Life
š° 50 Best Castles & Palaces in Bavaria ā Ranked
A personally ranked list of the 50 best castles, palaces, and royal residences to visit in Bavaria ā from Neuschwanstein to lesser-known gems ā with distance from Munich, admission price, and a score for each, for planning day trips.
Bavaria
Castles
Palaces
Germany
Travel
Munich
š° 50 Best Castles & Palaces in Bavaria ā Ranked
Every castle, palace, and royal residence in Bavaria I've visited or shortlisted, ranked by my own score ā with distance from Munich and admission price for planning day trips.
Cluster by nearby City
Ansbach
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ansbach Residence | ~170 km / ~1h50 | ā¬6 | 8.2/10 | Magnificent Rococo and Baroque state rooms |
Aschaffenburg
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johannisburg Palace | ~350 km / ~3h30 | ā¬7 | 8.4/10 | Impressive Renaissance palace on the Main |
| Pompejanum | ~350 km / ~3h30 | ā¬7 | 6.9/10 | Unique Roman-style villa |
| Schƶnbusch Palace and Park | ~350 km / ~3h30 | ā¬4 | 8.2/10 | English landscape park and charming palace |
Augsburg
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schaezlerpalais | ~80 km / ~1h | Free / donation | 8.0/10 | Beautiful Rococo palace interiors |
| Fuggerei | ~80 km / ~1h | ~ā¬8 | 8.2/10 | World's oldest existing social housing complex |
Bamberg
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bamberg New Residence | ~230 km / ~2h30 | ā¬7 | 8.8/10 | Historic palace and rose garden |
| Seehof Palace | ~225 km / ~2h25 | ā¬6 | 8.1/10 | Baroque palace and gardens |
| Altenburg Castle | ~230 km / ~2h30 | ā | 8.0/10 | Castle overlooking Bamberg |
Bayreuth
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayreuth New Palace | ~230 km / ~2h30 | ā¬7 | 8.1/10 | Elegant Rococo palace |
| Fantaisie Palace and Park | ~235 km / ~2h35 | ā¬4.50 | 7.9/10 | Romantic palace park |
| Garden Museum | ~235 km / ~2h35 | Included | 7.5/10 | Garden history and design |
| Hermitage Old Palace | ~235 km / ~2h35 | ā¬6 | 8.0/10 | Unique palace and park ensemble |
| Margravial Opera House | ~230 km / ~2h30 | ā¬10 | 8.6/10 | UNESCO Baroque opera house |
Berchtesgaden / Kƶnigssee
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Bartholomew's Church | ~160 km / ~2h | Free* | 7.4/10 | Iconic church on Lake Kƶnigssee |
Burghausen
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burghausen Castle | ~110 km / ~1h30 | ā¬6 | 9.2/10 | One of Europe's longest castle complexes |
Coburg
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ehrenburg Palace | ~280 km / ~3h | ā¬6 | 7.8/10 | Gothic Revival palace |
| Rosenau Palace | ~285 km / ~3h | ā¬6 | 7.7/10 | Romantic palace and park |
| Veste Coburg | ~280 km / ~3h | ~ā¬7 | 8.5/10 | Massive fortress overlooking Coburg |
| Callenberg Castle | ~285 km / ~3h | ~ā¬6 | 7.5/10 | Romantic ducal castle |
Dachau
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dachau Palace | ~30 km / ~35 min | ā¬3 | 8.4/10 | Historic palace and panoramic views |
EichstƤtt
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willibaldsburg Castle | ~110 km / ~1h20 | ā¬6 | 7.7/10 | Hilltop castle and AltmĆ¼hl views |
Ellingen
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellingen Residence | ~150 km / ~1h40 | ā¬6 | 7.7/10 | Elegant Baroque residence |
