Although 1.4–1.5 million visitors per year visit Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, making it one of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations, few of them stop to enjoy the magic of the beautiful town located nearby. Füssen in Bavaria is a hidden gem beneath Neuschwanstein Castle that you must discover.
Introducing Füssen
The quaint Bavarian town of Füssen is located close to the Austrian border, at the base of the Alps. It has more than 700 years of fascinating history. Once a Roman hamlet called “Foetibus”, it gained fame for its artistry and culture during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. During these times it was a major hub for the production of violins and lutes. The Benedictine monastery of Sankt Mang, whose magnificent baroque building still rules Füssen’s old centre today, had a significant impact on the town’s growth.
The gateway to Bavaria’s Romantic Road
Füssen, the southernmost stop on Germany’s well-known Romantic Road, is the starting point and the end point of this magnificent route that passes through charming mediaeval villages, castles, and landscapes. Its proximity to the fairytale castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau enhances its significance. Füssen is a key destination for travellers seeking to experience the history, romance, and natural beauty of southern Germany.
Top things to do in Füssen
Füssen is a well-preserved city with numerous historical sites and museums. It is also situated in the heart of a unique natural setting that evokes both calm and amazement in visitors.
Wander through Füssen’s mediaeval town
If you visit Füssen, even a stroll around the city centre is enough to experience its beauty. The old centre is not large, yet it is well preserved and contains numerous small surprises. Colourful building facades flank the city’s cobblestone streets. Many of these have excellently preserved murals (frescoes), which are a traditional feature across Bavaria. These artworks typically depict stories about the buildings’ history and origins. Small squares, fountains, and statues form a fairytale-inspired atmosphere. The streets finish at the banks of the Lech River, where the stunning scenery of the Bavarian Alps begins.
During a stroll to Füssen, two landmarks serve as exquisite reminders of the town’s rich history and artistic flair: the Rathaus (Town Hall) and the Heilig-Geist-Spitalkirche (Holy Ghost Hospital Church). The Rathaus, with its impressive exterior, embodies Füssen’s civic pride. The Heilig-Geist-Spitalkirche, located just a short walk away, captivates visitors with its magnificent exterior frescoes. The beautiful Rococo murals that decorate the church’s walls depict the fabled great firefighting gods, Saint Florian and Christopher. As the church was rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 1733, its striking and beautiful decorations are particularly remarkable. The Rathaus and the fresco-adorned Heilig-Geist-Spitalkirche represent the soul of Füssen, a town where artistry and dedication are masterfully woven into the very fabric of its streets and buildings.
Explore Kloster Sankt Mang and its Baroque beauty
Kloster Sankt Mang (St Mang’s Abbey) is a magnificent example of Baroque architecture in southern Germany. It was first built as a Benedictine monastery in the 9th century. In the 18th century, it was turned into a beautiful Baroque complex. The abbey’s church dazzles with its richly decorated stucco ceilings, frescoes, and ornate altars that reflect the exuberant spirit of the Baroque era.
Elaborate details by famous artists of the period fill the interiors with light, movement, and colour, creating a space that feels both majestic and deeply spiritual. Kloster Sankt Mang is a masterpiece of sacred art and architecture. But it is also a serene symbol of Füssen’s cultural and religious heritage.
Visit the Hohes Schloss
As you stroll through the streets of Füssen, the uphill path that runs in front of the abbey’s clock tower leads to the castle at the top of the hill. Τhe Hohes Schloss (High Castle) of Füssen is one of Germany’s best-preserved late Gothic castles. Once the summer residence of the prince-bishops of Augsburg, it combines impressive defensive architecture with elegant Renaissance and Gothic details.
The inner courtyard of the castle is famous for its trompe-l’oeil (illusion) paintings, which give the flat walls a three-dimensional, elaborately carved appearance. The Bavarian State Painting Collections and the Municipal Gallery of Füssen have branches in the castle today. The local art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century is displayed in this collection. However, in addition to its significant displays, the castle provides breathtaking views of the Lech River valley and the Alps.
Relax by the Lech River and Forggensee Lake
Füssen’s Lech River and Forggensee Lake provide a tranquil getaway into the splendour of Bavaria’s natural surroundings. With its crystal-clear, turquoise waters, the Lech River meanders through the countryside, forming serene areas for strolling, having a picnic, or just lounging and taking in the scenery.
