5 Photo Spots and Viewpoints at Neuschwanstein Castle – The Most Beautiful Places to Visit

The dreamlike Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany is probably the most popular sight for mountain lovers and folks looking for some outdoor romantic ambiance. Armed with experience from our countless visits on site, we have put together a list of the 5 best photo spots and viewpoints, so new visitors could make the most of it. You will also find tips on how to get on location and information about the specific stops that might interest you on this truly fulfilling trip. 

In this article, we will show you the most beautiful photo spots and viewpoints of Neuschwanstein Castle – from the Marienbrücke to lesser-known places.

Below we have summarized some tips on how to get to the castle and plenty of other helpful information. We are thrilled to see how many people found our guides useful, and we hope you will find help in it, too. If you like, support our project by looking at one of our books – here we have summarized many similar hikes and the most beautiful places in the Alps for all levels of difficulty – perfect for your trip to this mountain range.

The most beautiful viewpoints and photo spots at Neuschwanstein Castle – the list begins!

---

#1 photo spot: Marienbrücke

---

The Marienbrücke is the most popular vantage point at Neuschwanstein Castle. Hundreds of people romp around here, taking pictures and posing, enjoying the fabulous views. This is also the most famous photo spot around the castle with a fantastic view of the flat hill country behind it.

You can reach Marienbrücke from the parking lot and bus stop after a 40-minute walk. From the valley, you always follow the signs uphill towards “Marienbrücke”. You cannot miss the bridge, you just follow the signposts after you pass this famous fortified structure.

If you take the shuttle bus or carriage up to the castle, you just have to go straight towards it and after 100 meters turn right to the “Marienbrücke”.

There you can also find another photo spot: Waterfall viewpoint. Find out more about it below.

#2 photo spot: Tegelberg

---

Those who are sporty can reach Tegelberg on foot, but if you feel a bit lazy, you can also take the gondola and save yourself 2-4 hours. After the ascent/ascent, you have already reached this wonderful vantage point!

To see the castle in its full splendor from a bird’s eye view, you should go down the hiking trail in the direction of the castle. Every now and then, glances are fully available along the way. More experienced mountaineers can also climb here or use one of the via ferratas.

If you continue on the path, you end up in the crowd at the Marienbrücke.

You will also find the GPS track and the hiking map in our book German Alps where you can discover the 90 most beautiful photo spots and 30 hikes in the Alps.

The most beautiful photo spots and hikes in the German Alps – experience this hiking tour and 29 other exceptional regions now.

Fancy more hikes in the mountains – and beautiful photos? Get out into nature! Experience the best hikes and locations with our new book: German Alps – Photo and Hiking Guide. The 90 best Photo Locations and 30 most panoramic Hikes.

Here we have compiled the most beautiful locations and photo opportunities. 30 hikes with 90 photo spots are selected and described in such a way that you can easily experience these wonderful landscapes in Bavaria for yourself – including GPS tracks and hiking map and all other information.

You can take a closer look at the ebook here – why not give it as a gift to someone you want to visit and share?

#3 photo spot: Tegelberg ski slope

---

This is probably our favorite place to take great pictures of Neuschwanstein Castle without having to push through the crowds. To take a photo here, drive to the parking lot at the Tegelbergbahn (parking fee 8 euros) and go to the clearly visible cable car valley station.

From there go straight on the dirt road to the Reith Alpe, further up and right onto the large meadow (this is the ski slope in winter). The best spot is above a small piece of the forest directly on the lift route (Reithlift).

#4 photo spot: Reith Alpe

---

The photo spot on the Reith Alpe is basically similar to the photo spot on the ski slope. You already have a wonderful view of the castle and the Marienbrücke on its terrace.

The best way to get here is by car from the castle car park, by bike (about 20 minutes), or you can take a leisurely stroll from the castle to the Tegelbergbahn (about 1.5 hours).

#5 photo spot: Schwangau – Landstrasse

---

You have equally excellent views from Alterschrofen and Schwangau. Here you can comfortably cruise on the dirt roads by bike or take a relaxing walk.

