9 scenic German castles that will take you on an amazing journey

From manor houses to military forts, Germany is full of exquisite architecture, history, and of course, German castles. There’s nothing more attractive to a tourist than spectacular castles of various shapes and sizes that were once a symbol of power and opulence. Thankfully, there are over 20,000 spellbinding castles scattered all over Germany. You certainly haven’t lived until you’ve experienced your childhood fantasy of walking the castle halls or experiencing the romantic fantasy chambers of a king and queen’s chamber. So, don’t let the opportunity pass you by to visit one of these breathtaking structures while you’re visiting the beautiful Deutschland nation

Wartburg Castle

Step into one of the most historic castles where Martin Luther translated the New Testament between 1521 and 1522. It’s within walking distance of the beautiful Thuringian forest and the town of Eisenach and is one of Germany’s biggest tourist attractions.

Burg Eltz Castle

Owned by a single family for 33 generations, it’s one of 3 castles that hasn’t been destroyed or re-built since Medieval Times. The 45-minute hike from the train station will allow you to explore the enchanted forest and let your medieval dreams come true as you head into the castle.

“We admire the castles because we admire the security!”― Mehmet Murat ildan

Neuschwanstein Castle

King Ludwig II of Bavaria had the castle constructed as a private retreat, but after his death in 1886, it was opened to the public, drawing people from all over the world, including Walt Disney, who modeled Sleeping Beauty’s castle after it. A visit to this wonderful historic castle will definitely re-spark the fire in your life.

Glucksburg Castle

Take a guided tour of the interior, which can take several hours, but is the ideal tour for history enthusiasts looking to get enthralled by the wonderful past of this magnificent water castle. You can also take in the view of the man-made lake surrounding the structure, which was once home to the Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg in the late 1500s. You will absolutely love the old jail, the old torture devices and so much more.

Schwerin Castle

Explore the lovely inlaid wooden floors and decorated ceilings where dukes and nobles have walked back when it was built in 1857. You can get lost in this big beautiful castle, but beware of the ghost, Petermannchen, who is said to be short, but is dedicated to guarding the castle against evildoers, as common legend has it.

Hohenzollern Castle

Although the German monarchy was abolished after World War I, there are still a number of artifacts that remain, including Kaiser Wilhelm II’s crown, and the buried remains of the royal family in the castle’s cemetery. The walk from the entrance gate to the actual castle will make you feel like you’ve slipped into a J.R.R. Tolkien novel.

Wernigerode Castle

Deemed a 12th-century hunting lodge for royalty, it was turned into a castle in the Middle Ages and was renovated with Romanesque features in the 19th century.  But it’s so massive you’ll need to take two guided tours to explore each side of the castle. But it’s worth it for the view of the town and mountains. You might even feel a bit like Rapunzel.

Schloss Nordkirchen

It’s considered the Versailles of Germany and is surrounded by a moat-like canal, which was once strategic but now only elevates the elegance of this fortress. You can also eat like royalty at the castle’s restaurant and enjoy the local cuisine in sheer extravagance. You can even rent the Schloss chapel and have a wedding.

Heidelberg Castle

It barely survived the War of the Grand Alliance in the 17th century, but the 19th century’s Romantic period revitalized this castle, whose historic chambers attract millions every year. It’s one of the most iconic Renaissance structures in the area. Enjoy the castle illuminations, where the walls are bathed in red lights simulating the fire that consumed it in 1764 after a lightning strike.