Visiting Neuschwanstein castle is an amazing experience in itself – but you are limited to photos of the castle’s awe-inspiring exterior. No photography inside! So where are the best photo spots for Neuschwanstein, and how do you get there? Find out in this guide.
Best Spots for Views of Neuschwanstein
Neuschwanstein castle is located on a rocky outcrop 200 metres/660 feet above the village of Hohenschwangau. But you don’t necessarily have to go up there to catch a glimpse of the castle.
From the Road
Neuschwanstein castle is highly visible from the road as you approach the village of Hohenschwangau. There are no designated photo stops, but you will often see cars parked on the side of the road, with their passengers taking photos.
If you are arriving by car and you decide to stop, make sure to not block any traffic and do take care. The road gets very busy with cars, buses and agricultural vehicles, especially in the summer season.
The area is also very popular for wedding photo shoots.
From the Village
From the main road in the village, you can see the castle perched high above.
Again, be mindful of the traffic. Hohenschwangau is a busy place. There will be cars, coaches, horse carriages, etc. It’s easy to get run over.
From Lake Alpsee
Just beyond the P4 parking lot and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings, there is lake Alpsee. Walk in a clock-wise direction on the footpath for about 10 minutes. It will become much quieter and you will find great views of both local castles, Neuschwanstein on the right and Hohenschwangau on the left.
From the Path to the Castle
One way to reach the castle is by walking uphill for 20-40 minutes (depending on your fitness level). As you get closer to the castle itself, look up for some magnificent views.
Just before you arrive at the castle itself, there is a platform on your left from which you can get great shots of the entrance.
Looking in the other direction, you can see lake Forggensee.
From Mary’s Bridge
Mary’s Bridge (Marienbrücke) is the most famous viewpoint for Neuschwanstein castle. It is the one point (apart from some spots on the road) where you can see the entire building side.
The views are spectacular, the bridge is fun, but remember: You won’t be the only one there. The bridge gets very, very busy. Click here to read All About Mary’s Bridge (Marienbrücke, coming soon).
From Beyond and Behind the Bridge
If you make it onto the bridge, you can cross it and continue on a hiking path to another viewpoint. It takes around ten minutes to get there. On this path, there are rocks and roots. Wear suitable shoes to reduce the risk of injury, and move slowly.
The views from this spot are similar to the ones from the bridge. You are a little higher up and have a slightly different angle.
If you don’t make it onto the bridge, continue on the paved road towards Bleckenau for just a minute or two. You will come to a bench on your left. From this spot, you have another great view of the castle and the bridge.
Best Spots for Views from Neuschwanstein
From the Courtyard
Just before entering the second gate and starting your tour, you will be in a courtyard of the castle. From that courtyard, you will get a view of Mary’s Bridge and the waterfall in the gorge.
From the Castle Balcony
During the tour itself, you won’t see much of the outside. All the focus is on the interior decoration of the castle.
Once your tour ends and you make your way towards the exit, you will find a café. Walk past the café to reach the castle balcony. From there, you will have a fantastic view of lake Alpsee, lake Schwansee, the village and the mountains in the background.
On the left-hand side of the balcony, you will also have a view of Mary’s Bridge. ⬇️
From the Bridge Path
If you don’t go into the castle, you can still get a great view of the lakes and mountains. The paved path that runs right below the castle towards Mary’s Bridge has a viewpoint, too. The angle is similar to the one from the balcony.
This viewpoint is a little less busy, because typically whoever comes here is either hurrying to the bridge or to their castle tour. There is also more space than on the bridge.
Visit Information for Neuschwanstein and Linderhof
Before visiting, make sure you read up on opening hours, guided tours etc.
- Opening Hours & Guided Tours Neuschwanstein
- Admission & Tickets Neuschwanstein
- Opening Hours and Guided Tours Linderhof
- Admission Fees Linderhof
- Further Properties of the Bavarian Castle Administration
More Neuschwanstein
- All You Need to Know About Neuschwanstein
- Is Neuschwanstein Worth it? Honest Review
- All About Mary’s Bridge
- What to Expect from the Castle Tour
- 10 Mistakes to Avoid
- How to Visit Romantic Road and Neuschwanstein On Your Own
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