When is the best time to visit Neuschwanstein Castle?
With its fairy-tale good looks, and views across Bavaria, it’s only natural that this is one of the most visited places in Germany. So it’s only wise to be asking yourself when the best time to visit Neuschwanstein Castle is.
Time your visit right and you should be in for one of the most memorable day trips from Munich. Time it wrong and you’re looking at long queues for photos, full-to-capacity car parks and overtired children.
But as with everything, the best time to visit Neuschwanstein Castle also depends on your expectations. That’s why I’ve broken the question down into the best season to visit as well as the best month, day of the week and time of day.
You’re welcome to skip to the good part.
Just how busy does Neuschwanstein Castle get?
This castle is not just any castle. It’s one of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations. In fact, each year Neuschwanstein Castle attracts 1.4 million visitors. On its busiest days more than 6000 pairs of eyes will view the castle.
And 6000 people is a lot of people in one spot at once. That’s why you’ll want to avoid the peak season if you can.
So when is the peak tourist season at Neuschwanstein Castle?
Yep, you guessed it. Summer. The summer months as well as May and September are the peak tourist season at Neuschwanstein Castle. There’s good reason for it. Warmer temperatures and sunnier days make Bavaria and its famous castle an attractive place to visit.
But it doesn’t mean you need to avoid visiting Neuschwanstein Castle between May and September. You just need to plan your trip a little better. That could mean visiting on quieter days, or at less busy times. Read on to find out when these times are.
Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in the off-peak season
Perhaps the off-peak season is sounding appealing right now? That’ll be October to April. But be warned, southern Bavaria isn’t free from inclement weather. It can snow. And it does get icy. With all that ice, the climb to the top and any hikes you had planned, could become treacherous.
If you’re travelling with young children or elderly relatives, then you’re probably best sticking to the warmer months. Cold, icy weather can be a disappointment. Especially if you’re unprepared and you’ve travelled so far.
Which season is the best time to visit Neuschwanstein Castle?
This all comes down to personal preference. Neuschwanstein Castle is in southern Bavaria. Southern Bavaria has a continental climate.
Temperatures vary from season to season, but so does seeing the sun. Heavy grey clouds can hide blue skies for weeks during winter.
On the other hand, the south of Bavaria does get a good proportion of sunny skies in spring, summer and autumn. Read on for the pros and cons for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle according to each season.
Spring at Neuschwanstein Castle
As the days get warmer, they also get longer. And spring sees the scenery shift from a monotony of browns and greys to vibrant shades of green.
The tourist season also starts to pick up. It’s a good time to go if you are travelling without school-aged children. Just make sure you don’t choose to visit during the Easter holidays.
Although the temperatures are hitting a little higher, this doesn’t mean you can bank on warm days and sunny skies. Grey clouds have a habit of lingering and some unlucky tourists can be subjected to April showers right through May.
Summer
The busiest months at Neuschwanstein Castle are, of course, June, July and August. Most people take their annual holidays during these months and school holidays are in full-swing.
That being said, it is a good time to visit. You’re more likely to experience sunny days in the mid-twenties. Ideal hiking weather. Not forgetting the landscape is like a sea of vivid green.
If you must visit during Neuschwanstein Castle’s peak season, then make sure you choose a quieter day of the week and get an early start or arrive later in the day.
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Autumn
Although a lot of trees around the castle are evergreens, October will still treat you to an autumnal leaf display.
Temperatures are still mild and you might get some warmer days in September. It tends to be a sunnier time of year in general, although no promises!
September can still be a busy month to visit. It’s often a time when people travelling without children are visiting the castle. But there will still be quieter times to visit, such as in the middle of the week.
November sees temperatures start to dip and there may be a few frosty starts. Around October a heavy fog can develop, and sometimes it doesn’t lift for a few days. It’s something to bear in mind if you’re there for the views!
Winter
I’ll start this off by saying that you should never expect snow at Neuschwanstein Castle.
Snow in southern Germany is unpredictable. Some years there’s a lot, other years there isn’t. If you want to see Neuschwanstein Castle looking magical under a layer of snow, then you might be waiting some time. It is impossible to plan your visit around snowfall.
December to February can be cold months and weather conditions can become treacherous. Ice is common and can make any hiking impossible even for advanced walkers. And icy conditions can make the castle inaccessible.
If you are desperate to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, avoid booking your visit in the winter months as this could leave you disappointed.
What time of day is best to visit Neuschwanstein Castle?
Neuschwanstein Castle and the road leading up to it can get crowded. To avoid crowds (and stress) plan to visit the castle early in the morning.
If you are booking for a tour of the castle, you’ll want to time your ticket for the first tour of the day. You’ll beat any potential queues and might be treated to a striking sunrise.
A second option for those night owls (or people who prefer a lie in on holiday) is to visit in the evening. Neuschwanstein Castle lights up at night, only enhancing its fairy-tale credentials. If you play your cards right, you’ll be able to watch the sunset and view the castle simultaneously.
What day of the week is best to visit Neuschwanstein Castle?
A mid-week visit is best to avoid the main crowds. Neuschwanstein Castle is busiest on weekends, naturally.
Just make sure your visit doesn’t coincide with a public holiday as the castle can get just as busy as weekends.
Which month is best to visit Neuschwanstein Castle?
As with seasons, the best time to visit Neuschwanstein Castle should be based on how you prefer to travel.
If you are travelling from far away and only have one chance to see the castle, it’s recommended to not travel during winter to avoid disappointment.
Milder temperatures are between April and October. Rain can happen in any month of the year but there is a little more during March, April and May.
Heatwaves can occur any time between June and August. Temperatures can be in the high 30s (Celsius). And since there’s a steep climb involved, this would make uncomfortable walking weather.
If a more peaceful visit is what you had in mind, then you’ll want to avoid visiting Neuschwanstein Castle during peak months. The quieter months are October to April. But if you have no choice then timing your visit to be midweek and early in the morning or evening would help.
A word of advice – whatever your plans, always check the opening times on the official Neuschwanstein Castle website. And don’t forget to book your tickets in advance.
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