To Neuschwanstein or not to Neuschwanstein ....

You spend time driving there and hiking up to the castle. Then you wait for your ticket time. 20 minutes later you are done and in the gift shop. The actual time spent in the castle is low compared to the time of getting there and back. I guess it depends on how important seeing it briefly is to you.

Lots of fun things to do in Garmisch.

I think Neuschwanstein is an interesting place to visit. As long as you aren't under the mistaken idea that it was really a medieval castle; do your research in advance. It was built by an eccentric 19th century king as his home, but built to resemble a real castle. The interior is exquisite. The bedroom features an intricately carved wooden bed, the living room is a tribute to the composer Wagner, his study, well see for yourself.

It's easier to get to than another of his palaces, Herrenchiemsee, and in my opinion, more worth seeing.

What is there to see in Garmisch-Partenkirchen? Partnach Klamm is no different than a dozen other other Klamms in Germany, and harder to get to. The Zugspitze might be the highest point in Germany, but its summit is lower than the parking lot of the ski area where I've spent so much time skiing. Pike's Peak is more impressive. The buildings in Oberammergau are more interesting. I spent some time in Garmisch-Partenkirchen once. Since then it's only a place to change trains.

I haven't seen Burg Eltz, but Neuschwanstein is nowhere near as difficult to get to. In the Rhein-Mosel area, I would much prefer going to the Marksburg than Burg Eltz.

I went to Neuschwanstein as a day trip from Fussen by bus in early June. It was very crowded. I didn't particularly enjoy the castles, which you see by guided tour. The tour groups were fairly large and the acoustics in most of the rooms are such that it was difficult to hear the guide unless you were very close and if anyone in the group was chatting or there were others in the room, it was even harder and quite distracting. As for the interiors, it's not my cup of tea but it was interesting to see. There's a good bit of waiting in line (even if you have a reservation and are just picking up tickets) for tickets and then for each of the tours, plus hiking up and down the hills between castles.

I think it depends on how interested you are in seeing the interior of a 19th century castle. I just looked at the website - "March to June: Road B17 closed in parts" - I don't know if that will affect you. Also Marian's Bridge with the famous view of the castle is closed for repairs, not expected to reopen before August.

And remember that if you're driving on highways in Austria, you'll need a vignette.

I took a grandson there and we loved seeing it. We did not go inside, however, as it was the exterior views that I cared about. I would have regretted not going, so it was worth it for us. We rode the bus up and walked down and that was a memorable walk.

Lots of the mixed reviews come from people who have a problem with the proper meaning of the word 'castle'... Here in the US, most of us would consider it a castle, just like we do Cinderella's house at Disney. So, whatever some want to call it, it was an amazingly beautiful sight.

I agree with Terry Kathryn - I loved the palace. It doesn't have to be a real "castle" to be interesting. It's true that the tour is packed and rushed, but the inside is also one of the most unique buildings I've seen. The views of the mountains from the castle were beautiful. And while the famous bridge is closed, I saw a thread on here a while back about a couple who had located an alternative hike with a view of the castle, so that might be an option for you. It depends on your interests, but I'm so glad I got to see it.

It's routinely referred to as a castle in German ("Burg"), so I don't quite understand all the hooting and hollering on English-language websites that it's not a real "castle". It's not medieval, but everyone knows that. So what? It is, however, a stunning building in one of the most scenic locations in Germany. That's the main reason for it's iconic status. Yes, the Walt Disney Company's facsimiles have probably increased Neuschwanstein's popularity, but there were curious visitors lined up outside almost as soon as Ludwig II died.

I agree that the actual tour of the castle/palace/19th century Romantic-er fantasy building (or whatever you want to call it!) is a little brisk, but this is a consequence of accommodating the sheer number of visitors. Neuschwanstein is best appreciated if you pre-arm yourself with some familiarity about Ludwig II's strange personality and in particular his obsession with Wagner's operas. A modern equivalent would be like if Obama redesigned the White House in a Star Wars theme.