Ettal / Garmisch-Partenkirchen
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King's House on Schachen | ~115 km / ~1h45 + hike | ā¬6 | 7.1/10 | Remote Ludwig II mountain retreat |
| Linderhof Palace and Park | ~100 km / ~1h30 | ā¬18 combo | 9.8/10 | Ludwig II palace and spectacular gardens |
FĆ¼ssen / Schwangau
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuschwanstein Castle | ~105 km / ~1h40 | ā¬21 | 10/10 | Bavaria's iconic fairytale castle |
| Hohenschwangau Castle | ~105 km / ~1h40 | ~ā¬23 | 9.0/10 | Historic royal castle opposite Neuschwanstein |
| Museum of the Bavarian Kings | ~105 km / ~1h40 | ~ā¬14 | 8.0/10 | History of the Wittelsbach royal family |
Ingolstadt
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Castle | ~85 km / ~1h | ~ā¬5 | 7.8/10 | Gothic castle and Bavarian history |
Kelheim
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hall of Liberation | ~100 km / ~1h20 | ā¬5 | 7.4/10 | Monumental Danube viewpoint |
| Prunn Castle | ~105 km / ~1h20 | ā¬7 | 7.1/10 | Dramatic medieval castle |
Kempten
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kempten Residence | ~125 km / ~1h25 | ā¬4 | 7.4/10 | Historic prince-abbot residence |
Kulmbach
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plassenburg Castle | ~250 km / ~2h45 | ā¬5 | 7.4/10 | Large fortress overlooking Kulmbach |
Landshut
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landshut Town Residence | ~75 km / ~1h | ā¬3.50 | 7.3/10 | Italian Renaissance palace |
| Trausnitz Castle | ~75 km / ~1h | ā¬6 | 8.7/10 | Medieval castle above Landshut |
Lauenstein / Kronach
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauenstein Castle | ~300 km / ~3h15 | ā¬5 | 7.3/10 | Medieval castle in the Franconian Forest |
Munich
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria | ~5 km / ~15 min | ā¬5 | 7.3/10 | Monumental Bavarian landmark |
| Marstallmuseum | ~7 km / ~20 min | ā¬8 combo | 7.2/10 | Royal carriages and sleighs |
| Munich Residence, Treasury and CuvilliĆ©s Theatre | ~2 km / ~10 min | ā¬20 combo | 9.4/10 | Magnificent royal interiors |
| Museum Nymphenburger Porcelain | ~7 km / ~20 min | ā¬8 combo | 7.2/10 | Historic porcelain collection |
| Nymphenburg Palace and Park | ~7 km / ~20 min | ā¬10 | 9.5/10 | Grand palace and park |
| Blutenburg Castle | ~12 km / ~25 min | Free* | 8.0/10 | Picturesque medieval castle |
Munich / OberschleiĆheim
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lustheim Palace | ~20 km / ~25 min | ā¬5 | 7.2/10 | Baroque hunting palace |
| Schleissheim New Palace | ~20 km / ~25 min | ā¬11 combo | 9.1/10 | Grand Baroque palace |
| Schleissheim Old Palace | ~20 km / ~25 min | ā¬4 | 7.2/10 | Historic palace and museum |
Neuburg an der Donau
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuburg Palace | ~125 km / ~1h30 | ā¬7 | 7.2/10 | Renaissance palace overlooking the Danube |
Nuremberg
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadolzburg Castle and Castle Garden | ~170 km / ~2h | ā¬8 | 7.8/10 | Medieval castle and museum |
| Imperial Castle of Nuremberg | ~170 km / ~1h50 | ā¬7 | 7.2/10 | Major imperial castle |
| Albrecht DĆ¼rer's House | ~170 km / ~1h50 | ~ā¬7 | 7.8/10 | Historic artist's house |
Passau
