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King Ludwig II's fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein is as breathtaking as it is tranquil. During his years of vitality, King Ludwig II wanted often to visit a place of extreme serenity and peacefulness which is what prompted the young king to build the royal castle of Neuschwanstein. Its presence is majestic as it sits atop a high mountain in the Bavarian Alps. When the King died in 1886, two months later the castle opened to the community and was no longer restricted.
In order to get to the castle you can either hike (about 30 min.) up the mountain or take a horse and carriage, the latter costing extra. There are many tour groups that offer packages with transportation and a tour. We took this option and spent the day traveling to 3 of the Royal Castles in the Bavarian Alps for around 65 euros. It was really the best option for us as we were coming from Munich for the day so the package was well worth it.
You get about 3-4 hours to spend at this castle but your time is precious! By the time you climb the mountain and take in the view, the time flies and if you really want to be adventurous, you can keep hiking behind the castle, another 20 minutes or so to the Marienbrucke (bridge), which offers an ecstatic view of the castle from well above ground. Below, is a gorge, with cascading views of water, hills and trees all around you!
This tour is truly a magical experience. Even the walk up to the castle is stunning. You get anxious as you see peaks of the castle through the trees as you climb up. This tour is not for the lazy, be ready to hike, but also be ready to share a spectacular experience. Over 1.3 million people visit the beautiful castle every year. You should definitely be one of them!
Last updated: June 2006
