Germany: The Romantic Road
Updated: Oct 19, 2019
The historic Romantic Road from Würzburg, Germany to Füssen, Germany includes over 30 medieval towns along a travel route of 385 km (240 miles). Travel routes are possible by car, cycling and hiking. I have highlighted the route that includes most of the major sites, including historic castles and churches along the way. Click the map to go to an interactive version with more detail about each town along the route.
Starting in Würzburg at The Residenz, the route travels south towards the final destination of Füssen. Many are familiar with one of the highlights along they way: c. One of the most well preserved medieval towns in all of Germany.
Wieskirche (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Just off the Romantic Road lies one of the most spactacular churches you will visit. Wieskirche is a World Heritage Site known for the baroque architecture and ornate interior paintings and workmanship.
"Miraculously preserved in the beautiful setting of an Alpine valley, the Church of Wies (1745–54), the work of architect Dominikus Zimmermann, is a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo – exuberant, colourful and joyful." UNESCO
Views from inside the Wieskirche
Always a friendly look as you pass by along the amazing Romantic Road
Schwangau
As you drive south from Halblech towards the village of Hohenschwangau, there is a beautiful church (St Coloman), framed within a spectacular background.
Castle Tours
You will need tickets to tour Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles. There is a large car park just as you get to the village of Hohenschwangau. The ticket office is just a short walk up the main road, Alpseestrasse. It is highly recommend that you get your tickets prior to arriving, as lines can be long and earlier tours will likely sold out. A new service in 2020 allows visitors to buy tickets online and print at home or saved to a smartphone.
Brief History
King Ludwig II was born at Nymphenburg Palace in Munich (see photo below). Hohenschwangau Castle was the summer residence of King Maximilian and Queen Marie and their two boys Ludwig and Otto. After the King's death in 1864, Ludwig became King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Five years later King Ludwig II started construction on what would be known as Neuschwanstein Castle and which was built on the original site of the old Schwangau fortress. King Ludwig II died in 1886 and never saw the completion of Neuschwanstein. Today, much of the castle remains unfinished. King Ludwig II also built two additional Palaces, Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee.
Hohenschwangau Castle
Hohenschwangau Castle sits atop a small mountain overlooking the Alpsee.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle can be accessed on foot, however, it is a long steep hike. Just across the street from the Jägerhaus is a bus parking area where you can purchase tickets for a short bus ride up to the Castle. It drops you off at a convenient spot, but there is still a small hike over to Neuschwanstein.
There is a short hike over to Queen Mary's Bridge, which will reward you with a great view of the Castle and beautiful valley below.
"Love Locks" on the Marienbrücke
Selfies on the Marienbrücke
Alpstuben Buching Restaurant
Hotel Alpenstuben
AMERON Neuschwanstein Alpsee Resort & Spa
Jägerhaus
Neuschwanstein Castle -
Hohenschwangau Castle -
THE ROMANTIC ROAD
TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS
Hotels
Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Herrnschlösschen Hotel, Burg Hotel, Romantik Hotel Markusturm, Hotel Reichsküchenmeister
Augsburg: Steigenberger Hotel Drei Mohren
Landsberg am Lech: Landhotel Endhart
Bad Mergentheim: Hotel Alexa
Schwangau: Landhotel Guglhupf, Hotel König Ludwig Spa & Resort, Hotel Helmerhof, Hotel Helmer
Füssen: Hotel Christine, Hotel Alpenglühn, Hotel Sonne, Hotel Fantasia
Restaurants
Würzburg: Vinothek Tiepolo, Ararat, Trattoria Lugana, Restaurant & Weinhaus Stachel
Augsburg: SteakManufaktur, Perlach Acht
Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Profumo Di Pasta Da Giuseppe, Hotel Restaurant Herrnschlosschen, Restaurant Michelangelo
Landsberg am Lech: Nonnenbrau
Steingaden: Pizzeria Trattoria Casa-Nova
Schwangau: Ristorante Pizzeria Da Pietro
Füssen: Ristorante Pizzeria Michelangelo, Il Pescatore, Chapeau! Restaurant Cafe Bar
Must See Places:
Würzburg: Würzburg Residenz (UNESCO), Fürstengarten Marienberg
Augsburg: Augsburg Town Hall, Perlach Tower
Nördlingen: Kirchturm Daniel
Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Altstadt (old city) tour, Rotenburg Town Hall
Steingaden: Pilgramage Church of Wies (Wieskirche)
Schwangau: St Coloman Church
Hohenschwangau: Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle, Museum of the Bavarian Kings
Füssen: Basilika St Mang
Extended Day-Trips:
There is so much to see and do along the Romantic Road that you just have to decide what are the things you want to experience and focus on those. There is the Linderhof Palace, which is 42 km (26 miles) from Füssen. The Herrenchiemsee Palace is 150 km (93 miles) from Füssen and is closer to Salzburg, Austria or Berchtesgaden.
Refer to the Travel Map for more to see and experience in this area of Germany.