The Bavarian Alps and Neuschwanstein Castle are, in our opinion, among the most beautiful highlights in Europe. In addition to the breathtaking landscapes and deeply rooted traditions, the region is also renowned for its exceptional cuisine.
We chose to travel by car for our journey. As with all our road trips, we believe that the journey itself is part of the adventure. Therefore, we included a relaxing stopover with an overnight stay in Augsburg* along the way.
For our stay in the Bavarian Alps, we chose a charming hotel with a pool* in the picturesque village of Grainau. The hotel is beautifully situated, very close to the Zugspitze, making it an ideal base for our explorations.
Places and attractions such as the fairytale-like Neuschwanstein Castle, the culturally rich Oberammergau, or the vibrant town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen were easily accessible from here.
Our Route: Bavarian Alps and Neuschwanstein Castle
Our journey began with a direct drive down the A6 to Augsburg. Once there, we took the opportunity to explore the city’s remarkable landmarks*.
Our walk through the historic old town led us to Rathausplatz, where we admired the magnificent Augustus Fountain, visited the opulent Golden Hall, and strolled through the charming alleys of the famous Fuggerei*.
We were pleasantly surprised by Augsburg and can highly recommend a visit to this beautiful city. We ended the evening with a relaxing dip in the pool at the Parkhotel Schmid*, which was the perfect way to conclude our first day of travel!
The next morning, we headed to our main destination in the Bavarian Alps. For our stay, we chose the Alpenhof Grainau hotel*, as its location was perfect for excursions and activities in the area.
One of the hotel’s standout features was its spa area, which included a spacious indoor pool, several saunas, a steam grotto, and fitness equipment. From the indoor pool, you could even enjoy a stunning view of the Zugspitze. Truly breathtaking.
The hotel provided the perfect retreat for us to relax and unwind after our daily adventures.
Content: Bavarian Alps and Neuschwanstein Castle Tour
Excursion to Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau near Füssen
Our first excursion took us to the world-famous royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. Both castles are located just about an hour’s drive from the Zugspitze and are undoubtedly among the most spectacular attractions in Germany!
Which Tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau?
You can book standard tickets online on the official website of Hohenschwangau. Three different ticket options are available:
- Tickets for Neuschwanstein Castle
- Tickets for Hohenschwangau Castle
- Tickets for the Museum of the Bavarian Kings
We opted for a guided tour of the castles starting in the morning, dedicating an entire day to exploring these royal landmarks. We highly recommend this tour as it not only provides a deep insight into the fascinating history of the castles but also includes intriguing anecdotes about the life of the legendary Bavarian King Ludwig II.
Important: Don’t forget to bring your ID, as the tickets are personalized, and you will need to show identification at the entrance. Additionally, make sure to book your tickets online well in advance, as the castles are extremely popular and tend to get very busy.
Online Tickets: Combination of Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof Palace
In our opinion, the most comprehensive castle tour is the combination of Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof Palace. This tour allows you to visit all three castles, each of which played a significant role in the life of the Bavarian “Fairy Tale King.”
Additionally, the excursion includes a stop in Oberammergau, a town renowned for its famous Passion Plays. Tickets for this unique tour experience are available online on this page*.
Our Journey to Neuschwanstein Castle
From our hotel* in Grainau, there are two routes to the castle. One option is the slightly shorter route, covering 60 kilometers via Austria, and the other is a slightly longer route, spanning 71 kilometers through the Bavarian Ammergebirge. Since we didn’t want to purchase a vignette specifically for this trip through Austria, we opted for the route through Bavaria.
Parking at Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau – 4 Parking Lots
Both royal castles are located in the picturesque village of Schwangau, near the Alpsee. The village’s infrastructure is perfectly designed to accommodate a large number of visitors smoothly and efficiently.
There are four spacious parking lots spread across the village, providing ample space for cars and buses. We parked our car in parking lot P2 and started our walk towards Neuschwanstein Castle.
Hiking to Neuschwanstein Castle – The Path from the Parking Lot to the Castle
According to the official website of Schwangau, the walk from the parking lot to the castle takes about 40 minutes. However, we managed to complete the uphill path, which winds through the hilly landscape, in approximately 30 minutes.
Along the way, there are several scenic viewpoints where we stopped to take photos and admire the breathtaking views.
Around the main path to the castle, there are also a number of smaller hiking trails that you can explore. These paths allow you to visit the Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) or discover some smaller waterfalls in the surrounding area.
By the way, the walk to Hohenschwangau Castle from the parking lot takes only half as long.
