So, you want ideas on where to stay near Neuschwanstein Castle, huh? Well, you’re in luck! There are a number of great hotels and rental properties near Neuschwanstein Castle that have all the best attributes: great locations, ample amenities, stunning castle views, and (my personal favorite) rave reviews.
Staying near Neuschwanstein Castle
A visit to Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most popular side trips from Munich (especially before, during, or after Oktoberfest). You can easily visit Neuschwanstein on a day trip, returning to Munich that night, or on your way to or from Munich like I did on my way to Gimmelwald, Switzerland.
Or, you can do what I wish I had done and find a great hotel or rental home near Neuschwanstein Castle and make a whole day and night of it. Spending more than just a quick stop at Neuschwanstein Castle will allow you time to also visit Hohenschwangau Castle (Neuschwanstein’s next door neighbor), check out the surrounding towns, relax with some great Bavarian food and beer on a lovely patio, and spend some time in nature around the beautiful mountains and alpine lakes.
There are actually three towns near Neuschwanstein Castle where you can post up for the night (or longer if you want to explore more of the area): Hohenschwangau, Füssen, and Schwangau.
And since you’re definitely going to be doing so, be sure to check out this post on my biggest tips for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle! There are some things in here you can’t afford to miss.
Staying in Hohenshwangau
The village of Hohenschwangau is the one at the very base of Neuschwanstein Castle. It’s where you’ll get your tickets for your castle tour, catch the shuttle bus up to the castle, and park for a castle visit if you drove in yourself.
Yes, this makes Hohenschwangau a bit more chaotic, but really only during the day. After the masses of day-trippers leave, the town quiets down. The downside to this is that many shops and restaurants also close. If you’re the kind who likes to turn in early, you’ll be okay with Hohenschwangau.
Because of the popularity of staying overnight in Hohenschwangau, hotels here should be booked sooner rather than later as they tend to fill up faster than the ones in Füssen or Schwangau. (It’s those views, baby!)
Pros and cons of staying in Hohenschwangau
Hohenschwangau is where you should stay if you want:
- To be able to walk everywhere and not walk far
- Hotels with stunning castle views (especially lit up at night)
- Nothing more because you’re only concerned with visiting the castle
The downsides to staying overnight in Hohenschwangau:
- Pretty busy/crowded during the day
- Shops and restaurants close up early
- Not much else to do besides castle hopping
You can see all Hohenschwangau hotel options and available rental properties here.
Staying in Füssen
Of the three towns near Neuschwanstein Castle, the farthest away from the castle is Füssen, but as far as where to stay near Neuschwanstein Castle is concerned, it’s still a great option.
Füssen offers more in terms of places to eat and shops to pick up supplies, and is great if you’re arriving for and/or departing from your Neuschwanstein Castle visit via train. Füssen is also a good-sized town on Germany’s Romantic Road with a cute little “old town” and historic center you might want to explore.
You can take a public bus (bus 73 or 78) between Füssen and Hohenschwangau several times each hour. So, if you’re worried about staying so far away from Neuschwanstein Castle on your visit, fret not!
Pros and cons of staying in Füssen
Füssen is where you want to stay if you want:
- More options for food, shopping, entertainment, and just about everything else
- Easy access to train travel
- More hotel options
- To explore one of the charming towns on Germany’s famous Romantic Road
The downsides to staying overnight in Füssen:
- Farther away from Neuschwanstein Castle so you’ll have to commute
- No castle views from your hotel room (or at least not any worth writing home about)
You can see all Füssen hotel options and available rental properties here.
Staying in Schwangau
Halfway between Füssen and Hohenschwangau is Schwangau, quite literally a middle-of-the-road comparison of the two. The hotel views in Schwangau aren’t as nice as in Hohenschwangau but bus transport between the two is easy and fast. (And it’s still within walking distance.)
Schwangau is slightly larger than Hohenschwangau so you’ll have a few more dining options, but it’s not as big and convenient as Füssen. You’ll still have to take the bus to and from the castles, and you’ll have to do the same to Füssen if you’re taking the train in or out of town.
However, some of the hotels in Schwangau are the most highly recommended.
You can see all Schwangau hotel options and available rental properties here.
As you can see, you have a few options to weigh when it comes to where to stay near Neuschwanstein Castle. Each town has its pros and cons, none seriously outweighing another. You’re sure to love wherever it is you choose!
