The castles in Germany are some of the most spectacular in Europe and these are 30 of the best ones to visit when there.
There are so many castles in Germany it would be a never-ending article to go through them all, so this is a selection of the “best” ones to visit if you had to select just a few to go to.
Some of these castles date way back into medieval times whereas others are more recent.
How many castles in Germany are there? An unbelievable possibility of around 20,000!
Note: The German word for a castle is “burg” or “schloss’.
Note: Links are added under each castle section to the official site of the castle and you should check the opening times there before visiting to make sure you get in.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle was actually built as a palace by Ludwig II in the late 19th-century but in most cases, it is referred to as a castle and is the epitome of a fairytale German castle.
It’s a must-visit out of all the castles in Germany mentioned here if you are in Bavaria.
Hohenzollern Castle
Hohenzollern Castle is one of the most epically located castles in Germany. Located on top of Mount Hohenzollern it is the ancestral home of the House of Hohenzollern.
For history and the beauty of the castle, you should definitely try to go to Hohenzollern Castle.
Burg Eltz
Burg Eltz is one of my favourite castles in Germany, and for good reason. It’s one of the most beautiful medieval castles in Germany to visit.
It’s located just of the Mosul River in western Germany and surrounded by forested hills.
Reichsburg Cochem
Another favourite of mine, Reichsburg Cochem (Cochem Castle) is very scenically situated on the Mosel River and is an imperial castle dating back to the 11th-century.
This is close to Burg Eltz and you could see both on the same day easily.
Read: Visiting Cochem Castle on a day trip.
Lichtenstein Castle
Lichtenstein Castle is small but makes up for that in its stunning location, perched on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by forest. It’s a perfect fairytale castle in Germany to visit.
If in Bavaria definitely try to go there.
Wernigerode Castle
Wernigerode Castle is a stunning castle perched on a hill overlooking the town of Wernigerode and the current building dates to the late 19th-century.
Wernigerode itself is a beautifully preserved medieval town in Germany and the castle just adds to that charm.
Burg Altena
Burg Altena is a medieval castle dating to the 12th-century when it was built by the Counts of Berg.
It has epic views across the countryside and is one of the best castles in Germany to visit.
Sigmaringen Castle
Sigmaringen Castle was a castle for the Princes of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and the castle you see today is largely from the late 19th-century as it had to be rebuilt following a fire.
Along with Neuschwanstein Castle, it’s one of the most beautiful fairytale castles in Germany.
Wartburg Castle
Wartburg Castle is a Unesco World Heritage site and dates to the 12th-century. It is located in the state of Thuringia.
This is one of the castles in Germany that should be on your list to visit.
Burg Satzvey
Burg Satzvey is a castle from the 14th-century and is one of the best moat and turret castles in Germany.
This is a popular castle to visit and is also around a 2-hour drive from Cochem Castle and Burg Eltz. If you rush it you could even do all 3 in one day, although it would be best to see Cochem and Eltz together, stay by the Mosul River, and visit Burg Satzvey the next day.
Mespelbrunn Castle
Mespelbrunn Castle is also one of the best-moated castles in Germany to visit and dates to the 16th-century making it an early Renaissance castle.
This is best to go to when the reflection of the main tower is going on the water surrounding the castle for great photos.
Hohenschwangau Castle
Hohenschwangau Castle is near Neuschwanstein Castle and could be considered its little brother.
If you’re short on time then just visit Neuschwanstein Castle, but if you are not in a rush then it’s worth going to take a look at this one as well when in the area.
Burg Rheinstein
Burg Rheinstein is a medieval castle dating to the 14th-century that was the home to many archbishops and counts of Mainz.
As far as historical castles in Germany go, this is one of the best.
Burghausen Castle
Burghausen Castle is in a stunning location in Bavaria and is known as the longest castle complex in the world stretching for 1050 metres.
It dates back to the 11th-century but was heavily expanded in the late 12th-century. Bavaria really is one of the best places to visit in Germany for castles.
Moyland Castle
Moyland Castle is another moated castle in Germany and is done in the neo-gothic style of architecture dating to the early 14th-century.
It’s a very pretty castle to visit.
