Marienbrücke (Queen Mary’s Bridge) – BEST View of Neuschwanstein Castle!

If you’re looking for the BEST view of Neuschwanstein Castle then you must visit Mary’s Bridge (Marienbrücke).

This incredible suspension bridge near King Ludwig II’s fairytale fortress provides a panoramic view of the romantic countryside below.

As it hangs over a gorge at 90 metres above sea level, you will have to make a journey uphill to visit.

You can either hike for around 40 minutes or (thankfully) take a convenient shuttle bus.

This is well worth your time as these postcard-worthy views look like they have been plucked from the pages of a storybook.

Here is a complete guide for Marienbrücke, the best view of Neuschwanstein Castle!

Marienbrücke history

Queen Mary’s Bridge is famous for the whimsical views you get of Neuschwanstein Castle and is why over a million people visit each year.

However, it may surprise you to know that this bridge was constructed half a century before the castle was even built.

King Maximilian II had the bridge constructed for his wife, Queen Marie of Prussia, in 1845 as a birthday present.

Queen Marie was very fond of hiking and he named the bridge after her.

It was their son, King Ludwig II, who rebuilt the bridge out of steel in 1866.

This was around the same that construction of his beloved Neuschwanstein Castle started.

It was an ambitious and innovative architectural project at the time as it was suspended 200 feet above sea level and reinforced using steel cables.

Following King Ludwig’s mysterious death at Lake Starnberg which caused quite a scandal, Neuschwanstein Castle was opened to the public.

The bridge quickly became a popular vantage point for tourists as everyone wanted to see Ludwig’s genius creation.

Marienbrücke has since been refortified over several generations and remains open to the public.

The BEST view of Neuschwanstein Castle

Today, Marienbrücke is one of the most popular places to visit in all of Germany.

Mary’s Bridge is easily the best view of Neuschwanstein Castle and it’s well worth your time if you’re on a Romantic Road trip.

From this vista, you can take in a magical view that has inspired millions of people around the world including the one and only Walt Disney.

Many say that Mr. Disney used this castle to inspire Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at Disneyland Anaheim in California.

This is one of my favourite places in the whole world and I would highly encourage you to visit!

On my first trip to Schwangau, I was devastated to find out that they had closed the bridge.

So, when I finally was able to take in this magnificent view I was brought to tears.

My heart felt so full as this view truly looked like it was from another time.

How to get to Marienbrücke

The Marienbrücke Bridge can be found in Schwangau in Bavaria which is on the edge of the Alps in the Swabia region.

This is close to the border of Austria and is just a few kilometres from the colourful yet overlooked town of Füssen.

If you’re travelling from Münich, regular trains run from München Hauptbahnhof to Füssen daily. 

You can alight at Füssen station and then take one of the public buses straight to Schwangau visitor centre to visit the castle and bridge.

There is also a Flixbus from Münich that will take you to the castle in the summer season. 

Both the castle and bridge are on a hillside and you can’t drive up to them.

You must arrive in the village, park up and then make your way to the bridge by walking uphill or taking the shuttle bus.

Why not book a Neuschwanstein Castle tour?

If you would rather not organise travel yourself to Neuschwanstein Castle, then you can always opt to take a guided tour. 

There are many options that run from Munich all year and are a great way to save both time and money.

Most of the time the bus will drop you in the village and then you have ‘free time’ to explore as you choose. 

Walking to Neuschwanstein Castle Bridge

If you’re choosing to walk to Marienbrucke, then it’s good to know that it’s around 30-40 minutes from the village.

Although not a lengthy venture at 1.5 kilometres, the entire walk is uphill so it can be challenging for many. 

There are a few routes in the area that will lead you to the bridge.

The one they advertise through the forest is quite steep, uneven and uncomfortable. 

I find that it’s easiest to take the main concrete road that leads you to Neuschwanstein Castle and then walk to the bridge downhill from there. 

If you choose to walk this way there are some gorgeous panoramic views of the castle on your way up and of Schwangau village below.

You can see the Alps, Hohenschwangau Castle and for miles over the area if it’s a clear day.

But, of course, it’s up to you. Either way, it’s still quite a steep trek from the village.

To save time and energy, you may wish to take the shuttle bus that takes you straight up to the bridge.

Marienbrücke shuttle bus

If you don’t fancy walking, then you can take a shuttle bus that takes you straight to Queen Mary’s Bridge.

This is a very popular service and doesn’t run on any particular schedule. It runs on demand and, let me tell you, demand is always high.

The only thing to keep in mind is the first shuttle departs around 8 am from the village.

The last departure uphill is at 5.30 pm and the last return shuttle from the bridge is 6.45 pm in summer which is well before sunset. 

So, if you were hoping for sunset photos, it’s going to be a long walk back down the hill!

