Schwangau combines royal history with water and outdoor activities. Options range from independent museum visits and activities on the lakes to hikes that fill half a day or a full day. First consider whether culture, active days, or relaxation by the water and at the thermal spa should be the focus of your stay.
Royal History and Planning Your Visit
Neuschwanstein Castle is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria.” Hohenschwangau Castle has been preserved as an exceptional monument of the Romantic era. The Museum of the Bavarian Kings presents the history of the Bavarian royal family across 16 exhibition rooms on two floors and displays original exhibits as well as interactive museum technology. Unlike the royal castles, you can visit the museum independently, without a guided tour, with or without an audio guide.
Visits to the two royal castles, Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, are only possible as part of a guided tour. The royal castles cannot be reached by private car; visitors should use only the paid P1 to P4 car parks in the Hohenschwangau valley.
Lakes, Water Sports and Relaxation
Schwangau has a total of four lakes covering just under 14 square kilometres. Each lake offers its own leisure activities and views of the mountain landscape. The Forggensee, covering around 17 square kilometres, offers opportunities for sailing, rowing, stand-up paddleboarding and swimming. SUP boards, pedal boats and kayaks can be hired there, and lessons are also available.
On the south shore of the Alpsee is the Alpseebad, a natural outdoor swimming area with a wooden jetty, a floating island and extensive sunbathing lawns.
The Kristall Therme Schwangau offers six mineral and brine pools, five saunas and a steam bath. There are also relaxation areas, a restaurant, a café and a pool bar. The thermal spa offers views of Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle.
Hiking and Routes for Different Days
Schwangau’s hiking network covers more than 120 kilometres, ranging from easy walking paths and half- and full-day hikes to challenging mountain tours. The free hiking pass for children and adults is available from the Schwangau Tourist Information office and includes routes of varying difficulty. Trail conditions and seasonal availability may vary; check them before setting out on a particular route.
The signposted “Neuschwanstein View” circular route follows flat paths from Schwangau to Hohenschwangau. For longer hikes, Schwangau lies on the long-distance Lechweg trail: over 125 kilometres, it follows one of Europe’s last wild river landscapes, from the source of the Lech near Formarinsee in Lech am Arlberg to the Lech Falls in Füssen.
There is also a well-developed cycling network of more than 90 kilometres around Schwangau, with routes for families, leisure cyclists, e-bike riders and mountain bikers. Below Hohenschwangau Castle, Schwanseepark was once a royal landscape garden. Today, it is a local recreation area and a habitat for rare and protected plants.
In the wider Ostallgäu travel destination
In the district of Ostallgäu, the mountains in the southwest belong to the Vilser Gebirge range, and those in the southeast to the Ammergebirge range. At 2,082 metres, the Hochplatte is the highest mountain in Ostallgäu.
Discover more destinations: Horn, Stötten Am Auerberg, Pfronten, Germaringen, Obergünzburg, Kaufbeuren, Oberostendorf, Waal
Back to the wider travel guide: Ostallgäu.
