The fog rolled in overnight and now, as I climb the mountain, everything seems to be trapped within grey padding. If I open my mouth and bite, I’m sure I could eat the cloud that’s surrounding me.
I can make out the trees nearby but I can’t see too far ahead. Luckily there’s an easy path uphill to follow.
When I get to the top, the fog is even thicker. Now, though, instead of trees poking through the haze, it’s the entrance to an old castle with the intimidating portcullis raised as a welcome from the grey.
This is how I arrive at Hohenzollern Castle, the home of the Prussian kings.
A thousand years ago, the family which would eventually rule this part of Germany – and then the whole country – established their home here.
Why is Hohenzollern Castle famous?
There are two reasons Hohenzollern Castle is famous. Firstly, because it is the ancestral home of the House of Hohenzollern, the dynasty that eventually became hereditary German Emperors and Kings of Prussia!
But the castle is also well known because of how it looks – a stunning and alluring castle at the top of a hill, poking out from the rolling forest beneath it.
Does anyone live in Hohenzollern Castle?
The Hohenzollern family did once live on this site, but the castle you see today is the third version, built between 1846 and 1867. No member of the family ever lived permanently in Hohenzollern Castle. These days, some may come and stay for a short visit. Otherwise it’s just a few staff members who live here.
Can you go inside Hohenzollern Castle?
Yes, Hohenzollern Castle is now open to the public and you can walk through and see most of the rooms for yourself. There are also regular guided tours. I’ve got more information below about visiting Hohenzollern Castle.
This castle is a reconstruction from the 19th century but more than a millennia of history is contained at the top of this mountain.
“You could call it the heart of Swabia, or the southwest of Germany,” the castle’s guide, Dirk Horrmann, tells me.
History of Hohenzollern Castle
Dirk knows this castle well – all 140 rooms of it. He’s not going to show me them all… but as we start the tour, I get a bit worried at how much there is to see.
We begin in the entrance room where the family tree of the owners is painted on all the walls.
“This is the family tree of the Hohenzollerns,” Dirk says.
“A thousand years of family history…. Don’t be afraid, I don’t want to tell you all the details.”
I get the sense he’s told that joke before but everyone in the group still chuckles. I feel like you need to encourage the Germans when they try to show a sense of humour.
It’s a majestic castle. On a day when there’s no fog, the castle at the top of the mountain is one of the most iconic images of this region. But it’s here, inside the rooms, that you can really appreciate the royal influence.
There are the golden chandeliers with candles that needed to be replaced every day, the high cathedral-like ceilings, the plush blue lounges in the queen’s chamber, the stained glass and the watchful statues.
If it feels a bit like a museum, I guess that’s because it is. Hohenzollern Castle has not been a permanent residence for hundreds of years.
“No family member of the Hohenzollerns was living here for long term… so I would call it a kind of weekend house,” Dirk says, to more chuckles.
“There was only a kind of staff or soldiers being responsible for the castle but there were a few decades where no family member was living here in the castle at all, only for visits or short stopovers.”
The Hohenzollern family
You do wonder why you wouldn’t live in such a splendid home if it belonged to you. For the Hohenzollerns, though, power was more important.
They moved to Berlin to take their place in the leadership of the German Empire and just never came back.
The castle and the surroundings stayed with the family and today is owned by George Friedrich, the Prince of Prussia. He is the great-great-grandson of the last German Emperor, Wilhelm II.
“Some of the family members still visit the castle,” Dirk explains.
“Our boss, Prince Friedrich, for a few days a year he’s here in the castle. He is a prince but he has no political power. You know, Germany is a republic so these times are gone.”
They may be gone but they are not forgotten. The decision to rebuild the castle in the 19th century, despite the family then being based in Berlin, shows how important it was to not let go of this history.
Even if it is just a showpiece now for a royal line blurred in the fog of memories past.
Visiting Hohenzollern Castle
Although it is still owned by the family, Hohenzollern Castle is primarily a tourist attraction now. It’s one of the highlights of the Baden-Württemberg region and one of the best things to do in Stuttgart.
There aren’t really any tours that go from Stuttgart to Hohenzollern Castle, unfortunately, but there is this tour from Frankfurt.
However, you probably don’t need a tour because it’s quite easy to reach the castle either by car or public transport, and there’s lots of information (and even sometimes guided tours on quiet days) once you are in the show rooms of the castle.
Although going inside Hohenzollern Castle is obviously the highlight of a visit, I recommend also giving yourself some time to walk around the grounds, both to see the exterior of the complex but also to explore a bit of the surrounding forest.
Where is Hohenzollern Castle?
Hohenzollern Castle is in a rural area of Baden-Württemberg, about an hour’s drive south of Stuttgart, or about 90 minutes’ drive north of Konstanz.
The official address is 72379 Burg Hohenzollern, Germany. You can see it on a map here.
How do you get to Hohenzollern Castle?
If you are coming by car, there is a large parking lot you can use.
By public transport, you can get a train to Hechingen station. From there, you can catch a bus to the castle – either the regular Line 306 or the Traufbus Line 344.
From the parking lot (which is also where the bus stops), there is a steep walk for about 20 minutes up to the castle. Or, alternatively, there is a regular shuttle bus which is included in the price of the entry ticket.
When is Hohenzollern Castle open?
The grounds of Hohenzollern Castle are open at these times for 2025:
February to March: 11:00 – 17:30
April to December: 10:00 – 18:30
The castle and ground are closed on 1 January, Monday after “Epiphany“ to 9 March, and 24/25/31 December.
How much does it cost to visit Hohenzollern Castle?