If the shuttle is running, these times change in winter. So, make sure to double-check this before you plan your visit.

You will pay €3 to go up to the bridge and €2 to come back down. For a return ticket is  €3.50. So, I recommend paying for the return journey. 

Payments are only taken in cash. Yes, cash is still very much king in Germany.

I would recommend having some with you as the only ATM in the village is a scammy Euronet with extortionate conversion and withdrawal fees. 

From the bus stop, know that you will still have to walk around 5 minutes uphill to the bridge. 

A warning about winter

It’s good to note that they often close Marienbrücke in winter if the paths are deemed unsafe for visitors. 

On my first visit here they closed off the Neuschwanstein Castle Bridge due to heavy snow and ice. 

I was devastated, to say the least, but that’s the gamble you take visiting during the off-season. 

Another thing is that they often don’t have a shuttle bus service in winter or during adverse weather. So, the best option is to walk if it’s not running.

There is a horse and carriage service that can take you up to the castle all year. You can then walk twenty minutes to the bridge. 

These have electricity-powered carriages to help the horses. However, I would encourage you to walk up the hill and not use this service if you are able. 

The walk isn’t that bad and I witnessed some of the harsh treatment of the animals during my visit. It left much to be desired.

Arriving at Marienbrücke 

When you arrive at the Queen Mary’s Bridge you may find that there is a large queue that has formed at the entry gate.

You see, the bridge is limited to around 200 people for safety so this can often get full. 

There’s even a screen now that monitors how many people are standing on it (and how many people have passed through).

However, no one seems to be monitoring this number at all as no one staffs the bridge.

You may also find that when you get onto the bridge that it is only half full.

This is because visitors seem to only crowd around the part of the bridge near the entry gate.

The rest of the bridge is quite empty as most people don’t shift down. This is silly as the views are great from all over the bridge.

You can’t do anything about this though. So, you just have to wait in line like the rest. It’s annoying but there’s nothing you can do about it. 

If you wanted to avoid a long queue, I would visit this bridge early in the morning or the evening for fewer crowds. 

I found that the evening was pretty empty.

The most romantic view in the world

Once you finally step onto Marienbrücke, you will be greeted with the most majestic and romantic view in all of Germany. 

When I first stepped onto this bridge, I burst into tears as I was just so happy to finally see this view. 

I had already visited once in winter and the bridge was closed off. So, to climb up the hill and then be treated to this view was a dream come true. 

It’s easy to see why famous figures like Walt Disney have been inspired by this whimsical vista.

This fairytale castle is breathtaking and visiting makes you feel that anything is possible.

There will be lots of other people on the bridge with you but it’s easy to wait your turn and get some empty photos of you with the castle.

Something not many people talk about is how scary the bridge is to cross either. It shakes a lot and the 90 metre drop can be pretty daunting.

Do you have to pay to visit Marienbrücke?

No, the amazing thing about visiting Schwangau is that you don’t have to pay to visit the best viewpoint of Neuschwanstein Castle.

Marienbrücke is completely FREE to visit in Germany! It’s part of the reason why millions visit this area every single year. 

I couldn’t believe it myself but it’s true. One of the best views in the entire world won’t cost you a single penny. 

Marienbrücke opening times

As far as I am aware, the Marienbrücke is open from dawn until dusk.

It does have a gate but I’m not sure if they close this at night when the bridge is open as many people hike in this area. 

In summer, I visited this bridge around 9.30 pm / 10 pm. It was great as most people had gone home and I had it to myself!

It did mean a walk back down to the village in the dark but, fortunately, the path was well-lit with street lamps.

Is Marienbrücke worth visiting? 

Most definitely! You must visit Queen Mary’s Bridge in Bavaria.

Not only is it the ultimate Romantic Road experience but Neuschwanstein Castle is the most famous castle in the world.

Going inside the castle does cost money and you’re cattle herded through. You also can’t take any photos inside.

However, visiting this spectacular viewpoint won’t cost you a single cent and it’s easily the best photography location.

Don’t skip a visit to Neuschwanstein’s Marienbrücke in Germany. It’s like stepping into a portal that leads to a fantasy world. 

My top tips for visiting 

• Visit outside of the castle opening hours – if you want to visit this bridge in peace and not have to queue, I would visit either early in the morning or later in the evening. 

• Wear sensible footwear – Even if you take the shuttle bus, there are steep paths to access the bridge. Wear sensible footwear.

• Take layers – as you’re in a mountain region and you’re walking quite high up, I would have layers prepared. Weather can be temperamental.

• Bring water and snacks – if you do opt to hike up to the bridge, make sure to keep hydrated and bring snacks. There is a coffee hut by the castle.

