Füssen, Germany Travel: Visiting the Neuschwanstein Castle!
Follow our journey to Füssen, Germany, where we enjoyed the most delicious food, hiked up to Neuschwanstein Castle, explored the town’s shops, and stayed at a stunning hotel with the best views of the castle. It was an unforgettable 24-hour trip in Füssen, Germany.
Visiting the Neuschwanstein Castle Blog!
We picked the perfect travel day to leave Würzburg, Germany, and make our way down to Füssen, our halfway stop before heading to Italy. The weather was cold and rainy, which made it the best kind of day to be stuck in the car rather than missing out on walking through Europe’s beautiful streets. If we had to “waste” a travel day, I’m glad it was a rainy one! Halfway through our drive, we stopped for lunch in the gorgeous town of Ulm, Germany. We spent a few hours walking the streets, browsing the rows of shops, and mapping out which cozy coffee shop to dive into after lunch. We ended up grabbing lunch at Dean&David, our new favorite spot in Germany!
Visiting Ulmer Münster: Tallest Church in the World
One of the most famous landmarks in Ulm, Germany, is the Ulm Münster, and you definitely can’t miss it—it’s the tallest church in the world! It catches your eye from nearly every street in Ulm. One of the prettiest sights was the town market, bursting with fresh flowers and produce, all set against the stunning backdrop of the church. It looked almost too beautiful to be real!
Ulm Minster was one of the most gorgeous churches I entered while visiting Germany and Italy.
World’s Largest Organ: Did you know the Ulm Minster organ was once the biggest organ in the world? Amadeus Mozart even played it back in 1763!
Roman Catholic Church?: They started building Ulm Minster way back in 1377 as a Roman Catholic church.
Lutheran Church?: During the Reformation in the 16th century, the people of Ulm switched to Protestantism, and the minster became a Lutheran church.
Construction Almost Finished: By the time they converted in 1530, most of the building was done—just missing the spires.
Stopping Construction: After a halt in work in 1543 due to economic struggles, the minster was left unfinished for years.
Finally Finished Construction: Ulm Minster was completed in 1890—over 500 years after it was started!
The Tallest Church in the World: Because the plans changed over the years, the main steeple was 10 meters taller than the original medieval designs.
Is it a Cathedral? Even though many people call it “Ulm Cathedral,” technically, it’s not. It has never had a bishop, so it doesn’t qualify as a cathedral.
Sad History: On December 17, 1944, 330 Allied planes dropped nearly 1,500 tons of bombs on Ulm. In less than 30 minutes, over 80% of the city center was destroyed.
Remembering the Past: Every year on December 17th at 7:15 PM, the Gloriosa bells ring for 15 minutes as a reminder of that tragic night.
Even though we only had a few rainy hours to explore Ulm, Germany, it’s definitely on my radar as a place I want to revisit. I’d love to come back and discover all that the city has to offer!
Before the eyes start rolling that we chose to eat at Dean&David again, I know, I know! But we like what we like. I was craving a healthy salad, and it’s never hard to convince my husband to go along with that. So when we spotted Dean&David, it was an easy choice. We definitely plan to return to Ulm one day to try out some new restaurants, but we wanted to save room for dinner in Füssen, which was just a few hours away.
After lunch, we made our way to our coffee spot, Kaffee Fred. I mentioned in my last travel blog that visiting coffee shops brings me joy while traveling. For some, it’s wineries, breweries, or museums, but for me, coffee is the Super Bowl! We passed so many cute coffee shops in Ulm, but Kaffee Fred really caught my eye—not just because of its bright peach paint. As we walked by, another family came out, and I was instantly hit with the delicious aroma of baked goods and smooth espresso.
Kaffee Fred: A Cozy Coffee Shop in Ulm, Germany
When we stepped inside, travelers and locals were scattered at the tables, chatting with dripping wet umbrellas. Some were playing cards, while others enjoyed pastries, coffee, and wine. Everyone was so friendly, especially the barista behind the counter. We grabbed two cappuccinos to go and treated ourselves to one of her peanut butter brownies.
You know, if I ever get the chance to open a little coffee shop one day, I’d want it to be just as inviting, cozy, and filled with happy people as Kaffee Fred.
