Palace and Castle Tickets and Tours in Munich

Munich is one of the most important cities in Germany whose prominence during the past centuries left traces in every corner and an example of this are the different palaces and castles both in the central area of the city and in the surrounding areas. Visiting these destinations is one of the things to see and do in Munich, to appreciate the art, beauty and learn about the history of the region.

Discover buildings inspired by the Palace of Versailles such as Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace and Herrenchiemsee Palace, admire the sumptuousness of the 400-year-old Munich Residence, see the baroque-style Nymphenburg Palace, visit the longest fortress in Europe: Burghausen Castle and much more.

Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most emblematic castles in Germany. Its construction dates back to 1869, at the request of King Ludwig II, with the aim of being a personal retreat. The imposing structure is erected on a hill near Füssen, in southwestern Bavaria.

Overall, this castle reflects the Romanesque style, with Gothic and Byzantine elements. On a tour, you can see the 200 rooms that house the buildings, the royal chambers, the Singers' Hall, created in homage to Richard Wagner, and the Throne Room, decorated with murals and a golden dome.

Outside, there is also much to see, such as the Marienbrücke Bridge, which offers a beautiful view of the castle, and nearby is the King Ludwig II Museum. All in all, this imposing construction looks like something out of a fairy tale or even the opposite, as this castle served as inspiration for Disney' s Sleeping Beauty castle. It is also one of the recommended destinations for those who intend to visit the Dachau concentration camps.

Being located just under an hour between the two places, a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle is usually combined with Linderhof Palace, which is the next option on this list.

Information of interest

• Price: approximately 80€ per person.
• Duration: depending on the speed of the visit, it can vary between 30 minutes and 2 hours.

Linderhof Palace is also one of the buildings created on the initiative of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Its size is smaller than other structures and its construction was completed in 1879, approximately. It was the only palace that the king managed to see completed.

When exploring this building it is possible to see the marked influence of the French Rococo style. In fact, it is said that this enclosure was inspired by the Palace of Versailles and the main building is surrounded by gardens with fountains and statues.

In the rooms of the palace you can appreciate the decorative virtuosity of each space. The Hall of Mirrors stands out , with reflective surfaces that generate the sensation of being in an infinite space. Also, in the royal bedroom is the huge golden bed with highly elaborated tapestries.

In the garden area I can not fail to mention the Venus Grotto, an artificial cave that has a subway lake where the king used to walk while attending private performances of Wagner's operas. If you are going to Munich for 2 days or more, consider adding this destination to your itinerary, to learn more about court life during the reign of Ludwig II.

Information of interest

• Price: can only be visited by guided tour, about 10€ per person.
• Duration: generally, the stipulated time for a tour is one to two hours.

The Residenz München or Munich Residence is another must-see option during your visit to the city. It is the largest urban palace in Germany that, for approximately 400 years (from the 14th to the 19th century), was the palace of the Bavarian dukes and kings.

Opulence is a word that describes the interior of this enormous royal complex, which mixes several architectural styles such as Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical. Among the wonders inside are the Antiquarium, a vast Renaissance hall; the Royal Building, a sprawling palace where Louis I lived; and the Hall of Hercules, the setting for classical and modern concerts.

Also featured is the residence's Treasury, where crown jewels, relics and goldsmith works of art are kept. To complement all this brilliance is the Cuvilliés Theater decorated with pieces of gold and velvet, being representative of the rococo movement.

The visit can be self-guided and on specific occasions guided tours are organized. The best thing is that, being located in the heart of the city, it is very easy to visit this destination, since it is located just 1 km from Prinzregentenstraße 26 or English garden, one of the stops of the tourist bus in Munich. So you could use this means of transport to get to know the palace.

Useful information

• Price: from 9€ per person.
• Duration: between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the areas of the residence you wish to visit.

When talking about palaces in Europe in general and Germany in particular, Nymphenburg Palace always comes up in conversation, because it is one of the largest baroque palaces in Europe. This place was built in the 17th century and was home to the Bavarian electors for decades.

Among the 200 hectares that this complex encompasses are the main palace building, the baroque-style gardens and several pavilions. In addition, there is the carriage and sleigh museum in the stables area, which exhibits some 40 carriages, sleighs and horsemen's rigs.

The facade of the palace is about 700 meters wide. Inside, you can explore the rooms with their rich decorations, such as the baroque frescoes in the Stone Room, as well as the Gallery of Beauties of King Louis I, which houses paintings of various women considered beautiful at the time, with about 18 portraits.

It is also worth strolling through the gardens, equipped with fountains and waterfalls. Along its paths you can reach some famous pavilions, such as the Pagodenburg, inspired by Chinese architecture, and the Amalienburg, a space dedicated to hunting. The palace's location in the west of Munich makes it possible to combine the experience with other activities by purchasing tickets for the Munich Sea Life Aquarium, located just a 15-minute drive away.

Information of interest

• Price: usually between €8 and €15 per person, depending on the attractions you wish to enter.
• Duration: three to five hours.

Schleissheim Palace is located in the northern area of Munich and groups three palaces: the Old Palace, the New Palace and the Lusthein Palace. These buildings were built between the 17th and 18th centuries and served as the summer residence of the Bavarian prince electors.

