Photograph Neuschwanstein Castle

As a former tour guide, I've spent years taking groups to visit the region around Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria. Which means I can share the best spots to take photos of these magnificent castles that you can take when you only have one day to visit them.

There are some great guides that will share with you some extreme hikes to the best photo spots, but if you are on a day trip from Munich, the reality is, you probably have limited time. So here are my tips for how to walk to the best photo spots around Neuschwanstein castle.

1. Photo of Neuschwanstein from the Marienbrücke (the Maria Bridge).
There is a shuttle bus that drives up here from the P4 car park. Whilst this can save you the uphill walk, sometimes the line can be as long as the walk itself, so if there's a really long line for the bus and you're fit and healthy, you'll probably be able to walk up just as fast. The benefit of walking up is you'll walk up past the front of the castle, so you can get some pictures of the front side from the viewing platform. To get to the bridge, keep walking past the castle. You'll get to another lovely lookout over the lakes with a great view over the other castle, Hohenschwangau. Just another few minutes and you'll get to the metal bridge where you've got the best views back to the castle. If you are short for time, and the line is short, take the bus back down. There are usually fewer people waiting to take it back down than up ;-)

2. Photo of Hohenschwangau Castle from the walkway towards the Marienbrücke from Neuschwanstein

I mentioned this one above. As you've walking from the castle to the bridge you'll come to a walled area. Take a moment to enjoy the view down below of the Alpsee lake and the Schwansee Lake with the Hohenschwangau castle in the foreground.

3. Photo of both castles from the Alpsee Lake

If you have the time, take a walk around the larger Alpsee lake that's past the P4 car and coach parking. Not only is the lake beautiful, but so is the view from the lake back towards the two castles.

4. Photos of the Traditional Bavarian Buildings

Not the castles, but you can't visit here and not photograph the beautiful traditional Bavarian buildings too.