Guided Tour Inside Neuschwanstein Castle: The Visit
For the guided tour of the castle, we had to arrive at the entrance gate at the scheduled time and present our identification. After that, we were led into the first courtyards. By the way, this is the last opportunity to take photos of the castle, as photography and video recording are unfortunately not allowed inside the castle.
The interior of the castle is a world of its own, characterized by opulent architecture and intricate decorations. Every room has its own story to tell, with the magnificent Throne Hall and the king’s exotic bedroom standing out as particularly impressive highlights.
Equally remarkable are the finely detailed wall paintings and mosaics, which depict scenes from legendary German sagas and enhance the castle’s mystical aura.
One of the final rooms during the tour is the Singers’ Hall. Just beyond it lies the balcony, offering a spectacular view of the surrounding area. From here, you can enjoy an incredibly beautiful panoramic view of Schwangau, Schwangau Castle, the Alpsee, and the mountains of the Ammergau Alps.
Neuschwanstein Castle Address:
Neuschwansteinstraße 20
87645 Schwangau
Our Excursion to the Zugspitze with the Zugspitze Railway
Even though the Zugspitze was located right in front of our hotel in Grainau, we decided to take the Zugspitze Railway from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the summit. The first part of the journey took us from the Zugspitze station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen to the beautiful Eibsee via the cogwheel train. From there, we switched to the cable car, which brought us directly to the summit.
Tip: If you’re short on time, you can head straight to the cable car station at the Eibsee. This will save you about 30 minutes of travel time. However, keep in mind that by doing so, you’ll miss out on the charming part of the journey through the stunning Bavarian landscape aboard the cogwheel train.
Zugspitze Experience: Hiking and Views from Germany’s Highest Peak
Upon reaching the summit of the Zugspitze, we first visited the panoramic viewing platforms. The 360-degree view of the alpine peaks was absolutely breathtaking and undoubtedly one of the highlights of our excursion. We could even spot the distant peaks of Austria and Switzerland.
Afterwards, we treated ourselves to a well-deserved break in the summit restaurant, enjoying cappuccinos and slices of cake. Once again, we were able to take in stunning views through the large panoramic windows.
One of the most memorable moments was the view of the iconic Zugspitze Cross. This landmark, situated at the highest point of the Zugspitze, was truly a fascinating sight.
Following our restful pause in the summit restaurant, we set out to explore the summit area. Despite the altitude, there are several well-maintained trails that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain landscape. Hiking on Germany’s highest mountain was an unparalleled experience.
Hiking the Circular Trail Around the Eibsee
Our next excursion took us to the nearby Eibsee, which is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in Germany. Located just 4.7 kilometers from our hotel at the Zugspitze, the lake is also part of the municipality of Grainau.
Getting There by Car – Parking at the Eibsee
Reaching the Eibsee from Grainau is very straightforward. We drove comfortably along the Eibseestraße, taking only about 10 minutes to get there.
The infrastructure at the end of the road is well-prepared for a large number of visitors. There are several spacious parking lots available, not only for those visiting the lake but also for people planning to take the cable car up to the Zugspitze. So, you can rest assured that there’s plenty of parking space available.
Hiking the Eibsee Circular Trail – Our Walk Around the Lake
We began our hike around the Eibsee by following the trail in a clockwise direction. Along the way, we encountered so many stunning views that we found ourselves stopping repeatedly to admire the natural beauty and capture countless photos.
The entire loop, which is 7.5 kilometers long, took us approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete. During this time, we experienced various facets of nature — from picturesque plays of light on the water to mist gently drifting over the lake and through the trees, accompanied by the soft rustling of leaves in the wind.
Höllentalklamm Hike – A Spectacular Trail Through Rugged Rock Landscapes
Our excursion to the Höllentalklamm was a delightful surprise, as we hadn’t anticipated such an impressive hiking experience.
We began our tour at the hiking parking lot in the Hammersbach district of Grainau. From there, we embarked on a one-hour uphill trek through nature, which led us directly to the entrance of the Höllentalklamm.
The first part of the trail took us to the Höllental Entrance Hut, a particularly picturesque section offering stunning views. Once we reached the hut, we purchased our tickets for the gorge, treated ourselves to a slice of cake, and enjoyed a cup of cappuccino.
Hiking Through the Höllentalklamm – A Challenging Adventure
As we made our way toward the gorge, rain began to fall, which, as it turns out, is not uncommon in this area. For this reason, it’s highly advisable to come prepared. Fortunately, we had read up on the weather conditions in the Höllentalklamm beforehand and brought waterproof and slip-resistant hiking boots, as well as suitable clothing.
