TOP Castle picks

Given the choices listed I've only been to Sanssouci, Schloss Wilhelmshoehe (Kassel) and the Herrenhäuser Gärten (Hannover). The others I can't comment on.

Most definitely, I recommend Schwerin. I didn't find Wilhelmshoehe so interesting, went there because of its historical role after the defeat of France at Sedan in 1870., ie don't really recommend it if time is a constraint for you. The gardens in Hannover are interesting since the House of Hanover (British) provided the British monarchs since 1714.

Other suggestions: Since you'll be in Berlin, I heartily suggest Schloss Charlottenburg, took the bus out there from Adenauer Platz on Kurfürstendamm. On the eastern side of Berlin I suggest Schloss Koepenick, recently refurbished. The S-Bahn #3 (Ekner) goes out Koepenick from Berlin Hbf.

Another one worth seeing from a historical perspective connected to Prussian history is Schloss Babelsberg right next to Potsdam. This Schloss was the palace of the king Wilhelm I. Several palaces (Schloesser) are located in the greater Potsdam area., ie Potsdam is not only known for Sanssouci.

Interesting that you're in Duisburg, any specific reason for that? I've been there twice, was looking for the esoteric museum historical museum/house but unlucky for me, it was closed for repairs, etc. A few years later I went back, saw the museum but it no longer exists...a real pity. Aside from its ICE connection, to Berlin, I see no reason or incentive to be in Duisburg.

I've only been in the town of Hameln, ie the Zentrum, not the Schloss you listed located near to it. I did a day trip to Hameln from Soest/Westf. When I saw the place, picturesque , etc, i thought that this place I should have seen before the Cold War ended, which time-wise was possible on my 1987 trip while staying in Goettingen.

We’ve been to most of the places you are interested in seeing. If you are looping around in the north of Germany I’d highly recommend these combinations depending on which route you decide to take:

Goslar/Wernigerode/ Quedlinburg (great city centers, each with 100s of very old half-timbered buildings). I would choose these 3 cities over Kassel and Hamelin.

Celle/Bergen Belsen in the Luneberg Heide if you are passing this way on your way to Schwerin Castle. Very different history and reasons to visit.

I’ve been to several of the palaces in Potsdam and the one that still resonates the most with me is Sanssouci. I could not get enough of the details of nature in each room. I believe the tour we took was in German, in 1995 but I was just mesmerized with its beauty for such a small palace. I’d been to bigger ones built in a similar time period in France, Austria and Germany but the scale and detail of this one got it just right for a livable palace.

I haven’t been to Schwerin Castle but I’d love to visit it on a future trip. Have fun planning and discovering more of Germany.

thank you so much - very helpful!!

Schloss Hämelschenburg

I visited it last year. Architecturally it was as interesting as described in the guidebook (an excellent example of the so-called Weser Renaissance), but the interior was a collection of rubbish that the owning family has put together over time and it was not worth time and money.

A similar castle, but with the typical blue-and-white facade, is the little- visited Bevern Castle, about 30 min south by car. On the way there, you take an old rope ferry across the Weser (in the village of Polle).

The best, but also most touristy castle in the area is probably the castle of Bückeburg, the ancestral seat of the princes of Schaumburg-Lippe, which even runs a court riding school, not as famous as the one in Vienna, but supposedly very good (I have no idea about horses).

Fred my son lives in Duisburg that is why the in & out from there!

Hi,

Thanks for the answer. I figured as much that the reason was family related.

I would for sure include Schwerin and Quedlinburg / Wernigerode. And the nature in the Harz might appeal to bike lovers.

Also, be sure to spend some time in Hamburg.