. It was like walking into someones garage and they have 8 sports cars all lined up, except here they were fancy real gold carriages!
This was one of the only palaces who could acutally take photographs in. If you think this is fancy Linderhof was even more impressive.
Best Tours to Visit
I bet you are asking “Should I go on a Castle Tour in Germany?”
We recently decided to take the Linderhoff, Nueschwanstein, Hohenschwangau Castle tour and really loved it.
Not only did we get to see the castles but we got to learn a lot more about the little mountain towns and the life of Ludwig II. It was really interesting.
One of the reasons we wanted to do a tour was becuase we did not want to rent a car this trip.
I mention I have been to this area 3 times and the first two we rented a car and drove to the castles. This most recent time we did the tour.
I think the tour was worth it!
Are you Ready to Visit the Famous Castles Near Munich?!!!
I hope this guide helps you plan your visit to the most beautiful castles near Munich Germany.
Visiting these Munich castles was one of the highlights of our trip to Bavaria, and I truly think adding a few castles around Munich to your itinerary is absolutely worth it.
From the fairytale beauty of Neuschwanstein Castle to the elegant palaces in Munich like Nymphenburg Palace, there are so many incredible castles close to Munich to explore.
Whether you’re looking for the closest castle to Munich or planning day trips to German castles near Munich, each one offers something unique and unforgettable.
The castles of Munich and the surrounding Bavarian countryside are some of the most famous castles in southern Germany, and they are surprisingly easy to visit.
If you are planning a trip to Munich Germany, I highly recommend adding at least one or two of these famous castles near Munich to your itinerary.
You are going to love exploring these fairytale castles near Munich.
Have so much fun planning your Bavaria castle adventure!
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Lisa is a Utah-based family travel blogger and founder of Planning Away. She helps families plan stress-free, kid-friendly trips across the U.S., Europe, Mexico, Asia, and Canada. With firsthand experience at hundreds of destinations—from national parks and ski resorts to international adventures—Lisa shares practical guides, tips, and travel inspiration for unforgettable family vacations.