The trails in the gorge are sometimes quite narrow and run along the rock walls directly beside the Hammersbach stream. This stream winds its way through the rocks, becoming wild in several spots and forming small waterfalls.
All along the path, there are countless spectacular photo opportunities. However, due to the rain, some sections of the trail became slippery, so we had to tread carefully. At times, the rain was so heavy that, despite wearing rain gear, we ended up completely soaked. Even so, we ventured about an hour into the gorge before deciding to turn back.
All in all, our excursion to the Höllentalklamm offered breathtaking views and challenging trails, making it a truly memorable experience.
Tip: Plan to dedicate an entire day to this excursion to fully enjoy the experience.
Additional Excursions and Activities – Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Oberammergau, and More
The area surrounding our hotel* was filled with numerous beautiful places that we took advantage of for various excursions*.
For instance, the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen was only about a 10-minute drive away. With its population of nearly 30,000, it naturally offers a wide range of options for shopping and dining. In particular, the picturesque Ludwigstraße, lined with traditional buildings, is a highlight worth exploring. Because of its lively atmosphere and charm, we visited this vibrant town several times during our trip to Bavaria.
Oberammergau Old Town and the Summer Toboggan Run at Kolbensattel
During our trip, we visited the picturesque town of Oberammergau and its surroundings three times in total. The town is especially renowned for its Passion Plays and the Baroque-style painted façades of many buildings. Among the most famous are the Pilatushaus, the Forsthaus, and the Mußldomahaus.
We were deeply impressed by the charm and beauty of Oberammergau, which was the main reason for our multiple visits. We particularly enjoyed strolling through the traditional shops and trying out some of the local restaurants.
Tip: For a more in-depth experience of Oberammergau, we recommend a private guided walking tour through the town and its surroundings. With a knowledgeable local guide, you can discover not only the historic corners of Oberammergau but also hidden treasures away from the usual tourist paths. You can book the private guided tour of Oberammergau here*.
In addition to the picturesque old town, the summer toboggan run at Kolbensattel is a popular destination for visitors looking for fun and adventure amidst the breathtaking Alpine landscape. We took the opportunity to ride the cable car to the top and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Once at the summit, we couldn’t resist taking an exhilarating ride down the mountain on the Alpine Coaster.
Tip: Very close to Oberammergau is the impressive Ettal Monastery. We made a stop here to visit the Benedictine Abbey, which is known for its remarkable Baroque architecture and its long-standing tradition of brewing beer and crafting liqueurs. A highlight of the visit is the splendid monastery church, with its striking dome and elaborate frescoes. To complete the experience, we visited the monastery shop, where you can purchase products made by the monks.
Conclusion: Bavarian Alps and Neuschwanstein Castle Trip
Our journey through the Bavarian Alps and to Neuschwanstein Castle was an extraordinary experience that transported us to a world of breathtaking landscapes, deeply rooted traditions, and exceptional cuisine.
Our stay at the Alpenhof Grainau* hotel was ideal, with its perfect location close to some of the most stunning attractions, such as the Zugspitze and the Eibsee. Picturesque towns like Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberammergau not only offered cultural and historical insights but also provided opportunities for shopping and enjoying local gastronomy.
The highlights of our trip were undoubtedly the hikes—whether it was the spectacular Höllentalklamm or the serene Eibsee, each excursion offered us unique natural wonders and unforgettable moments.
The combination of cultural treasures, such as the Ettal Monastery and the majestic royal castles, with the natural beauty of the Alps made this trip a truly fulfilling and enriching experience.
Bavarian Alps and Neuschwanstein Castle Travel Guide
Here we have compiled the most exciting excursions and our favorite providers for travel bookings. It’s important to us that the booking platforms offer fair prices, high quality, and excellent customer service.
Our Top Excursions and Activities in the Bavarian Alps
Combination of Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau, and Linderhof Palace*
Oberammergau Private Guided Walking Tour*
Booking.com* is our top choice for accommodations thanks to fast and flexible service, a huge selection, and affordable prices.
Get Your Guide* is our first choice for high-quality tours and activities during travels.
Viator* also offers tours. If we don’t find what we’re looking for on Get Your Guide, Viator often has great alternatives.
Skyscanner* is our number one choice for finding cheap flights.
Sixt* is our go-to for rental cars. The provider often convinces with good discount offers.
The DKB Visa Credit Card* is what we use as a payment method during our travels.
