Neuschwanstein Castle had been on my bucket list for years. When a cheap flight to Germany came my way, I booked it without thinking twice. It just happened to land in October, which meant visiting Neuschwanstein Castle in fall. I hadn’t planned the timing, but I’m so glad it worked out that way.
When to Visit Füssen for Fall Colors
Though it’s impossible to time colorful foliage perfectly, I highly recommend booking a trip for October, since it makes Germany feel even more fairytale-like. We were there the week of October 20th, and it turned out to be the best possible timing. Flights also tend to run a little cheaper this time of year, once peak summer travel dies down, which was part of what convinced us to book in the first place.
The weather ended up close to perfect too, with highs in the 60s°F (upper teens °C) and lows in the 40s°F (single digits °C), comfortable enough for just a light jacket. One thing to note: it can be quite rainy this time of year, and it rained on us a few times. On one of those days, we ducked into some of the town’s museums instead, which ended up being a nice way to spend a wet afternoon. Füssen is beautiful even in the rain, though, so bring an umbrella and you can still spend most of the day outside.
Mid-to-late October also meant fewer crowds than we’d have found in summer, or even in September during Oktoberfest. Plenty of visitors head down to Füssen from Munich once the festivities wrap up, since it’s only a two-hour train ride away.
Leaves drifted through the air all around, including around the castle and the mountains. Neuschwanstein Castle in the fall felt like a fairy tale. I’m already dreaming about going back, ideally during that same week again.
Neuschwanstein Castle
After having breakfast at our hotel, we headed straight to the castle, since we wanted to beat the crowd. We got there around 9am, and it was not very crowded at all!
We parked in one of the lots below and made our way up. It’s about a 30 to 40 minute climb, but there’s also a bus available if you’d rather skip it. It’s quite the workout and got our hearts beating, but Neuschwanstein Castle in the fall made every step worth it. This particular day was incredibly windy, and watching the leaves fly around the castle was surreal. (core memory unlocked)
One thing to note: you need to book a timed tour in advance to actually go inside the castle. We opted out of that and were happy just walking the grounds outside. Don’t skip Marienbrücke, also known as Queen Mary’s Bridge, just up the trail past the castle. It offers the best view of Neuschwanstein, and it did not disappoint.
From the top, you can also spot Hohenschwangau Castle in the distance. It’s the smaller, yellow castle where Ludwig II, the king who built Neuschwanstein, actually grew up. The views were stunning, easily one of my favorite places I’ve ever been. We spent about an hour taking it all in before making the trek back down. Plenty of cafes and restaurants wait at the bottom of the hike, perfect if you’ve worked up an appetite or just need a caffeine boost.
Where We Stayed in Füssen
We stayed at Boutique Hotel Dreimäderlhaus, right on Lake Weißensee just outside Füssen, and we loved it. It’s exactly the vibe you picture when you think Bavaria.
Even the drive out to the hotel gave us more of that incredible fall foliage, framing the road the whole way. The view from our room looked straight out over the lake and the mountains. It was stunning everywhere we turned.
The hotel sits about 10 minutes from downtown Füssen, so a rental car is essentially a must if you stay here. There’s technically a bus option that runs to the main town, but having a car made getting around effortless. I always recommend renting one anyway, since the freedom lets you see so much more, and stay at hotels like this one that are a little further out.
Being just outside the city ended up being one of our favorite parts of the stay. It felt quiet and peaceful, with Lake Weißensee stretching out right outside our window.
Breakfast was a highlight every single morning: fresh breads, pastries, yogurt, fruit, and coffee. It doesn’t get better than starting your day with a good meal and a great view.
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