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veste Oberhaus | ~190 km / ~2h | ~ā¬6 | 8.3/10 | Huge fortress above Passau |
| Old Residence | ~190 km / ~2h | ā | 7.5/10 | Historic prince-bishop residence |
Regensburg / Donaustauf
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walhalla | ~125 km / ~1h30 | ā¬5 | 8.9/10 | Monumental temple above the Danube |
| Thurn und Taxis Palace / St. Emmeram | ~125 km / ~1h30 | ~ā¬11 | 8.5/10 | Magnificent former Benedictine monastery and palace |
Starnberg / Feldafing
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feldafing Park and Rose Island | ~40 km / ~40 min | ~ā¬5 | 7.6/10 | Lake Starnberg and royal island |
Wonsees / Sanspareil
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanspareil Rock Garden and Oriental Building | ~270 km / ~3h | ~ā¬5 combo | 7.9/10 | Dramatic rock garden |
| Zwernitz Castle | ~270 km / ~3h | ~ā¬5 combo | 7.8/10 | Medieval castle beside Sanspareil |
WĆ¼rzburg
| Place | Drive from Munich | Admission | Score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marienberg Fortress | ~280 km / ~2h50 | ā¬5 | 7.0/10 | Fortress above WĆ¼rzburg |
| Veitshƶchheim Palace | ~285 km / ~3h | ā¬6 | 8.3/10 | Exceptional Rococo garden |
| WĆ¼rzburg Residence | ~280 km / ~2h50 | ā¬10 | 9.1/10 | UNESCO Baroque masterpiece |
Final List
| Rank | Place | Approx. from Munich | Admission (Adult) | My score | Why go? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neuschwanstein Castle | ~1h45 | ā¬21 | 10/10 | Fairytale castle, Alps and lakes |
| 2 | Linderhof Palace and Park | ~1h30 | ā¬11 / ā¬18 with Venus Grotto | 9.8/10 | Royal palace, gardens, Venus Grotto and mountains |
| 3 | Herrenchiemsee New Palace and King Ludwig II Museum | ~1h15 + boat | ā¬14 incl. Old Palace | 9.7/10 | Bavarian Versailles on an island |
| 4 | Nymphenburg Palace and Park with Park Pavilions | Munich | ā¬10 / ā¬20 summer combo | 9.5/10 | Grand palace, gardens and beautiful pavilions |
| 5 | Munich Residence, Treasury and CuvilliĆ©s Theatre | Munich | ā¬20 combo | 9.4/10 | Magnificent palace interiors and royal collections |
| 6 | Burghausen Castle | ~1h30 | ā¬6 | 9.2/10 | One of Europe's longest castle complexes |
| 7 | Schleissheim New Palace | ~30 min | ā¬11 combo | 9.1/10 | Grand Baroque palace and gardens |
| 8 | WĆ¼rzburg Residence | ~3h | ā¬10 | 9.1/10 | UNESCO Baroque masterpiece |
| 9 | Walhalla | ~1h30 | ā¬5 | 8.9/10 | Monumental temple overlooking the Danube |
| 10 | Bamberg New Residence | ~2h | ā¬7 | 8.8/10 | Historic palace, rose garden and Bamberg |
| 11 | Trausnitz Castle | ~1h | ā¬6 | 8.7/10 | Medieval castle overlooking Landshut |
| 12 | Margravial Opera House | ~2h30 | ā¬10 | 8.6/10 | UNESCO-listed Baroque opera house |
| 13 | Dachau Palace | ~30 min | ā¬3 | 8.4/10 | Historic palace, garden and panoramic views |
| 14 | Johannisburg Palace | ~3h | ā¬7 | 8.4/10 | Impressive Renaissance palace on the Main |
| 15 | Veitshƶchheim Palace | ~3h | ā¬6 | 8.3/10 | Exceptional Rococo court garden |
| 16 | Ansbach Residence | ~2h30 | ā¬6 | 8.2/10 | Magnificent Rococo and Baroque state rooms |
| 17 | Schƶnbusch Palace and Park | ~3h | ā¬4 | 8.2/10 | English landscape park and charming palace |
| 18 | Seehof Palace | ~2h15 | ā¬6 | 8.1/10 | Baroque palace, gardens and water features |
