Palace and Castle Tickets and Tours in Munich

Munich is one of the most important cities in Germany whose prominence during the past centuries has left its mark on every corner, as evidenced by the various palaces and castles both in the central area of the city and in the surrounding area. 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 iconic castles in Germany. It was built in 1869 at the request of King Ludwig II as a personal retreat. The imposing structure stands on a hill near Füssen in southwestern Bavaria.

Overall, this castle reflects the Romanesque style, with Gothic and Byzantine elements. A tour of the castle reveals the 200 rooms in the buildings, the royal chambers, the Singers' Hall, created in homage to Richard Wagner, and the Throne Room, decorated with murals and a gilded dome.

Outside, there is also much to see, including the Marienbrücke Bridge, which offers a beautiful view of the castle, and the King Ludwig II Museum in the surrounding area. All in all, this imposing building looks like something out of a fairy tale or even the opposite, as this castle was the inspiration for Disney' s Sleeping Beauty castle. It is also a recommended destination for those wishing to visit the Dachau concentration camps.

With less than an hour's drive between the two places, a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle is often combined with a visit to Linderhof Palace, which is the next on this list.

Useful information

• 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. It is smaller in size than other structures and its construction was completed in about 1879. 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 it 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 its reflective surfaces that create the sensation of being in an infinite space. Also, in the royal bedroom is the enormous golden bed with highly elaborate tapestries.

In the garden area I cannot fail to mention the Venus Grotto, an artificial cave with an underground lake through which the king used to stroll while attending private performances of Wagner's operas. If you are in 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.

Useful information

• Price: only available by guided tour, around €10 per person.
• Duration: Generally, the stipulated time for a tour of the site is one to two hours.

The Residenz München or Munich Residence is another not-to-be-missed option on your visit to the city. It is the largest city palace in Germany and for approximately 400 years (from the 14th to the 19th century) it was the palace of the Bavarian dukes and kings.

Opulence is a word that describes the interior of this huge royal complex, which mixes various 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.

There is also the residence's Treasury, where the crown jewels, relics and goldsmith's artworks are kept. To complement all this brilliance is the Cuvilliés Theatre decorated with gold and velvet pieces, representative of the rococo movement.

The visit can be self-guided and on specific occasions guided tours are organised. The best thing is that, being located in the heart of the city, it is very easy to visit this destination, as it is located just 1 km from Prinzregentenstraße 26 or English garden, one of the stops of the Munich tourist bus. So you could use this means of transport to visit 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. It was built in the 17th century and was home to the Bavarian electors for decades.

The 200-hectare complex includes the main palace building, the baroque gardens and several pavilions. In addition, there is a carriage and sleigh museum in the stables area, which exhibits some 40 carriages, sleighs and horse-drawn carriages.

The façade of the chateau is about 700 metres wide. Inside, you can explore the richly decorated rooms, such as the Baroque frescoes in the Stone Room, as well as the Gallery of the Beauties of King Louis I, which houses paintings of various women considered beautiful at the time, with some 18 portraits.

It is also worth taking a stroll through the gardens, with their fountains and waterfalls. Along its paths you can reach some famous pavilions, such as the Pagodenburg, inspired by Chinese architecture, and the Amalienburg, an area 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 to the Munich Sea Life Aquarium, which is only a 15-minute drive away.

Useful information

• 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 part of Munich and comprises 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 with frescoes of military exploits, portraits and baroque paintings.

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

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

Useful information

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

In Blutenburg Castle, northwest of the historic city centre, you can find valuable examples of architecture and art. The building was erected in the 13th century and was transformed into a fortress in the 15th century. It is considered to be 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 15th century works of art, 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 river Würm, 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 time, you could go to the seasonal Christmas market and watch the decoration of the castle during the night.

Useful information

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

Located in the town of Dachau, a few kilometres north of Munich, is Dachau Palace. This Renaissance building was built in the 16th century and served as a summer residence for the courtiers of the area.

Over the centuries the structure underwent some modifications to arrive at 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 made up of frescoes, paintings and stuccoes as traces of the transition between artistic styles. Likewise, its gardens stand out, which went from Renaissance to Baroque style and are now characterised by their colour and the presence of flowers.

As it is on a 500-metre hill, from the palace you can get a beautiful view of the surrounding area, just as from the garden you can get a very good panoramic view of the building . You should also know that a visit to 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 centre of Munich is the Herrenchiemsee Palace. This building stands on a small island in Lake Chiemsee and is another of the palaces that Ludwig 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.

Ostentation 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 to enjoy the tranquillity 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.

Useful information

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

Fürstenried Palace is another of the summer residences built for the Bavarian Electoral Princes and dates back to the 18th century. Its architecture and decoration are mainly Baroque in 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 under the administration of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.

What you can see, apart from the richly decorated façade with reliefs, is the garden, where you can walk, relax and admire some of the vegetation, as well as the fountain. Moreover, you can easily combine the visit with other activities in the city such as visiting the Viktualienmarkt in Munich, which is about 20 minutes away by car.

Useful information

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

Considered to be one of the longest castles in Europe, stretching over 1 km, Burghausen Castle is another favourite with visitors. It is located just over an hour's drive from Munich and approximately 2 hours by train. It dates back to the 9th century, but the present building dates from the 13th and 14th centuries.

The castle was the residence of the Dukes of Bavaria-Landshut and stands on a hill near the Salzach River, forming a large foothill. It is divided into six zones, each with its own ramparts.

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. The State Museum, where collections of late Gothic art are on display, is worth a visit. Beautiful views of Burghausen and the surrounding area can be had from the castle walls and the site is often the venue for concerts or flea markets.

Useful information

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