The New Palace also takes its inspiration from the Palace of Versailles and is considered representative of the late Baroque. Inside you can find various rooms that house frescoes about military exploits, portraits and baroque paintings.

In the Old Palace you can see the influence of the Renaissance style and it is possible to learn about the religious culture of Bavaria at the time. For its part, Lustheim Palace is characterized by an Italian-style hunting lodge, a porcelain collection and more.

The site has its network of Baroque-style gardens , with fountains and canals that serve for transit within the complex . In addition, the site is a venue for concerts and other cultural events, especially during the summer.

Information of interest

• Price: 6 € per person.
• Duration: between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the attractions to be visited.

In the Blutenburg Castle, northwest of the historic center of the city, it is possible to find samples of architecture and art of high value. The building was erected in the 13th century and was transformed into a fortress in the 15th century. It is considered representative of Gothic architecture and has a quadrangular design of four towers with an inner courtyard.

As you walk around the site, you can see the Gothic chapel, which houses works of art from the 15th century, including a panel painting by Jan Polack in the altar area.

Today the castle is home to the International Youth Library and contains an interesting collection of literature for children and young people, making it an ideal destination if you are visiting Munich with children.

Due to its location on the banks of the Würm River, this place offers picturesque landscapes with green areas and gardens. It is also a venue for various events throughout the year. For example, if you go to Munich at Christmas, you could go to the seasonal Christmas market and watch the decoration of the castle during the night.

Information of interest

• Price: free, except for some events or exhibitions.
• Duration: between one and two hours.

Located in the city of Dachau, a few kilometers north of Munich, is the Dachau Palace. This Renaissance building was built in the sixteenth century and served as a summer residence for the courtiers of the area.

Over the centuries the structure underwent some modifications to reach the current building. In the 18th century baroque elements were added, such as the imposing ballroom and the chapel.

A tour of its interior reveals the decoration composed of frescoes, paintings and stuccoes as traces of the transition between artistic styles. Also, its gardens stand out, which went from Renaissance to Baroque style and are currently characterized by their color and presence of flowers.

Being on a hill of 500 meters, from the palace you can get a beautiful view of the surroundings, in the same way that from the garden you get a very good panoramic view of the building. Also, you should know that visiting this place can be combined with a visit to the FC Bayern Munich stadium, as it is only a 20-minute drive from the palace.

Useful information

• Price: free for children under 18 and for adults from 2€ per person.
• Duration: Generally, the stipulated time for this tour is two and a half hours.

A slightly more distant destination from the center of Munich is the Herrenchiemsee Palace. This building stands on a small island in Lake Chiemsee and is another of the palaces that Louis II had built, in homage to the Palace of Versailles. Visiting it is almost a privilege.

Nothing was spared inside this structure. In fact, the hall of mirrors is larger than that of the Palace of Versailles and is illuminated by 2,000 candles. The royal apartments, meanwhile, feature silk tapestries, chandeliers made of crystal and gold pieces.

Ostentatiousness and sumptuousness can describe every corner of this palace. As for the gardens, they can be explored freely to admire the beauty of the vegetation, fountains and sculptures, as well as enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings. You can also visit the King Louis II Museum, which is part of the complex and allows you to learn about the life of the so-called Mad King.

Information of interest

• Price: about 11€ per person for all the attractions (transport to the palace is not included).
• Duration: between 2 and 4 hours, including the boat ride.

Fürstenried Palace is another of the summer residences built for the Bavarian Electoral Princes and dates back to the 18th century. Hence, its architecture and decoration are mainly in the Baroque style .

Inside the palace are luxurious rooms decorated with frescoes, most of which depict scenes from mythology. However, access to the interior is not open to the public, as the place functions as a spiritual retreat space under the administration of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.

What can be seen, besides the richly decorated facade with reliefs, is its garden, where it is possible to walk, relax and admire some samples of vegetation, as well as its fountain. In addition, you can easily combine the visit with other activities in the city such as visiting the Viktualienmarkt in Munich, located approximately 20 minutes away by car.

Useful information

• Price: free, in the outdoor area.
• Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour, for the external area.

Considered one of the longest castles in Europe, with an extension of more than 1 km, Burghausen Castle is another favorite among visitors. It is located a little more than 1 hour by car from Munich and approximately 2 hours by train. Its origin corresponds to the ninth century, but the present building dates from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.

This enclosure was the residence of the Dukes of Bavaria-Landshut and rises on a hill near the Salzach River, forming an extensive fotification. It is divided into six zones, each with its respective walls.

The large structure is an example of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, mixing styles. For example, the ducal palace has rooms decorated in Renaissance and medieval styles. The Ladies' Hall and the Knights' Hall have painted ceilings and well-finished fireplaces.

There are many buildings and courtyards to explore. It is worth visiting the State Museum, where collections of late Gothic art are on display. Beautiful views of Burghausen and the surrounding area can be had from the castle walls, and the site is often the setting for concerts or flea markets.

Information of interest

• Price: around 5€ per person.
• Duration: between 1 and 2 hours, excluding transfer time.