• Toilets – there are no toilets at Marienbrücke Bridge, there are only toilets at the castle twenty minutes’ walk away. 

• Respect the rules – Please don’t jump over fences and walk in prohibited areas. It’s blocked for your safety.

Other viewpoints of Neuschwanstein Castle

Other ‘Instagrammable’ views of the castle can be found around the park which many photographers have advertised on social media channels.

However, most of these famous views have now been fenced off for your safety.

I saw many people jumping these fences on my visit to capture the views but my rule-abiding self could never.

Not only is this illegal (remember it’s still privately owned by the House of Wittelsbach) but they have blocked it off for good reason as it is not safe. 

Why not visit the Neuschwanstein Castle viewing platform? 

A far safer option would be to visit the viewing platform directly outside of Neuschwanstein Castle.

Yes, it can get busy but it’s easy to queue up and get a nice photo of you standing in front of the castle if you come armed with patience.

As they often close Marienbrücke Bridge in winter when it snows, this is a great photo option for those who can’t visit.

The best part is that they have a kiosk nearby where you can purchase souvenirs and warm up with a cup of hot cocoa or Glühwein! 

I went here in winter and I loved the mugs that they sold. You could get the mug, hot drink and a cookie for around €7. What a bargain. 

Who built Neuschwanstein Castle?

Schloss Neuschwanstein was built by King Ludwig II, also known as the Swan King and Fairytale King due to his enchanting castle projects.

Neuschwanstein translates to New Swan Stone and the construction was heavily inspired by the tale of the Swan Knight, Lohengrin. 

Ludwig was obsessed with legends, fairytales, astronomy and medieval kings of old. 

When he became a monarch at 18, he had little experience. Then, when Bavaria became part of the ‘German Empire’, Ludwig had very little power in his role. 

This defeat made him idolise absolute monarchs like King Henry VIII and Louis XIV. 

He wanted to build a medieval retreat in the mountains where he could escape court life. 

Ludwig found comfort in music and plays and he greatly admired Richard Wagner who wrote the opera Lohengrin. Ludwig became his patron and dedicated the castle to him. 

Ludwig took inspiration from ‘old German knight’s castles’ like Wartberg and renovated medieval castles like Chateau de Pierrefonds. 

The interior paintings were inspired by legends and poetry that feature in Wagner’s operas. 

The history of Neuschwanstein Castle

The construction started in 1869 but, unfortunately, this fairytale castle would never be finished.

Tragically, King Ludwig II’s life was cut short at just 40 years old under highly mysterious circumstances. It is still something that is widely debated today.

“I want to remain an eternal mystery to myself and others” – King Ludwig II. 

King Ludwig funded the castle out of his personal fortune and extensive borrowing from foreign banks. 

Eventually, the loans had to be repaid but Ludwig simply ignored the debts and reminders and kept spending. 

His advisors took immediate action and they had him diagnosed as insane without examination.

They then deposed him from the throne on the 12th of June 1886 and imprisoned him at Schloss Berg.

The following day he was found dead in Lake Starnberg along with the therapist who diagnosed him. There is now a memorial cross laid at the site.

His death was officially ruled as a suicide but there was no investigation carried out to say otherwise. 

Many people dispute this and believe it was a plot or tragic accident.

The castle project stopped immediately and many of the 200 rooms constructed were never finished or decorated. 

Fairytale Castle & Walt Disney 

Just seven weeks after the reclusive king’s death they opened his fairytale castle to the public as a museum. 

One notable visitor who fell in love with this fortress was Walt Disney. He took a trip around Europe and was inspired by Ludwig’s creations. 

It is said that he used Neuschwanstein Castle to inspire Cinderella’s Castle in the animation as well as Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in Disneyland California. 

Bavaria was to inspire many more of Disney’s projects like Pinocchio. 

Indeed, he used the Plönlein in Rothenburg ob der Tauber for Geppetto’s home. 

Today, Neuschwanstein is the most famous castle in the world and over a million people visit every year. 

Is Neuschwanstein Castle worth going inside?

You may be happy to know that you can go inside Neuschwanstein Castle but visiting this fairytale keep is only allowed by a guided tour.

Although many of the rooms inside the castle weren’t finished, your tour will take you to the 14 lavish staterooms and apartments that were completed.

These tours take around 30 minutes and you can book tickets online.

It’s recommended to book your tour as far in advance as possible they do tend to sell out.

I think that this fairytale castle is well worth going inside as the interiors are just as magical.

The state rooms that were completed in this medieval retreat are majestic with the finest attention to detail.  

Opulent paintings of legends grace the walls like the Swan Knight and St George slaying the dragon. 

There are symbols of mythology, lavish furnishings, clandestine grottos and sumptuous rooms. It was so beautiful, inspirational and vibrant. 

