Neuschwanstein (fairy tale) castle: must-see or not worth it?
 

I've lived in Germany for three years and still have not gone. I have been to the Bavarian alps and seen the smaller Schloss Linderhof which mad King Ludwig also built. I'm sure Neuschwanstein castle is beautiful, but I've heard that the lines are really long to get in and that its hard to get to via car.

I figure it will take a day to see so if it isn't worth it, I'd rather just hike around the Alps instead. Note: I'm not a Disney fan and don't like long lines! Let me know if you had a positive or negative experience at the fairy tale castle. Thanks for your input.

Loved it. Saw it with 10 inches of snow, and it was magical.

Definitely <b>not</b> a Disney-style experience.

Linderhof is over-the-top opulent, while Neuschwanstein is (relatively speaking) more austere and artistic rather than ostentatious. I really enjoyed it, especially all the Wagnerian tapestries.

I have been in July and didn't find the crowds that bad. I had no problem driving there and parking in the large lot below. On the same day I also went to Linderhof and the Wieskirche, so it shouldn't be an all-day excursion.

One of my family's highlights of Germany!

I'm sure you can't blame Ludwig's Neuschwanstein for Disney. You might blame Wagner for some of Ludwig's notions.

I've been twice and have never regretted it. Fussen is a lovely town in its own right. You can see the macabre Dance of Death in the Anna Chapel. If you love the Bavarian Alps, then Neuschwanstein is part of it's heart and soul.

I would say it is worth seeing but not must see. I prefer Herrenchiemsee

Why should be hard to get there by car? It's actually a piece of cake. By rail is a bit more complicated since you have to change to a bus to take you there.

Is it worth it? Well, it's not exactly big. A tour lasts barely half an hour. You should reserve in advance, otherwise you may have to wait some hours. If you're in the area, it does not hurt to visit. But I wouldn't fly in all the way from Tokyo or L.A. to see it. You can also just hike from the parking lot to a couple of viewpoints and skip the tours of the inside.

The castle itself has indeed some Disney-esque features. It had been designed as a Disneyland for one man, regardless of the current architecture of that time, and without any purpose that a castle otherwise would have. It is as much a medieval German castle as the one in Anaheim.

For me it had been one of these "Oh, that has been nice" sights, but not a "Wow, I must come again next year" sights.

Have been to all (I beleive) of Mad Ludwig's castles and Neu is my lest favorite. Linderhof is better but we much preferred Herrenchiemsee.

The s-called "Sleeping Beauty" castles at Disney are based on a castle in France, NOT on Neuschwanstein.

IMO the outside is much more impressive than the interior.

The largest and most elaborately decorated Ludwig build of all is the palace at Herrenchiemsee and as great as Linderhof is, it pales in comparison.

Hi tub,

We preferred Linderhof to N.

It is not at all difficult to get to by car. You can apply for tickets in advance, so you know what time you will have to be at the castle.

Whether it is a must-see depends on your own taste.

((I))

Thanks for all of the great replies. I learned a lot from you all. At some point I'll get there since it's drive-able but it isn't at the top of my list right now.

To quote Dr Johnson - "Worth seeing. But not worth going to see."

Wow! "Must-see" and "worth it" in one thread title!

If you had worked "best and cheapest way to get there," you would have hit the Trifecta.

Ha Ha. I love some of the snarky responses on this site. I guess I should've wrote 'Neuschwanstein Castle- good or not good?'

I always find Michelin is a reliable guide.

Three stars: worth a journey
Two stars: worth a detour
One star: interesting

Schloss Neuschwanstein has three stars. Judge for yourself.

I'm not a big castle person so I agree with those who say, yes, it's nice, but no, I'm not dying to see it again.

I like the Michelin ratings too, and I do pay attention to them -- which I guess is why I had to see this one. :)

Just for future reference, you usually visit this with Hohenschwangau. It's also not far from Zugspitze, so all of this can be combined. (So you've the Alps too -- but the German Alps!)

I hated it. Not much to see inside. The surrounding countryside is very beautiful, however.

Thin

Worth it! Another consideration to make your trip doubly worthwhile ... see Hohenschwangau in the same location along with Neuschwanstein. It is an old hunting lodge-like building and you can get a combination ticket for both castles.

The sleeping beauty castle is based upon Chateau d'Usse in the Loire Valley. In that area, however, are MANY better castles.

Definitely worth it - I too saw it in the snow and felt like I was walking in a fairy-tale. (Quite literally actually - what with the guide going on about how poor Ludwig "never met the right girl". My friend and I couldn't stop sniggering).