Pena Palace in Sintra Portugal vs Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria

There are many interesting themed driving routes throughout Germany that you ought to consider if you have an interest in German history, castles, palaces, and old-world architecture. Neuschwanstein is actually a royal palace built in the late 19th century and was intended to simulate a "knights' castle" from the Middle Ages. It is in the extreme south of Germany at the very southern tip of the "Romantic Road." Of course, there was nothing like it being built anywhere else in the late 19th century - this was when modern skyscrapers began to dot the horizon of North American cities - so it started out as a complete oddity: a faux "castle" that served no particular purpose other than to house the kooky King of Bavaria. And it barely did that - Ludwig II supposedly slept there for less than 2 weeks before his death. After that it just sat there. Then tourists wanted to come and see it.

Odder yet is the fact that it this oddity has become an icon for travel to Germany.

In a way, it's like visiting some of the weird roadside attractions in America like the the Coral Castle in Florida, or Cadillac Ranch in Texas, or that weird Dinosaur Park in Southern California. You don't learn much about history or the area you are visiting, like you would at most castles and palaces in Germany. But if you are in the area, maybe it's a bit of fun to stop by and see what all the fuss is about. Neuschwanstein of course highlights the King who built it and his idol Richard Wagner, so the tour (around $25 now including the reservation fee for the 25-30 minute tour) does cover those stories, should those interest you. Aside from that, it's a good place to meet other foreign tourists. And like most of the German Alps, the scenery is pretty. Here are some other driving routes you might consider:

The Fairy Tale Route (Deutsche Märchenstraße)
The Wine Route (Deutsche Weinstraße)
The Castle Road (Burgenstraße)
The German Alpine Road (Deutsche Alpenstraße)
Black Forest High Road (Schwarzwaldhochstraße)
Avenue Road (Deutsche Alleenstraße)
Half-Timbered Houses Route (Deutsche Fachwerkstraße)
German Clock Road (Deutsche Uhrenstraße)

I was underwhelmed by Neuschwanstein, but loved Pena.

Russ
i will look into the driving routes you mentioned.
thank you

I forgot one - another wine town route that ends in Heidelberg - the Bergstrasse:

https://diebergstrasse.de/holiday-route-bergstrasse/

We have been to both. We loved the Pena Palace, but Neuschwanstein inside was not as good. However, we loved the outside and surrounding area enough that I would still suggest going.