~ Carmen
I’ve always had a rich fairytale imagination as a princess and being treated as one from my daddy. Life, however, has not always been a fairytale. Now that I have Island Boy as my husband, I truly feel like my “happily ever after” is not just an unattainable dream! Our fifth stop in our Bavarian tour, Neuschwanstein Castle (pronounced Noy-Shvan-Stine), would prove to be just like a fairytale: a magical setting, interesting characters, and a rewarding ending.
Stop 1- Vienna, Austria (read more)
Stop 2- Salzburg, Austria (read more)
Stop 3- Dachau Concentration Camp (read more)
Stop 4- Munich, Germany (read more)
Stop 5- Neuschwanstein Castle
Stop 6- Lucerne, Switzerland (read more)
Stop 7- Heidelberg, Germany (read more)
Stop 8- Rhine River Cruise (read more)
Stop 9- Cologne Cathedral (read more)
3 Reasons to Visit Neuschwanstein Castle
1. A Magical Setting
Like some fairytales, Neuschwanstein Castle was set in an enchanted forest in southwest Bavaria, Germany near the village of Hohenschwangau. Even though that forest is in a remote area, the castle is one of the most visited attractions in Europe. Advanced tickets are a must as the ticket line can be quite long and the wait is sometimes a couple hours or even sold out.
As in fairytales, we had a choice to make, pay to ride the horse drawn carriage up the hill to see see the castle or take the thirty minute walk for free. The walk was steep, but manageable, but we had made the wrong choice.
Because our story also involved an evil villain!
Little did we know, that Island Boy Joe was developing a horrible case of the shingles. He is super athletic, but on our rainy walk up, he kept falling behind. His normal happy-go-lucky demeanor had been replaced by being a quiet and stoic Joe that I didn’t recognize. Evil must have taken over me because I was not being the sweet, loving wife that I should have been. His excuses of “My side is really hurting” were met with my reply, “I told you to do more walking before we left. Suck it up, Buttercup!” Yeah, not a proud moment for me. His shingles would later result in 2-inch long blisters wrapping around his torso. He is still feeling the effects and will be lucky if he doesn’t have permanent scarring.
One of the main reasons we had chosen to walk instead of taking the horse drawn carriage ride was going to Mary’s Bridge (where the gorgeous castle pictures are taken). However, our magical setting was spoiled! The bridge was closed for repairs. No!!!!! This princess photographer, who was already in a foul mood, turned into an ugly monster!
Luckily, a food stand helped break the spell.
Those couple of bites of bratwurst and pretzel not only were reasonably priced, but also contained pixie dust and brought this princess back to her happy self. It also helped that the walk had several scenic overlooks.

Scenic Overview
When we reached the top, our setting was as picturesque as they come. I don’t know what I most loved seeing, the castle itself, or snapping pictures of Mary’s bridge and waterfall. Our rainy walk up the mountain was also rewarded with clearing skies and sweet smelling air!
2. Interesting Characters
Fairytale stories have interesting characters woven throughout them. Our story would not be an exception to that. Although some visitors do not pay the fee to tour the inside of the castle, being a history teacher, I knew that a guided tour would be something I wouldn’t want to miss. Tickets (bought at the bottom of the mountain) are time-stamped, and it is recommended that you are inside the courtyard at least twenty-five minutes before your tour time. That wait time provided us with ample people watching. I loved seeing how families and school groups from around the world interacted. It made the wait time fly by.
Once our tour started, we were disappointed to learn that photographs are not allowed inside the castle. Although, I wouldn’t have any pictures to share, our guide was so well versed in the history of the castle, my disappointment was quickly forgotten.

The very theatrical courtyard
If you haven’t heard the story about King Ludwig, he was the epitome of an “interesting” character. You see, the castle wasn’t built during the Middle Ages, when Europe used castles as protection against invaders. King Ludwig wanted a refuge away from Munich, a private romanticized residence for him and him alone. In the 1860s he began the construction of the elaborate castle. Many called him crazy. The plan was for two hundred rooms, but at the time of his arrest (for racking up huge debts) and his mysterious death, only fifteen were completed. King Ludwig had only spent eleven nights in the castle. Upon the king’s death, the castle was opened to the public to help pay off all of the debt involved with the planning and construction of it.
3. A Rewarding Ending
A visit to Neuschwanstein Castle can make for a magical rewarding visit. The view was spellbinding, temporarily warding off Joe’s shingles pain and the gloominess of the steep, wet hike. Although Neuschwanstein Castle was condemned during Ludwig’s time as kitsch, the castle is now considered among the major works of European historicism.
