Planning on visiting Bavaria and its treasure Neuschwanstein Castle Germany? Below are 7 of the best spots I found to photograph the castle: the classic ones and some more originals. Discover them with Neuschwanstein Castle pictures.
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Best Options to take pictures of Neuschwanstein
This post is a collection of locations to photograph the fairy-tale castle of Neuschwanstein in Germany. The location is absolutely stunning and it is hard to understand why this one castle is not on the list of Unesco sites in Bavaria.
It makes for a great day trip from the city of Munich.
If you are like me, you want options and not want just the typical shot from the bridge (Marienbrücke). So this list is for you.
Notes:
Photos were taken in May (snow was still on the top of the mountains)
Photos were taken mostly between 10AM and 3PM - better lighting early or late would improve detail rendering. Even in the rain, Neuschwanstein looks nice.
I have listed for you the best photographic locations I have found so far. I hope this will help you plan your time around Neuschwanstein and come back with gorgeous pictures.
PLANNING TIPS - Neuschwanstein Castle Germany
But first lets find out how to travel to Neuswchanstein Castle Germany.
Getting to Neuschwanstein Castle
By Train
- From Munich, you can take the train to Füssen 2h
- From Füssen: bus 78 (right outside of the train station) and stop either at the bottom of the hill where the castle stands or at the Tegelbergbahn.
- Or Taxi Neuschwanstein to Füssen train station :10€ flat
By car
- More info on the castle website for the travellers coming by car
- 2h drive from Munich
- Parking: 47°33'17.6"N 10°44'14.7"E
- Compare car rental prices and rent car on Autoeurope.com
By organized tours
- Tours runs from Munich and cover both Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. Check Program and Price
Visiting the castle
You can also visit the interior of the Neuschwanstein Castle. Save your time by purchasing a Skip the line Ticket in advance
Accommodation near Neuschwanstein Castle
The region is a great place to stay overnight with the lake, mountains and castles.
- You can stay in the idyllic small town of Hohenschwangau by the lake - check hotels and availabilities
- Or you can stay a bit further away in the bigger town of Fuessen. Check Hotels and Availabilities
- From Villa Ludwig for example, you can enjoy a peaceful terrasse with the castle in the background! - Check photos and prices
SKY APPROACH - Best views of Neuschwanstein Castle
During my research I found out that many of the dreamy pictures of this fairytale castle are taken from the sky (hot air balloon or helicopter).
Stock Photo
You can for example take a 90 minute helicopter ride from Munich that will go over the castles and offer you amazing views of the moutainuous area.
If one day I go back, I sure will book that tour. I love flying in an Helicopter and, considering what I saw from Photo Stop 1 below, I am sure the views will be perfect with better angles.
PHOTO STOP 1 – From the cable car Tegelbergbahn
The picture of Neuschwanstein:
The photography location
If you look on google map you will see that, just 2 km away, there is a cable car called Tegelbergbahn (hours and details on the cable car website).
Map @Geobasis-DE/BKG Google
The view
You cannot see the castle from the top but during the ride you get incredible views of both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles with the mountains behind.
During the ride back down we were only 2 in the cabin and the driver accepted to open the window for me to take better photographs 🙂
Note: I have been told by locals that from the top of Tegelbergbahn, there is a hike going downwith some good views of the castle. It was all in the snow when I was there so I could not try but I thought I should share.
For photos of the rest of the view from the Tegelbergbahn summit, check out my article on things to do in Neuschwanstein.
PHOTO STOP 2 – Path Tegelbergbahn to the castle hill
The picture of Neuschwanstein:
The photography location
From the lower station of Tegelbergbahn there is an easy 2km path that goes to the bottom of the hill where the castle was built.
It is an easy stroll that is clearly indicated. At the end you can either climb to the castle via the pollat gorge or walk to the village and climb with another mean of transportation (bus or horse carriage)
The view
You are below the castle so no nice detailed views. However it gives a sense of scale and allow us to capture its surprising location
PHOTO STOP 3 – Off the path
The picture of Neuschwanstein:
The photography location
On that same path mentionned in the photo stop 2, right in the middle, I decided to climb up the hill on the side. No track is indicated but I thought I might be able to photograph it from a different angle.
The view
I found a great spot were I was able to zoom on the castle's facade, one that is not often photographed by tourists
PHOTO STOP 4 – Path to Marienbrucke
The photography location
Walking behind the castle there is an easy path going slightly up to the famous bridge called Marienbrucke. Take the time to turn around, admire the castle.
The view
From this path you get some very detailed views of the back facade and some of the towers
PHOTO STOP 5 - From Marienbrucke
The photography location
From the Marienbrucke bridge Suspended above the Pollat gorge. It is a 10 to 15 min walk uphill from the castle entrance.
The view
This is the most famous shot of the castle. A classic but a very nice one!
You will have to fight to get a spot to take your picture, but it is worth putting up with the crowds as you get unobstructed views of Neuschanstein from the side.
PHOTO STOP 6 - After the Marienbrucke
The picture of Neuschwanstein:
The photography location
Most people stop at the bridge and walk back to the castle. However there is a path that continues climbing where you can get away from the crowds.
The view
Similar views as the ones from the bridge with a slightly different angles and the opportunity to frame your picture with trees
PHOTO STOP 7 - From Hohenschwangau
The photography location
Hohenschwangau is the village at the bottom of the castle. Once there do not forget to look up
The view
The back facade from below with some of the cliff
MORE...
