We spent the weekend in Bavaria in May. We stayed at Edelweiss, which was well-positioned for what we wanted to see and do.
One day we drove to see the fairy tale castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenchwangau!
The trip was little over an hour from Garmisch. The route took us a bit through Austria. Make sure you have an international driver’s license. And stop at a Petrol station on the border to get your toll sticker!
Parking and Tickets
There are several parking lots at the base of the hill. I think we paid €6 for the day.
We got there early to get in line to purchase tickets at the ticket center in Hohenschwangau. We didn’t have to wait too long!
TV screens show the tour times so you have to request when you wish to tour each castle, so make sure you have time to hike to the castles, rest, eat, use the toilet, and see the museum!
You can also order tickets online. You have to figure what time you want your tours and how much time it will take at each castle and the museum if you get the combo ticket. There is a separate line in the same building on the right side to pick up your prepaid tickets. You’ll see the sign.
Children under 18 are admitted FREE!
We got two combo tickets “Königsschlösser” (both castles and the museum): €24 each
Getting to the Castles
There are shuttle buses and carriage rides to the castles. Shuttles – Ascent: € 1,80 Descent: € 1.00 Both Ascent and Descent: € 2,60. Carriage rides – Ascent € 6,00 Descent € 3,00. Or you can hike up for free. The roads are paved but steep.
We were all excited to see Neuschwanstein Castle.
I didn’t brave the bridge (Marienbrücke) to get the really cool pictures. My family is still mad at me. See some pics here. It is now closed for renovations.
The entrance gate to Neuschwanstein Castle.
No photography is allowed inside. There are a lot of swans.
We promised the kids we could take the horse and carriage ride down from Neuschwanstein Castle. The hike up was very steep and we were exhausted.
We grabbed some quick lunch from a shop at the base of the Neuschwanstein trail- wurst, goulash, and snitzel. Everybody was happy.
I was surprised by the appearance of the yellow Hohenschwangau Castle.
There were lovely fountains and gardens.
Again, no photography inside. There were lovely murals on the walls.
The kids liked the Museum of the Bavarian Kings and looking at the Alpsee.
The view from the car on the way back to Edelweiss: Tirolian Austrian Alps. Just gorgeous.
On the way back to Edelweiss, we ate at Waldwirtschaft am Mittersee.
The couple who owned and ran it were just precious. They were so welcoming and concerned about us.
We got traditional regional food: pork knuckle and fish.
The salad was delightful.
Liz and I shared a flaming strudel for dessert.
The kids got these adorable clown ice cream sundaes.
This has been one of our favorite trips so far!
Studying Castles and the Middle Ages
Resources:
- A Medieval Feast Unit Celebration
- Knights and Castles Lapbook
- This castle-shaped lapbook is way cute!
- Lots of Middle Ages activities from Homeschool Share
- Middle Ages Notebooking & Coloring Pages
- Medieval Unit Study
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