Europe's 'Village Of Royal Castles' Is A Beautiful Gem In The Bavarian Alps

Though the Bavarian Alps are dotted with picturesque locations, there is only one spot that looks like an absolute fairy tale. Hohenschwangau is a small village that sits on the edge of a pretty lake and is home to not one, but two, 19th-century castles. No wonder the "Village of Royal Castles" receives more than 1.5 million visitors each year. 

Hohenschwangau is in Bavaria, Germany's largest state. This southern part of the country, near the border of Austria, is full of limestone mountains, dense forests, and glacial lakes. One of those glacial lakes, Alpsee, has some of the cleanest water in Bavaria. Hohenschwangau is perched along its northeastern corner. Then, high above the village, there are two castles: Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. King Ludwig II grew up in the former and started building the latter as an adult. Both are must-see castles to visit on your next trip to Germany. 

The closest airport to Hohenschwangau is about an hour away. The Memmingen Airport (FMM) receives nonstop flights from cities across Europe. For more international flight options, you can also fly to Munich International Airport (MUC). Though the larger airport is nearly two hours away, direct flights from all over the world land there. The Romantic Road, the best way to take in the scenic beauty of Germany by car, also runs through Hohenschwangau. The 220-mile journey, which extends from Würzburg to Füssen, is one of the most scenic roads in the entire country.

As soon as you arrive in Hohenschwangau, you will understand why it is called the "Village of Royal Castles." Hohenschwangau Castle and Neuschwanstein Castle both sit atop hills overlooking the village, with Hohenschwangau being the older of the two. The original fortress was built in the 12th century by the Knights of Schwangau, but it fell to ruin over time. By the time Crown Prince Maximilian, who later became King Maximilian II, arrived in 1832, the castle had to be entirely rebuilt. The project took five years, and then the royal family used the Gothic castle as a vacation spot. After King Maximilian II's death, his son and heir, King Ludwig II, lived there most of the year.

In 1868, King Ludwig II started building his own castle in Hohenschwangau. Neuschwanstein Castle is perched atop a rock ledge overlooking Pöllat Gorge, the site of a nearly 100-foot waterfall. It is the tallest castle in the world and was supposed to have more than 200 rooms. Unfortunately, King Ludwig II died before it was completed. One of Europe's most mesmerizing cliffside castles inspired Disney's Sleeping Beauty, nevertheless.

You may visit both castles by joining a guided tour. Tickets cost about $27 for Hohenschwangau Castle and $24 for Neuschwanstein Castle. You can also purchase combination tickets, which can include Hohenschwangau Castle, Neuschwanstein Castle, and/or the Museum of the Bavarian Kings starting at approximately $40. You do not need a ticket to visit Hohenschwangau Castle's beautiful castle garden.

After touring the hillside castles, it is time to head back down to the village and the lake. You can walk, take the shuttle bus, or ride in a horse-drawn carriage for the full Disney treatment. In the village of Hohenschwangau, the main street is lined with places to eat. Restaurant Café Kainz looks like a rustic Bavarian chalet, while Lisl Restaurant offers a three-course menu in an elegant dining room. Alpenrose am See, right near the edge of the lake, has a beer garden and traditional German hot pretzels.

The beer garden is right next to the Museum of the Bavarian Kings, for which you may have already purchased a ticket if you opted for a combo with your castle excursion. The interactive museum is centered around the Wittelsbach family, particularly the two kings who lived in the area and the castles they built. It also offers a window into Hohenschwangau's gorgeous landscape, including crystal-clear Alpsee, which is just a few steps away.

At the seasonal Boat House, you can rent a rowboat or pedal boat to go out on the lake (approximately $18 for a 30-minute rental). Farther along the southern edge of the lake, you will find Alpseebad, the perfect spot to go swimming. The peaceful area has a jetty, a snack bar, and sunbathing lawns. You also should not miss the Alpsee Circular Trail. The easy trail is just over 3 miles and circles the entire lake. It offers benches and spectacular views along the way. Some would even say that they are fit for a king.