In Summer, there is a cruise running on the main lake Forggensee where I think you could also get some nice shots of the castle and the mountains.
For more things to do around Neuschwantein, do not miss my dedicated post.
Want to see more of GERMANY?
Please, leave a comment if you want to share another spot!
Wow! Incredible shots. Very good suggestions. I think good photography stems from good viewpoints. 🙂
Thanks Renuka. I like your thinking 🙂
Love this place, some of my family are from near here so it will always have a special place in my heart!
I have no family there but after 3 months in Munich it will also hold a special place in my heart 🙂
Oh, I wanna visit Bavaria castles so much! I don’t know what I’m waiting for since I don’t live that far… Your photography is wonderful! Greetings from a fellow SBB member 🙂
Thanks Masha. I spent 3 months in Munich and really enjoyed Bavaria. You should definitively go even if only for a weekend!
Thank you. This is really helpful
Hi! How long did it take ou to get to and fro each viewpoint? Was planning to stop over for a few hours from Salzburg to Zurich. 🙂
Hi Anne
Between Tegelbergbahn and the bottom of the castle hill, there is 2 kilometers so it depends on how fast you walk.
The town is at the bottom of the castle’s hill.
You need to plan time to get to the castle (by bus, carriage or on foot). There is often a queue to take the transports.
From the castle to the Marienbrucke bridge is a 10 to 15 min walk if you do not stop, and 5 to 10 minutes more min to reach the other point further on the track.
Enjoy your stopover!
Hi Claire,
This is such a wonderful guide for photography enthusiasts like myself. I look forward to photographing this lovely castle this July during my visit. There is one more angle that I have seen very few people capture. Here is the link:
https://rudybalasko.smugmug.com/Travel/Germany/i-XZtkKR6
Do you have any thoughts/advice regarding this vantage point.
Thanks,
Sharan
Hi Sharan,
Thanks for your comment.
Considering the angle (height and with the lake behind), 2 options I think: from a hot air balloon / paragliding or hiking between the Marienbrucke and the top of the Tegelbergbahn (a hike I sadly did not have time to do).
Enjoy your trip!
Hi Sharan,
Were you able to get the vantage point from the front of the castle? If so did you make the hike that Claire suggested? I will be going in June and would like to attempt myself and have not been able to find anything online regarding that amazing photo.
Thank you,
Alisha
Hi Alisha,
I just wanted to notice you about the location of this spot, too. It is a tough hike, but doable if you know where to go. Since all this was a great adventure for me I wrote an article on my blog, maybe it is of help for you:
https://www.bilderschmied.com/en/the-best-view-of-neuschwanstein-castle
Best regards,
Marcus
Hi Sharan,
I have finally found this awesome place, which is not so easy to reach. If you are after all these years still interested feel free to check it out:
https://www.bilderschmied.com/en/the-best-view-of-neuschwanstein-castle
Best regards, Marcus
My daughter is visiting the castle April 29-May 1, she just learned the Marienbrucke Bridge is closed for repairs, what is the next best Shot for the Castle..since she already made plans to go…give us two -three good picture areas; also what is a must to see in Munich for one day…thanks
Hi.
Only Marienbrucke gives great side views of the castle. Sorry to hear it is closed for bridge. The other shots are all of the facades.
Regarding on day in Munich I would recommend: a walk in the Englischer Garten, strolling the city center around Marienplatz to take in the architecture and the vibe of the city. And one of my favorite things, climb the tower of Saint Peter’s church for views of Munich from above and the mountains on a clear day.
Have a great trip!
Thank you so much for posting this! We are going in December and I have been researching where to get the best shots of the castle. What time of day did you go on the cable car to be with only 2 people? I’m guessing with 40 people in the car it wouldn’t be very easy to take a good photo.
Hi Liz
I am glad your are finding the article useful.
The first thing I did in the morning was the cable car. And I stay only a little at the top. So when I came down, not many people were already leaving the summit.
Have a great trip!
Cheers,
Claire
Amazing and interesting blog with amazing photos! I am really glad I have found your amazing blog about this lovely castle. This is one of my favorite castle.
Thanks for sharing, if all goes well I’ll be able to put some of the info to work. When I tried in 2014, the tunnel from Austria was closed and I didn’t have time for an alternative route.
Hi Daryl. I wish you a wonderful trip there. It is really a magnificent location!
Please advise the best route to drive to see Black Forest in Germany.
Dear Claire,
This post is the best thing I’ve seen on the castle so far. Is the cable car ride very steep? Also, where does the ride take you?
Could you also tell me about the camera and lenses you used for these magnificent shots? We are planning a visit early next year.
Thanks,
Sinjita
Dear Sinjita,
Thanks, I am glad you are finding it useful.
The ride is steep but not the worst I have done.
It takes you to a summit with a a café and nice views. You can see a couple of pictures on my other post about Neuschwanstein (https://www.zigzagonearth.com/neuschwanstein-castle/)
My camera is a Canon 7D with an 18-250 canon lens 🙂
Have a great trip!
Hi Claire, great and informative article. May I leave a link to my article about hiking to Neuschwanstein Castle? In this article I am writing about an alternative way how to visit this place and maybe your readers are interested in it. http://www.snoopy-alien.com/2018/06/17/hiking-to-neuschwanstein-castle-and-avoid-the-crowds/
Greetings from Germany
Your article is really informative. I’m looking for the post like this. I’m coming next month. Hope I can get some good shots as you told us a lot on this blog 🙂
Thank you