We were thinking of flying into Munich and then going to see some castles with a possible side trip to Salzburg
Suggestions for a 5 day trip would be appreciated. Would we need a car or would public transportation be possible? Any tour suggestions?
Posted by
9782 posts
5 days isn't much, but you can still see a lot.
Salzburg has the Sound of Music places, there is a Tour that does all that. The Cathedral in the Movie you can do on your own. Also, the Castle on the hill overlooking the city is good. Mozart's home is good.
There are castles in the Garmish/Fussen area that is at a triangle with Munich and Salzburg. There are two castles of King Ludwig in that area. There is another between Salzburg and Munich that is a copy of the Palace at Versailles.
You need at least a couple of days in Munich to do the main sites. Not sure if you want to see the Dachau Concentration camp?
The grounds of the former Olympics is there as well. Also, Nynphenburg Palace (sp).
You can take the train, but when visiting Garmish/Fussen you would need to get transport to see the castles there. Also, you should consider going up to the top of the Zugspitze, highest mountain in Germany.
Posted by
Paradise
7950 posts
Castles are medieval structures built for defense against invaders. Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, Herrenchiemsee and Linderhof - the ones geovagriffith refers to - are palaces designed to house royal entities like King Ludwig II of Bavaria in luxury; these buildings came into existence much later on the European timeline of history. The English language frequently mislabels these palaces as "castles." Germans refer to a palace with the word "Schloß." For them, it's "Schloß Neuschwanstein", for example.
So if you are interested in visiting a castle (Burg in German = castle) pay a visit to Burg Hohenwerfen which is a short distance from Salzburg in the town of Werfen. It's the closest thing to a true medieval castle in your travel area that is well prepared to take in visitors AND easily accessible by train. A falconry show is one of this castle's highlights. Scenes from the film "Where Eagles Dare" with Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton were shot there.
Posted by
below Canada / above Mexico
355 posts
In 2025 we spent 3 nights in Munich, 3 in Salzburg, and 2 in Hopferau (near Fussen).
Our trip report might be useful reference (parts 1, 5-8): https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-austria-bavaria-aug-sep-2025
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2520 posts
This website will give you the basics on the palaces (Schloss) and castles (Burg) in Bavaria. I think Schloss Neuburg on the Donau is much more interesting than Neuschwanstein, and Willibaldsburg is one of the better ones actually used for defense. (Plus Eichstatt is a fantastic Baroque town that tourists never visit.)
https://www.schloesser.bayern.de/deutsch/schloss/objekte/neuburg.htm