Romantic Road Germany
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Schwangau, Germany

Schwangau is the penultimate town on the route south along the Romantic Road.

Smaller than its bustling neighbour Füssen, it boasts however one of the most popular "sights" in the whole of Germany.

But not everything revolves around Ludwig's "fairytale castle, and the villages of Schwangau and Hohenschwangau and the nearby surroundings boast some gorgeous lake and mountain scenery which will suit any traveller bursting for some activity on their own away from the towns and history of the Road.

View of Schwangau and the Forggensee
View of Schwangau and the Forggensee

Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the biggest draws in southern Germany and for those contemplating the Romantic Road route, so we have created a special page for advice about the castle:
Neuschwanstein Castle Information

And, although not as famous, the neighbouring castle of Hohenschwangau and the Alpsee lake on which it sits, can be an attractive alternative to the crowded tours of the more popular castle:
Hohenschwangau Castle Information

Where to stay in Schwangau?

Schwangau accommodation map

If you know when you are planning to go but haven't decided on accommodation, then use the map below to get an idea of which properties are available and to compare prices during the period you wish to travel.

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(Please note that this selection will also include some guesthouses, pensions and self-catering apartments for those who are interested in that form of accommodation!)

Check Schwangau accommodation availability

If you know when you are planning to go but haven't decided on accommodation, then use the searchbox below to get an idea of which properties are available and to compare prices during the period you wish to travel.

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History of Schwangau

Schwangau, in its position at the foot of the mountains and surrounded by lakes, was a popular location for settlement dating back into the Stone Age.

With the Romans and their construction of the Via Claudia Augusta through to present-day Augsburg, Schwangau became a military base.

The remains of a private Roman bathing house have been discovered at the base of the Tegelberg cable car during work on the lift and there are remains of other villas in the region.

View of Schwangau and the Forggensee
The church of St Koloman near Schwangau

As the Romans withdrew over the centuries, the area was take over by various Germanic tribes. Following the arrival of Christianity in the 8th century, the first official mention of the name Schwangau is made in a document from the 11th century, referring to fortifications on the hill where Neuchwanstein Castle now stands.

The settlement and the castles above it changed hands many times over the centuries, effected especially by the financial problems which plagued the noble owners and the repeated outbreaks of the plague.

Eventually, the former castles were left as ruins, until Maxmilian II rebuilt Hohenschwangau Castle in the early 19th century and his son, Ludwig II, started on the construction of the fabulous Neuschwanstein Castle in the late 19th century.

At the turn of the century, the advent of mountain tourism and especially the concept of a "cure" in the mountain air started to influence the local economy and the first hotels and pensions were built.

Neuschwanstein Castle and its alpine setting remain a potent attraction for the area and indeed for regional tourism.

Schwangau Tourist Office

The Schwangau tourist information office is located in the main part of the village (in other words, not up by the castles) in the Castle Brewery buildings. It is open mornings and afternoons on weekdays and on Saturday mornings.
Website: www.schwangau.de