Embark on a tour of the best castles in Germany and you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a storybook filled with medieval knights and princesses, with every fortress or palace presenting a distinctive blend of historical elements and architectural styles.
During your German castle tour, you will likely encounter two German terms: Burg and Schloss. Briefly, a “Burg” refers to medieval fortresses designed for defense, while a “Schloss” signifies a more luxurious palace. Either way, both are bound to impress.
Schloss Braunfels, near Frankfurt
Schloss Braunfels, near Frankfurt
Schloss Braunfels is an inspiring place to behold. The Counts of Solms have made this castle their home for over eight centuries. From an elevated basalt hilltop surrounded by trees, it overlooks the picturesque town of Braunfels in Hesse.
The castle’s medieval towers create a dramatic silhouette. Exploring the castle’s interiors reveals a world of period furniture, antique weaponry, and a collection of fine art spanning generations.
If you enjoy looking at vintage weapons, the Knight’s Hall will be fascinating. The castle, dating back to the 13th century, has undergone significant architectural changes, particularly during the 19th century, when it underwent a romantic neo-Gothic renovation.
The family chapel features beautiful stained glass windows, while a gorgeous Baroque park surrounds the castle, offering an ideal setting for leisurely walks, with exquisite vistas of the Lahn Valley.
Prunn Castle, near Kelheim
Prunn Castle, near Kelheim
Perched high on a limestone cliff overlooking the Altmühl River, Prunn Castle stands as one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in Lower Bavaria.
This fortress boasts a significant “wow” factor due to its formidable stone walls, which were once so crucial to Prunn’s defense. With a blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and South German Renaissance architectural styles, Prunn offers an architectural tour through the ages.
The Prunner Codex, a 14th-century manuscript of the Nibelungenlied, was discovered here during the 1500s. This copy of heroic-style literature remains a significant draw to this day.
Altmühltal Nature Park
If you have the chance, be sure to visit the Altmühltal Nature Park during your stay, which surrounds the castle and offers lovely countryside, perfect for hiking or cycling.
Schloss Dyck, near Cologne
Schloss Dyck, near Cologne
A brief drive northwest from the German city of Cologne brings you to Schloss Dyck. This castle is one of the best in Germany, with elegant architecture and beautiful surroundings.
The Salm-Reifferscheidt-Dyck family has owned this moated Baroque palace since the 11th century. A foundation now manages it, allowing visitors to explore the estate and its extensive gardens.
Your walk through the manicured grounds here will reveal fountains, bridges, wooded spaces, and thematic gardens that showcase the finest traditions of European landscaping, including a 53-hectare English landscape garden.
The Baroque and rococo designs, tapestries, and the east wing museum capture aspects of the nobility’s lifestyle in the Rhineland over the centuries. Spend time exploring the grand halls and well-appointed spaces, decorated with antique furniture and family portraits, to better understand the castle’s storied history.
Hohenzollern Castle, near Breisach
Hohenzollern Castle, near Breisach
Hohenzollern Castle, accessible on a day trip from Breisach, is a fortress in the scenic Black Forest. It provided long-term defense for the upper Rhine Valley and once served as a Prussian garrison close to the French border.
Hohenzollern has undergone significant changes, yet retains elements of its military design and dynastic heritage. This neo-Gothic castle’s elevated forested locale offers splendid vistas of vineyards and hills that extend for miles.
The castle’s library and the king’s bedchamber are of particular interest. Murals within the library depict the castle’s history. At the same time, the more opulent Blue Salon, with its gilded ceilings, offers a glimpse into how the region’s well-to-do lived in the past.
St. Emmeram Palace, near Regensburg
St. Emmeram Palace, near Regensburg
The Thurn und Taxis Palace, also known as St. Emmeram Palace, is one of Germany’s largest private residences with more than 500 rooms and ranking among the best castles in Germany.
The Thurn und Taxis family transformed this Regensburg Benedictine monastery into a grand Baroque palace during the 19th century.
The palace offers a unique blend of monastic architectural elements and aristocratic elegance. It features a gilded throne hall, a treasury, and the Palace Museum, showcasing historical carriages, weapons, artworks, and period furniture.
