Visiting one of the German castles in Europe is like stepping inside a fairytale. Sitting atop mountainous peaks, these castles have turrets and towers that reach the sky. These historically-rich structures look grandiose as they were before thanks to efforts to restore them.
Germany also has a lot of beautifully preserved villages. These quaint places will surely transport you back to a time when Mozart, Wagner, and Benatzky were still penning their compositions and operas.
Here are just some of the many German castles and villages that are worth visiting when you visit Europe. Munich serves as the starting point for all of the tours below.
Must-See German Castles and Villages for Every Traveler
Neuschwanstein Castle
The Neuschwanstein Castle is the most popular among all German castles. The castle was not built for defense, but as a fancy residence for Ludwig II. Sprawling on the Bavarian Alps, it also served as an inspiration for the castle in the Walt Disney classic, “Sleeping Beauty”. As you walk around the castle, you’ll find ornate chandeliers and a whole floor of paintings that depict classical composer Richard Wagner’s opera’s swan scenes.
Linderhof Royal Castle
The Linderhof Royal Castle is another one of King Ludwig II’s “schlosses” or residential palaces. The Linderhof is very similar to the Versailles Palace in France, where Ludwig II took inspiration from. Some of the Linderhof’s defining features are its Romanesque architecture design and its surrounding gardens.
Oberammergau
You’ll also pass by the Oberammergau, a picturesque countryside village in between these castles. During the tour, you’ll get to try an authentic German lunch. Oberammergau also boasts of its age-old tradition of woodcarving. In fact, you can find the Bavarian School of Woodcarving in the village.
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Harburg Castle
Another tour that you can take is the Romantic Road walking tour. It is one of the most popular tours among travelers. Its first stop is the Harburg Castle. Harburg Castle is one of the oldest and best preserved medieval German castles in the Bavarian south. It is located on top of a hill and in the middle of a medieval complex.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
After visiting Harburg, you’ll proceed to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a medieval walled town that is rich in history and preserved to look as enchanting as it was today.
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Salzburg
Salzburg is a city, not a village in neighboring Austria. Its beautifully preserved Baroque buildings are as enchanting as the German castles and villages mentioned in this article. Salzburg is also famous for being the birthplace and hometown of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. During the Lake Wolfgang boat cruise, you’ll get to see The White Horse Inn, which inspired Ralph Benatzky’s operetta, which resides on the side of the lake. Lastly you’ll see Maria Plain, a church where Christian pilgrims always flock to.
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Cover photo courtesy of aingnamma/Pixabay