Can you stay at Neuschwanstein Castle?
Unfortunately, no, you can’t stay at Neuschwanstein Castle itself. That would be incredible though. Most of the massive castle is empty and abandoned—why not turn it into the world’s most profitable and kickass rental property for crying out loud? *jots down new career goals*
However, you can stay near the castle where you can stare longingly out your hotel window at it well into the night. And that’s about as close as you’re getting to fairytale life I guess.
Also check out: Why You Need to Stay at the Bratwurst Hotel on Your Next Trip to Germany
Hotels near Neuschwanstein Castle
In anticipation of my next visit, I’ve researched the best hotels and vacation rentals near Neuschwanstein Castle.
I’ve hand-picked each of these according to my own strict vetting process along with first-hand accounts from travelers I personally know and trust. You’ll find my choices always favor ideal locations with close proximity to restaurants and transportation, a guest rating of at least 8/10, cleanliness, and a friendly and helpful staff.
For when you want to take it easy and not rush your visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, consider staying at one of these hotels nearby…
1. Hotel Müller – Hohenschwangau
Hotel Müller was recommended to me by a long-time reader and I’ve since seen it mentioned in numerous other recommendations.
As far as proximity goes, you can’t get any closer to where you want to be for a Neuschwanstein Castle visit—Hotel Müller is right next to the Neuschwanstein Ticket Center. You can pick up your tour ticket early and do very little walking for the rest of the day if you so choose. If your only priority on this trip is to visit the castles, look no further than Hotel Müller.
Some of Hotel Müller’s high points include:
- It’s next door to the ticket center.
- Some of the rooms have castle-facing balconies.
- They have an on-site restaurant that serves Bavarian meals and fine wines.
- The breakfast gets great reviews.
- All rooms and common areas offer free WiFi.
- Reviewers absolutely love the staff here!
Plus, the fact that there are very few low points is a high point in itself. People have nothing but great things to say about this hotel—that is so rare!
Book your stay here: Hotel Müller
2. Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein – Hohenschwangau
Oh my gosh – Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein is cu-ute! Designed to look like an actual fairytale cottage and set right there in the trees, this place also has great reviews. (They even fold your bath towels into little swans. It’s too much.)
And if it’s proximity to the actual castle you’re looking for – here it is. Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein is next door to Neuschwanstein Castle itself and only a 5-minute walk away.
If you’re driving your own car for this trip, this is perfect. They offer free parking on-site and you get access to the private roads to Neuschwanstein Castle that only visitors to the hotel can get. It’s pretty much like you live here… and you’re just pulling into the driveway.
You’ll get to visit the Marienbrücke for beautiful morning views of the castle before anyone else can get up there. And you can explore some more after everyone has left. If that sounds right up your alley, stay at Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein.
Some of Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein’s high points include:
- Location location location
- Adorable factor—seriously, check out these photos
The free WiFi is said to be spotty and the on-site restaurant is good but it closes early. Plus, you’ll still have to pick up your tour tickets at the Ticket Center in Hohenschwangau. However, if it’s a truly unique and VIP-ish experience you want at Neuschwanstein Castle, this is the place to choose!
Book your stay here: Schlossrestaurant Neuschwanstein
3. Hotel Alpenstuben – Hohenschwangau
Hotel Alpenstuben is another that’s within just a 1-minute walk from the ticket center in Hohenschwangau (on the other side of it from Hotel Müller).
Like Hotel Müller, you’re in the prime spot for picking up your castle tour tickets and grabbing the shuttle up the mountain. Because of its location, you also get beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle views from your balcony. And since that’s what you came here for, you might as well soak it in where you can get it.
Some of Hotel Alpenstuben’s high points are:
- Many reviewers commend the friendly staff
- The cleanliness and comfort of the rooms also gets mentioned in many reviews
- It’s in a prime location that can’t be beat
- There’s a great restaurant on site
The only downside at the Hotel Alpenstuben is that it doesn’t have an elevator. Shuttle bus up the mountain to the castle? Yes. Elevator to the upper floors? No. You win some, you lose some.
Book your stay here: Hotel Alpenstuben
If you’re considering other day trips to take from Munich, also check out my post on visiting Salzburg from Munich. It’s a quick and easy day trip to Austria!