Since the town of Regensburg holds UNESCO World Heritage status, you should also dedicate some time to visiting its old medieval core and Gothic cathedral following your palace tour.
Schloss Biebrich, near Mainz
Schloss Biebrich, near Mainz
While visiting the Mainz area, be sure to tour Schloss Biebrich, a magnificent Baroque palace with a lovely red and white facade and spectacular views of the Rhine river.
The Princes of Nassau constructed this stylish riverside residence in the early 18th century. The palace currently hosts cultural events, wedding celebrations, and classical concerts.
Although you will only be able to visit some interior areas, you will have full access to the outdoor spaces and the park. With English and French landscaping traditions, the Schlosspark Biebrich gardens feature serene walking paths, fountains, sculptures, and shade from chestnut trees to enjoy.
Schloss Bürresheim, near Koblenz
Schloss Bürresheim, near Koblenz
Nestled among the verdant hills of the Eifel region, Schloss Bürresheim retains much of its original form, unscathed by destruction or significant alterations, apart from some expansion projects.
The dark-colored towers, Romanesque and Baroque architectural elements, and opulently decorated interiors will take you back to medieval times.
The castle, constructed in the 12th century for defensive purposes, was later transformed into an aristocratic home. The interior museum spaces retain their original furnishings and artwork, collected over the centuries, allowing you to imagine the lives of its noble inhabitants.
The exterior offers sweeping vistas of the green countryside. If you’re a film buff, you might recognize Bürresheim as a location used in a well-known film franchise featuring a certain swashbuckling archaeologist who wields a bullwhip and wears a signature fedora.
Burg Steinau, near Frankfurt
Burg Steinau, near Frankfurt
When visiting Steinau Castle, you may sense its fairytale atmosphere, thanks partly to the Brothers Grimm, who spent their childhood years in Steinau an der Straße and later penned many fantastical stories.
Once you head inside this former residence of the Counts of Hanau, you can explore the old kitchen, living quarters, and a small museum that details the castle’s historical connection to the Grimm family.
The castle stands on medieval foundations dating back to the 16th century. The combination of medieval and Renaissance design elements and its connection to the Brothers Grimm imbue this castle with a magical vibe.
Marksburg Castle, near Koblenz
Marksburg Castle, near Koblenz
Marksburg Castle is a magnificent Rhine hill castle. Since the 13th century, it has guarded the town of Braubach from its dramatic heights, initially serving as a military stronghold before evolving into a noble residence.
The castle’s strategic location and robust construction enabled it to survive numerous historical conflicts, including the Thirty Years’ War and the Napoleonic campaigns.
The interior features furnished rooms that display medieval life, starting with the Knights’ Hall and continuing to the kitchen.
Gain insight into the brutal elements of castle existence through the armory and torture chamber, while the Romanesque Chapel Tower reveals the castle’s religious dimensions.
Marksburg Castle, near Koblenz
You can also enjoy fabulous views from the ramparts as you gaze upon the twisting Rhine River below and imagine defending this fortress against historical invaders.
Neuschwanstein Castle, near Munich
Neuschwanstein Castle, near Munich
Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the best places to visit in Germany, is likely familiar from photos and as the inspiration for castles featured in Disney films, but seeing it in person delivers an even grander impression and experience.
King Ludwig II funded this extraordinary hilltop construction in the Bavarian Alps during the late 19th century, drawing inspiration from operatic works, legendary stories, and his vivid imagination rather than more practical military needs.
The elaborate decorations and building motifs of the castle and its halls evoke a powerful combination of romantic and Gothic design elements.
The throne room exudes a regal aura with its Byzantine mosaics and sparkling chandelier, while the Singer’s Hall honors Wagner’s operas, which Ludwig II favored.
Schloss Drachenburg, near Cologne
Schloss Drachenburg, near Cologne
The neo-Gothic Schloss Drachenburg stands tall above the Rhine near Cologne. It was constructed in the 1880s as a private residence for Baron Stephan von Sarter, a prosperous banker.