Forggensee Lake, one of Germany’s biggest reservoirs, lies nearby and offers open waters ideal for sailing, swimming, and relaxing boat excursions. After touring Füssen’s old town and castles, these waterways—which are surrounded by the spectacular Alps and are lined with tiny beaches and walking paths—offer peace and breathtaking scenery, making them the perfect place to relax and re-establish a connection with nature.
Discover the spectacular Lechfall
At Lechfall, the waters of the River Lech flow over a sequence of artificial terraces to produce a breathtaking waterfall scene. The Lechfall, which marks the river’s exit from the Forggensee and its passage through the Lechschlucht (Lech Gorge), is just a short walk from Füssen.
In the 18th century, the location was planned to regulate the river’s flow. Today, however, it is a popular picturesque spot, prized for its power and beauty. The nearby bridge and viewing platforms provide visitors views of the falls and the surrounding Alpine landscape. It is the ideal combination of the natural environment and human inventiveness.
Füssen’s musical heritage – The birthplace of lute making
Füssen is also well-known in European musical history as the birthplace of the lute. Füssen’s craftsmen began creating high-quality lutes in the 15th century, and by 1562, the town had created one of Europe’s earliest lute- and violin-making guilds. This prosperous trade disseminated the skill of Füssen’s luthiers across Europe, influencing instrument-making traditions from Italy to England.
You can now experience this extraordinary heritage at the Museum der Stadt Füssen. The museum is located in the mediaeval Benedictine monastery. Its collection contains wonderfully preserved ancient lutes, violins, and equipment that demonstrate the creativity and invention that once propelled Füssen to the forefront of European stringed instrument production.
Neuschwanstein Castle – The fairytale next door
Neuschwanstein Castle, one of the world’s most stunning sites, stands just a short stroll from the heart of Füssen. This 19th-century masterpiece, perched dramatically on a steep hill above the Bavarian landscape, is straight out of a storybook, with its turrets, towers, and foggy alpine backdrop. King Ludwig II commissioned Neuschwanstein, which symbolises the king’s romantic ideal of a mediaeval fairytale come to reality. The castle has inspired other artists, including Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
But the magic doesn’t end there. Hohenschwangau Castle, Ludwig’s childhood home and a beautiful contrast to his later dream project, is located just over the valley. Hohenschwangau’s serene surroundings and golden walls convey a more intimate tale of royal upbringing, creativity, and nostalgia. When combined, these two castles frame Füssen as a doorway to both fairy tales and the intriguing legacy of Bavaria’s history.
Where to eat and stay in Füssen
Füssen offers a true taste of Bavaria at its local dining establishments, which are full of charm and tradition. Also, in the small hotels and guesthouses in the city centre, you can enjoy warm hospitality in perfectly preserved traditional buildings.
Traditional Bavarian restaurants and cafes
Cafe Lucca has a pleasant atmosphere ideal for eating handcrafted cakes, delicious coffee, and light Bavarian nibbles in a casual setting. For those looking for a hearty lunch, Gasthof Weizenbrauerei Woaze offers authentic regional meals and freshly produced beer, evoking the warmth of Bavarian hospitality. Meanwhile, Restaurant Ludwigs mixes historical ambiance with refined local cuisine. It serves meals prepared with regional ingredients in an elegant yet pleasant setting. Together, these establishments encapsulate the spirit of Bavarian culinary history, combining comfort, flavour, and heritage.
Cozy hotels and boutique guesthouses
Zum Hechten and Hotel Sonne Füssen, both located in the scenic town of Füssen, provide two separate but equally charming experiences. Zum Hechten embodies traditional Bavarian hospitality with its cosy Alpine decor. It is a welcoming, family-run atmosphere—ideal for guests seeking authenticity and comfort. Just a few metres away, Hotel Sonne Füssen embodies modern elegance, with artistically designed rooms, a superb breakfast, and a touch of luxury that appeals to modern travellers.
Why Füssen is more than a stop before Neuschwanstein
Füssen is more than just a stop on the road to Neuschwanstein Castle. It is a place full of history, culture, and natural beauty. Nestled on the Alps’ edge, this lovely Bavarian town combines mediaeval architecture, tranquil lakes, and stunning mountain vistas. Füssen provides a true view into Bavarian life, as well as the ideal balance of action and tranquillity long after the castle tourists have dispersed.