It’s a look inside the mind of a visionary and an extraordinary monarch who was years ahead of his time.

This castle honestly took my breath away and I was astounded on my tour. You must go inside, at least once. 

Don’t skip Hohenschwangau Castle

Many people don’t realise that there are two castles in Schwangau and the second is Hohenschwangau Castle of King Maximilian II. 

Although it is often overlooked, you may be surprised to know that this yellow Neo Gothic fortress was built here first! 

It was the summer home of King Ludwig II and a place that inspired him to build Neuschwanstein Castle.

You can only go inside with a guided tour and it is well worth the money.

Even if you don’t take a tour, walking around the courtyard and gardens is an attraction in itself and is completely free of charge. 

Museum of Bavarian Kings

If you want to learn about the castles and the extensive history of Wittelsbach rulers, then you must visit the Museum of Bavarian Kings. 

The House of Wittelsbach was one of Europe’s oldest dynasties and ruled over Bavaria from the 12th to 20th centuries.

There were a fair few controversial family members such as the abdicated King Ludwig I and his mistress Lola Montez who inspired a revolution.

Not to mention Empress Elizabeth of Austria or ‘Sisi’, was born a Duchess of Bayern. Her sister Sophie was engaged to Ludwig II for a short time. 

The story ends with Luitpold who deposed Otto I from the throne and became Ludwig III, the last King of Bavaria. 

Tickets can be bought online or at the desk and you don’t need a specific time slot to visit. You can turn up at any time during the day.

Other things to do in Schwangau

Hohenschwangau village may be small but there are quite a few things to see in this royal hamlet. 

There are a few shops and cafés that will be open and have some pretty souvenirs to buy.

Or, my favourite part was visiting Alpsee Lake. It beautifully reflects the mountains and you can even see some swans that make a home here.

There is a well-marked path that you can take on an easy scenic stroll and I would recommend it, even for a short time. 

Where to eat in Schwangau

I would recommend eating a Schloss Bräustüberl Hohenschwangau.

It’s a beautiful tavern in the village next to the Museum of the Bavarian Kings and has some amazing traditional dishes on the menu.

They have pork with dumplings, steaming bowls of stew, beef cuts, vegetarian options and some delectable warm desserts as well.

I always eat here on my trips to Schwangau as I love their interiors and beer garden with a view of Hohenschwangau Castle.

The inside of this restaurant is not only cosy but stunning with vaulted arches, floral displays and old oil lamps. You can see also portraits of Bavarian royalty on the walls.

The service was not only prompt but excellent. They take both cash and card payments. Also, look out for the King Ludwig beer mats!

Where to stay in Schwangau

Most travellers opt to stay in Füssen on a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle but did you know that you can stay in the village itself? 

AMERON Resort & Spa Alpsee is located right in the centre and is a luxury resort which makes a magical retreat. 

They have boutique rooms, restaurants, a bar, pool and spa facilities.

I’ve stayed here twice now and my room had the perfect view of Hohenschwangau Castle from my window.

It is so special waking up here each day and their breakfast hall has a romantic view of Neuschwanstein Castle!

Don’t forget Füssen

It’s easy to forget that this area of Bavaria isn’t just the attractions surrounding Neuschwanstein Castle. 

If you have time, I would highly recommend exploring the colourful town of Fussen before heading back to Munich.

It’s often overlooked which is a shame as it’s so charming. There are some wonderful views over the river and cute cafes and boutiques.

I particularly enjoyed my visit to the High Palace which has a panoramic tower and some stunning medieval portrait galleries.

Also, you should visit the Füssen Heritage Museum in St Mang Monastery.

This has a dreamy pink library and the famous Dance Macabre by Jakob Hiebeler. 

Why not visit Linderhof Palace?

Linderhof Palace is also only 44 kilometres by car from Neuschwanstein Castle which is approximately a one-hour drive through the valley.

It’s another incredible castle built by King Ludwig II that is magnificent with lots of opulent rooms to explore. 

He built it as a tribute to his favourite king and the longest-reigning monarch in history; Louis XIV aka The Sun King. 

There are also extensive formal gardens to explore with a Moorish House and the whimsical Venus Grotto. 

Read more of my Germany travel guides

How to visit the magical Munich Law Library 

The baroque hidden gem of Asamkirche

How to Visit Burg Eltz Castle

How to visit Wiblingen Abbey Library 

Visiting Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin

Tips for visiting the Brandenburg Gate

Upper Lusatian Library of Sciences

Pfunds Molkerei – Most Beautiful Dairy Shop in the World

Visit the Duchess Anna Amalia Library in Weimar 

How to visit the Drachenschlucht in Eisenach (Dragon Gorge)

Save the best view of Neuschwanstein Castle for later!