So, decide for yourself it Neuschwanstein is worth your time.

I'm going to disagree with another poster on two points, however. I lived in Germany for four years and hiked almost weekly in various parts of the country, plus neighboring Austria and Switzerland. The closest I've seen to anything like the Partnachklamm is the road that ascends to the ski resort of Obertauern, but I've seen nothing else so narrow or so deep. And the Partnachklamm is very accessible unless you have mobility problems. The access point is barely a 20 minute walk down a flat, paved road from the nearest parking lot or bus stop.

Also, regarding Pike's Peak vs. Zupspitze... yes, counting absolute elevation above sea level, the former is almost 1,500 m higher. However, when comparing prominence (ie, how far the peak rises above surrounding terrain, and hence, the observer's perception of relative height), Zugspitze is about 100 m more prominent. So, to the observer, it's about the same. Both are quite impressive.

If you decide you don't want to spend the time at Neuschwanstein, here are two alternatives closer to GaP that can give you a sense of Ludwig II's weirdness.

Linderhof is about a 20 minute drive away. The actual palace is rather small, and I can't recall anything particularly unique about the interior decor, other than perhaps being a little more flamboyant than a typical royal palace. However, the elaborate gardens and pavilions add quite a bit to the overall experience. And the Wagner-influenced grotto... I can't think of a single monarch who built anything so strange.

Finally, another Ludwig option in the area is his least-visited building project, Königshaus am Schachen. This was his mountain chalet, built high above GaP. You can only reach it by a three hour strenuous uphill hike, hence the relatively low number of visitors. The trail to reach the chalet begins at the end of the Partnachklamm. The first floor of the chalet is rather spartan by Ludwig standards, but the second floor contains... well, I'm not sure exactly how to describe it. Perhaps this was Ludwig's idea of what a Turkish sultan's harem looks like. Lots of red, blue and purple.

I have been there three times, only the first time was voluntary. Regardless of the aesthetics or authenticity, I think it takes up too much precious time for the very short time you are in there - most of a day getting there and back. But if it is an absolute must see for one of you as it is for many people with a Disney obsession, how can you avoid it? Burg Eltz is much more interesting.

I see this isn't helping too much. Some like it, some don't.

Here's my 2 cents: It's an easy enough and it's a scenic drive from G-P to Neuschwanstein. The castle is beautiful, as is it's setting. Hohenschwangau, "next door", is very interesting to tour while there, as it's where King Ludwig grew up. The old town of Fuessen, a few minutes drive away, is also worth a look. Stop by Tegelber, a mile or so from Neuschwanstein, and ride the Sommerrodelbahn (luge ride), as it's a lot of fun.

Burg Eltz is hands down the best castle and setting we've ever seen. Don't miss it. It's very easy with a car.

Mittenwald needs maybe a few hours. We love basing in Mittenwald, but to spend the entire day sightseeing? I'd do the Zugspitze first and then spend the rest of the day in Mittenwald. The Zugspitze needs only a few hours also.

The Zugspitze is a must in our opinion, regardless of how high other peaks or parking lots are.

We liked the interior of Linderhof more than Neuschwanstein, if that matters.

Paul

I'll throw in my 2¢.

There is a reason people have been paying to visit since 6 weeks after Ludwig's death and it is not for the history. The castles, and any of Ludwig's creations, are worth a visit if you are interested in architecture. To me, comparing Neuschwanstein to a historical castle like Burg Eltz makes about as much sense as comparing a Bauhaus building to Burg Eltz.

If you think the outside looks amazing and you are interested in architecture then I'd say by all means visit the castles. If you have a whole day to fill you can even do Linderhof and Neuschwanstein in one day from GaP.