The cappuccinos were delicious. They were a perfect blend of espresso, milk, and foam. The peanut butter brownie, like most German desserts, was subtle with sweetness, and you could really taste the natural flavors of peanut butter and chocolate.
It was a bit of a challenge to retrain my taste buds to enjoy less sweet desserts, but it made me realize that we might take sugar a bit too far here in the United States. (I guess that’s a bit ironic coming from someone who is about to post a sugar overload cinnamon roll blog next week.)
Travel to Füssen, Germany, where we enjoyed the most delicious food, hiked up to Neuschwanstein Castle, explored the town’s shops, and stayed at a stunning hotel with the best views of the castle. It was an unforgettable 24-hour trip to Füssen, Germany.
After enjoying our coffee and browsing a few shops, we returned to the car to continue driving down to Füssen, Germany. Technically, we were staying in Schwangau, which is home to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle—the iconic castle in Germany everyone knows!
Where to Stay: The Best Hotel Near Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
There are several hotels near the castle, but we discovered an affordable gem that was gorgeous and had a fantastic view of Neuschwanstein Castle: Hotel Müller Hohenschwangau. It’s just a few miles outside of Füssen, and on a sunny day, we probably would have walked there. However, with the rain and cold, it was a quick three-minute drive.
Directly behind and above the hotel is Hohenschwangau Castle (the yellow castle you see in some of my pictures), which was the childhood home of King Ludwig II. The hotel is in one of the best locations for visiting both castles. It offers free parking, complimentary Wi-Fi, a delicious dinner menu featuring German cuisine, and a breakfast buffet with tables overlooking Neuschwanstein Castle. Our room was clean and comfortable, and when the rain finally stopped, we were able to step out of our double doors and sit on the patio to enjoy the sunrise views of the castle.
As we drove around the area, we spotted Steakhaus Füssen. I quickly looked it up on my phone and thought, “Yep, this is definitely our kind of place!” The menu mentioned fresh ingredients, tapas, and a wide selection to choose from. We love tapas because it’s fun to try a bit of everything together.
We’re the type to call it a night by 8 PM and rise at 4 AM, which is why most of our dinners are earlier than most (especially in Europe.) When we walked in around five, they were just finishing up the dinner setup. The staff welcomed us to choose any spot, so we settled into a cozy little nook by the window, enjoying a stunning view of the lake and mountains.
What We Ordered at Steakhaus Füssen
We decided to share a few dishes! We went with the garden salad, Bruschetta Rommario (topped with tomatoes, parsley pesto, Parmesan, arugula, and olive oil), Patatas Bravas (potatoes in a tasty tomato sauce with feta), and the Angus rump steak. The food was phenomenal! There wasn’t a bite left on the table, and we talked about how good it was the entire drive back to the hotel. I bet sitting outside overlooking the scenery on a sunny day would be perfect!
After dinner, we were completely stuffed! We drove back to the hotel to get ready for bed. I sipped on raspberry tea while soaking in the rainy castle views. After a hot shower, we finally settled in to watch a thriller (the first full movie we’d seen in ages—toddler parent problems!) and drifted off to sleep around 8 PM. We had plans to wake up early to prep for the day, pack our bags, enjoy breakfast, and head out on a hike to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.
Breakfast with Views of the Neuschwanstein Castle: Hotel Müller
Breakfast at Hotel Müller felt like I had stepped into one of my Pinterest boards. We sat by the window with our cups of coffee and plates filled with delicious food, gazing up at the castles. The breakfast was scrumptious, and I could have lingered there for hours, soaking in the calmness. It was almost as if everyone understood the unspoken rule to keep things quiet and peaceful on that dreary morning—or maybe that’s just how it is in Germany.
I filled up on delicious German bread drizzled with honey, along with bacon and eggs. I knew I would be talked out of the bus ride up to the castle, especially since my husband already had hiking plans for us.
There are a few ways to get to the castle from the hotel: hiking, horse, car, or taking the bus! And just as I predicted, we hiked—and honestly, I’m so glad we did. Even though it was an uphill climb, we made it up there faster than the bus. Here’s why: you have to wait for the bus, and it takes over fifteen minutes for everyone to load up. Then there’s another ten minutes for people to get off the bus (seriously, some folks move a little slow for my taste). Once you finally disembark, there’s still a bit of a walk to reach the castle. We saw a big group waiting for the bus, and despite our 45-minute hike to the top, we beat them there! However, the bus or horses are a great alternative if you need them! Walking up gives you so many more viewpoints to look at!
