Hohenschwangau Castle is a sunny yellow neo-Gothic residence standing directly across from its far more famous neighbor, Neuschwanstein. This is where King Ludwig II of Bavaria spent his childhood, watching from his window as his own fairy-tale castle rose on the hill opposite. The interiors remain almost untouched since the Biedermeier era.

Perched on a hilltop between the Alpsee and Schwansee lakes, the castle enjoys a gentle, romantic setting within the Bavarian Alps. The views here are quieter than from Neuschwanstein but just as scenic, especially in autumn when the surrounding forests turn gold, and in winter under a blanket of snow. In summer, the lakeside paths and gardens offer a more relaxed alternative to the crowds heading up to Neuschwanstein.

How to get there

• From the village of Hohenschwangau (parking near the ticket center) — gentle uphill walk, about 15-20 minutes, easy difficulty
• Alternatively, a horse-drawn carriage runs from the village center

Practical information

• The castle now functions as a museum with its 19th-century furnishings preserved
• More than 90 wall paintings depict scenes from the castle's history and medieval legends, including the tale of Lohengrin
• Nearby stands the Museum of the Bavarian Kings, housed in the former Grand Hotel Alpenrose
• Booking tickets in advance is recommended due to high visitor numbers

It was here that young Ludwig II had his bedroom fitted with an artificial waterfall and a mechanical starry sky — an early hint of the fantasy world he would later build in full at Neuschwanstein.