The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee
By Angie Kunze
What are the Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria?
The Palaces of King Ludwig II are a collection of some of Germany’s most prized royal residences. Each one was meticulously and lovingly crafted by one of Germany’s most intriguing figures, King Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845–1886), and each has its own claim to fame.
Ludwig was a romantic dreamer and was determined to create for himself a fantasy world of fairytale proportions. He was on the fast track to accomplish this feat by creating some of the most intriguing and imaginative palaces in modern-day history, until tragedy struck. Most of Ludwig’s palaces were, to different degrees, unfinished when his young life came to a sudden and tragic end. To this day, his untimely death is surrounded by mystery and intrigue.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. Making a purchase through an affiliate link will mean a small commission for this website. This will not affect your price. Privacy policy.
Today the Palaces of King Ludwig II are some of Germany’s most popular attractions. While Ludwig owned other Bavarian castles, each one on this list was his own design.
- Neuschwanstein Palace is the iconic fairytale castle recognized around the world.
- Linderhof is a compact luxury palace surrounded by beautiful gardens, one of only two of Ludwig’s palaces that were completed before his death.
- Schachen is a remote “fit for a king” Swiss-chalet-type getaway in the mountains, the second of the royal residences that was completed and lived in by the king.
- Herrenchiemsee was the king’s answer to Versailles.
Why are the Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria a UNESCO World Heritage site?
How do these four castles fit the World Heritage criteria? As a collection, they represent a masterpiece of human creative genius and together form an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble from the Romantic era.
According to UNESCO, the castles “reflect the romantic and eclectic spirit of the era. Drawing inspiration from Wartburg Castle, Versailles, German fairy tales, and Wagner’s operas, the palaces showcase historicist styles and advanced 19th-century techniques. Carefully integrated into stunning natural landscapes, they embody Ludwig’s artistic vision.”
What can you expect on a visit to Ludwig II’s palaces?
Neuschwanstein
Neuschwanstein is a Germany bucket-list experience for the over one million who visit each year. Having lived much of my childhood in Germany, I surprisingly hadn’t ever visited Neuschwanstein until just a few years ago. When I started traveling back to Germany as an adult, I felt I needed to see this iconic German tourist attraction.
Of course, I marveled at the storybook castle with its fanciful turrets, but what I really enjoyed about the time spent at Neuschwanstein was getting to know its famous creator on the guided tour. You’ll learn that Ludwig was a humble being and was, like myself, a shy dreamer. After getting to know him, I felt great compassion and sadness for his tortured existence and tragic end.
Linderhof Palace
My personal favorite feature of this place is the grotto, a magical world where blue Grecian grotto meets baroque opera house. The blue waters of the tiny grotto make for a stunning contrast against the intricately painted murals of the stage. Topping off the scene is an ornately gilded throne floating atop the water. Also on site is a beautiful Moorish temple.
King’s House on Schachen
The King’s House on Schachen (Könighaus am Schachen) near Garmisch-Partenkirchen can only be reached on foot. I can’t be certain, but my guess is that Ludwig built his little mountain hut here simply for the views, and because you feel a bit like you’re halfway to heaven in this little spot of paradise. Schachen is where Ludwig celebrated his birthday each year on August 25th.
Herrenchiemsee Palace
Ludwig died before the completion of Herrenchiemsee. King Louis XIV’s grand Versailles was the inspiration for this palace. Everything was to be done in the French style. The French-style gardens with their fountains and statues are my favorite feature here. There are many rooms inside that were indeed finished, all covered on the tour.
Are the King’s Palaces worth visiting?
For various reasons, all of King Ludwig II’s castles are worth a special trip, although each has its own charm and draw.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein is a very popular destination. While some seem to think that the castle is overrated, and others dismiss it because it lacks the ancient history found in many European castles, I believe that Neuschwanstein is indeed worth visiting. It offers a storybook experience complete with dreamy interiors and a touch of mystery.
Linderhof Palace
I have a friend who is half German, and Linderhof is her favorite of all German castles, and that’s a statement in itself! Linderhof is small in relation to other German castles, but still an impressive palace worth visiting.
See both Neuschwanstein and Linderhof on a guided day trip from Munich.
King’s House on Schachen
King’s House on Schachen is small and not particularly impressive, but the surrounding stunning panoramic mountain views and ornate Turkish Hall make it worth your while! However, you’ll need enough motivation to get here. For this reason, unless you really love a good mountain hike with panoramic views, it may not be worth the trouble.
Herrenchiemsee Palace
I was particularly impressed by the fountains and statues in the gardens outside of Herrenchiemsee Palace. You’ll feel a bit as if you’ve landed yourself at the gardens of Versailles. Although the interior of Herrenchiemsee was never completed, the idyllic ferry ride and French gardens with statues and fountains certainly make it worth visiting.
Take a guided tour from Munich to Herrenchiemsee Palace, either with a group or privately.
What sorts of travelers would like these palaces?
Neuschwanstein
Neuschwanstein is the destination for romantic dreamers: those who can’t get enough of a good fairytale. The interior rooms are opulent: fit for a king. If you are a bit of a medieval or early history snob, and prefer rustic interiors, I’d skip it.