Getting to the Neuschwanstein Castle
HIKE: Quick, free, moderate hike along the trail or road—great workout! BUS: Small fee, takes about 45 minutes, no parking worries. DRIVE: Parking lot fills up fast, so arrive early. HORSE: Small fee, takes about 45 minutes, no parking worries.
Dressing for the weather:
When we set out for our morning hike up to the castle, it was freezing! The temperature was 38 degrees, and the ground was wet from the rain, so I made sure to layer up. I wore leggings under my jeans, two pairs of socks with my boots, two long-sleeve sweaters beneath my jacket, gloves, and a hat. By the time I reached the top, I was sweating! My suitcase didn’t have space for a big coat, so the layers worked perfectly. I was lucky to have found these bootsfor my trip because they were so comfortable for walking and looked good in dressier outfits.
You’ve probably heard Neuschwanstein Castle called the Cinderella Castle (or Sleeping Beauty’s Castle), and there’s a popular rumor that Walt Disney designed Cinderella’s Castle based on it. It’s rumored that Walt never actually visited Neuschwanstein, so who knows!
Built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II, the construction of Neuschwanstein began in 1869, but the castle was never finished. King Ludwig only spent about 170 days living there before his mysterious death in 1886. The day after the government declared him insane, he was found dead in a lake at Burg Castle, alongside his psychiatrist. Talk about a fishy story…
Busy Season at the Neuschwanstein Castle:
Summer and late September are super busy times for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, but we lucked out! It was a chilly day, and since we weren’t there during the peak fall foliage season, we didn’t encounter many other tourists. This made our visit feel even more special, as we could take our time exploring without feeling rushed or crowded.
Queen Mary’s Bridge
The best view of the Neuschwanstein Castle from the Queen Mary’s Bridge
If you’re taking the shuttle buses to Neuschwanstein Castle, they’ll drop you off at a point where you’ll need to walk the rest of the way. Since we walked up, we headed straight to the castle and finished our tour at the bridge. It does get a bit crowded, so the earlier, the better! The views are stunning, and you’ll want plenty of time to soak in the scenery. With it being so cold, we were blessed with beautiful fog coming off the cliffs in the background of the castle. I could not stop taking photos, and some of the trees were starting to turn colors for fall.
On the way to the bridge, you’ll see a few other viewpoints that overlook the entire town, a stunning view of both lakes and the Hohenschwangue castle.
Warning: Even my husband, who is never afraid of anything, disliked the way the bridge shook. The floorboards beneath you will move! It can be a bit scary, but rest assured, it is safe. Still, it was quite a shock when I first stepped onto the bridge and felt the floors start to shift.
Inside Tour of Neuschwanstein Castle! Book your tickets in advance to play it safe! Luckily, our hotel was able to book our tour for us, but they do sell out pretty quickly, especially during the busy season. You can’t take photos on your tour, which is tough because the inside of the castle is stunning and deserves to be shown all over. But I love the secrecy and not knowing what to expect once you’re inside the castle!
I can tell you it’s exactly as you would imagine a fairy-tale castle to look. It has intricate woodwork, fine art everywhere, bedrooms with royal furnishings, and bright frescoes. It was beautiful! The balcony views took my breath away. Facts about Neuschwanstein Castle that you might find interesting:
Take a tour to learn more!
Location: Tucked away in Bavaria, Germany, just near the charming town of Füssen, Neuschwanstein Castle sits on a rugged hilltop. The views of the surrounding mountains and countryside are absolutely breathtaking!
Built by King Ludwig II: This enchanting castle was built by King Ludwig II in 1869 as a tribute to his friend, the renowned composer Richard Wagner. The castle reflects the romantic vibe of the era.
Style: Talk about a fairytale come to life! Neuschwanstein is a stunning example of 19th-century Romantic architecture, blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine styles. It’s like something straight out of a storybook.
Timeline: Construction kicked off in 1869, but it was never fully completed (I feel like this is a pattern for castles and churches!). King Ludwig II only lived in the castle for a mere 170 days before his mysterious death in 1886, leaving it unfinished even today.
