In this guide we include tips on what to do, accommodation, tourist attractions, restaurants and other information for your best visit to Schwangau in Bavaria.
We include what you can visit in Schwangau besides Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein Castles, such as museums, mountains and churches.
A travel itinerary to Schwangau can be part of planning to get to know the entire Romantic Route of Germany, the best known tourist route in the world. country, or even a weekend or holiday day trip.
We write about 8 of the best attractions on the Romantic Road in Germany with up-to-date tips, be sure to check it out.
Table of Contents
Where is the city of Schwangau in Germany
Schwangau is a municipality in Germany, located in the district of East Algovia, in the administrative region of Swabia, in the state of Bavaria. Located in the last kilometers of the Romantic Road, close to the municipality are the castles of Hohenschwangau, Bullachberg and Neuschwanstein.
Schwangau is 126 km from Munich (approx. 1h 45 min drive). I haven’t taken the train to the city yet, but you can search for options on the Deutsch Bahn.
Taking the capital of the country as a reference, it is 670 km from Berlin and even though it is far away, it is possible to go by car (approx. 7h 15 min), whereas in relation to other cities, it is 220 km from Stuttgart (approx. 2h 30min) and 426 Km from Frankfurt (approx. 4h 15min).
If you are in Augsburg it is also possible to book a tour to Munich: Best travel tips for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
How to go to Schwangau in Germany
The best way to travel in Germany is very much up to you. We alternated a lot between using the country’s excellent railway network and also taking advantage of the no less excellent German roads and highways (who has never heard of the Autobahns with no speed limit, right?).
Germany Romantic Route
The German Romantic Road is the name given to a travel itinerary in southern Germany that crosses the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in>. It passes through 460 kilometers and 29 cities, starting in Würzburg to Füssen (where is the famous Neuschwanstein Castle) linking various historical attractions and picturesque castles.
Schwangau is part of the suggested itinerary and we have a complete and well-detailed travel guide with tips on how to get to know Germany’s Romantic Road, be sure to check it out.
Suggestions for activities and tours on the German Romantic Road:
Where to stay in Schwangau in Germany – Hotel, hostel and bed tips Bed & Breakfast
Although it is not very common to choose the city of Schwangau as a base to visit the Romantic Route (it is much more common, for example, to stay in Munich or Frankfurt and take a day trip), there is an option to stay.
Some accommodations close to the center of Schwangau that are worth visiting:
- Das Schwanstein
- Kröb 2, 87645 Schwangau, Germany
- 7.5 – Good out of 1,071 ratings
- Guest Comments: The location is perfect for visiting the castles and walking. Room and bathroom very clean. The staff was friendly and the location was also perfect.
- Landgasthof Zur Post
- Münchener Strasse 5, 87645 Schwangau, Germany
- 8.3 – Very good out of 836 ratings
- Guest Reviews: Well located. Incredible views. The staff were very friendly. Rooms are a good size. Parking was in front. Breakfast was good. The beds are comfortable.
- Hotel Weinbauer
- Füssener Straße 3, 87645 Schwangau, Germany
- 8.6 – Fabulous from 1,798 reviews
- Guest comments: Proximity to the Castles, location, in addition to the size of the suite, are highlights, Excellent breakfast and polite staff. They made our trip unforgettable.
- Casa Patrizia
- Am Winkelacker 4, 87645 Schwangau, Germany
- 8.9 – Fabulous out of 632 reviews
- Guest Reviews: Great location, 5-10 minutes drive to attractions and amenities, or just 20 minutes on foot. Therefore, it saves a lot of travel time. Nice and friendly host!
- Landhotel Guglhupf
- Füssener Str. 107, 87645 Schwangau, Germany
- 9.2 – Fantastic out of 1,463 reviews
- Guest Reviews: The staff is very friendly and helpful. The bedroom and bathroom are comfortable and clean. Own parking at no cost. A great breakfast buffet. We had an extremely pleasant stay and would definitely return.
There are also some other options for accommodation in hotels, hostels and inns, be sure to check it out at Booking.com page.
Things to do in Schwangau in Germany
Architectural finds suggest that the Schwangau region was settled in the Middle Stone Age. As early as the 15th century BC, Roman troops built the Via Claudia Augusta that led to Rome. The original Germanic people settled in the Schwangau region around the 16th century.
The first mention of Schwangau was in 1090 in documentation of Welf estates. In the centuries that followed, castles and other buildings were built that went through changes of owners and also conflicts such as the Plague, the 30 Years War, World Wars and others.
Due to the natural beauty of the region and the Castles of Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein, even in the 19th century, Schwangau was already a tourist destination, with inns and hotels available.
Main tourist attractions
Schwangau’s two main tourist attractions are the two aforementioned castles, Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein.
In addition to the castles, we have listed below some other points of interest that can be included in your travel itinerary in Schwangau .
- Museum der bayerischen Könige (Museum of the Kings of Bavaria)
- Inaugurated on September 9, 2011, the museum shows the history and most important personalities of the Wittelsbach family, one of the oldest dynasties in Europe, from its beginnings over a period of almost 800 years to the present day.