Schwerin Castle
Schwerin Castle is scenically situated on an island in Lake Schwerin and was used by the dukes of Mecklenburg as their home.
Out of all the castles in Germany listed here, it is a more modern one having been built in the middle of the 19th-century but is one of the more beautiful castles.
Veste Coburg
Coburg Castle is an excellent example of a medieval fortress in Bavaria.
Its origins as a fortified hill go back a millennium but the castle you largely see today was built in the later centuries. It has seen a lot of conflict during its time.
Heidelberg Castle
Heidelberg Castle is a huge castle and an important example of Renaissance architecture but it was demolished in the 17th-18th-centuries and today is in ruin, although some parts have been rebuilt.
If you want to see an epic ruined castle in Germany, then go here.
Braunfels Castle
Braunfels Castle is a gothic castle of the Counts of Nassau dating to the 13th-century although much of what you see now has been built in the late 19th-century.
It has great views across the countryside.
Burg Falkenstein
Burg Falkenstein was built in the mid-12th-century although many modifications have been done to it since.
Its located in a forest setting in the Harz district and it also has falconry, and you can even try knight-style food in its restaurant.
Festung Marienberg
Festung Marienberg is a fortress in Bavaria that has a long history as a stronghold.
It was used for several centuries by the prince-bishops of the area and although the site dates back over a millennium much of the castle today is from later centuries, particularly during the Renaissance and Baroque times.
Castle Burresheim
Castle Burresheim is a medieval castle located west of the Rhine River in the Eifel Mountains surrounded by forest and dates to the 12th-century.
Top tip: Eltz Castle and Castle Burresheim are not that far from each other so you could see both on the same day.
Burg Stahleck
Burg Stahleck is a 12th-century castle but today it is a youth hostel you can stay in. If you’ve ever wanted to stay at a castle this is a good place to experience that at a reasonable price.
It’s located by the Rhine River with epic views across it.
Marksburg Castle
Marksburg Castle is a great medieval stronghold dating to the 12th-century. It’s also located by the Rhine River and is part of a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Definitely worth a visit if in the area.
Nuremberg Castle
Nuremberg Castle is actually a grouping of fortified buildings into one defensive position and was thought to be one of the strongest defended cities during medieval times.
Fortifications date there to the 11th-century but a lot of the main defensive works were carried out later, especially during the Hohenstaufen Emperors’ time in the 12th-13th centuries.
Marburger Schloss (Landgrafen Palace)
Marburger Schloss is located in Marburg and dates to the late 11th-century as a fortified site but has been massively expanded over the centuries.
Inside it is a fairytale castle brought to life!
Weesenstein Castle
Weesenstein Castle is located in Saxony and has existed there since the 13th-century, going through various architectural changes over the centuries.
The German state of Saxony has some of the best castles in Germany.
Glücksburg Castle
Glücksburg Castle is a historic water castle and one of the best water castes in Germany dating to the 16th-century.
It’s of Renaissance architectural design and is a great castle to take photos of when it’s reflected in the water around it (as seen in the photo above).
Sababurg Castle
Sababurg Castle is a ruined castle on a forested hill in the Reinhardswald and dates to the 14th-century.
It has a lot of history behind is and good to visit if in the area.
Konigstein Fortress
Konigstein Fortress is located near Dresden and is one of the biggest fortresses in Germany.
Technically not a ‘castle’, but I had to add it at the end of the article just because it looks ‘castle’ enough to me!
For more on Germany take a look at these 15 enchanting medieval towns in Germany to visit.
Castles In Germany
Those are some of the best castles in Germany to help you in choosing which ones to visit when there.
If I had to choose just 1 or 2 I would make it Neuschwanstein Castle just for the sheer extravagance of it, and Burg Eltz for its epic moody atmosphere.
The great thing is if you really want to explore castles in Germany that there are so many, so even if you don’t move much around the country itself, you will find plenty of castles in the area you are in.
The state of Bavaria, Saxony and the castles near the Mosul River are the best places to see castles in Germany, in my opinion.
I recommend using SafetyWing Travel Insurance for your trip, just in case, it’s best to be prepared.
For more castles take a look at the 30 best castles in Europe to visit.
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