4. Villa Ludwig Suite Hotel – Schwangau
Six minutes away from the ticket center in Hohenschwangau is the Villa Ludwig Suite Hotel, an adorable and more modern hotel outside the busy tourist center.
Villa Ludwig is one of the area’s newer hotels and even offers an on-site spa with Finnish sauna and sun loungers with castle views. Even the sunbathers get castle views here.
When deciding where to stay near Neuschwanstein Castle, and just about everywhere else, the main thing I look at is overall guest rating. And the Villa Ludwig Suite Hotel has a 9.4/10—the highest of all the hotels in the area!
Some of Villa Ludwig’s high points include:
- It’s in a beautiful location below the Castle—you’re basically in Neuschwanstein’s backyard
- It offers unparalleled castle views from rooms with balconies
- An absolutely exceptional staff that consistently goes above and beyond
- Extremely clean rooms and property as a whole
- Nice, relaxing, private spa and gardens
Though there isn’t a restaurant on site, they do still serve a great breakfast and make it possible to order snacks until 10pm. They also have a sister restaurant next door where they can reserve you a table for lunch and/or dinner.
Book your stay here: Villa Ludwig Suite Hotel
5. Hotel Garni Schlossblick – Schwangau
Located near the Villa Ludwig Suite Hotel is the Hotel Garni Schlossblick, a five-minute walk to the ticket center in Hohenschwangau. Hotel Garni also comes with balcony rooms and views of the castle as well as a breakfast buffet.
This hotel is on the older end—which the squeaks and poor WiFi will remind you of—but if that’s all there is to complain about, I’d say this place is a go. The vibe is charming, the staff is friendly, and the value for money is excellent.
Some of Hotel Garni Schlossblick’s high points are:
- Great location
- Extremely friendly and helpful staff
- Decent castle views
- Free parking on site
- It’s a low-budget hotel in a high-budget area.
If you’re trying to decide where to stay near Neuschwanstein Castle while not spending a whole lot, Hotel Garni Schlossblick is a great option.
Book your stay here: Hotel Garni Schlossblick
Some German terms you’ll see when choosing where to stay near Neuschwanstein Castle include:
- Schloss = castle
- Blick = view
- Berg = mountain.
- So, schlossblick = castle view, bergblick = mountain view.
6. Hotel Waldmann – Schwangau
With Hotel Waldmann we’re starting to move a little farther away from Neuschwanstein Castle. Hotel Waldmann in Schwangau is a 22-minute walk along a tree-lined path to the ticket center in Hohenschwangau, and about the same the other direction into Füssen.
However, if you’ve already had enough walking on this trip, you can still catch the bus going either direction near the hotel.
Hotel Waldmann is in a great spot in that it’s close to both Neuschwanstein Castle and the city of Füssen, but far enough away from the hubbub of both. You can rent bikes to head to either destination or ride the various bike trails around the more secluded, natural areas.
Some of Hotel Waldmann’s high points are:
- Unique location relatively close to everything
- Easily accessible by car, bus, feet (and the train, but you still have to take a short bus ride from there)
- A wonderfully accommodating staff
- You can still get castle views here!
- Excellent restaurant serving Bavarian cuisine
- And a beer garden where they serve beer from the regional Zötler family brewery
If you are looking to stay near Neuschwanstein Castle but not so close that you’re in a crowded tourist area, Hotel Waldmann may be juuuust right.
Book your stay here: Hotel Waldmann
7. Hotel Zum Hechten – Füssen
Probably the most mentioned hotel when researching where to stay near Neuschwanstein Castle is the Hotel Zum Hechten in Füssen.
The Hotel Zum Hechten offers simple, clean, modern rooms inside a traditional family-owned hotel that has been in operation for more than 350 years. They serve regional cuisine in their on-site restaurant and pride themselves on traditional charm throughout. They, too, have an in-house sauna.
Because this hotel is in Füssen, we’ve surpassed the “walking distance” portion of the program. However, Hotel Zum Hechten is just a 7-minute drive to the ticket center in Hohenschwangau or a 10-minute bus journey.
In exchange for its proximity to Neuschwanstein Castle you get a 1-minute walk to the historic center of fabulous Füssen. Also, if you’re planning to arrive or depart by train, the Füssen train station is just a 7-minute walk away.
