I will be in Munich for 2 days in August. Is it worth the travel time to see Neuschwanstein castles or should I focus on the Residenz and Nympthenburg palaces in Munich Also I was considering visting The Herrenchiemsee castle on my way to Salzburg as it is on the way, has anyone visited this castle and the surrounding lakes?
Posted by
Beverly Hills, MI
800 posts
I would stick with the Residenz and Nymphenburg. They are both palaces that have been lived in and have real history behind them. It has been many years since we did Nymphenburg but when you go be sure to see the carriage museum it is well worth the time. The hunting lodge is also nice but a bit of a long walk depending on the weather. Herrenchiemsee is also a good place to see especially since it is right on your way to Salzburg. Some day I would like to go back for the music festival to hear Mozart in the Hall of Mirrors by the light of 10,000 candles.
Posted by
Phila, Pa USA
144 posts
What Irv said.
Posted by
NYC area
2912 posts
Hi Mike, We liked visiting Herrenchiemsee more than Neuschwanstein. The interior was probably our favorite of the 3 "Mad" King Ludwig creations. The short boat trip on the lake is bonus. Paul
Posted by
Paradise
6663 posts
Ditto the previous opinions. See H'chiemsee in Prien on the way to Salzburg - there are lockers at the station for your bags if going by train (22€ for one on a Bayern Ticket.) Everything you mention is a palace - not a castle. Some of the top sights in and near Salzburg are genuine castles. http://www.salzburg-burgen.at/en/
Posted by
Tucson, AZ, USA
134 posts
Hello Mike, We were in Munich about a month ago and loved the Residenz. It is under renovation so the outside is draped, but the inside was fabulous. Munich was one of our favorite places on the GAS Tour. We also visited Neuschwanstein. The front is covered in scaffolding. The view is still good from the bridge except for the main, highest tower is draped which was a bit disappointing. We enjoyed it, but I don't know if I would go out of my way to see it while the scaffolding is up.
Teri
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, BC, Canada
11 posts
Thank you for your responses and advice. I will definitely skip Neuschwanstein for another trip and stick with the palaces in Munich, this will also allow me to attend a Hitler and the third reich walking tour which I hear are very worth while.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19109 posts
Of all the castles built or lived in by Ludwig, I like Neuschwanstein the best. Herrenchiemsee was built at about the same time and is just a partial copy of the palace at Versailles. However, considering your limited time, I would stay in Munich and see things there. I thought the Residenz was tedious. It's very big, and after a while thing get too repetitious. However, I did enjoy Nymphenburg. I'd skip the Residenz and see the Deutsches Museum (at least the aircraft exhibit). Since you are going to Salzburg, and it is on the way, you might as well see Herrenchiemsee. I don't know how much time you have in Salzburg, but the fortress above the old town, Hohensalzburg, is worth seeing. Hohenwerfen is less than an hour by S-bahn south of Salzburg.