DJ

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. By the time we get to Ga-Pa, we will already have visited Herrenchiemsee (which hopefully will make up for our disappointment in Versailles). From what I've read the Neuschwanstein meets all aspects of travel that we enjoy i.e. architecture, history and natural scenery. Maybe we’ll skip the tour and appreciate it from the outside. Since Marian’s Bridge is closed until August, we would be interested in the alternative hike with a view of the castle that Tamara mentioned she read from this forum. Anyone else remember the thread?

Paul, thank you for summing it all up - glad to know that it's doable to combine Mittenwald and Zugspitze in one day.

Hi,

Mittenwald is about 25 minutes from Garmisch by car. We love going to this place for an early afternoon coffee, pastry (especially for a "Mohr im Hemd") and then for dinner. I like having the turkey (Putenstreifen).

www.derkartoffelsack.de/

www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187300-d1037823-Reviews-Der_Kleine_Kartoffelsack-Mittenwald_Upper_Bavaria_Bavaria.html

Paul

Mittenwald is worth a few hours, as well as Oberammergau. Actually, I have spent a couple of weeks in Oberammergau, but this is a totally different time scale. Neuschwanstein is not particularly nice but it is interesting once you understand its history - the same could be said of Linderhof. Nobody seems to remember the Wieskirche - the meadows church - that is near Neuschwanstein and a worthy stop if you are travelling by car.

Nobody seems also to remember that Innsbruck - one hour from Garmisch - has an authentic Renaissance castle (Ambras) with scenic gardens and an incredible baroque room, plus a recently restored Hofburg (royal palace) - if you do not have time to get to the Hofburg and Schoenbrunn in Vienna, the Innsbruck palace is smaller but comparable in decoration.

(If you have to drive in Austria pay attention to the motorway tax to be paid with a sticker, or avoid the short motorway stretch between Zirl and Innsbruck.)

Nobody seems to remember...
... the magnificent abbey in Ettal, almost passing by when going between Oberammergau and Linderhof.
And I found the Wieskirche not really forgotten. I love that over-the-top Bavarian baroque.

I only went to Fussen because my daughter wanted to go to Neuschwanstein castle. I was as unimpressed by the castle as I expected to be but loved our stay in Fussen. It was small and walkable, picturesque and had an interesting museum. Fussen was one of my favorite places I've been(and I've been to Europe 9 times.)

It's only 21 minutes from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Mittenwald by train, and you don't have to find a place to park.

I gave the driving time as the OP says they have a car. Parking is cheap and easy. Train is easy also, as it's a very short, level, walk from the station to the pedestrian zone area of Mittenwald.

Hi, Just back from GaPa and the Bavarian Alps and spent 4 days in Gapa.

The drive to Neuschwanstein from Gapa through the Austrian route is beautiful. If you only go to the castle and back then the vignette is also not needed.

It definitely is worth a visit for the drive and the castle and the hike around... We did not do the tour inside as its not a completed castle and also the long waiting line. The outside is also great and you can walk around the Castle (not the bridge but even further down) and get a view of the other castle and lake etc ... which was nice!

Zugspitze doesn't need the whole day 6 hours max if you start early and then the George can be done the same day unless you plan to hike a lot ..

The Ettal Abbey and Lindorhof is also a good drive from Gapa and can easily be done in a day with time to spare.

sheetalchordia: Thank you for sharing your experience and affirming what we were thinking of doing i.e. just walk around the Neuschwanstein and skip the inside tour. Is it obvious where we can walk further for a view of the other castle and lake? Does the Austrian route take longer or shorter?

I would recommend going to visit castle, actually don't go inside (not that exciting, built in late 1800's) take pictures from outside and then hike on the trails on the grounds to get fantastic vistas of the castle and Bavarian Alps, really enjoyed hiking up across bridges to get fantastic pictures of the castle.

I would recommend going to visit castle, actually don't go inside (not that exciting, built in late 1800's) take pictures from outside and then hike on the trails on the grounds to get fantastic vistas of the castle and Bavarian Alps, really enjoyed hiking up across bridges to get fantastic pictures of the castle.