Some of Hotel Zum Hechten’s high points are:
- It’s in a great location within the town of Füssen, a picturesque stop on the Romantic Road
- It’s just a short bus ride (or drive) to Hohenschwangau for access to the castles
- Included with your stay is a free bus pass to visit the castles
- It’s near the train station so you could do this visit to Neuschwanstein Castle completely using public transportation
- The breakfast here gets so many thumbs up (as does the restaurant for dinner)
- Great staff, clean rooms, no complaints!
If you’re looking to stay in Füssen while checking out Neuschwanstein Castle, this is the most recommended hotel I’ve found. There are virtually zero complaints (I mean, of course there’s that one guy who complains that the parking spaces could be bigger) but countless rave reviews.
Book your stay here: Hotel Zum Hechten
8. Hotel Sonne – Füssen
Hotel Sonne is the hippest, trendiest place on this list and is the opposite of an old, alpine chalet-type stay. It may not be the fairytale, Bavarian vibe many look for, but if you’ve had enough of that and crave modern comforts, here you go.
With this 4-star hotel you also have the advantage of being near the train and bus station (as well as just a short drive to Neuschwanstein Castle).
Some of Hotel Sonne’s high points include:
- A great staff that’s a pleasure to work with
- A modern aesthetic with modern amenities
- Comfortable, almost luxurious, rooms
- You also get the free bus pass when staying here
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay near Neuschwanstein Castle that has more of a modern vibe, check out Hotel Sonne.
Book your stay here: Hotel Sonne
Rental properties near Neuschwanstein Castle
There are many hotels in the area but, if you’re a fan of renting a house or apartment instead, choosing where to stay near Neuschwanstein Castle is just as easy. Here are five great vacation rental stays to check out when planning a trip to Neuschwanstein Castle. (Or you can see all available options here.)
9. “Im Königswinkel” Vacation Apartment
This popular apartment rental comes with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom and is great for two people. There’s plenty of outdoor space, a kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and you’ve got Neuschwanstein Castle right there in your front yard! (See photo below)
Book your stay at “Im Königswinkel” here
10. Vacation Apartment “Helga”
For something a bit bigger, check out Vacation Apartment “Helga.” With 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, this rental comfortably sleeps 4 people. It comes with mountain views, free Wi-Fi, and is pet-friendly. But, perhaps the biggest selling point here is the washer and dryer! This is not a drill!
Book your stay at Vacation Apartment “Helga” here
11. Vacation Apartment with Mountain & Castle Views
Another rental property in a great location next to Neuschwanstein Castle is this vacation apartment. It’s simple but great for two travelers. It also comes with a washing machine (!!!), kitchen, and free Wi-Fi. Plus, you can’t beat castle views and perfect reviews!
Book your stay at this Vacation Apartment here
12. “Small but nice” apartment in Füssen
The official name of this property is “Nice apartment, small but nice” and I can’t handle how cute and honest that is. It really is though; there’s no better way to describe it. It’s super affordable, has Exceptional reviews, and is located right in the center of Füssen. It’s great for two travelers; has on-site parking, a kitchen, Wi-Fi, and a balcony.
Book your stay at this small but nice apartment here
13. Schlossblick – Cozy Apartment
Next on the list of rentals near Neuschwanstein Castle is the Schlossblick – Cozy Attic Apartment. It’s full name is “Cozy apartment on the top floor with a view of the castle.”
This rental includes the entire apartment and is suitable for 4 guests with 2 bedrooms and 4 beds. As you can see in the pictures, from this apartment in Hohenschwangau you’ll be able to look up at Neuschwanstein Castle.
It has a fireplace and balcony, open common space, and is located in a quiet neighborhood (directly beneath the castle). There are coin-operated laundry facilities and a private parking area directly in front of the rental. Past renters absolutely love this location.
Helpful resources for your Germany trip
- Hotels: Head straight to Booking.com to see the best options here. (But Expedia and Hotels.com usually have good deals too.) Or head to VRBO for the best rental properties.
- Rental cars: Check out the best Germany rental car deals here.
- Travel planning: Pick up a Germany guidebook and this must-have Germany customs and culture guide.
- Tours & activities: Check out all the great Neuschwanstein tour options here on Viator and Get Your Guide.
- Want more? See all my Germany content here.
I hope I’ve been able to make your choice of where to stay near Neuschwanstein Castle a little easier. Like this post? Have questions? Let me know in the comments below. Have fun stormin’ the castle!
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