How to visit two of Germany’s most iconic attractions in one day
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If you’re looking to get out of Munich for the day, here’s an option for you to see two famous German castles and explore in the mountains! Begin your road trip at the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps before heading to the charming town of Fussen. Next, walk across the longest Tibet-style footbridge at Highline179 before going to Linderhof Palace for your final stop.
For this itinerary, you will need a rental car to hit all of the stops. If you’re only interested in visiting Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace, you could go with a group tour that provides transportation.
Neuschwanstein Castle
Neuschwanstein Castle is located in the village of Schwangau, about two hours from Munich. Once you arrive in Schwangau, you will then need to either walk, take the bus, or go in a horse-drawn carriage to get up the hill to Neuschwanstein Castle. If you plan to do the interior tour of the castle, try to get to Schwangau at least an hour to an hour and a half before your entry time. This will give you time to get up the hill to the castle and go to the castle viewpoint beforehand. We suggest taking the bus up towards the castle and then walking back down. Make Marienbrücke (castle viewpoint) your first stop after exiting the bus, then enjoy the scenery as you walk to the castle.
Make sure to reserve your tickets for the interior tour in advance as they sell out quickly. We got our tickets about a month in advance and already had limited time slot options. Try to get an early morning slot before the large tour groups show up starting around 10 AM. Timed entry is strictly enforced.
Check out our Guide to Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle for more information!
Fussen
Next, head over to Fussen, about a 10-minute drive from Neuschwanstein Castle. This charming Bavarian town is a great place to stop for lunch and spend some time wandering through its picturesque streets. If you have enough time, check out Hohes Schloss, a hilltop castle, or visit the Museum of Fussen located in St. Mang’s Abbey.
Highline179
If you’re up for an adventure while on your road trip, you have to make a stop at Highline179 in Reutte, Austria. That’s right, this day trip includes a stop in another country! Both Germany and Austria are part of the Schengen Area, which allows for free movement between the countries. Highline179 is home to the longest Tibet-style footbridge. At a height of 114 meters, you’ll feel like you’re floating as you walk across the bridge while taking in stunning views of the Alps. Once you’ve conquered the bridge, check out the nearby ruins of Ehrenberg Castle.
Linderhof Palace
For the final stop on your road trip, head over to the stunning Linderhof Palace. Inspired by Versailles, Linderhof Palace was built in the Rococo style and was the only one of King Ludwig II’s grand castle projects to be completed before his death. There’s a parking lot near the entrance to the Linderhof grounds. It’s then about a 15-minute walk from the parking lot to the palace. A guided tour of the interior is offered; tickets can be purchased at this link.
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.
Visited May 2025 | Posted August 2025
