A castle stands on a rock surrounded by autumnal trees. A wooden bridge leads to the castle, which has several small towers and is made of stone.

© DZT, Foto: Francesco Carovillano

Castles & Gardens in Southwest Germany

Far too Fabulous to Be True

Majestic Palaces, Knights' Castles and Fairytale Stories

It Could Hardly Be More Beautiful
The world famous Heidelberg Castle. The breathtaking view from Hohenzollern Castle, the fairytale castle of the Prussian royal family. There are so many castles and palaces here! The medieval walls, baroque palaces and magnificent gardens will tell you how the princess or count once lived. If you are lucky, you might even meet the great-great-grandson of the last emperor or exiled king. He might personally reveal a juicy detail or two about the famous ancestors. There is no more authentic way to experience history.
A castle on a green wooded mountain.

© DZT, Foto: Francesco-Carovillano

Hohenzollern Castle in the Swabian Alb
Dreaming is easy with this view

Castles, Gardens, and Monasteries to Dream About

At a Glance
1

Majestic Palaces

Southwest Germany presents world-famous castles and fortresses. Let the lesser-known historical sites like Schwetzingen Palace or Meersburg Castle enchant you as well.
2

Taking a Stroll

Our gardens are as magnificent as our palaces, from small and intimate to extensive palace gardens and parks. A perfect feast for the senses.
3

Monastic Heritage

The most famous monastery is the Cistercian Abbey of the medieval Maulbronn Monastery - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Top Castles in Southwest Germany

Where Fairy Tales Come True
  • Go to article
    CulturePalaces & castles
    Lichtenstein Castle
    Lichtenstein Castle is also known as the 'fairytale castle of Württemberg', as its architectural style and furnishings are reminiscent of the Romantic period. Thus, it sees itself as a homage to the M...
    Lichtenstein
  • Go to article
    CulturePalaces & castles
    Hohenzollern Castle
    It is the landmark of the Zollernalb region, a symbol of home for all locals and a tourist magnet for visitors from all over the world: Hohenzollern Castle, located in the heart of Baden-Württemberg,...
    Swabian Alb
  • Go to article
    CulturePalaces & castles
    Sigmaringen Castle
    Standing high on a cliff above the Danube, Schloss Sigmaringen was built as a fortress. Over the centuries, it has been transformed into a royal residential palace, complete with fairytale towers and...
    Swabian Alb
  • Go to article
    CultureMonasteries & churches
    Bebenhausen Monastery and Castle
    The medieval monastery complex of Bebenhausen is nestled in the rolling hills of the Schönbuch Nature Park. Some of the buildings were converted into a royal hunting lodge in the 19th century.
    Swabian Alb
  • Go to article
    CulturePalaces & castles
    Mannheim Baroque Palace
    Fancy feeling like an Elector for once? In Mannheim, that dream becomes reality.
    Electoral Palatinate
  • Go to article
    CulturePalaces & castles
    Palace
    Schwetzingen Castle dates back to the 14th century, when the von Schomberg family provided the then moated castle to Count Palatine Ruprecht. In the following centuries, the area around the castle was...
    Schwetzingen
  • Go to article
    CulturePalaces & castles
    Meersburg New Palace
    Besides baroque garden architecture offers the park at the New Palace Meersburg a fantastic view of the lake.
    Lake Constance
  • Go to article
    CulturePalaces & castles
    Heidelberg Castle
    Heidelberg Castle is world famous and the epitome of the German Romantic era.
    Electoral Palatinate
8 / 8
Go to article
CulturePalaces & castles
Lichtenstein Castle
Lichtenstein Castle is also known as the 'fairytale castle of Württemberg', as its architectural style and furnishings are reminiscent of the Romantic period. Thus, it sees itself as a homage to the M...
Lichtenstein
Go to article
CulturePalaces & castles
Hohenzollern Castle
It is the landmark of the Zollernalb region, a symbol of home for all locals and a tourist magnet for visitors from all over the world: Hohenzollern Castle, located in the heart of Baden-Württemberg,...
Swabian Alb
Go to article
CulturePalaces & castles
Sigmaringen Castle
Standing high on a cliff above the Danube, Schloss Sigmaringen was built as a fortress. Over the centuries, it has been transformed into a royal residential palace, complete with fairytale towers and...
Swabian Alb
Go to article
CultureMonasteries & churches
Bebenhausen Monastery and Castle
The medieval monastery complex of Bebenhausen is nestled in the rolling hills of the Schönbuch Nature Park. Some of the buildings were converted into a royal hunting lodge in the 19th century.
Swabian Alb
Go to article
CulturePalaces & castles
Mannheim Baroque Palace
Fancy feeling like an Elector for once? In Mannheim, that dream becomes reality.
Electoral Palatinate
Go to article
CulturePalaces & castles
Palace
Schwetzingen Castle dates back to the 14th century, when the von Schomberg family provided the then moated castle to Count Palatine Ruprecht. In the following centuries, the area around the castle was...
Schwetzingen
Go to article
CulturePalaces & castles
Meersburg New Palace
Besides baroque garden architecture offers the park at the New Palace Meersburg a fantastic view of the lake.
Lake Constance
Go to article
CulturePalaces & castles
Heidelberg Castle
Heidelberg Castle is world famous and the epitome of the German Romantic era.
Electoral Palatinate
The Old Bridge above the Neckar River in Heidelberg. Heidelberg Castle can be seen in the background.