Linderhof Palace
As stated, Linderhof is small, so if you prefer expansive palaces, and aren’t big on manicured gardens, you may not like this as much as Neuschwanstein or Herrenchiemsee.
Herrenchiemsee Palace
While Herrenchiemsee is indeed expansive, the interior was never finished, so if you want room after room of grandeur and opulence, you may be disappointed. Because it takes some effort to get to the palace, it’s not a quick roadside attraction. If you’re in a rush, you may want to skip it.
King’s House on Schachen
King’s House on Schachen really is all about the views, so if panoramic views and multi-hour hikes aren’t your cup of tea, this isn’t the place for you.
Tips for visiting the Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria
Neuschwanstein Palace
Neuschwanstein is one of Germany’s most popular tourist attractions, so you’ll want to practice crowd-beating tips.
I also recommend that you visit Hohenschwangau Palace, the sunny little castle on the opposite hill that was Ludwig’s boyhood home. You can easily visit both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau on the same day.
Because of Neuschwanstein’s location high up on a hill, it’s a bit of a haul to get up there. If you don’t want to walk, you can opt for either a horse-down carriage, particularly romantic on a winter visit to Neuschwanstein, or shuttle bus instead.
I’d set aside at least two hours for the guided tour and to take in different views of the exterior of this fanciful castle, including the iconic view from Mary’s Bridge.
Linderhof Palace
The guided tour lasts only around 25 minutes but because there is more to explore than the opulent palace itself, I’d give Linderhof two hours.
Don’t skip the other on-site features at Linderhof like the Venus Grotto and the Moorish Temple.
Herrenchiemsee Palace
The guided tour of the interior takes about 45 minutes. However, you can further explore the island and the gardens, plus you’ll want to factor in the 15 minutes each way for the ferry ride, and the 15 minutes each way for the horse and carriage ride from the dock to castle, or longer if you plan to walk. The horse and carriage ride is only available from mid-April until the end of October, depending on the weather.
You may want to consider spending time enjoying the stunning Bavarian Lake, Herrenchiemsee, as well.
King’s House on Schachen
Because of the hike required to reach it, visiting the King’s House is a full-day activity. You’ll need to take a guided tour to see inside Ludwig’s Alpine holiday home. You can expect a full day’s hike up to the residence and back down again. Bring your hiking poles.
The first hour of the hike is all trees, following a stream down a gravel road. You can expect increasingly spectacular views of the surrounding mountain peaks as the elevation rises to 1800 m (5,905 feet) above sea level. You’ll want to bring plenty of water for the journey.
Check opening dates carefully since this house is only open certain months and days of the year, usually from early June until early October.
Exploring this beautiful part of Germany, especially if you want to see more of the region, is best done by car. Compare rental car prices here.
If you enjoy visiting palaces, consider visiting Würzburg Residence, a baroque-style palace, which is also in Bavaria. Further north, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley is another UNESCO site dotted with dozens castles.
Where are the Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria?
Neuschwanstein: Neuschwansteinstraße 20, 87645 Schwangau, Germany. Neuschwanstein Castle is located right in the heart of Schwangau Village. Many people like to stay overnight in the larger town of Fussen, which is less than 4 km away (2.5 mi). There is ample parking (for a fee) at the base of the castle. You’ll then need to make your way up the hill, either by foot, carriage, or shuttle bus. You can walk from most hotels in Schwangau. If you’re staying in Fussen it will take about 30 minutes by bus, and less by car.
Linderhof Palace: Linderhof 12, 82488 Ettal, Germany. The village of Oberammergau is 14 km (8.7 mi) away (37 minutes by bus,) while Garmisch-Partenkirchen is 63 km (39 mi) away. You’ll find a paid parking lot an 8-minute walk from the palace. Find accommodations in Oberammergau or Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Herrenchiemsee Palace: Altes Schloß, 83209 Herrenchiemsee, Germany. Navigate to the paid parking lot Parkplatz Hafen Stock S1 – Chiemsee Schiffahrt, at Seestraße 108, in Prien am Chiemsee. From here, walk a short distance to the pier, where you can take a paid ferry to the island where the palace is located. From the dock on the island, you’ll need to walk 20 minutes to the castle, or you can pay a small fee to ride a horse-drawn carriage. The lake is located about midway between Munich (89 km or 55 mi away) and Salzburg, 67 km or 42 mi away. You can get there from either location by bus in around 1 hour 30 minutes. Find accommodations near Herrencheimsee.
King’s House on Schachen: Unnamed Road 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Schachen is only accessible on foot. The walk up and down takes 6-7 hours. Car parking spaces are at Garmisch-Partenkirchen or Elmau. The less steep way is from Elmau. It can also be reached through the woods above the waterfalls in Garmisch, but that route is steeper. Parking: Wanderparkplatz Elmau, 82493 Krün, Germany. Parking is free but it’s a private road where you have to pay a fee to the barrier attendant. You can find bus transport from Klais, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, or Mittenwald (from there, take a bus to ‘Ferchensee’). Find accommodations nearby.
All four palaces are marked on the map below:
For more information about the Palaces of King Ludwig II, their opening hours and admission fees, see their official websites:
Have you been to any of the Palaces of King Ludwig II? If so, do you have any additional information or advice about this UNESCO World Heritage site? Please add your comments below!