To The Castle!!

This area is by far my favorite place on earth.  Nestled at the foothill of the Swiss Alps (you can actually see both Austria and Switzerland from the Castle), you will never see more breathtaking landscape.  Just thinking about it makes me want to take a deep breath just like I would have there getting all the fresh mountain air that I can into my lungs.  It still blows my mind that people live in such a enchanting area and you can imagine why someone would want to build the worlds most famous castle there.

The train from Munich to Füssen takes two hours.  Definitely grab a snack at the train station before you leave because the train is a regional one and doesn't have food.  Once you get there you can either take a bus or taxi up to the castle or you can walk.  I have done both.  Obviously the first two options cost money.  This last time, we dropped our stuff off at the hostel then decided to walk which was the best decision of the trip.  There are so many picture worthy views and is flat until you get to the castles, yes two!  The lesser known one (Hohenschwangau) is a quick up hill walk, Neuschwanstein is much bigger.

Allow yourself 30 minutes up to an hour for the tour depending on how fast you want to hike up there.  You can also take another bus and that also will cost you.  The last bus down leaves the top at 6pm so if you don't want to walk down I suggest taking an earlier tour.   The first time I went to the Castle we didn't know that and had to walk down.  That wouldn't have been a problem if hadn't started to pour, hail and thunder like crazy.  I wish I was making that up but it makes for one hell of a memory.

You must pay to get into the castle and I suggest you do even though it's a rather quick tour with lots of stair walking but the grandeur of the castle is well worth it.  You can get tickets to see the castles separately or together.  If you are going for the first time, see both castles.  Tours are given in English you just have to make sure you pick the time on the screen with a British Flag next to it.  You will never see an American flag so always look for the British...it means English!

Taken during the tour of Neuschwanstein

Next to Hohenschwangau is a huge lake.  You can swim in it or rent a boat or lay on the little beach there.  I haven't done any of that but you will want to if it's hot out.  The water is crystal clear and gorgeous!  On your way down from Hohenschwangau, there will be a little place where you can sit, take in the scenery and take pictures.

When you do get up to Neuschwanstein, follow the signs, before or after, to the bridge.  It's another hike but worth all the views.  Your pictures will look just like the calendars!

In the summer, it will always be crowded.  The castle attracts more than a million people every year so there will be no getting around that but don't let that hold you back.  This is one place you absolutely must go and see for yourself.

**FUN FACT** During WWII, Neuschwanstein was used to house thousands of pieces of art stolen from Europe.  They will not tell you that on the tour!  Go watch Monuments Men!!

On your way back down, if you are walking, do not stop at the little restaurant.  It's super pricy and not worth it.  Catch the bus back into Füssen and eat there.