Tours → Bavaria
9 Days / 8 Nights · Private · Max 30 Guests
Step inside the dreams of a king who built fairy tales in stone.
Bavarian Castles Tour
From $4,699 per person
★★★★★ 4.9 · 272 Reviews on TripAdvisor
At a Glance
A 9-day all-inclusive private tour exploring King Ludwig II's UNESCO World Heritage castles and the Bavarian Alps, based at a charming lakeside hotel in Hopfen am See near Fussen.
This tour explores the wonderful castles of King Ludwig II — now designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites — alongside Bavaria's most breathtaking natural attractions. Each day's excursion fans out to a different royal castle or palace, with local guides bringing centuries of history to life through interior visits that go far beyond a drive-by experience.
Your home for the entire tour is Landhaus Koessel in Hopfen am See, a typical Bavarian country hotel perched on the shores of a crystal-clear Alpine lake. Rooms feature spacious layouts with sitting areas, balconies with mountain views, and all modern amenities. There's no packing and unpacking — you return every evening to the same comfortable base.
From the soaring towers of Neuschwanstein and the intimate Rococo beauty of Linderhof to the island grandeur of Herrenchiemsee — Ludwig's most expensive project modeled after Versailles — every day reveals a new chapter of Bavaria's fairy-tale royal history. Beyond the castles, you'll ascend the Zugspitze at nearly 10,000 feet, explore the medieval lanes of Innsbruck, visit the UNESCO Wieskirche, and discover the monastery at Andechs with its famous brewery.
This tour can be extended with a three-night Venice Extension across the Alps, or combined with our Rothenburg, Salzburg, or individual day tour itineraries for a truly comprehensive Bavarian experience.
Highlights
✦Neuschwanstein Castle interior tour with skip-the-line access
✦Hohenschwangau Castle — King Ludwig's childhood home
✦Schloss Linderhof with formal gardens and Venus Grotto
✦Herrenchiemsee island palace via boat and horse carriage
✦Zugspitze cable car ascent to nearly 10,000 feet
✦Schloss Ambras private guided tour in Innsbruck
✦Wieskirche UNESCO World Heritage Rococo masterpiece
✦Schloss Nymphenburg and the Marstallmuseum carriage collection
✦Munich orientation tour including Marienplatz Glockenspiel
✦Lake Starnberg and the site of King Ludwig's death
✦Andechs Benedictine monastery and brewery beer garden
✦Optional three-night Venice Extension across the Alps
Your Journey
Bavaria's royal castles aren't just monuments — they're windows into the imagination of King Ludwig II, a ruler who poured his soul into creating worlds of beauty. This journey takes you through his greatest achievements, from the iconic silhouette of Neuschwanstein to the intimate splendor of Linderhof, with the Bavarian Alps as your constant companion.
Day 1 · Departure
Day 2
Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau
Today belongs to Neuschwanstein. The morning hike to Marienbrücke rewards you with the view that graces a million postcards, and inside, the castle's soaring halls tell the story of a king who never stopped dreaming. The afternoon unfolds at the emerald shores of the Alpsee.
Schwangau
Landhaus Koessel
Breakfast, Dinner
~15min each way
✦Marienbrücke Photo Stop
✦Neuschwanstein Castle Interior Tour
✦Lake Alpsee Stroll & Lunch
✦Hohenschwangau Castle Tour
Day 3
Zugspitze, Linderhof & Oberammergau
Linderhof is Ludwig's most personal creation — smaller, more intimate, every detail chosen by the king himself. The grotto with its underground lake is pure theater. Nearby, the Baroque grandeur of Ettal Monastery offers a contemplative counterpoint.
Garmisch / Oberammergau
Landhaus Koessel
Breakfast, Dinner
~1h each way
✦Zugspitze Cable Car Ascent
✦Linderhof Palace Guided Tour
✦Oberammergau Village Walk
Day 4
Herrenchiemsee & Bad Tölz
The road east leads to Chiemsee, Bavaria's largest lake. A ferry crosses to Herreninsel, where Ludwig's Herrenchiemsee awaits — his homage to Versailles, with a Hall of Mirrors that rivals the original. Evening light on the lake is unforgettable.
Chiemsee / Bad Tölz
Landhaus Koessel
Breakfast, Dinner
~2h each way
✦Boat & Horse Carriage to Herrenchiemsee
✦Herrenchiemsee Palace Tour
✦Bad Tölz Town Walk
✦Brewery Visit & Dinner
Day 5
Munich & Nymphenburg
Berchtesgaden and the pristine Königssee offer a day of natural grandeur. An electric boat glides silently to the pilgrimage church of St. Bartholomä, framed by sheer mountain walls. If conditions allow, the Eagle's Nest provides panoramic views across the Alps.
Munich
Landhaus Koessel
Breakfast
~1.5h each way
✦Nymphenburg Palace & Marstallmuseum
✦Munich Orientation Tour
✦Free Time — Shopping & Sightseeing
Day 6
Innsbruck & Schloss Ambras
Munich welcomes you with Nymphenburg Palace, where Baroque gardens stretch to the horizon. The afternoon is pure city magic — Marienplatz's Glockenspiel, the colors of Viktualienmarkt, the energy of a city that balances tradition with modern life.