Bullachberg Castle is also particularly nice, while the restaurants and cafes in Schwangau take care of the food and drink.

Tip: Schlossbrauhaus Schwangau has a mini-golf course with a partly formidable view of the castle. An excellent choice for the families.

If you are in a hurry, you can simply drive along the road between Hohenschwangau and Tegelberg. Some parking bays make a short photo spot possible. If you are just passing through the Fernpass or on the German Alpine Road, this may do the trick.

However, we recommend that you take advantage of a little rest at the cafe Weisswurst or beer stop in Schwangaz. The option is also the gondola lift on Tegelberg.

Arrival information: How to get to Neuschwanstein Castle

---

Directions and parking spaces: Neuschwanstein is located in southern Bavaria, near the Allgäu, and on the Austrian border. From Munich, it is 120km away (approx. 1.5h driving time), from Stuttgart 220km (approx. 2h driving time). Parking spaces are located directly below the castle and in front of Hohenschwangau Castle. These are often overcrowded on sunny weekend days.

By bus: By train from Munich to Füssen. From Füssen train station, bus 73 or 78 to the Hohenschwangau Schloss Neuschwanstein stop www.dbregiobus-bayern.de.

Arrival to the castle

On foot: From the bus stop or the parking lot you walk uphill for about 40 minutes to the castle, 1.5 km away.

With horse-drawn carriage: Departure from Hotel Müller (Alpseestrasse) in Hohenschwangau. The carriages cannot go directly to the castle. From the Kutschenwendeplatz you have to go uphill for approx. 450 meters or 5-10 minutes on foot to the castle entrance. Tickets are available directly from the coachmen (cash payment).

By shuttle bus: from parking lot number 4 (Alpsee). Ascent 2.5 euros, descent 1.5 euros. The turning place is near the Marienbrücke, from here a little further on foot. Expect longer waiting times in the high season. Tickets are available on the bus. The last bus leaves as required, but no later than 6.45 p.m.

Why you should visit Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle also has a historically interesting background, as do the other royal structures in the region. But you should also visit the Neuschwanstein Castle – despite often large crowds – because of the picturesque foothills of the Alps.

Crystal clear, blue mountain lakes, idyllic green meadows, the picturesque Bavarian cultural landscape and of course the romantic architectural style.

In our opinion, it is not necessary to see the castle from the inside. The castle is a magnificent building, and we can marvel at it from the outside, too.

Best time for Neuschwanstein Castle

In our opinion, the best time to visit Neuschwanstein is autumn, more precisely – September and October.

However, you can visit the castle all year round. In midsummer, you can expect green meadows and forests, and you can dip in one of the nearby lakes to cool off. In spring, you can marvel at the snow-covered mountains in the background, and in winter, with a little luck, the snow-covered castle has its very own winter romance to offer.

If you are fortunate, you will catch a nice day, when it’s not too or too cold. This way you can enjoy the colorful landscape.

Neuschwanstein is most beautiful in autumn.

In midsummer, Neuschwanstein Castle can be too busy and it is often quite hot, so hiking can get extra sweaty.

Legal issues: drone flight ban and photography at Neuschwanstein Castle

Since many landscape photographers also visit this spot, there is a no-fly zone around the castle on private property. As in all private castles and sights, when taking photos, it is important to ensure that the privacy of the owners is respected.

Images on which one could recognize the interior, or which are simply “too close”, can possibly lead to problems when published.

The most beautiful photo spots and hikes in the German Alps – experience this hiking tour and 29 other exceptional regions now.

Fancy more hikes in the mountains – and beautiful photos? Get out into nature! Experience the best hikes and locations with our new book: German Alps – Photo and Hiking Guide. The 90 best Photo Locations and 30 most panoramic Hikes.

Here we have compiled the most beautiful locations and photo opportunities. 30 hikes with 90 photo spots are selected and described in such a way that you can easily experience these wonderful landscapes in Bavaria for yourself – including GPS tracks and hiking map and all other information.

You can take a closer look at the ebook here – why not give it as a gift to someone you want to visit and share?