10 Best Castles In Germany You Need To Visit

Did you know there are over 20,000 castles in Germany? Deciding which German castles to visit can be a daunting task. We’ve traveled to Germany 6 times and have seen a ton of gorgeous castles in Germany.

Let us help you pick which castles to visit. We put together our list of the best castles in Germany after months of traveling around this beautiful country!

Top 10 German Castles

1. Eltz Castle (Burg Eltz)

Eltz Castle is an iconic fairytale castle surrounded by nature in the German woods. Its unique setting is like no other castle in Germany.

The only way to get inside the castle and the treasury is on a guided tour. We highly suggest getting there before they open to get iconic shots like the above without a ton of tourists in your photo.

There are a ton of reasons to rent a car and drive yourself, but being on your own schedule is the biggest. Rental cars in Germany are super affordable. We always rent on Discovercars.com for the best prices and free cancelations. There are two restaurants at Burg Eltz

Castle Hours: Open only during high season, typically the end of March through the first week of November 9:30 am to 6 pm.
Castle Fee: Parking is €2, Guided Castle Tour € 10.00
Address: 56294 Wierschem, Germany

2. Cochem Castle

Cochem Castle is high up on a hill over 100 meters (300ft) above the Moselle River in the town of Cochem. Gorgeous vineyards surround it. Cochem Castle is more than 1,000 years old.

You are only allowed inside the gates of the castle grounds as part of a Cochem Castle Tour. Most guided tours are in German, where an English information sheet will be given. There are English tours at 12 pm and 5 pm. More on Cochem Castle

Castle Hours: Summer Hours March through November 10 am- 5 pm
Castle Fee: Adults: €6, Children (6-17): €3, Students: €5, Family Ticket (2 adults + children): €16
Address: Schlossstraße 36, 56812 Cochem, Germany

3. Liechtenstein Castle

Overlooking the Echaz valley, this Gothic-style castle is one of the best castles in Germany. Liechtenstein Castle was built in 1840-1842 and was damaged during World War II. Restoration started after the war and continues on.

If you don’t have time for the guided tour, we suggest waiting until the tour goes into the castle. Then, you can get gorgeous shots of the castle and bridge entrance.

Castle Hours: April – October 9 am- 5:30 pm, closed January & December, November/February/March only open weekends 10 am- 4 pm
Castle Fee: Castle Courtyard Entrance Adults €2 and Children €1, Guided Castle Tour Adults €8 and Children €3.50
Address: Schloß Lichtenstein 1, 72805 Lichtenstein, Germany

4. Burg Satzvey

If you’re looking for a castle hotel in Germany, head to Burg Satzvey. We rented a room on Vrbo. There are seven rooms you can stay in for an average of $125 a night. Click here to see the seven castle rooms available on Vrbo.

If you are there at the right time, you can catch the castle’s reflection in the moat around the castle. Even if you don’t spend the night, it’s worth the visit. There are several restaurants and events held throughout the year.

Castle Hours: Tours only Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 12 pm to 5 pm.
Castle Fee: Free to enter the grounds, castle tour adults €5, €2 children from 4 – 12 years, children under 4 years are free when accompanied by an adult.
Address: An der Burg 3, 53894 Mechernich, Germany

Related Article: How to Spend 3 Days in Berlin

5. Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein is Germany’s most famous castle, it’s a must-visit castle in Germany, but it’s just not our number #1 castle in Germany. Walt Disney modeled Cinderella’s castle after Neuschwanstein.

You’ll see the castle miles before you get there. It’s perched up on a hill above Hohenschwangau village. It gets very busy. Over 1.4 million people visit annually, and up to 6,000 per day in the summer months when tickets often sell out before noon.

The famous picture of Neuschwanstein Castle was taken standing on Mary’s Bridge (Marienbrücke). The bridge is often closed in the winter months due to weather and has been under maintenance recently.

To purchase tickets in advance and to see if Mary’s Bridge is open click here. Note there is a service fee but trust us, it’s better than waiting in line.

Castle Hours: October 16th – March 23rd 9 am -3 pm, March 24th – October 15th 8 am – 5 pm
Castle Fee: Adults €13 and children under 18 free
Address: Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germany

If you are driving the Romantic Road in Germany, Neuschwanstein is one of the many highlights along the way. We suggest ending your drive here as the castle is the most impressive of all the castles along the Romantic Road.