| 19 | Bayreuth New Palace | ~2h30 | ā¬7 | 8.1/10 | Elegant Rococo palace and court gardens |
| 20 | Hermitage Old Palace | ~2h30 | ā¬6 | 8.0/10 | Unique historic park and palace ensemble |
| 21 | Fantaisie Palace and Park | ~2h30 | ā¬4.50 | 7.9/10 | Romantic palace park and garden museum |
| 22 | Sanspareil Rock Garden and Oriental Building | ~2h45 | ā¬5 combo with Zwernitz | 7.9/10 | Dramatic rock garden and unusual architecture |
| 23 | Zwernitz Castle | ~2h45 | ā¬5 combo with Sanspareil | 7.8/10 | Medieval castle beside Sanspareil |
| 24 | Cadolzburg Castle and Castle Garden | ~2h15 | ā¬8 | 7.8/10 | Well-preserved medieval castle and museum |
| 25 | Ehrenburg Palace | ~2h45 | ā¬6 | 7.8/10 | Gothic Revival palace in Coburg |
| 26 | Rosenau Palace | ~2h45 | ā¬6 | 7.7/10 | Romantic palace and park near Coburg |
| 27 | Willibaldsburg Castle | ~1h45 | ā¬6 | 7.7/10 | Hilltop castle with views over EichstƤtt |
| 28 | Ellingen Residence | ~2h | ā¬6 | 7.7/10 | Elegant Baroque residence and historic town |
| 29 | Feldafing Park and Rose Island | ~45 min | ā¬5 for Casino/Royal Villa | 7.6/10 | Lake Starnberg scenery, park and royal island |
| 30 | Herrenchiemsee Old Palace / Augustinian Monastery | ~1h15 + boat | ā¬6 / ā¬14 island combo | 7.6/10 | Historic monastery complex on Herreninsel |
| 31 | HƶchstƤdt Palace | ~1h30 | ā¬6 | 7.5/10 | Renaissance palace and historical exhibitions |
| 32 | Gasteiger House | ~1h | ā¬4 | 7.4/10 | Historic artist's house in scenic surroundings |
| 33 | Hall of Liberation | ~1h30 | ā¬5 | 7.4/10 | Monumental hall with Danube valley views |
| 34 | Kempten Residence | ~1h30 | ā¬4 | 7.4/10 | Historic prince-abbot residence |
| 35 | St. Bartholomew's Church | ~2h | Free* | 7.4/10 | Iconic church on Lake Kƶnigssee |
| 36 | Plassenburg Castle | ~2h15 | ā¬5 | 7.4/10 | Large fortress overlooking Kulmbach |
| 37 | Landshut Town Residence | ~1h | ā¬3.50 | 7.3/10 | Italian Renaissance palace in Landshut |
| 38 | Lauenstein Castle | ~3h | ā¬5 | 7.3/10 | Medieval castle in the Franconian Forest |
| 39 | Hall of Fame and Statue of Bavaria | Munich | ā¬5 | 7.3/10 | Monumental Bavarian landmark |
| 40 | Marstallmuseum | Munich | ā¬8 combo with Nymphenburg Porcelain | 7.2/10 | Historic royal carriages and sleighs |
| 41 | Museum Nymphenburger Porcelain | Munich | ā¬8 combo with Marstallmuseum | 7.2/10 | Historic Nymphenburg porcelain collection |
| 42 | Schleissheim Old Palace | ~30 min | ā¬4 | 7.2/10 | Historic Renaissance palace and museum |
| 43 | Lustheim Palace | ~30 min | ā¬5 | 7.2/10 | Baroque hunting palace and porcelain collection |
| 44 | Neuburg Palace | ~1h30 | ā¬7 | 7.2/10 | Renaissance palace overlooking the Danube |
| 45 | Imperial Castle of Nuremberg | ~1h45 | ā¬7 | 7.2/10 | Major medieval imperial castle and city landmark |
| 46 | Prunn Castle | ~1h15 | ā¬7 | 7.1/10 | Dramatic medieval castle above the AltmĆ¼hl valley |
| 47 | King's House on Schachen | ~1h45 + hike | ā¬6 | 7.1/10 | Remote Ludwig II mountain retreat and spectacular Alps |
| 48 | Exter House | ~1h45 | ā¬3 | 7.0/10 | Historic artist's house near Lake Chiemsee |
| 49 | Marienberg Fortress | ~3h | ā¬5 | 7.0/10 | Fortress overlooking WĆ¼rzburg and the Main |
| 50 | Pompejanum | ~3h | ā¬7 | 6.9/10 | Unique Roman-style villa overlooking the Main |
