A Pocket Guide to Fussen, Germany
Plan a wonderful trip with our Fussen travel guide.
Nestled in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, Fussen is mainly known as a gateway to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle (and Hoheschwangau).
It's true, but we also believe there's more to this little town than being the starting point of the fairytale Disney castle.
Fussen boasts a stunning location, with the Alps towering in the background and the River Lech flowing by. It also has its own medieval castle, cute little Altstadt, and alpine scenery as a backdrop. It can't get any better, right?
What's There to See and Do in Fussen?
At first glance, we thought there was little to see and do in Fussen, but that's not entirely true. Sure, the historic center is small, but you can spend a few hours just in the Hohes Schloss and St. Mang's Abbey if you're interested in art, history, and museums.
Fussen also has a good network of walking and cycling trails that are ideal for exploring on warm summer days. Lastly, the Lech River and the Ammergau Alps surrounding the town make up for great views.
Spend a Night in Fussen
There are two main reasons for staying in Fussen. It's a great way to explore the old town when all the day trippers leave and the atmosphere gets more relaxed.
Another reason is that it makes a great base for checking out this dramatic corner of Bavaria, especially if you plan a longer stay. This allows you to explore not only the Fussen area but also places like Wieskirche or Linderhof Palace.
Either way, as Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most visited places in Germany, you can be sure to find a variety of accommodations for all budgets. Fussen has plenty of nice hotels in the mid-range category, though the prime locations make them a bit pricier (our tip is to book ahead to save some money).
Hotel Sonne is one of the best hotels in Fussen, and it would've been our top pick if we'd stayed there. Another good place to stay is Best Western Plus Hotel Fussen (modern, clean, on-site parking, etc.).
You can also find cheap hostels in Fussen, which isn't true of all expensive destinations. The Bavaria City Hostel and Youth Hostel Fussen offer affordable rooms and are popular among backpackers and budget travelers.
St. Mang's Abbey
The Benedictine abbey in Fussen was founded in the 9th century by the Prince-Bishops of Augsburg for both spiritual and political reasons.
Museum of Fussen
The south wing is now home to the Museum of Fussen, which tells the story of the town and holds some 1000-year-old artifacts as well as a beautiful collection of historical lutes and violins. Among the main highlights of Fussen Abbey are the baroque Prince's Hall, a beautiful library, and the refectory with frescoes and sculptures.
Tickets: The entry fee to St. Mang's Abbey is €6 for adults.
St. Mang Church
There is also a baroque St. Mang Church, which you can enter if you have time. We didn't have much extra time and honestly weren't in the mood to see the museum since we'd already toured two castles that morning.
If you do, St. Mang's Abbey is located below the Hohes Schloss, which gives you the opportunity to see it before the castle.
Franciscan Monastery of St Stephen
If you arrive in Fussen on a particularly busy day, head out to Fussen Franciscan Monastery. Admittedly, we headed there not for the monastery but for the views of Fussen, which are pretty cool from this place.
The church is more modest than the St. Mangs' but has a lovely (but again tiny) park where you can relax before returning to the town center.
Our Tip: There is a small archway tucked below the monastery, marking the end of the Romantic Road road trip. We stumbled upon it by chance, and there it was, just a small sign that said Ende der Romantischen Straße. No fanfare. If you're struggling to find it, just walk down Franziskanerplatz toward the Lech River.
Explore the Old Town
Fussen has a tiny historic center, which is not surprising given its size and population. And by tiny, we mean you could walk from one end to another in five minutes. Nevertheless, the Altstadt (that's the German word for Old Town) is pedestrian-friendly and fun to explore.
We found there everything we would expect from such a town: some hotels, restaurants, stores, and colorful houses with traditional Bavarian architecture. Practically all of Fussen's attractions were within the historic center, so it didn't take long to see them all.
Another thing worth mentioning is that we visited Fussen on a weekday during shoulder season, and everything was pretty quiet. Apparently, it gets really packed in summer, so we loved having the cobblestone streets mostly to ourselves.
Start or Finish Your Romantic Road Adventure in Fussen
A 'slow travel' alternative to the A7 motorway is the Romantic Road, a 450-kilometer route that connects Wurzburg with Fussen. It's scenic and full of amazing stops, although traveling this route can take a while.
We loosely followed it: for instance, we stopped at Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Augsburg but also took a side trip to Legoland. You can easily tweak your itinerary as necessary, but we do recommend exploring at least a few stops along the way.
Either way, the picturesque Fussen couldn't be a better place to start or complete your journey. If it's the former, try traditional meals like Kasespatzle or Schnitzel with Apfelstrudel to have some extra energy for the upcoming journey (or the popular Schneeballs, which we already tried in Rothenburg). If it's the letter, grab a locally-produced Weizenbier to wrap up this fantastic road trip.