If you have time after time in Fussen, consider taking a road trip to Liechtenstein, which is only 2 hours away from Fussen. Liechtenstein is one of the smallest & wealthiest countries in the world and is worth the trip. Here are some of the best Liechtenstein attractions to visit, which include some castles too.

6. Mespelbrunn Castle (Schloss Mespelbrunn)

Mespelbrunn is a small castle that not very many tourists visit, but it is unique as it is surrounded by water. It’s a late-medieval and early-Renaissance moated castle in the Elsava valley.

Do not follow Google directions to the Mespelbrunn Castle if it brings you down a dirt road. We almost got our car stuck on this road. The entrance fee includes a 40-minute tour of the castle. You can see most of the castle without a tour, but you might as well see the whole castle if you make the trip.

Castle Hours: 9 am – 5 pm March through November, exact dates change yearly
Castle Fee: € 5.00 adults and € 2.50 students
Address: Schloßhof 2, 63875 Mespelbrunn, Germany

7. Heidelburg Castle (Schloss Heidelburg)

Like many other castles in Germany, Heidelburg is 300 feet above the city on a hill with gorgeous views. The castle is more of a complex with several buildings and a courtyard and functioned as a city. Construction dates back to 1300 but was destroyed and was rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries. You’ll need a few hours to explore Schloss Heidelburg thoroughly.

Castle Hours: daily 8 am – 6 pm open year-round
Castle Fee: Palace ticket including funicular railway & German Apothecary Museum adults €7 and children €4 | Guided Tours adults €5, children €2.50, families €12.50
Address: Schlosshof 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

8. Burg Frankenstein (Frankenstein Castle)

Burg Frankenstein has quite the history. The castle was a jail and military hospital in the 1700s, but before that, in 1604, bodies were dug up, and medical experiments were performed on them. This, of course, makes for the perfect setting for a haunted house. Halloween at Burg Frankenstein, advance tickets are required, and they sell out fast. There is a restaurant on-site with amazing views.

Castle Hours: Daily 10 am – 8 pm
Castle Fee: Free
Address: Parkplatz Burg Frankenstein, 64367 Mühltal, Germany

9. Hohenschwangau Castle

If you visit Neuschwanstein, then Hohenschwangau should be your next or prior castle stop as they are located on the same grounds, and you can buy a combined ticket for both. It’s not nearly as popular as Neuschwanstein, but it should be noted that it’s where the idea of building Neuschwanstein came about.

Castle Hours: October 16th – March 23rd 9 am -3 pm, March 24th – October 15th 8 am – 5 pm
Castle Fee: Adults €13 and children under 18 free
Address: Alpseestraße 30, 87645 Schwangau, Germany

hohenzollern castle perched on a hill in Bisingen Germany

10. Hohenzollern Castle

The Hohenzollern Castle dates back to 1061, but it was completely destroyed in 1423 and was restored in the 19th century. It’s a steep walk up to the castle. It has a well-maintained path with stairs. There is a shuttle bus available. We opted to walk both ways.

There are two types of tickets: you need a ticket to enter the castle complex, and if you want to enter the interior rooms, you’ll need a category two ticket. You can buy tickets down by the parking lot before getting on the shuttle or walking up to the castle.

In the castle courtyard, there are a few little restaurants with snacks and, of course, a German Beer Garden. It’s a great place to grab a snack while you wait for the castle tour. If you’re visiting during the holidays, they have a great Christmas Market in the castle complex.

Castle Hours: March 16th – October 31s10 am – 5:30 pm and November 1 – March 15th 10 am – 4:30 pm
Castle Fee: Category 1 Adult €7 & Children 6-17 €5, Category 2 Adult €12 & Children aged 6-17 €6, for complete pricing click here.
Address: 72379 Burg Hohenzollern, Germany

German Castle FAQ

Q: How many castles are in Germany?

A: There are more than 20,000 castles and castle ruins in Germany.

Q: Why are there so many castles in Germany?

A: Castles were a symbol of power in medieval times, and many dukes, earls, bishops, and kings built castles as a defensive stronghold and an organization or administrative point.

Q: Can you stay in a Castle Hotel in Germany?

A: Yes, several castles in Germany have rooms to rent to stay in while you visit the castle regions of Germany. Burg Satzvey is the only one on this list where you can spend the night in a German castle.

10 Best Castles In Germany You Need to Visit – 2024 Guide