© TMBW, Foto: Achim Mende

The Mannheim Baroque Palace with its huge forecourt.

© TMBW, Foto: Achim Mende

Weikersheim Palace and Palace Gardens. In the foreground is a large fountain with a statue. The castle is in the background.

© SSG, Foto: Günther Bayerl

Drone shot of Hohenzollern Castle with its towers. You can see the castle courtyard and the trees in front of it. A copper beech stands out. A village can be recognised in the distance.

© Black Forest Production GmbH

View of Sigmaringen Castle. The Danube flows in the foreground.

© TMBW, Foto: Dietmar Denger

The baroque library hall of Wiblingen Abbey in Obeschwaben-Allgäu with magnificent paintings on the ceiling and massive ornate columns.

© OTG, Foto: Frank Müller

Echoes of past glory
– Heidelberg Castle and the Old Bridge
1 / 6

Palaces and Castles in Southwest Germany

Where Fairytales Become Reality

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Show 38 Experiences
  1. Go to article
    CultureArchitecture & buildings
    Sepulchral Chapel Württemberg
    Former ancestral seat of the Wuerttemberg noble family
    Stuttgart Region
  2. Go to article
    CultureArchitecture & buildings
    Großcomburg Schwäbisch Hall
    Großcomburg in Schwäbisch Hall, a former Benedictine monastery, was founded in the year 1078. Today Großcomburg's grounds are open to the public, and the 420-m-long walkway around the perimeter afford...
    Hohenlohe
  3. Go to article
    CultureMuseums & galleries
    Domnick Collection
    The Domnick Collection in Nürtingen not only impresses with Ottomar Domnick's international collection of abstract post-war painting and sculpture, but also because of the exhibition's unusual locatio...
    Swabian Alb
  4. Go to article
    CulturePalaces & castles
    Wäscherschloss Castle
    One of the best-preserved castles from the Hohenstaufen period: the Wäscherschloss castle near Wäschenbeuren - once an outbuilding of Hohenstaufen, today a living museum with medieval flair and a view...
    Wäschenbeuren
  5. Go to article
    CulturePalaces & castles
    Rastatt - Schloss Rastatt
    Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm von Baden, also known as the "Turkish Louis" after his victorious battles against the Ottoman army, built something magnificent in Rastatt: modelled on Versailles, the oldest B...
    Black Forest
  6. Go to article
    CulturePalaces & castles
    Old Castle
    For all castle fanatics amongst you, the Hohenbaden Castle, built in 1102, and known locally as the Altes Schloss (Old Castle), is an absolute must!
    Black Forest
  7. Go to article
    CultureArchitecture & buildings
    Neues Schloss (New Castle)
    With the New Castle, Duke Carl Eugen von Wuerttemberg (1744 - 1793) had the last large Baroque residence castle facilities in Germany built. He demanded from the city and the Wuerttemberg representati...
    Stuttgart Region
  8. Go to article
    CulturePalaces & castles
    Weikersheim Castle and Gardens
    A Renaissance castle with an impressive banquet hall and an interior that has been almost entirely preserved. Weikersheim Castle is always worth a visit!
    Weikersheim
  9. Go to article
    CultureMonasteries & churches
    Ehemaliges Benediktinerkloster Lorch
    Lorch Monastery is visible from afar on the heights above the Rems Valley. It was founded by the Staufers in 1102 as a family burial ground.
    Swabian Alb

Culture Tips in Southwest Germany

Need More Inspiration?

  • Suggestions for Historical Day Trips in Baden-Württemberg

    Far Too Fabulous to Be True
    CulturePalaces & castles

  • Parks and Gardens in Southwest Germany

    Oases of Relaxation
    CultureParks & gardens

  • Castles and Monasteries Worth Visiting in Baden-Württemberg

    Tips for Your Bucket List
    CultureMonasteries

  • Royal Houses and Dynasties in Southwest Germany

    In the Footsteps of Kings and Princes
    CulturePalaces & castles

  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Southwest Germany

    Seven Great Milestones
    CultureWorld heritage sites
5 / 5

Suggestions for Historical Day Trips in Baden-Württemberg

Far Too Fabulous to Be True
CulturePalaces & castles

Parks and Gardens in Southwest Germany

Oases of Relaxation
CultureParks & gardens

Castles and Monasteries Worth Visiting in Baden-Württemberg

Tips for Your Bucket List
CultureMonasteries

Royal Houses and Dynasties in Southwest Germany

In the Footsteps of Kings and Princes
CulturePalaces & castles

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Southwest Germany

Seven Great Milestones
CultureWorld heritage sites

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