URL:
https://hakuna.matata.blog/neuschwanstein-hohenschwangau-linderhof-bavaria/
This post is Part 3 of my *Driving Castles and Cities* series.
We base ourselves in Füssen, visit Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, ride the Tegelberg cable car, stay in Oberammergau, and tour Schloss Linderhof and its grotto.
**Catch up on earlier posts:**
• [Part 1 – Landing in Germany: From Los Angeles Freeways to Stuttgart Streets](https://hakuna.matata.blog/los-angeles-to-stuttgart-german-road-trip/)
• [Part 2 – Würzburg, Eibelstadt and the Start of the Romantic Road](https://hakuna.matata.blog/wurzburg-eibelstadt-romantic-road-germany/)
If you’ve ever seen a photo of a dreamy castle perched on a hill and thought, Is that real?—this part of the trip answers that question with a very clear yes.
Hohenschwangau Castle
Our day began in Hohenschwangau, where we visited Hohenschwangau Castle, the golden-yellow palace where King Ludwig II spent much of his childhood. Compared to its more famous neighbor, it feels warmer and more lived-in.
From the terraces, you get beautiful views of the nearby lakes and mountains—a hint of what clearly fueled Ludwig’s imagination.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Next up was the star attraction: Neuschwanstein Castle. With its towers, turrets, and dramatic cliffside setting, it looks like it was designed purely for fairy tales—and in some ways, it was. Neuschwanstein actually inspired Disney’s iconic castle.
Inside, the rooms are richly decorated, with murals inspired by operas and legends. Outside, the surrounding landscape is just as impressive: forested hills, shining lakes, and the Alps on the horizon.
Travel Tip: Tickets for Neuschwanstein can sell out. Booking ahead online is highly recommended, especially in summer.
Tegelberg Cable Car
After the castles, we took the Tegelberg cable car up into the mountains. As we rose higher, the castles, lakes, and villages below became tiny miniatures.
At the top:
- The air was fresh and cool, even on a warm day.
- We enjoyed wide-open views over the region we’d just driven through.
- Hiking trails and paragliders added to the sense that this was a playground for people who love the outdoors.
It was one of those rare moments where everyone went quiet just to take it all in.
Oberammergau: Painted Houses and Mountain Backdrop
When we were done for the day, we drove to Oberammergau to spend the night. The town is famous for two things:
- Its Passion Play, performed once every ten years by the townspeople.
- Its beautifully painted houses, decorated with colorful murals known as Lüftlmalerei.
We walked its streets in the evening light, admiring scenes from fairy tales and religious stories painted on house façades, with the mountains rising in the background.
Schloss Linderhof and the Grotto
The next day we visited Schloss Linderhof, another of King Ludwig II’s palaces—and the only one he actually lived in for any length of time.
Linderhof is smaller than Neuschwanstein, but in some ways even more ornate. Set in manicured gardens with terraces, fountains, and pavilions, it feels like a private fantasy world.
A particularly unique feature is the artificial grotto Ludwig had built on the grounds. Inside, it feels like a theatrical underground lake, complete with colored lighting. It’s unusual, slightly eccentric, and completely fascinating.
By the time we left Linderhof, we’d fully immersed ourselves in Ludwig’s dreamlike architectural world. Next, we were about to shift gears into high alpine landscapes and World War II history.
Next Post:
➡️ [Part 4 – Eagle’s Nests, Waterfalls and Wine Towns](https://hakuna.matata.blog/berchtesgaden-munich-black-forest-rhine-road-trip/)
Previous Post:
⬅️ [Part 2 – Würzburg, Eibelstadt and the Start of the Romantic Road](https://hakuna.matata.blog/wurzburg-eibelstadt-romantic-road-germany/)