As we inched closer to the Neuschwanstein Castle, I couldn’t help but think it looked even more fairy tale-esque thanks to the autumnal hues Mother Nature had dressed it in. Rich yellow, copper and crimson leaves framed the world-famous castle on the craggy rocks, contrasting sharply with the lime-green fields below it.
In German, the name Neuschwanstein literally translates to “new swan stone” attesting to King Ludwig’s family’s heraldic-like connection with this graceful animal.
When I was a little girl and visited the castle for the first time, however, I just couldn’t get the name to roll off my tongue in the right way. I mistakenly called it NeuSCHWEINstein (Schwein means “pig” in German), making the idyllic castle sound more like a pigsty than a regal place. Today, my parents and German friends don’t let me live that linguistic faux pas down.
Wanting to create a private refuge where he could escape public life in Munich, King Ludwig decided to have the Romanesque Revival style castle built not far from one of his family’s nearby dwelling, the Hohenschwangau Castle.
Obsessed with romantic ideals and the music of German composer Richard Wagner, King Ludwig incorporated various themes from Wagner’s operas into the castle’s design.
In 1869, its construction began. Ruins from Middle Age-era castles had to be removed in order to prepare its foundation.
After King Ludwig’s mysterious death in 1886 (which I detailed earlier in this post I wrote about King Ludwig’s smaller castle, Schloss Linderhof, the still-unfinished Neuschwanstein was opened to the public.
Today, it’s perhaps best known as being Walt Disney’s inspiration for the so-called Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Where in the World?
Planning Pointers:
- The Neuschwanstein Castle is located about 105 km (65 miles) southwest of Munich.
- Neuschwanstein tickets are available online. They can also be purchased in the village of Hohenschwangau at the designated ticket office. Make sure you have a ticket before making the 30-40 minute walk up the path to the castle. (It’s also possible to ascend to the castle entrance by horse-drawn carriage or shuttle bus.)
- Opening times vary by season. Be sure to check the official Neuschwanstein Castle website to confirm the hours and ticket price. As of 2025, they were €21 / person.
- If you’re visiting more than one of King Ludwig’s castles, consider the 14-Day Ticket, which might be more cost-effective for you.
- Several readers have contacted me to ask when the autumn leaves are at their best at Neuschwanstein. I took these photos on October 20th. The fall colors peak at different times each year though, depending upon how cold the early-autumn period is in Bavaria.
- To get to Neuschwanstein independently using mass transit, research the Bavaria Ticket (German: “Bayern Ticket”). As of 2025, these tickets start at €32. You can use the Bayern Ticket for most trains, trams, and city buses, making it a good deal if you’ll be doing a lot of exploring in one day. You can purchase tickets online, via a ticket machine, or in person.
- Interested in learning more about Bavaria’s beloved King Ludwig? Download the free app Ludwig II – Walking in the Footsteps of a Fairytale King’ from the iTunes store.
- Are you looking for a guesthouse or hotel in Oberammergau (which makes a great home base for exploring the region)? Here is my round-up of Oberammergau hotels organized by theme.
- Need more inspiration? This link contains an index of all my posts from Germany.
Photography & text © Tricia A. Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.
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