19 German Castles That Everyone Should Visit Once in Their Life
No matter what region of Germany you’re exploring, you’ll likely be able to find a castle. After all, estimates put the total number of German castles at 25,000. It’s an astonishing number, but they’re not all exactly like the fairy-tale castles many grew up seeing. Castles can be in a myriad of styles, sizes, and periods. Some are Gothic, some are Romanesque, some are in a Renaissance style. Some German castles have never had royal or noble occupants, others have been held by the same bloodline for hundreds upon hundreds of years. Whether as a visitor or simply by looking at photos, castles are a fascinating way to understand German history—both architectural and otherwise.
Below we present a range of German castles; from the moated to the hilltop, these German castles are undoubtedly impressive.
Photo: Getty Images1/19Eltz Castle (Wierschem, Germany)
The Eltz Castle is commonly known as Burg Eltz, Burg being the translation for “castle” in German. The first written evidence of Eltz Castle is from 1157, making it nearly 900 years old. It’s been continuously occupied by the Eltz family, a noble line, ever since. This long lineage makes it one of the best preserved castles in Germany.
Photo: Bluejay Photo/Getty Images2/19Neuschwanstein Castle (Schwangau, Germany)
If Neuschwanstein looks like something straight out of a fairy tale, it’s with good reason. The castle was believed to have inspired the design of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland and Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World—often the most familiar castle designs to many Americans. Located in Schwangau, Neuschwanstein Castle was completed circa 1886.
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Photo: Laurie Noble/Getty Images3/19Hohenschwangau Castle (Schwangau, Germany)
This castle is considered to be one of the best sights of Bavaria. Built by Bavarian King Maximilian II and completed in 1837, it was the royal family’s summer residence. After spending childhood vacations here, King Maximilan II’s son, King Ludwig II, later commissioned Neuschwanstein Castle. The neo-Gothic building’s striking yellow exterior stands out against the surrounding forest.
Photo: Martin Ruegner/Getty Images4/19Hohenzollern Castle (Hohenzollern, Germany)
Located on a mountain of the same name in Bisingen, Germany, Hohenzollern Castle is located on high ground like many other castles, given the wartime advantage this provides. The parcel of land has been home to a castle since the 11th century, though two previous ones were destroyed. The building that stands on the land today was completed in 1867, making it a relatively young castle.
Photo: Torsten Asmus/Getty Images5/19Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberg, Germany)
Millions of visitors travel to Heidelberg Castle each year, though it’s technically ruins, not a proper castle. Dating back to the early 12th century, it was a prominent Renaissance castle that has since been damaged by multiple fires. Visitors today can walk through the open air, red sandstone ruins, some of which are now covered by overgrown greenery.
Photo: Getty Images6/19Wernigerode Castle (Wernigerode, Germany)
Many castles were enlarged over time, and the piecemeal additions made to Wernigerode Castle are immediately visible. Located in a town of the same name, the oldest part of the structure dates back to the 12th century. Subsequent additions in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries brought Gothic and Renaissance details to the existing Romanesque architecture.
Photo: Getty Images7/19Schwerin Castle (Schwerin, Germany)
Located on an island in northern Germany, Schwerin Castle is considered a particularly important example of Europe’s historicist architecture. The 1857-built castle is unimaginably expansive, including 953 rooms total. Schwerin Castle and a collection of other residences in its town of the same name were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024.
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Photo: Bluejay Photo/Getty Images8/19Cochem Castle (Cochem, Germany)
Referred to as the Reichsburg Cochem in German, this castle is generally called the Cochem Castle in the US. The castle was built in the 12th century, but King Louis XIV’s troops destroyed it in 1689 during the Nine Years’ War, leaving it in ruins. Nearly 200 years later, a business man from Berlin, Louis Ravené, rebuilt the castle as a personal residence, though in the neo-Gothic style. It is now open for guided tours for much of the year.
