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This is Why Fairytale Castles in Germany are So Famous

It is without a doubt that Germany is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the world. Complete with picturesque towns, charming villages, stunning landscapes and impressive architecture, there’s little wonder that people wish to embark on bespoke holiday experiences to this amazing country.

One of the most magical aspects of Germany is its fairytale castles. We all remember the stories we heard as a young child about princes, princesses, epic battles and of course, impressive castles. Well, these castles actually exist and they are scattered around the stunning regional landscapes, towns and cities of Germany!Whilst there are thousands of castles estimated to be in Germany, some of these castles are specifically classed as fairytale castles. Each of these have their own unique characteristics, stunning aesthetics and of course, enchanting stories attached to them.Here is a list of 14 of Travel without Borders’ favourite and most famous fairytale castles and palaces in Germany:

  • Neuschwanstein Castle
  • Hohenschwangau Castle
  • Linderhof Palace
  • Herrenchiemsee Palace
  • Nymphenburg Palace
  • Hohenzollern Castle
  • Lichtenstein Castle
  • Marksburg Castle
  • Eltz Castle (Burg Eltz)
  • Cochem Castle (Reichsburg)
  • Glücksburg Castle
  • Schwerin Castle
  • Albrechtsburg Meissen
  • Wernigerode Castle

If you’re looking to use our services and enjoy a unique German adventure, why not factor in some trips to fairytale castles in Germany? Each of the castles in Germany hold their own rich history or have a great story behind it. Learn more about why the fairytale castles in Germany are so famous below and become inspired to visit them on your next trip to Germany.

Iconic Imagery

The fairytale castles of Germany, whilst all being unique, generally hold one thing in common. Stunning architecture, impressive grounds and intricately designed interiors that make them well-worth seeing on your trip to Germany.

These fairytale castles are beautiful and define the German landscape. With some castles such as the iconic Eltz Castle nestled in the enchanting German woodlands of the Moselle region and others such as Glücksburg Castle, locally known as “castle in the lake”, surrounded by stunning lakes and waters. These castles are symbols of German history.

If you’re a fan of photographing iconic monuments, buildings and landscapes, we thoroughly recommend that you plan a tailored trip with Travel without Borders to see some of the most stunning fairytale castles of Germany. We can plan completely bespoke trips that will allow you to bask in Germany’s culture and history and visit some of the most beautiful fairytale castles in the land.

Rich Medieval History

As with any castle comes a story. The fairytale castles of Germany hold medieval and historical significance in Germany, with many of the castles being homes to a variety of important kings and queens back in that time period. It was this rich history and stories, myths and legends that inspired the tales of the brothers Grimm.

For example, beloved Disney stories such as Cinderella were inspired by fairytale castles in Germany. Neuschwanstein Castle was used as the model and inspiration for the castle in Cinderella’s story due to its sheer beauty and impressive architecture.
These stories were crafted due to Germany being ruled by an astonishing 22 monarchies in the 19th Century. This included four kingdoms, eleven duchies and seven principalities. Of course, castles, palaces, kings and queens had a quintessential role during this time period, bringing with them a host of wonderful tales that were concocted within the castle walls.

With all of these kingdoms, each one with their own beliefs, legends and myths, there’s no surprise that Germany is at the heart of so many beloved fairy tales that we know and love today!​

​Cultural Significance

Fairytale castles have influenced Germany in many ways. Not only have they influenced popular media and have been the source of many wonderful stories, they have also helped to define Germany’s history and culture. With Germany being famed as a fairytale country, some of these castles now allow guests to stay there to get the true fairytale experience.

For example, there is a hotel chain based solely on the castles of Germany called Gast Im Schloss. If you’re a family with young children and you want to give them the ultimate, magical experience in Germany, or perhaps you wish to relive your days of childhood wonder, we can help you to plan a stay in your fairytale castle of choice.

Don’t be disheartened – whilst these castles have been made accessible and comfortable for guest stays, their original charm, history and presence has not been compromised. This allows guests to get a true feel for what it must have been like for the lords and ladies of the medieval times to live in these stunning castles.

A True Fairytale Experience

Are you a fan of the fairytale castles of Germany and wish to have an entire holiday experience planned around this? If so, we can organise for you to travel on the holiday route called the Fairytale Road (Märchenstraße). This is the ideal driving excursion that allows you to travel through a scenic route in Germany and visit a few of the iconic castles and fairytale towns.

For example, the Sleeping Beauty castle called “Sababurg” in Hofgeismar is on this route. As the name implies, this castle was the inspiration for the Grimms Brothers ‘Sleeping Beauty’ tale. This is because when the castle fell into disrepair, winding flowers began to climb the castle walls, making for something truly magical and enchanting, the perfect choice for a fairytale story.

If you’re a lover of classic tales, we can plan you a trip to visit the grounds of this incredible castle so you can live out your fairytale fantasies and capture some wonderful photographs for your travel photo album.

​Experience the Magic

Are you looking to visit just one or a selection of Germany’s fairytale castles? If so, get in touch with us! We have years of experience in planning bespoke trips to Germany and can create an itinerary that is completely unique to you and the specifications of your trip.

Whether you want to wander the grounds of the mysterious Cochem Castle, imagine your own romantic fairytale experience in the ruins of the world-famous Heidelberg Castle or gaze across the views provided by the hilltop Hohenzollern Castle, we can organise this for you.

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