Private Tour: Royal Castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau from Munich

Head to the land of enchantment – the Bavarian foothills of the Alps near Fussen – and visit the glorious castles of King Ludwig II. Your private royal castle tour, customized according to your preferences, begins in the morning with pickup from your Munich hotel.

First, your informative local guide will transport you by Volkswagen minivan or similar vehicle to Hohenschwangau, passing the famous Pilgrimage Church of Wies along the way. If you wish, stop to explore and take photos inside the gorgeous 18th-century Rococo-style church.

You’ll arrive in Hohenschwangau just in time for lunch (own expense). Afterward, embark on a private guided tour of Hohenschwangau Castle, a neo-gothic 19th-century palace built upon medieval fortress ruins by Ludwig’s father, King Maximillian II.

As you explore the interior rooms with your guide, hear stories about the castle where King Ludwig II spent his childhood. Admire the banquet halls and the ‘oriental room’ – furnished from King Maximilian’s travels through Turkey and Greece – in addition to an illuminated starry sky ceiling and murals in the writing room of Queen Mary, who developed an alpine garden on the grounds.

Next, head to nearby Neuschwanstein Castle, the famous fairytale castle built by King Ludwig II after his ascension to the throne. As you come upon the palace, glimpse the white towers rising amid the forest – inspiring Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. While you listen to your guide’s commentary inside, learn about the tragic reign of the legendary “mad” Ludwig, including the obsession that drove him to build his secluded dream castle in the Alps.

Afterward, choose from two optional activities with your private guide: Enjoy a 90-minute stroll along a circular path around the shore of the famous lake Alpsee, or stop for photos at Ludwig’s Linderhof Castle (admission fees excluded) on your return trip to Munich.