Let’s get right to it, shall we? 

Füssen is the closest city to Neuschwanstein Castle the fairytale palace that inspired Walt Disney. Many tourists arrive from Munich to Füssen, Germany, and immediately head out to the 19th-century castle Ludwig II held close to his heart.  

But there’s a "lute" more to liebe about Füssen — like its long history of crafting lute and violins.

This Bavarian town has its own history, picturesque lookouts, and castle to boot.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Ventura Carmona. Image Location: Heilig-Geist-Spitalkirche, Füssen, Germany

The best attractions in Füssen

Your eyes deserve to take in Füssen from more than the tour bus window. Consider this your shot list for an easy Insta story spree:

  • Heilig-Geist-Spitalkirche: a small church near the Lechbrücke bridge with an artsy red and gold facade.
  • Stadtbrunnen: a sculpture fountain of St. Magnus in Füssen Altstadt, Füssen’s Old Town.
  • Hohes Schloss: fantastic sights inside and outside of this gothic castle, partially built then redesigned between 1291 and 1504.
  • Lechfall: dazzling blue water cascades over rocks just south of Füssen city center.  

Things to do in Füssen

Füssen is a small town, the perfect size for a traveler who wants to say Keene ich schon (“been there, done that”). Here are our suggestions for things to do in Füssen on a day trip from Munich.  

  • The Museum of Fuessen is a great place to discover the town’s lute and violin history plus art and artifacts, all housed in a baroque-style former Benedictine abbey.
  • Catch a performance at Festspielhaus Neuschwanstein, especially the outdoor lakeside shows with the Alps as a backdrop.
  • You’re already visiting Neuschwanstein Castle, you might as well pop next door and check out Hohenschwangau Castle.
  • And while you’re at it, take a few paces more and stop at the Museum of the Bavarian Kings.

Image Credit: Getty Images, Hiroshi Higuchi. Image Location: Füssen, Germany

Visit Füssen's German Christmas Market

Weihnachtsmarkt Füssen is the annual Christmas market. It’s held during the first two weekends of advent in December and takes place in Old Town around the St. Magnus statue. Füssen turns into a winter wonderland, so when you’re not shopping stalls with mulled wine in hand, you can:

  • Go sledding in Galgenbichl.
  • Try your hand at curling or ice hockey at Bundesstützpunkt für Eishockey und Curling.
  • Take a treetop walk or wintery hike through Forest Experience Center Ziegelwies.

The best restaurants in Füssen

Füssen is in the Bavarian state of Germany — so scan the menu for regional staples like Bavarian Leberkäse (liver meatloaf), kasspatzen (spätzle with cheese), weisswurst (breakfast sausage), and kuchen (cake). Alert your appetite to these restaurants in Füssen:

  • Zum Franziskaner, where traditional Bavarian cuisine is as warm and welcoming as the dining room.
  • Madame Plüsch, who serves up the sausages you came all the way to Germany for.
  • Restaurant Ludwigs has that soup, salad, and schnitzel combo that hits different in Deutschland.
  • Schwangau Castle Brewery for locally brewed helles (traditional German beer).

Image Credit: Getty Images, Liudmila Kiermeier. Image Location: Füssen, Germany

The best places to stay in Füssen

The bad news is that you can’t pull a Sleeping Beauty and spend the night in Neuschwanstein Castle. The good news is that there are plenty of places to stay in Füssen that provide the royal treatment for you, your beau, and your budget. 

  • Hotel Hirsch in Füssen Germany is less than a 10-minute walk from the train station yet still has a peaceful Hirschgarten (traditional Bavarian biergarten) that feels far from Old Town.
  • Hotel Das Rübezahl is the charming spa hotel for couples with Neuschwanstein Castle always in view (except for when you’re beneath the sheets, of course).
  • Hotel Sommer sits on the shores of the Forggensee reservoir and is perfect for active travelers who want to get out and explore the Alps, no matter the season.
  • Villa Fantasia is a budget-friendly boutique hotel steps from Old Town and Hohes Schloss.

How to get to Füssen by train

Getting from Munich to Füssen, Germany, by train is super straightforward:

Getting to Neuschwanstein Castle

The best way to get from Füssen to Schloss Neuschwanstein without a car is to take the bus. The line 78 bus from Füssen to Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein, takes 8 min, including transfers and departs every 30 minutes.

Your other options are taking a taxi, which takes about 5 mins from $14–17, or traveling on foot from Füssen to Schloss Neuschwanstein. The walk to the castle from Füssen is a doable 3.5 miles and will take around 1h 7m.

Inspired by the enchanting setting? Check out these other magical trips:

Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Wu Swee Ong. Image Location: Füssen, Germany

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