Visitor Attraction: This castle draws in over 1.5 million visitors every year!
Disney Inspiration: Fun fact: Neuschwanstein is often said to be the inspiration behind Disney’s Castle.
Interior Design: The castle’s interior is just as stunning as its exterior. It’s decked out with ornate woodwork, beautiful frescoes, and intricate furnishings. The Singers’ Hall is particularly famous for operas performed in the grand setting!
Hidden Treasures: Because the castle was never fully finished, many areas remain in their original state from the 19th century.
Nature and Scenery: Surrounded by stunning landscapes, including mountains, forests, and lakes, Neuschwanstein is not just a castle visit but also a great spot for hiking and being in nature.
Neuschwanstein Castle is an absolute must-see when you visit Germany! When planning our trip, I typed “most famous castle in Germany” into Google and immediately added it to our itinerary. Being so close to Füssen made it an easy choice, and I’m so glad we did! The castle’s stunning architecture and picturesque surroundings truly make it feel like stepping into a fairy tale.
We finished our tour around 10:30 am, walked down, packed up the car, and made our way to the fairytale town of Füssen to walk around, grab coffee, and lunch before making our way to Asolo, Italy.
Make sure you do not miss out on exploring Füssen! It’s one of the cutest and most charming towns ever, and I feel like they could have used this as a set for Beauty and the Beast! I loved all the cobblestone roads, apple trees lining the river, coffee shops with umbrellas, and stores. Thank goodness we finally got a break in the rain to explore.
I kept telling my husband I wished it hadn’t rained the night before because I wanted to spend much more time in Füssen. With a long drive ahead of us through the Alps and the scenic mountains of Italy, we only had an hour or two to spare. We made the mistake of planning our longer travel day on a Saturday, and the traffic was a bit congested. But it’s hard to get mad about traffic when you’re surrounded by the views we had.
There were so many charming cafes to choose from in Füssen! I had my eyes on Bio Café Baumgarten and Caffe Lucca! Both were adorable, but since Caffee Lucca had more seating, I went with that one!
Coffee and a Croisannt at Caffe Lucca In Füssen, Germany
I had the most heavenly cappuccino and a chocolate-stuffed croissant! It warmed me right up after that hike up to the castle! I had to stop myself from returning and ordering more for the road.
Caffe Lucca was another cozy coffee shop with warm and welcoming vibes. Everyone was so friendly, it was hard to leave Füssen!
When in Füssen, you MUST try the Franconian snowballs. They are similar to a shortbread dough, rolled into a ball, baked in vegetable fat, and topped with fun flavors and fillings. It’s such a fun experience to try these because I’ve never had anything like them in the U.S. You can’t help but roll yourself into the store after seeing their display menu with all the fall snowballs! These are also a fun gift to bring back home, and they have all kinds of gorgeous packaging, tins, and packs in their shop.
The Diller family has been crafting these delicious snowballs for over 30 years!
They tasted like a delightful blend of shortbread and a fortune cookie—not overly sweet, with that classic shortbread cookie texture! It was such a fun and unique experience trying these balls!
Before heading out of town, we stopped at Sir Capulus for brunch. We wanted a filling meal since we didn’t plan to stop much before our destination in Italy (about a 5-hour drive but closer to 7 with traffic).
I’m so glad we decided to eat here; it quickly became one of our top five favorite spots on our trip! The interior of the restaurant was cozy and gorgeous. Remember when the word hygge was popular? Well, Europe truly knows how to capture that vibe. The warm atmosphere and inviting decor made it the perfect place to relax and fill our bellies before hitting the road. My husband ordered an omelet, and I ordered the most delicious Benedict eggs. The real star of this meal was the yogurt parfait. The yogurt was incredibly fresh, with fresh fruit, chia seeds, oats, and this crystallized honey! It felt like indulging in a crème brûlée topping on my yogurt. How do I get my honey to have this texture at home? I’m dreaming of this honey and all the amazing flavors it added. I should have ordered some to go because I’ll be dreaming about this parfait for years to come! After exploring Füssen and the stunning Neuschwanstein Castle, we said our goodbyes to the gorgeous Bavarian town and headed to Asolo, Italy (our favorite spot on the trip!). Driving through the Alps was breathtaking. I’ll include some footage in the video vlog posted at the top!