Visit Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau from Fussen
Even though the town is lovely, most tourists come to the Fussen area mainly because of the fantasy Neuschwanstein Castle. It was built by King Ludwig II during the 19th century. Nowadays, it's one of the top tourist spots in Germany. We did a Neuschwanstein guided tour, and while it was short and expensive, the richly decorated interiors were worth it. The tour itself could have been better, though.
While Neuschwanstein is the main attraction that draws tourists to the Fussen area, there's another castle less than two kilometers from it worth exploring. We're talking about the Hohenschwangau Castle, a 12th-century ruin rebuilt by Maximilian II, Ludwig's father.
Hohenschwangau was more modest than Neuschwanstein, but it was less crowded, and the guided tour was great. Both castles are accessible by guided tours only, so we bought the Kings Ticket, which included both and was slightly cheaper.
Our Tip: Neuschwanstein tickets are often sold out on the official website, but you can always check local travel agencies that might still have some available for your dates. This Neuschwanstein Castle Skip-the-Line Ticket can be picked up in Fussen, which is quite convenient if you start your day from there.
Walk Around the River Lech
After crossing the King Ludwig Bridge, we turned onto a nice and easy walking path that led along the River Lech all the way to Altstadt. The paved trail stretches for about a kilometer to Baumgarten, although you can continue a bit further to see the Lechfall.
It's a lovely area for an easy stroll, but we really enjoyed the views of clouded mountains and an emerald-colored Lech River.
Hiking and Cycling in Fussen
On the day of our visit to Fussen, the weather was not on our side, so we focused on the castles rather than on the local hiking trails. The mountains were covered in clouds for most of the day, and the occasional rain/snow showers made the idea of hiking less than appealing.
Still, we decided to explore at least a couple of short Fussen trails. We walked from Schwangau to Neuschwanstein and then to Hohenschwangau, and then we explored the Alpsee shore trail for a bit. It was not much (especially compared to our autumn adventures at the Konigsee area, where we hiked to Obersee and Eagle's Nest), but the weather was simply against this time.
Anyway, the area around Fussen is home to an extensive network of walking, cycling, and hiking trails that allow you to explore Hopfensee, Weißensee, Forggensee, Alpsee, and tons of other places.
Three Castles Trail
If you ask us which trail in Fussen we would recommend, it would be the 6-kilometer (one-way) Three Castles Trail (Drei Schlosses Weg). This easy to moderately challenging trail starts at Fussen town, climbs to Kalvarienberg (nice views from here), descends to Schwansee Lake, and continues to Hohenschwangau.
It's perfect for those who're looking for a lovely hike but at the same time don't want to spend hours hiking in the mountains.
Tegelberg Loop Hike
Tegelberg Loop Hike (Tegelberg Runde) is your best bet if you're looking for a challenge. With 19 kilometers and an elevation gain of 1100 meters, Tegelberg Loop is the hardest hike in Fussen.
It was on our wishlist, but the weather said no. There was simply no reason to hike up there in such poor weather conditions or even take a cable car to enjoy the views (there were simply none). And yes, Tegelbergbahn is a good alternative if you're pressed for time or just not in the mood for hiking.
For this trail, make sure to bring good hiking boots, a rain jacket, and plenty of water with you, and don't forget to check the weather forecast before you go.
Tour the Fussen's Hohes Schloss
Our favorite thing to do in Fussen was the self-guided tour at Hohes Schloss, an impressive fortress towering high above the town of Fussen. It was a short climb to reach the castle's courtyard from Lech River's shores, but it was worth the effort.
We were in a bit of a hurry, but the ticket clerk assured us we'd need just 30-60 minutes for the castle. The interiors of Hohes Schloss lacked the grandeur of Nuremberg Castle and Veste Coburg, but we didn't find that too important.
We were more surprised that we were practically the only people there, apart from the museum and an elderly couple. It's true that even Neuschwanstein was quieter if you can call it that, but there were still lots of people. The Hohes Schloss was quiet.
The history of Hohes Schloss dates back to the 13th century, though it was fundamentally redesigned between 1489 and 1504. It was once the summer residence of the Prince-Bishops of Augsburg. Today, it displays regional paintings and sculptures from the 15th and 16th centuries alongside a collection of 19th-century artworks.
The absolute highlight was the carved wooden ceiling in the Knight's Hall and the climb to the old Gate Tower (well, not the climb itself), which offers the best views of Fussen and the nearby Alps.
By the way, the facade of Hohes Schloss, which is decorated with 3D-like paintings, is also pretty unique and spectacular. It was pretty shocking to find out that the ornated castle features are not real (the technique is called trompe l'oeil and we have already seen it in Wurzburg Residence).