The castle is situated on Drachenfels, or “Dragon’s Rock” hill, where legend has it Siegfried slayed the dragon Fafnir. Drachenburg inspires awe through its luxurious details, including its grand staircase, spiral staircases, ornate murals, and stained-glass windows.
The interiors are adorned with rich decorations, and panoramic views of the Rhine valley can be enjoyed from the castle tower. The castle grounds, featuring gardens and sylvan trails, are also impressive.
Cadolzburg Castle, near Nuremberg
Cadolzburg Castle, near Nuremberg
Located relatively close to Nuremberg, Cadolzburg Castle offers an immersive journey through history. This sturdy-looking fortress dates back to the 13th century and was a crucial power center for the Hohenzollern family before their rise to power in Prussia.
World War II and extensive fire damage destroyed most of the original structure. However, a restoration campaign utilizing an innovative interactive museum concept now vividly demonstrates medieval life here, making it one of the best castles in Germany to visit.
The interactive museum teaches various facts about feudal existence through games and curated experiences, providing insight into Cadolzburg Castle’s distinctive Franconian history and character.
Eltz Castle, near Koblenz
Eltz Castle, near Koblenz
While many German castles possess fairytale aspects, Eltz Castle, with its architectural features including high towers and spires, stands out as one of the most dreamlike castles in Germany.
This 12th-century burg, built atop a towering rock spur above the Moselle River, has remained in the same family’s possession for over 850 years. The castle has survived war and destruction, making it one of Europe’s most intact medieval fortresses.
Eltz Castle, near Koblenz
The high towers, ivy-covered façades, and half-timbered walls of this German landmark emerge from the misty forest before you like a vision. Discover medieval rooms with original furnishings, family heirlooms, gold and silver items, and medieval weapons.
After your castle visit, venture out to the hiking trails, such as the Eltzer Burgpanorama path, that encircle the castle.
Burghausen Castle, near Passau
Burghausen Castle, near Passau
The longest castle complex in the world awaits at Burghausen. With its sloping roofs, this medieval fortress stretches more than half a mile along a narrow ridge that overlooks the Salzach River, marking the border between Germany and Austria.
With construction roots dating back to at least the 11th century, significant expansions were undertaken by several Lower Bavarian dukes, including Duke Heinrich XIII, during the 13th and 15th centuries.
The complex comprises multiple towers, chapels, residential quarters, a House of Photography museum, and additional spaces showcasing artifacts from Burghausen. The main keep provides views of the old town with the Austrian Alps in the distance.
The riverside town of Burghausen is also worth visiting, with its amiable atmosphere, colorful townhouses, Bavarian beer gardens, and walking paths beside the river.
Hambach Castle, near Speyer
Hambach Castle, near Speyer
Hambach Castle, located approximately 30 minutes west of Speyer, is a medieval stronghold of significant historical importance, making it one of the best castles in Germany to explore.
This 11th-century Gothic Revival-style building, which underwent a rebuilding project in the 1950s and further renovation several decades later, is situated on a forested hilltop, offering panoramic views of the Rhine Valley.
Hambach is profoundly connected to the founding of German democracy. The Hambach Festival of 1832 drew thousands to this location to advocate for freedom and civil rights and seek national unity.
The castle now functions as a museum, representing Germany’s democratic legacy, and hosts exhibits that highlight the development of German civil rights alongside interactive displays centered on the castle’s historical background.
Rheinstein Castle, near Rüdesheim
Rheinstein Castle, near Rüdesheim
Rheinstein Castle is situated on a rocky ledge overlooking the Rhine, offering excellent views of the surrounding landscape. The castle’s tall turrets, drawbridge, and ivy-covered walls are simply lovely to gaze upon.
The early 13th century marked the origin of Rheinstein Castle, which served as a customs station for the Archbishop of Mainz.
Prince Friedrich of Prussia revived Rheinstein in the 19th century through a restoration inspired by medieval romanticism. The location maintains its historic appeal through its stained glass windows, the Rittersaal Knight’s Hall, and lavishly decorated interiors.
Rheinstein exudes a cozy atmosphere that differs from many larger German castles. The castle features narrow staircases, a neo-Gothic chapel to admire, and a rose garden offering magnificent river views.
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