Neuschwanstein Castle. Izabela23 / Shutterstock
No list of Germany’s castles can start anywhere else. Neuschwanstein Castle, dreamed up by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the 19th century, is the ultimate fairy tale castle.
Perched above the village of Hohenschwangau, it was built more for fantasy than defense. With its white limestone facade, pointed towers and alpine backdrop, it looks like it was pulled from a storybook. It even inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Despite its medieval appearance, Neuschwanstein includes modern touches like flushing toilets and central heating.
