I am hoping to tap into this terrific brain trust to help me figure out whether I should spend 1 day visiting Neuschwanstein Castle while on a 3 days vacation in Munich. We (wife and two 20ish daughter) are taking a train in from Saltzburg on Thursday Oct 29th, sometime in the am. We then fly home that Sunday at 6am, giving us about 2 1/2 days in Munich. I definitely plan on doing a walking tour of the city one of the days - that would take up one morning. So now I have a whole day and 2 half days left. Is there enough to do/see in Munich for that time or would I be better off spending a day visiting the castle? While I would like to see the castle, spending all day for a 45 minute tour may be better spent in Munich? Thanks for the help.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
218 posts
While I would like to see the castle, spending all day for a 45 minute tour may be better spent in Munich?
I think you've got it right here. As impressive as the castle is to see, your limited time would be better spent seeing the sights in Munich, and enjoying the culture of the city. If you are coming from Salzburg, hopefully you will have already visited the fortress there, which I feel is a better site than Neuschwanstein. However, if you do ultimately decide on a visit to Neu..stein, don't book it until a few days before. The weather in late October can be pretty dreary, and it's a visit you'd want to do on a clear day.
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
"If you are coming from Salzburg, hopefully you will have already visited the fortress there, which I feel is a better site than Neuschwanstein."
These two structures are so completely different I can't imagine comparing one to the other.
Ludwig II's Neuschwanstein is a late 19th century residential palace designed to resemble in certain aspects the genuine castles that were built 700+ years before. It's not a castle or a fortress, and would never stand a chance against an invading horde, although so far it has survived the invading tourist horde that tramples the place every day. I think the overcrowded tour is just 30 minutes long. (Gotta get those €-heavy tourists in and out quickly.)
In Munich you can see Nymphenburg, a residential palace that's 100+ years older than N'stein and the birthplace of Ludwig II.
Posted by
Phoenix AZ
635 posts
Neuschwanstein is a pretty place to be sure, but in my opinion it's not worth investing a third of your brief visit. There are spectacular palaces with more significant history, and much less crowded with tourists, in Munich proper. Examples are the Residenz, Nymphenburg and Schleißheim. The relatively-untouristed Schleißheim palaces are a short ride on the S1 from the city center, to the Oberschleißheim stop, then a ten-minute walk. As a plus, the wonderful Flugwerft Schleißheim (aviation branch of the Deutsches Museum) is a just short stroll beyond the palaces.
The self-guided walking tour of Munich in Rick's Germany guidebook is excellent. Depending on your level of interest and curiosity it can take anywhere from two hours to two days.
If you are interested in the role of Munich during the Third Reich (fascinating, frightening and thought-provoking), be sure to visit the new NS Doku-Zentrum, which just opened last May. It is on Briennerstraße, just east of Königsplatz, on the site of the old Nazi party headquarters. The DZ's website also offers free downloadable guides for self-guided "thematic walks" of historic sites in Munich. Suggested reading before your trip: Where Ghosts Walked - Munich's Road to The Third Reich by David Clay Large, available on Amazon.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8975 posts
bhalpin I've been there three times - only the first time was voluntary. Think you might get out-voted? I'd suggest visiting the Dachau memorial site - something everyone should see even if not pleasant.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
I don't think any of the palaces in Munich compare with a real castle (or even the "fake" Neuschwanstein). If you want to see a "real" castle, there are some not to far from Munich. Try the castle at Burghausen or at Harburg.
The trip to Burghausen Bahnhof by train takes just over two hours with a change in Mühldorf. When you get to the Burghausen Bahnhof, take bus #1 or #4 five minutes to the Lugwigsberg stop.
Harburg Bahnhof is an hour and a half from Munich with a change in Donauwörth. There is no public transportation in Harburg. It's an easy 1 km walk from the Bahnhof into town, then a steep hike up to the castle. There are no lockers at the Harburg Bahnhof. In Donauwörth, you can see the ruins of a thousand year old castle (now just a pile of rocks).
Posted by
Mahone Bay, Canada
328 posts
I agree with the other posters that it isn't worth spending a whole day just to see Neuschwanstein. Munich has so much to offer, you won't be short on things to do. I could spend a week in Munich and not get bored.
However, if renting a car for a day-trip interests you for something a little different, I would suggest taking a day and exploring the Bavarian countryside between Munich, Garmisch and Neuschwanstein. We love to explore the countryside by car and this is one of my favourite areas of Europe and there is a wide range of things to see and do.
Posted by
Indiana
927 posts
Also agree with previous posters. You will spend way too much time waiting for your assigned time to enter Neuschwanstein only to be hurried through on a very short tour that is extremely crowded with tourists who are less than mannerly. Spend the time in Munich, visit some of the shops in the market, enjoy the local culture and think about visiting Dachau if you have extra time.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you everyone for providing me such invaluable advice. I will heed the voices of the experienced and not do the castle tour, focusing more on the history, architecture and people of the wonderful city of Munich. I appreciate all the help. Now, much to my children's chagrin, its back to seeing how much German I can pick up before we head out.
Posted by
91 posts
Many forget about the Linderhof. Another of Ludwig's palaces and while small, absolutely beautiful inside! Rococo at its finest! Should be an easier trip from Munich
Posted by
NYC area
2981 posts
King Ludwig's Herrenchiemsee Palace fits your itinerary. It halfway between Salzburg and Munich. You'll get a short 15 minute lake cruise both there and back thrown in just to reach the island the palace is on. The interior rivals Linderhof Palace in my opinion. We visited in late October 2007 and had just 5 people, including the two of us, on our tour. Excellent.
Paul
Posted by
Fulda Germany and Rhode Island USA
334 posts
I agree with skipping this. Lots to see in Munich and it will take time to see the castle I was there last year and yes it was beautiful but not something I would return. I would recommend a tour to Kirche St. Bartholomä . A magical place I want to visit again.
Posted by
Marion
50 posts
It depends on how much you like castles. I may be in the minority, but it would be devastating to me to spend 3 days in Munich and not get to see Neuschwanstein. This happened to me on my first trip to Europe in 1997. In 2014, after a RS Best of Paris in 7 days tour , we made a special pilgrimage to Neuschwanstein. It was worth every second and better than I ever could have hoped. My only regret is that I didn't allow an extra day to explore area's other sights like the Museum of the Bavarian kings, or the Kristall-Therme. I have also been to Versallies (twice), Schloss Nymphemburg, Schoss-Burg, Windsor Castle, and Warwick Castle, but Neuschwanstein will always be my favorite.