Innsbruck, Austria
Landhaus Koessel
Breakfast, Dinner
~1.5h each way
✦Schloss Ambras Private Tour
✦Innsbruck Medieval City Walk
✦Free Time & Shopping
Day 7
Wieskirche, Lake Starnberg & Andechs
Your final morning brings the Munich Residenz, centuries of Bavarian royal history concentrated in one magnificent palace. It's a fitting finale — a reminder that the royal story you've been following is woven deeply into the fabric of this land.
Wieskirche / Starnberg / Andechs
Landhaus Koessel
Breakfast, Lunch
~1h between stops
✦Wieskirche Visit
✦Lake Starnberg & Ludwig Memorial
✦Andechs Monastery Beer Garden Lunch
Day 8 · Return
Transfer to Munich Airport for return flight. Departure no earlier than 10:30 a.m.
Munich
Breakfast
Hopfen am See → Munich Airport: ~2h
✦Airport Transfer
What's Included
✓Door-to-door transportation throughout the tour
✓7 breakfast buffets at Landhaus Koessel
✓5 three-course dinners with menu choices, beverages, and coffee/tea
✓Special beer garden lunch at Andechs monastery on final full day
✓7 nights accommodation at Landhaus Koessel, Hopfen am See
✓All entrance fees, taxes, and local guide fees
✓Skip-the-line access at major attractions
✓Inside visits at all castles and palaces (not drive-by tours)
✓Tour director services throughout
✓Airport transfers from/to Munich Airport
✓Money-back satisfaction guarantee
✓Free cancellation up to 24h before departure
✗Air fare
✗Personal expenses
✗Lunches (except beer garden lunch on Day 8)
✗Gratuities for driver and local guides
✗Dinner on Day 6 in Munich (independent)
Love what you see? Tell us your preferred dates — we'll tailor every detail to your group.
Plan Your Journey →Our Promise
Money-Back Guarantee
Not satisfied? Full refund. We've been doing this since 2004 — it hasn't happened yet.
Flexible Booking
Change dates up to 30 days before departure. Life happens — we get it.
No Hidden Costs
The price you see includes everything. Entrance fees, transport, guide — no surprise extras.
Secure your dates with just $500 deposit per person.
Your Guide
Alessandro & Team
Born in Füssen at the foot of Neuschwanstein, Alessandro grew up with castle stories as bedtime tales. A historian by training and a storyteller by nature, he and his carefully selected team of local guides have accompanied thousands of guests through Central Europe's most remarkable places.
“Best tour EVER! Astrid went above and beyond to make sure every detail was perfect. The private access to Neuschwanstein was unforgettable.”
Scott & Jess, South Carolina
“Most spectacular trip we've ever taken! The castles, the food, the attention to detail — everything exceeded our expectations.”
Brenda & Cliff, Ohio
“Small groups, flexible itineraries, incredible attention to detail. This is how travel should be.”
Penny P., Pennsylvania
“The hotels were handpicked gems and the private castle tours made us feel like royalty. Already planning our return trip.”
Linda & Mark, Connecticut
Booked 66+ days ahead
Read all reviews →Per Person Pricing
2 Guests
$4,699
4 Guests
$3,999
6 Guests
$3,599
All-inclusive — accommodation, private transport, guides & entrance fees
Your Next Step
Make This the Trip You'll Talk About for Years
Tell us your preferred dates and group size. We'll craft a personalized itinerary — no payment required until you're completely satisfied.
Plan Your JourneyNo payment required. We'll design a draft itinerary — free of charge, no obligation.
Peak season (June–September) books out 4–6 months ahead.
Common Questions
Door-to-door transportation throughout the tour, 7 breakfast buffets at Landhaus Koessel, 5 three-course dinners with menu choices, beverages, and coffee/tea, Special beer garden lunch at Andechs monastery on final full day, 7 nights accommodation at Landhaus Koessel, Hopfen am See, All entrance fees, taxes, and local guide fees, Skip-the-line access at major attractions, Inside visits at all castles and palaces (not drive-by tours), Tour director services throughout, Airport transfers from/to Munich Airport, Money-back satisfaction guarantee.
The Bavarian Castles Tour is a 7-day private tour. Including arrival and departure days, plan for 9 days total.
Starting from $4699 per person (based on 2 travelers). Group discounts available for 4+ and 6+ travelers. Secure your dates with a $500 deposit per person.
Further Reading
The Complete Guide to Visiting Neuschwanstein Castle (2026)
Everything you need to plan a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, from a team that lives 5km away and has guided thousands of visitors through Ludwig II's fairy-tale masterpiece.
Read More →11 Best Castles in Bavaria You Can Actually Visit Inside
Bavaria has more castles than any other German state. These 11 are the ones worth going inside — each with something you won't find anywhere else.
Read More →Why Neuschwanstein Feels Completely Different on a Private Tour
Neuschwanstein sees 1.4 million visitors a year. Most of them experience it from a queue. Here's what happens when you don't.
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