The setting is so magical that Walt Disney used the castle as a model for Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Walt Disneyland. The area surrounding the castle seems postcard perfect and is worth any “evil” encountered. You will definitely feel like you’re in a fairytale!
Does a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle seem like a fairytale to you? We’l love to here your thoughts. Please comment below. Keep up with all of our travel, camping, and cycling tips by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Leave us your email (blue box at the bottom of the post) to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and never miss a post!
Karen
September 12, 2016 5:35 amWow the views are beautiful. So glad Disney’s inspiration was that castle. It is spectacular. Maybe someday I will be able to visit.
Pack Your Baguios
September 12, 2016 9:15 amI hope you can someday! It was unforgettable!
Rachel
September 12, 2016 9:04 amSo gorgeous! We loved visiting the castle (and also walked – what a hike!) but unfortunately the bridge was closed 🙁
Pack Your Baguios
September 12, 2016 7:21 pmHopefully, you didn’t turn into an evil wife like I did!
Jaye Shields
September 12, 2016 10:23 amWe all have our travelzilla moments! I travel solo a lot so it’s easy to escape those, but whenever I travel with someone, it’ definitely an adjustment. For me, I like to take everything super slow and savor every moment and I think it makes people I travel with impatient 😉
Pack Your Baguios
September 12, 2016 7:22 pmI’m just the opposite. Even on vacation, I feel like I have to fill every moment with activities. I’m working on just sitting back and taking it all in!
Anna nuttall
September 12, 2016 2:51 pmIt so enchanting as something out of a fairy tale. One day i will go. xx
Pack Your Baguios
September 12, 2016 7:24 pmI have a feeling that you definitely will go someday. My dad always says, “If you don’t have a dream, you don’t have a dream come true.”
Rachel G
September 12, 2016 5:12 pmOh, Shingles is rough, my sister had it years ago. Hope he’s feeling better! I would love to see the inside of the castle!
Pack Your Baguios
September 12, 2016 7:25 pmHe is feeling better, but the plane ride back almost did him in. I rushed hime to the doctor as soon as we landed!
gracie
September 12, 2016 5:48 pmTruly Magical !
Pack Your Baguios
September 12, 2016 7:25 pmYes, it was!
Krystal // The Krystal Diaries
September 12, 2016 6:15 pmIt looks beautiful there!
Pack Your Baguios
September 12, 2016 7:26 pmIt was very pretty!
Shane
September 12, 2016 6:18 pmYou are right – incredibly magical. I wish I’d have gotten to see more castles while in Europe!
Pack Your Baguios
September 12, 2016 7:27 pmWe did a Rhine River cruise on this trip, too. I lost track of how many castle we saw.
Mimi Rose
September 13, 2016 12:04 pmI’ve heard a lot about Neuschwanstein Castle and I’ve always wanted to see it. Once I go back to Germany, I’m definitely making this a must-see stop. Beautiful pictures!
Pack Your Baguios
September 13, 2016 12:08 pmI’m so glad you enjoyed the pictures!
Priyanka Banerjee
September 26, 2016 8:02 amWow!! This post is comes straight from my childhood fairytales book.. The castle looks amazing and I never knew that Walt Disney used it in the movie of Sleepy Beauty!! Great read <3
Pack Your Baguios
September 26, 2016 9:20 amYou feel like you’re in a fairytale when you’re there. Everything is so picturesque!
Lindsay
September 26, 2016 6:00 pmWow! That castle looks amazing! I would love to pay it a visit someday. Thanks for the tips about the carriage ride and booking tickets early – always helps to know a thing or two from someone who’s actually been there! Ahhhh, that overview is stunning 🙂
Pack Your Baguios
September 27, 2016 6:59 amLive and learn, right? We’ll definitely take advantage of the carriage next time!
Sudipto De
September 26, 2016 10:17 pmThis castle appears so majestic. Really lovely read. Do check out our visit to the Leeds Castle http://saltandsandals.com/journey-through-history-adventure-leeds-castle-england/
Marinel
September 27, 2016 6:44 amBeautiful and magical indeed. I wish I have time to do all the travels including this one. Thanks for the useful information on this place. I enjoyed reading about your experience and I would definitely recommend this to friends who want a fairy tale kind of travel experience.
Pack Your Baguios
September 27, 2016 7:04 amThanks for stopping by the blog and the comment! Neuschwanstein is a truly a remarkable place!
Agnes
October 2, 2016 11:44 amI visited the castle when I was small. It is a really dreamy place. Your post brings back nice memories and it’s great that you included the story of King Ludwig that I have completely forgotten. Beautiful pictures also 🙂
Pack Your Baguios
October 3, 2016 10:38 amI’m glad the post could bring back some fond memories for you. I love the story of King Ludwig. Celebrities of today have nothing on his extravagance!