Hohenzollern Castle

Name: Hohenzollern Castle
Address: Stuttgart, Germany
Rating: 4.6

4.6 (21,604 reviews)

CastleTourist AttractionHistorical PlaceBeer GardenBar

Best time to visit

Visit on a clear morning in spring or autumn for the best visibility from the tower and smaller crowds before the bus tours arrive around 11 AM. Winter visits offer dramatic fog rolling through the valley below, though the tower may close in icy conditions.

Budget tips

Standard admission runs around 10 euros for adults, but the discounted rate for students and seniors brings it closer to 7. The guided tour is worth the few extra euros, as it unlocks rooms you cannot reach on your own, and parking at the upper lot saves your legs but costs 3 euros.

Recommended for

History buffs, Photography enthusiasts, Romantic couples, Families with older kids

Plan your visit

2-3 hours

About

Quick facts: Perched 855 meters above sea level, this castle sits atop a hill that has hosted three separate structures since the 11th century. The current version, rebuilt in the 1860s, houses the Prussian crown of Wilhelm II, which is still on display in a locked silver vault.

Highlights: The crown of the last Prussian king rests here, tucked inside a chamber guarded by a thick steel door, and you can actually peer through the glass and see its glimmering gold and diamonds up close. Climbing the 30-meter observation tower at the end of your visit rewards you with a 360-degree panorama where you can spot both the Stuttgart skyline and the Alps on a clear day.

Insider tips

Skip the shuttle bus in summer and take the forest walking path, a steep 20-minute climb that keeps you cool under the trees and lets you approach the castle with a dramatic reveal.
The chapel interior hosts a 16th-century triptych altarpiece, look closely at the left panel and you will spot the family pets painted into the scene.
Arrive right at opening time to photograph the main courtyard with zero people in the frame, midday tours bunch up in large groups.
Comfortable walking shoes matter more than dress code, since the cobblestone courtyard and tower stairs are uneven and narrow.