- The museum area covers about 1000 square meters and is divided into five sections. The focus of the exhibition is King Maximilian II, who turned Hohenschwangau Castle into a summer residence, and his son, Ludwig II, creator of Neuschwanstein Castle. Other topics are the art collections and environment of the Bavarian royal family.
- See details of opening hours and up-to-date prices at official website of the museum.
- Wallfahrtskirche St. Coloman (Saint Coloman’s Sanctuary)
- The pilgrimage church of St. Coloman on the access road to Hohenschwangau Castle is often overlooked by visitors because of the view of Neuschwanstein Castle, but it is always worth a visit.
- Built in the 17th century on the spot where St. Coloman paused to rest during his pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the church has Gothic and Bavarian Baroque features in its exterior and interior architecture. A beauty with the mountains of Tyrol and Allgäu in the background.
- Schloss Hohenschwangau (Hohenschwangau Castle)
- From 1833 to 1837, Crown Prince Maximilian rebuilt the medieval Schwanstein Castle in a new Gothic style, the current Hohenschwangau Castle. The interior is still preserved from the 19th century until today. Each room in the royal apartments is equipped with murals designed by Moritz von Schwind and Ludwig Lindenschmidt.
- King Max II and his family used the castle during summer and as a hunting residence, where young King Ludwig II spent much of his childhood and youth.
- See practical information on timetables and up-to-date ticket prices on the official website of Hohenschwangau Castle
- Schloss Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle)
- Neuschwanstein Castle was completed in 1892 shortly after the death of King Ludwig II and has been one of Germany’s most popular tourist attractions ever since.
- It was built on the same site as two medieval castles called Hohenschwangau and Hinterhohenschwangau, where the then young heir Ludwig II spent his childhood.
- Of more than 200 rooms, only 20 were completed before the king’s mysterious death. Most of these areas are shown on the castle tours.
- See up-to-date practical information on timetables and ticket prices on the official website of Neuschwanstein Castle
- Marienbrücke (Queen Mary Bridge)
- The bridge is about a 15-minute walk from the castle and is named after Queen Maria of Bavaria, mother of King Ludwig II. It is an excellent place to take the best photo of the Castle and its surroundings.
- Tegelbergbahn (Tegelberg cable car)
- The cable car runs from the bottom of the valley to the hill station on the Tegelberg. In addition to the wide view of the Ostallgäu and beyond, there are activities on offer such as skiing in winter, paragliding and even a toboggan run for children and adults.
- There is still an archaeological site with traces of Roman properties (Villa Rustica) from the mid-2nd century AD.
- You can see price details and even current weather with up-to-date Webcams on the official website
In addition to the listed spots, be sure to explore and enjoy the sights when driving through the small streets of Schwangau or even through the train window and walks.
In particular the Schwansee and Forggensee lakes, which offer boat trips and other water activities.
Tips for a 1-day itinerary in Schwangau in Germany
If you only have one day to visit Schwangau, your focus will be on getting to know the two castles:
- Start the day by heading to the Schloss Hohenschwangau.
Take a break for lunch
- Take advantage of the afternoon to go to the Schloss Neuschwanstein, don’t forget to go to the Marienbrücke to take your pictures.
But our suggestion is that you plan to have at least two days, which can be a weekend trip. This way you can include in your itinerary the climb up the Tegelbergbahn, visit the Museum der bayerischen Könige and the Wallfahrtskirche St. Coloman.
And after that you continue your journey to the next town on German Romantic Road.
Offers on excursions and attractions in Schwangau in Germany
Some guided walks in the Schwangau region:
Where to eat in Schwangau in Germany – Bars and restaurants tips
If you’re traveling in Germany, I believe you should look for restaurants specializing in the country’s traditional cuisine or even a Biergarten for a German beer.
In Schwangau we saw some options to go:
- Hotel Helmerhof Restaurant
- Frauenbergstr. 9 Hotel Helmerhof, 87645 Schwangau, Bavaria Germany
- 4.5 out of 275 ratings
- Customer Reviews: Very good. They serve from complete meals, and also quick snacks, all very well prepared and well served. Cozy environment. I was very well attended. One of the best typical restaurants I could visit in Germany. I recommend.
- Schlossbrauhaus Schwangau
- Gipsmuehlweg 5, 87645 Schwangau, Bavaria Germany
- 4.0 out of 814 ratings
- Customer comments: If you want to eat typical German food and drink good beer, you’re in the right place! The Pork Knee is wonderful, as are the sausages and sauerkraut. Don’t forget to order a “killerbier” !!! When we visited there was a super excited group in a dance hall. The customer service is spectacular!!!
Vale ver no TripAdvisor website some options for restaurants, bars, Biergarten and cafes nearby in other cities.
Watch a video with images of Schwangau in Germany
Video description: Schwangau is a village in Bavaria, southern Germany. It is a gateway to the grand Neuschwanstein Castle, a 19th-century hilltop palace built for King Ludwig II. Nearby, Hohenschwangau Castle features ornate cabins
*Photos from TripAdvisor, official Schwangau website and Wikipedia.
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