Füssen, Germany is known for the famous Neuschwanstein Castle which is said to have inspired Disney’s creation of Cinderella Castle. Most people day trip to Füssen to view the castle but there is much more to see here. We think Füssen, Germany is worth visiting and for more than a day trip.
Our stay in Füssen was part of our London, Paris, and Germany itinerary.
Where is Füssen and how to get there
Füssen is located in Bavaria, Germany, South of Munich and just North of the Austrian border.
We came to Füssen from Munich via a two-hour train trip with a transfer at Kaufbeuren station. From Füssen we traveled by train to Stuttgart with a stop along the way in Augsburg.
Where to stay in Füssen
I think being within walking distance to the town center would be best but there is a bus service so any area should be fine. As we were staying in Füssen for four nights we chose to stay in an Airbnb so that we would be able to prepare meals and have a more ‘home’ environment.
Our stay had a rough start. The map pin on Airbnb had the wrong address, we thought we had been scammed and it was getting dark and raining. We had already walked from the station to the wrong address and now had to find the right property.
We had to meet the hosts’ mother-in-law at the apartment next door. She didn’t speak any English but she was lovely and helpful and we worked everything out with the help of google translate.
The apartment was perfect for our four-night family stay in Füssen. It had two bedrooms, a full kitchen and everything we needed. We walked from there to the station and shops. There are also a number of hotels around the town.
What to see and do in Füssen
Here is a list of all the things we did during our stay in Füssen. Please check official websites for current opening times and updates.
The Castles
Let’s start with the obvious. Neuschwanstein Castle is the reason most people visit Füssen and located nearby is another impressive castle, Hohenschwangau. You can visit both castles only with a guided tour. We chose to simply view them from the outside. We got off the bus near the ticket center and walked uphill to Neuschwanstein Castle. Once at the base of Neuschwanstein Castle, we walked around, viewing it from different angles, and then made our way to one of the best viewing places, Marienbrücke, a pedestrian bridge that offers a stunning view overlooking the castle. Along the path, we were able to view Hohenschwangau Castle and there is also an observation deck that provides an amazing panoramic view.
Waterfall
After viewing Neuschwanstein from the bridge, we then walked to a waterfall viewing point underneath the bridge. The area was gorgeous with coloured leaves falling to the ground and crystal clear water. We spent some time at the water’s edge, allowing the kids some free time to play and run around.
Pöllat Gorge Schwangau
Following the path lead us to Pöllat Gorge Schwangau and it was incredible! A metal path allows you to walk over the gorge as water spills down in streams over rocks, with lush forest all around this such a beautiful walk. This, for me, was the highlight of our time in Füssen.
Tegelberg Bahn
After coming off the Gorge path we felt a little lost as we wandered through the forest. That is until we spotted a sign pointing to Tegelbergbahn and headed in that direction. When the forest cleared, we had views of the mountains and could see the cable car in the distance.
The cable car takes you up and down Tegelberg Mountain. Due to the clouds rolling down the mountain we didn’t go on the cable car. Instead, we went on the toboggan run which was a lot of fun. There is also a beer garden and a playground. Our kids had a great time playing and going on the flying fox. For a small fee, there were even cars that kids could drive around a track.
Old Town
Wander through the streets of Füssen’s old town. With shops and cafes housed in colourful, traditional-style buildings, you will feel as if you’re walking in a fairytale. We strolled the streets often, sometimes to buy bread from a bakery or a souvenir or just because it was so lovely. However, somehow we forgot to visit the High Castle of Füssen on the hilltop. It has great views over the town so would be worth a visit.
Lechfall
Located a short walk from the town is Lechfall, a man-made waterfall in the river Lech. It’s not a standout waterfall, it’s more like a dam wall but the steps make it more interesting and it was loudly gushing with water during our visit. It was also a nice walk along the river.
Day trip
The location of Füssen makes it a great base for day trips. We took the bus over the border into Austria to walk over the Highline179, a long suspension bridge. This day, however, did not go to plan and we didn’t get to the bridge although we did get to see some stunning mountain scenery.
Hiking/Lakes/Nature
Fussen is surrounded by nature, there are many lakes, mountains, and hiking trails. Walderlebniszentrum Ziegelwies was somewhere we didn’t get to, it has a treetop walk with mountain views.
Why we think it’s worth visiting Füssen
All the things above we enjoyed so much, some of which we wouldn’t have discovered if we didn’t have time to walk around. Füssen is such a great place to get outside and be active or just relax and be with nature. After spending most of our trip in cities, Füssen was the perfect place for our family to unwind. Sure, you could day trip to Füssen just to view Neuschwanstein Castle but we think you would be missing out on so much more that this Bavarian town has to offer.