Photo: Thomas-canon/Getty Images9/19Wartburg Castle (Eisenach, Germany)
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, the Wartburg Castle has been around since roughly 1067. With a number of additions throughout the centuries, the building presents a few different architectural styles spliced together, as is the case for many centuries old castles. Wartburg is a particularly historically important castle because it’s where Martin Luther hid from the Catholic church, during which time he translated the New Testament into German.
Photo: Benedek/Getty Images10/19Charlottenburg Palace (Berlin, Germany)
While technically a palace and not a castle (though the words are often used interchangeably) it would be shame to not mention Charlottenburg Palace, often considered Germany’s Versailles. With its gilded interiors and expansive gardens which were designed by Siméon Godeau, who studied under Versailles gardener André le Nôtre, the impressive property evokes the iconic French palace without being a direct replica.
Photo: Getty Images11/19Schloss Fürstlich Drehna (Luckau, Germany)
With its bright white exterior and red roof, the Fuürstlich Drehna castle in Luckau, Germany, may not be camouflaged into its surroundings, but it’s still plenty hard to access thanks to its moat. Originally built in the 16th century, it now functions as a hotel and restaurant.
Photo: Vladislav Zolotov/Getty Images12/19Sanssouci (Potsdam, Germany)
Translating directly to “carefree,” Sanssouci was built in 1747 as King Frederick the Great’s summer residence in Potsdam. Its striking butter yellow exterior presides over multiple levels of vineyard terraces. King Frederick was known for his love of dogs, and as such, canines are still allowed at the palace’s gardens to this day.
Photo: Holger Leue/Getty Images13/19Reinhardsbrunn Castle (Friedrichroda, Germany)
Often called Rapunzel Castle because of its tall spire, this Gothic castle located in Friedrichroda actually has an important English royal history. The property was Prince Albert’s summer home as a child and it’s one of the first places where he and Queen Victoria met. After falling into disrepair because of neglect, it is now being renovated by the government of Thuringia.
Photo: eyewave/Getty Images14/19Glücksburg Castle (Glücksburg, Germany)
Located close to the border with Denmark in a town of the same name, Glücksburg Castle dates back to the 1500s. The bright white Renaissance-style castle is now open as a museum. During a tour, guests can view the castle’s collection of Dutch tapestries and Flemish leather wall coverings, which feature vividly detailed scene paintings.
Photo: Krzysztof Nahlik/Getty Images15/19Braunfels Castle (Braunfels, Germany)
This castle has been in the same family for over 800 years. Built up and renovated over hundreds upon hundreds of years, the castle exhibits numerous architectural styles, though the Gothic Revival style is perhaps the most dominant. The castle is available for tours, during which visitors can explore the grounds and view a collection of mementos, including weaponry and coins.
Photo: Getty Images16/19Bergedorf Castle (Hamburg, Germany)
The only castle in the city of Hamburg, the red brick Bergedorf Castle dates back to the 13th century. Its eccentric triangular roof line is quite unlike most other castles. Once a medieval stronghold, the building has served as a museum dedicated to Hamburg life since 1953.
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Photo: fotolinchen/Getty Images17/19Schloss Moritzburg (Moritzburg, Germany)
With its numerous red domes, Schloss Moritzburg is unmistakably baroque. The structure was first built in 1542 and converted to the baroque style in the 1700s by Augustus the Strong. The castle is on an artificial island with perfectly symmetrical grounds. Today, it’s open for tourist visits and large event bookings.
Photo: adisa/Getty Images18/19Nuremberg Castle (Nürnberg, Germany)
Dating back to the 1000s, Nuremberg Castle was originally an imperial castle in the Middle Ages. Parts of the castle and nearby fortified walls from this period still stand, along with additions made in the hundreds of years that followed. The castle was heavily damaged in World War II, but it has since been extensively reconstructed and renovated.
Photo: Getty Images19/19Ahrensburg Castle (Ahrensburg, Germany)
Another bright white structure, Ahrensburg Castle is a Renaissance-style palace located in northern Germany. Built in 1585 for the noble Rantzau family, it is now privately owned and open to tourists for most of the year. The interiors are preserved with 18th-century furniture and decor on the lower level and 19th-century decor upstairs, including Beidermeier furniture.