Questions for you!
Have you ever been to the Neuschwanstein Castle?
What is your favorite part about traveling? (coffee shops, hikes, wineries?)
What part of the world do you think I should add to my travel bucket list?
I knew I would love your pictures from this castle! It looks insanely beautiful 🙂 It´s been on my list since forever so hopefully I will visit it soon!
What I love about traveling is getting to know the local people and their culture, just talking to them, observing their daily life. I also love to try local gastronomy!
There is a lot of countires I would add to your bucket list but when it comes to Europe, I would say Spain of course, my beloved Barcelona and the South of country (they have amazing and very affordable tapas and you even get tapas for free when you order something to drink), together with Portugal which is also very beautiul and cheaper than other countries in Western Europe. Also a country that surprised me a lot was Belgium – people are so nice and I think if you liked German architecture, you would also fall in love with Belgium, especially Bruges which is its most gorgeous town, also called the most beautiful town in entire Europe. We went this summer for my birthday and I felt in love!
What gorgeous photos! Germany looks so serene and beautiful. Funnily enough it’s never been on my bucket list, but it is now! It would be a dream come true to visit that castle. I also love visiting cute coffee shops when I travel and trying new foods and walking around gazing at all the architecture while learning the history behind it all. Can’t wait for your Italy post. Thank you for sharing!
Even though we only had a few rainy hours to explore Ulm, Germany, it’s definitely on my radar as a place I want to revisit. I’d love to come back and discover all that the city has to offer!
When in Füssen, you MUST try the Franconian snowballs. They are similar to a shortbread dough, rolled into a ball, baked in vegetable fat, and topped with fun flavors and fillings. It’s such a fun experience to try these because I’ve never had anything like them in the U.S. You can’t help but roll yourself into the store after seeing their display menu with all the fall snowballs! These are also a fun gift to bring back home, and they have all kinds of gorgeous packaging, tins, and packs in their shop. 
My husband ordered an omelet, and I ordered the most delicious Benedict eggs.
The real star of this meal was the yogurt parfait. The yogurt was incredibly fresh, with fresh fruit, chia seeds, oats, and this crystallized honey! It felt like indulging in a crème brûlée topping on my yogurt. How do I get my honey to have this texture at home? I’m dreaming of this honey and all the amazing flavors it added. I should have ordered some to go because I’ll be dreaming about this parfait for years to come!
After exploring Füssen and the stunning Neuschwanstein Castle, we said our goodbyes to the gorgeous Bavarian town and headed to Asolo, Italy (our favorite spot on the trip!). Driving through the Alps was breathtaking. I’ll include some footage in the video vlog posted at the top!
I knew I would love your pictures from this castle! It looks insanely beautiful 🙂 It´s been on my list since forever so hopefully I will visit it soon!
What I love about traveling is getting to know the local people and their culture, just talking to them, observing their daily life. I also love to try local gastronomy!
There is a lot of countires I would add to your bucket list but when it comes to Europe, I would say Spain of course, my beloved Barcelona and the South of country (they have amazing and very affordable tapas and you even get tapas for free when you order something to drink), together with Portugal which is also very beautiul and cheaper than other countries in Western Europe. Also a country that surprised me a lot was Belgium – people are so nice and I think if you liked German architecture, you would also fall in love with Belgium, especially Bruges which is its most gorgeous town, also called the most beautiful town in entire Europe. We went this summer for my birthday and I felt in love!
Thank you, Milena!!
Yes I agree. I will be back in Europe for sure so visiting Belgium is on my list!!! Oh and Spain would be a dream:)
Beautiful photos and travel journal of my city.
Thank you!
What gorgeous photos! Germany looks so serene and beautiful. Funnily enough it’s never been on my bucket list, but it is now! It would be a dream come true to visit that castle. I also love visiting cute coffee shops when I travel and trying new foods and walking around gazing at all the architecture while learning the history behind it all. Can’t wait for your Italy post. Thank you for sharing!
Oh you would LOVE LOVE it!!! I’m currently writing the Italy blog now! SO SO many photos!:)
Was it difficult to park in Fussen?
a ton of parking when we went!