Fairytale Living: The Most Iconic Castles in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland

If you close your eyes and think of "Germany," you probably see a misty forest with a turreted stone castle peeking over the trees. You aren't wrong—Germany alone is home to over 25,000 castles and palaces.

But before you start your road trip, there is one linguistic distinction you need to know. In English, we use the word "Castle" for everything. In German, we distinguish between a Burg (a defensive fortress with walls and moats) and a Schloss (a residential palace built for luxury and showing off).

Here are the "must-visit" stops for your fairytale itinerary across the DACH region.

1. Burg Eltz (Rhineland-Palatinate)

Hidden in a valley near the Moselle River, Burg Eltz is the "holy grail" of German castles.

• The Specialty: It has been owned by the same family for over 800 years and was never destroyed by war. Because it was a "Ganerbenburg" (a castle shared by several branches of a family), it has a unique, clustered look with many colorful timber-framed turrets.

2. Hohenzollern Castle (Baden-Württemberg)

Perched high on an isolated mountain peak, this castle looks like it belongs in the opening credits of a fantasy movie.

• The Specialty: It is the ancestral seat of the House of Hohenzollern, the family that eventually became the Emperors of Germany. The views from the ramparts over the Swabian Alps are unparalleled.

3. Neuschwanstein (Bavaria)

Burg or Schloss? You guessed right—this is technically a Schloss (palace). Built in the late 19th century by King Ludwig II, it was never meant for defense. It was a theatrical retreat inspired by the operas of Richard Wagner.

• The Specialty: It’s the inspiration for the Disney Castle. While it’s the most famous, remember that it is a "Revival" castle, meant for beauty rather than battle.

4. Wasserburg Anholt (North Rhine-Westphalia)

Moving to the flatter lands of the West, we find the "Water Castles."

• The Specialty: Anholt is one of the few privately owned moated castles in the region. Surrounded by a massive lake and Baroque gardens, it represents the "Münsterland" style of noble living.

5. Moritzburg (Saxony)

If Neuschwanstein is the King of the mountains, Moritzburg is the King of the lakes.

• The Specialty: A stunning Baroque four-towered palace sitting on an artificial island. It was originally a hunting lodge for the Kings of Saxony. Movie fans might recognize it as the setting for the classic European Cinderella movie, Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella.

6. Wartburg (Thuringia)

This castle is for the history buffs.

• The Specialty: This is where our friend Martin Luther hid while translating the New Testament into German. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of German unity and culture.

7. Festung Hohensalzburg (Salzburg, Austria)

You can't miss this one—it sits like a crown above the city of Salzburg.

• The Specialty: One of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe. It was built by the Prince-Archbishops to show their power. The best part? You can take a funicular (cable railway) straight to the top for a view of the Alps that will take your breath away.

8. Chillon Castle (Lake Geneva, Switzerland)

Switzerland’s most visited historic building, Château de Chillon, sits right on the edge of Lake Geneva.

• The Specialty: An island castle that looks like it’s floating on the water. It’s famous for its beautiful vaults and for being the inspiration for Lord Byron’s poem, The Prisoner of Chillon.

Travel Tip: Check the "Öffnungszeiten"
Many of these castles are in remote locations. Always check the official website for opening times, and book your Neuschwanstein tickets weeks in advance—they sell out faster than a fresh batch of Brötchen!

Which castle is at the top of your bucket list? Are you a fan of the defensive "Burg" style or the fancy "Schloss" palaces? Log in and tell us which one you want to visit first!