Opening Times: Hohes Schloss Fussen is open from April to October from 11 AM to 4 PM between Tuesday and Sunday. It remains open in the off-season (November to March) from 1 PM to 4 PM but only between Friday and Sunday.
Entry Fee: The entry fee to Hohes Schloss Fussen was €6 for adults, and we bought the ticket at the site (and paid by card).
How Much Time to Spend in Fussen
If we're talking just about the town, a couple of hours in Fussen should suffice. It's a compact and walkable town with a tiny Altstadt, a few places to eat, and some sights to see. As the historic part is picturesque and compact, we believe Fussen is worth seeing even if you're pressed for time.
If you plan to visit the Hohes Schloss, St. Mang's Abbey, walk around the historic center, and maybe have a meal in a restaurant, we do believe that roughly 3-5 hours should be enough for Fussen.
1 Day: The bigger picture includes some trips to Fussen surroundings if you decide to base yourself there. And that's the tricky part. We do believe a full day should be plenty for the Fussen town + Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles (and the Kalvarienberg hike if you want to stay active).
2 Days: Two days in Fussen are, in our view, simply too much. On the other hand, those pressed for time can easily walk around the town and even visit the castle or abbey in less than two hours. As you can clearly see, you don't need that much time to spend in Fussen if your itinerary doesn't allow it.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
When to Visit Fussen
Fussen sits at the Bavarian Alps foothills, so it's not difficult to figure out that weather played a major role in our overall experience. Technically, we can say Fussen is an all year round destination, but as you'll see in a second, it's not that easy.
Spring & Autumn: We went to Fussen in April (roughly mid-spring), and the weather, which still kept its last wintery vibes, was miserable on the day of our visit. Mary's Bridge was closed, we couldn't hike to Tegelberg, and the Alps were shrouded in clouds. And it was downright chilly.
To put things in perspective, we were sweltering in Regensburg a week earlier. This is a common theme with weather during spring and autumn, and you need to be prepared for every occasion.
Summer: That's why the most popular time to visit Fussen is summer. You just need to brace yourself with patience as this is the prime time for most visitors to come to see Neuschwanstein and the Ammergau Alps.
Winter: Then there's the winter that makes Fussen either a wonderland covered in snow or a cold, gray, and dull place that's definitely less fun to explore than during sunny, warm days. Lastly, be prepared that the weather is a bit colder here than the rest of Bavaria. Not by much, but it's good to know.
How to Get to Fussen
Fussen is easily reached by car, train, or bus. We visited the Fussen area on a day trip, starting in Augsburg and finishing the day in Dachau. We toured Bavaria in our own car, but you can easily rent a car in Munich (or even in Fussen).
Driving
Wherever you start your day, driving is the easiest way to reach Fussen. Fussen is about two hours from Munich, two and a half hours from Stuttgart, and three hours from Nuremberg and Salzburg (Austria).
The road to Fussen is easy to drive on, though you might hit heavy traffic during the peak season.
Train from Munich
You can easily get to Fussen by train (BRB RB68) from Bavaria's capital. If you prefer public transport, a train would be our go-to option on this route. Be prepared that there are usually just three direct trains per day departing Munich for Fussen (otherwise, the journey takes more time, and you need to change trains).
Another important thing to remember is that if you also want to see Neuschwanstein, the castle is about 5 kilometers outside the town. That can add up to anything between five minutes to one hour. You can rent a bike in Fussen, walk there, take a taxi, or catch a local bus to travel between both places.
Lastly, make sure to have enough time when planning the journey to catch the train back to Munich.
Bus from Munich
A FlixBus runs a bus between Munich and Fussen. The bus departs from Munich central bus station (Arnulfstraße 21), and the journey takes about two and a half hours.
Where to Park
Free Parking: We found free parking in Fussen outside the town just before we crossed the bridge over the Lech River. The parking was called, fittingly, Parkplatz Lechbrucke, and we initially stopped there to take photos of the beautiful scenery we saw from the car.
As parking in small German medieval towns is not always easy, we didn't take any risks and simply walked to Fussen's center from here. It was a 10-minute walk. The only downside was that it was quite small and almost full, even on a relatively quiet day.
Paid Parking: There are a few more parking options in Fussen. Parkplatz Morisse is one of the most popular parking lots in Fussen. It's large and reasonably priced, and you can reach the town center within 5 minutes.
Parking Garage: If you prefer to leave your car in a secured garage, check the Tiefgarage City Sparkassenhaus. Just avoid Tiefgarage Bahnhofsstraße if you have a rental car. It's just too narrow.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
