Travel
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Neuschwanstein Castle
We had planned on visiting and taking a tour of Neuschwanstein Castle as a day trip from Munich in March. However, according to their website...
Because of the restoration works the western and northern facade of Neuschwanstein Castle will be scaffolded until the end of 2012.
One of the main reasons I wanted to visit is because many people's photos I've seen are amazing with the castle surrounded by beautiful scenery. I've read the tour itself is not very good.
All of this said, do you think it's still worth it to visit? And WDYT about the tour?
Or is there somewhere else we should go for a day that's easily accessible from Munich? We also plan to visit Salzburg one day.
Re: Neuschwanstein Castle
I don't know what it's like now, but we went there in October and although there was some scaffolding up, the castle still looked beautiful from Marienbrucke. We got some amazing photos from there. We opted not to do a tour of the castle though because many of the reviews I read said it's not that impressive inside. We spent most of our time walking around the castle, Marienbrucke, etc. and enjoying the views.
We also did a day trip to Zugspitze which I'd highly recommend.
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If I were you, I'd play it by ear based on weather - in the winter the hike to the bridge (where most people get the amazing photos from) isn't always accessible; at least it wasn't when we were there in January.
We did the tour of the castle. It was fine. It wasn't great, it wasn't terrible, it was pretty much like every other castle tour I've been on. They don't let you take pictures in the castle because they want to sell you a book of photos in the gift shop. There's also another castle nearby you can visit if you want, but we didn't.
I don't know if it's on your list of planned activities in Munich, and it will seem very odd that I recommend it so highly, but I consider Dachau something that shouldn't be missed. While terribly depressing, it's also really well done and it shares so much history, and walking around the facilities and seeing how people had to live while there is just mind-blowing. Honestly, I cried while I was touring it (and also cried reading about how the US troops liberated the camp, but that was just sheer pride for the US) but I'm glad I went. They have great audio tours as well - make sure that if you go you get the audio tour.
We went in 2009 and the side from Marienbruke was covered in scaffolding...it was pretty disappointing. However, I actually did like the tour inside the castle, but I know that a lot of people don't. It was pretty short, but I liked some of the decor inside.
You could go to Hohenschwangau Castle instead, but I don't know much about it. When we were in Munich, we did a day trip to Dachau; I don't know if that's something you'd be interested in.
Thank you all for the feedback.
We would consider Dachau except we're going to Auschwitz right after we leave Germany.
Hallstatt or Zugspitz might be a possibility. Or maybe we'll still visit Neuschwanstein.
I'm indecisive, but this gives me more to think about so thanks!
If you want amazing views, what about Kehlsteinhaus?
It is touristy but the views are breathtaking.
We were just there a week and a half ago. We drove down from Munich and stopped there on our way to Garmisch. I enjoyed it. It's a nice 15 minute walk, you can take some pretty pictures immediately outside the castle, and the tour was interesting. The castle is up fairly high so the views are pretty from it. I mean, it wasn't a mind blowing experience but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The restoration will ruin any far-away pictures you might want to take of the castle. But this always seems to be my luck. Every major attraction I've ever visited in Europe has seemed to be under restoration when I went so I don't even worry about it anymore.
I agree with this. We went in 2009 and there was scaffolding on one side, but not the side that you can see from the Marienburke. The road to the bridge was actually closed because it was iced over (we were there in Dec) but we went around the barricade like everyone else...well worth it! We also did the Tegelberg gondola. It is so beautiful! Plan on taking a good pair of hiking shoes and continue on up the trail past the ski lodge at the top. It's a strenuous hike, but the views of the Alps are absolutely stunning. Also, there is a spa called Crystaltherme (I think) down in the village. It's a beautiful bath house. You can go for a few hours in the evening as the sun sets, and the castles are all lit up. It's beautiful!
Thank you all for the opinions and advice. Based on what you all have said, I think we'll probably still count on going if the weather is nice.
Another question: How much time would you allow for this if we decide to tour both of the castles? And should we aim for arriving at opening to beat the crowds?
I would buy tickets in advance.
We drove up thinking we'd just get right in but you have to join an English tour and it might be filled up. You can only buy the tickets one day in advance though. If you do decide to just walk up, I would go first thing in the morning when they open! By mid-afternoon that place is packed!
Thank you, Obsession! This is helpful. Also, the views you mentioned earlier in the post look gorgeous. My H was really wanting to visit the Eagle's Nest, but it looks like it will be closed during April so we can't take a tour. Do you think it's worth it to still go up and walk around?
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