Schloss Hohenschwangau

About the museum

In the Middle Ages, Schwanstein Castle stood on the hill above the Alpsee; it is first mentioned in the 12th century and belonged to the knights of Schwangau until the 16th century. After that, the owners changed several times, and the complex was badly damaged in the Napoleonic Wars.

Crown Prince Maximilian of Bavaria discovered the ruin as a young man on a hike and bought it in 1832. From 1833 to 1837 he had it converted by the architectural and theatre painter Domenico Quaglio into a Romantic palace in the Neo-Gothic style. More than 90 murals on legends and history, the furnishings and the building are harmoniously coordinated, creating a unified Romantic ensemble. This includes the palace garden with its fountains, laid out at the same time and extended in 1851.

Maximilian, later King Maximilian II, used Hohenschwangau with Queen Marie as a summer and hunting residence. Their son Ludwig II spent part of his childhood here; the imagery of the palace is considered an important inspiration for his later building Neuschwanstein on the rock opposite. As king he often came here and from 1873 spent almost every Christmas at Hohenschwangau.

Since 1923 the palace has belonged to the Wittelsbach Compensation Fund. The interiors can only be visited on a guided tour of about 45 minutes at fixed admission times; the palace courtyard and garden are accessible without a ticket. Down at the Alpsee, the Museum of the Bavarian Kings provides information on the history of the Wittelsbachs.

Highlights

• Over 90 murals on legends and history
• Original living quarters of the royal family from the 19th century
• Childhood home of King Ludwig II
• Palace garden with the Lion, Swan and Marien fountains
• View of the Alpsee and Neuschwanstein Castle

Operated by

Wittelsbacher Ausgleichsfonds

Admission & discounts

For purchases in the online ticket shop or reservations, plus a €2.50 processing fee per ticket; tickets are excluded from exchange and cancellation. The Ticket Center only has remaining same-day tickets (from 8 am). As a privately owned property, the palace is not included in the annual pass, multi-day ticket or combination tickets of the Bavarian Palace Administration. Press representatives free only on prior request.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

No lift: during the tour around 180 steps (90 up and 90 down) have to be climbed, so a visit in a wheelchair or with a walker is not possible. The path along the Alpsee to the palace is paved and step-free but slightly uphill; the horse-drawn carriage is recommended. For people with hearing impairments, the tour text is available in written form in several languages. Three disabled parking spaces in the paid car park P2.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Family tour for children aged 5 to 12 and their parents (45 minutes, only during Bavarian school holidays) and, on selected holiday dates, the tour "Princes and Princesses" for children aged 4 to 10. Prams may not be taken on the tour, but are allowed in the palace courtyard. A ticket is also required for small children.

Getting there & parking

Driving to the palace in your own car is prohibited. From the Ticket Center (Alpseestraße 12) it is about a 20–30 minute walk uphill or a horse-drawn carriage ride (approx. 10 minutes, uphill €5.50, downhill €3, not in winter); there is no bus service to the palace. By car via the A7 to Füssen, then the B17 towards Schwangau. Because of roadworks, the B17 through Schwangau is closed until about 18 December 2026; the detour runs via Hohenschwangau.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Palace shop in the Prinzenbau next to the palace, accessible without a ticket. Restaurants and café in the village of Hohenschwangau.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit