Things to do in Gran

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle is located in the foothills of the Alps in Bavaria, Germany, near the Austrian border and not far from the small town of Füssen. Built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a tribute to composer Wagner and inspired by the legend of the "Swan Knight" Lohengrin, construction began in 1869. Its fairy-tale appearance—white walls, blue domes, and scattered spires—served as the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is perennially regarded as Germany's tourism icon. The castle interior was originally planned to have over 200 rooms, but by the time of the king's death in 1886, only a dozen had been completed, each exquisitely crafted. The throne hall's dome is painted with a star-studded blue night sky, while the floor features mosaic patterns of flora and fauna, with a chandelier modeled after a Byzantine crown hanging high above. The Gothic double bed in the king's bedroom took over four years to carve by more than a dozen sculptors. The relatively large singers' hall in the castle, adorned with murals of "Lohengrin" and "Parsifal," was modeled after the Wartburg singers' hall and still hosts concerts every September. Swan motifs are nearly omnipresent, appearing in murals, door handles, and washstands. Interestingly, this medieval-inspired castle was already equipped with telephones, central heating, hot water, and automatic flushing toilets at the time, making it remarkably advanced for its era. To capture the classic postcard-perfect shot, head to Marienbrücke. This pedestrian bridge, suspended over the Pöllat Gorge, faces the southern facade of the castle and is not far from the bus drop-off point. It gets crowded in the afternoon, so an early visit is recommended. You can take the shuttle bus, a horse-drawn carriage, or hike up the mountain. The hiking route offers a bird's-eye view of the castle, and along the way, you can also see the yellow Hohenschwangau Castle, the old royal palace on the opposite hill. The castle's ending carries a touch of tragedy: Ludwig II built it with his private funds and loans, facing strong opposition from his ministers. On a late night in June 1886, he was arrested in his castle bedroom and mysteriously died days later by Lake Starnberg. Seven weeks later, the castle opened to the public. Today, visiting the interior requires following a guide, and photography is prohibited inside. Live guides provide commentary in English or German, while an audio guide is available for Chinese. Visitor guide To the castle There are three ways to reach the castle: taking the shuttle bus, riding a carriage, or going on foot. Most people choose to take the shuttle bus, then walk a short distance to Neuschwanstein Castle, where there is a viewing platform to overlook another castle—Hohenschwangau. You can also reach the castle by carriage, where you can enjoy picturesque scenery along the way, and the witty carriage driver will share legendary stories that happened here. After disembarking, it's just a short walk to the castle entrance. If you don't want to wait in line for the shuttle bus or prefer outdoor activities, you can also hike to Neuschwanstein Castle. Along the way, you can capture an aerial view of the castle, and there are relatively fewer travelers. Take a postcard-perfect photo of the castle Marienbrücke (Mary's Bridge) is located near the terminal stop of the uphill bus. This 100 m-high bridge spans between two cliffs, with its floor made of wooden planks that slightly bounce when stepped on. Here, you can capture the famous postcard-perfect shot of Neuschwanstein Castle. If you arrive early before your scheduled visit time, you can first head to Marienbrücke to photograph the beautiful view of Neuschwanstein Castle, as the bridge gets overcrowded after noon. Guided tour To visit the castle interior, you must follow the official guide. The guide provides services in English and German. You can also choose to use an audio guide (available in Chinese). After the visit, you can take a short break at the café inside the castle.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Allgau

Hohenschwangau Castle

Hohenschwangau Castle, a gem of the German Romantic period, ushered in its greatness just after its completion in the 12th century, and became a central theme in court lyric poetry at the time. The owners and builders of the castle were the knights of Schwangau. Silpot of Schwangau was one of the many knights who left his name, and a court lyric poet in the "Heidelberg Songbook" (also known as the "Codex Manasseh"). The knights of Schwangau were originally the fiefs of Wiffin and Staufen, and often came here as guests. The latter Staufen, Prince Conradin, who was beheaded at Napoli at the age of 16 (1268), used to live here.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Swabia

Altstadt von Fuessen

Altstadt von Fuessenis located in the southern tip of Bavaria, Germany, built along the Lech River with the majestic Alps as a backdrop. At an altitude of over 800m, it is one of the highest towns in Bavaria. It boasts a long medieval history, with ancient streets stretching along the river, where traditional architecture blends with the surrounding landscape, preserving a rich historical atmosphere while showcasing the tranquil and leisurely charm of a southern German town. The streets of this old town are lined with colorful gabled houses, featuring facades adorned with exquisite traditional murals, and red-tiled roofs of varying heights that create a layered streetscape. Cafes, specialty shops, and leisure spots are scattered along the streets, allowing visitors to stroll, shop, and admire the decorative details of the ancient buildings.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Swabia

Alpsee

Alpseeis located in the foothills of the Alps in southern Bavaria, Germany, nestled among the mountains. Far from the hustle and bustle, the forests, lake, and castles complement each other, creating a tranquil and beautiful natural landscape. The lake is surrounded by rounded mountains covered in dense forests, with lush green forests extending down the slopes to the lakeshore, creating a striking contrast with the clear, bright water. The lake water displays a charming blue-green color, and the water is clean, with the lakebed clearly visible in some shallow areas. There is a lakeside bathing area on the southern shore, where visitors can enjoy water activities in designated areas. The boathouse by the lake also offers pedal boat and rowboat rentals, allowing people to boat on the lake and admire the layered mountains, dense forests, and distant castles from the water.

No. 4 of Ski Resorts in Swabia

Skizentrum Pfronten

Highline179

Highline179 is located in the Reutte district of Tyrol, Austria, connecting the Ehrenberg Castle ruins and Fort Claudia. Walking across the bridge feels like floating above the valley, offering visitors a thrilling and highly scenic experience. The bridge is very narrow, and from the deck, you can take in the magnificent views of the surrounding mountains, deep valleys, castles, and forests. Hiking across it is an adventure in itself: the bridge sways slightly in the wind beneath your feet as the surrounding scenery shifts rapidly. This immersive experience gets your heart racing while allowing you to feel the awe of being one with nature. For photography enthusiasts, this is a great spot for capturing images, with the castle, valley, bridge, and sky forming a rich composition. It is open for a long season and can be experienced even in winter.

No. 1 of Ski Resorts in Gemeinde Tannheim

Tannheim - Neunerköpfle

No. 7 of Ski Resorts in Swabia

Sonnenhanglifte Unterjoch

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Allgau

Mary's bridge

Mary's bridge is located in Bavaria, Germany, spanning the Pöllat Gorge, just a few hundred meters from Neuschwanstein Castle, and is a great spot to enjoy a panoramic view of the castle. The bridge was built in the 19th century, initially as a wooden structure, and later replaced by a steel bridge. It is approx. 90 m long, suspended high in the air, and offers magnificent natural views. From the bridge, you can overlook the full view of Neuschwanstein Castle, especially in the early morning or at dusk, when the castle looks particularly charming against the sunlight. On the other side of the bridge are theAlps, where mountain peaks and forests intertwine, creating a pleasant landscape. Visitors often stop here to take photos, capturing the combination of the castle and nature. The trail to Mary's bridge starts from Neuschwanstein Castle. There are signs along the way, and it takes approx. 20 minutes to walk. The path is relatively steep, so wearing comfortable walking shoes is recommended. Space on the bridge is limited, and you may need to wait in line during peak season. There is a parking lot nearby, or you can take a bus or horse-drawn carriage to reach Neuschwanstein Castle, and then walk to the bridge.

Schwangau

Schwangau is a small town in the Swabia administrative region of Bavaria, Germany, belonging to the district of Ostallgau. It is located in the south of Bavaria, at the foot of the Allgäu Alps. Schwangau is an important scenic spot on the Romantic Road, and the village of Hohenschwangau within its borders is home to the famous tourist attractions Neuschwanstein Castle and Hohenschwangau Castle.