Entry to Hohenzollern Castle costs (February to March 2025):
Castle grounds only
Monday to Friday
Adult: €10
Reduced: €6
Children (12-17 years): €5
Children up to 11 years old: Free
Castle grounds + Showrooms Without Guided Tour
Saturday and Sunday
Adult: €23
Reduced: €13
Children (12-17 years): €11
Children up to 11 years old: Free
From April 2025
Adult: €24
Reduced: €14
Children (12-17 years): €12
It is recommended to purchase tickets online to take advantage of the cheaper rate.
More information
For more information, you can visit the castle’s official website.
There are lots of castles in Germany, and each offers something unique. I think this is one of the best. Not only does Hohenzollern Castle give you the opportunity to see a decadent interior, but it’s a strong connection to a very important part of the country’s heritage.
THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN STUTTGART
Most people who visit Hohenzollern Castle base themselves in Stuttgart, where there’s a big range of places to stay.
BACKPACKER
If you’re looking for a budget option, the Youth Hostel Stuttgart International is one of Germany’s best.
BUDGET
For a basic but comfortable and cheap hotel, I would suggest Hotel Astoria.
BOUTIQUE
A good modern hotel in Stuttgart that’s a great option is Jaz Stuttgart.
LUXURY
And I think the best luxury hotel in Stuttgart is the Le Meridien, which also has a perfect location.
Time Travel Turtle was a guest of Baden-Wurttemberg and DB Bahn but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.
Ha, pretty snazzy weekend house. I’m a sucker for a good castle so this is going on my list 🙂 Love that first photo of the fog, eerie but beautiful.
Happy travels!
It’s a great castle – definitely worth visiting in Germany. Many people would say it’s the best one in the country, but that’s a hard thing to judge.
Any idea what that “Prince” is up to these days? It’s funny how descendants of royalty continue to hold onto their titles.
I believe he actually works and lives a relatively normal life (for someone who is very wealthy and still has a certain amount of social influence in the country).
Beautiful! I love the image of the extraordinary family tree and think the fog approved perfect for your photos! Magical!
Yeah, at first I thought the fog was really annoying but then it made the photos so eerie that I ended up loving it!!
I love your description of the walk up to the castle – it sounds magical!
Recording family trees on walls must be something for prominent families to do. I’ve actually seen that before and was pretty puzzled by it. I can think of way better ways to decorate than adorning my walls with names of family members I don’t even like!
I guess when you have that many rooms in a castle you can afford to use one for the family tree! 🙂
I think this is the castle Andy really wants to see. I love castles too, and I haven’t really been over to the Swabian part of our region (Freiburg, where we live, is in Baden) so it would be nice to go one of these days and see this castle.
This is a great castle – you should definitely check it out when you get a chance. It’s beautiful from a distance and then stunning when you’re inside. It’s not the easiest to get to, though, so you will have to plan it a bit carefully.
Beauty!
If only it belonged to one of us… 🙁
With the fog, it almost looks spooky! I love castles, but haven’t been to many in Germany.
There are so many bloody castles in Germany, it’s hard to miss them!!
Wow, it commands respect even from a distance! Seems like Germans have some of the most beautiful castles in the world, they´re like fantastical fortresses that would fit in one of George Martin´s books. I like the foggy weather in your pictures, it definitely adds to the eerie atmosphere of the place.
The fog annoyed me at first but then I loved the atmosphere it created. And I know what you mean about being straight from a Game of Thrones book – you can see someone trying to defend a castle like this from those evil Lannisters!! 🙂
In the Ancestral Hall there is a large book displayed in a case.
It is titled ‘Burg Hohenzollern – October 1867 and has a German inscription around the crest: ….. God With Us”
I forgot what the book is about?
Thanks
What a fantastic guide! I’ve always wanted to visit Hohenzollern Castle, and your tips on timing and tickets are super helpful. I can’t wait to explore the stunning views and the rich history! Thanks for sharing!
What an incredible guide! Visiting Hohenzollern Castle has always been a dream of mine, and your tips on timing and tickets are super helpful. I can’t wait to take in the breathtaking views and immerse myself in its rich history. Thanks so much for sharing!
This post is incredibly helpful! I’ve always wanted to visit Hohenzollern Castle, and the detailed tips on how to navigate the area and make the most of the visit are exactly what I needed. The insider information about accessing the interiors is especially exciting! Can’t wait to plan my trip for next year!
I loved this detailed guide on visiting Hohenzollern Castle! The tips for getting there and exploring the inside are super helpful. I can’t wait to plan my trip and see the stunning views and architecture for myself. Thanks for sharing such useful information!
I absolutely loved this post! Hohenzollern Castle looks stunning, and your tips on how to navigate the visit and what to see inside are super helpful. I can’t wait to plan my trip in 2025 and explore the castle’s rich history. Thank you for sharing such detailed information!
This blog post was incredibly helpful! The tips on getting to Hohenzollern Castle and the suggestions for guided tours made planning my visit so much easier. I can’t wait to see the stunning views and the castle’s architecture in person! Thank you for sharing such valuable insights!
This blog post was so helpful! I’ve always wanted to visit Hohenzollern Castle, and now I feel prepared for my trip. The tips on getting tickets and the best times to visit are especially useful. Can’t wait to explore the castle’s interior and soak in the stunning views! Thanks for sharing!
This post was super helpful! I’ve always wanted to visit Hohenzollern Castle, and the tips on how to get there and what to expect inside are just what I needed. Can’t wait for my trip in 2025!
I can’t wait to visit Hohenzollern Castle after reading your post! The tips on timing my visit and exploring the interior are super helpful. I love the idea of catching the sunset views mentioned—sounds magical! Thanks for the insights!
What a fantastic guide! Hohenzollern Castle looks absolutely stunning, and your tips for visiting make it feel much more accessible. I especially loved the advice on timing our visit to avoid crowds. Can’t wait to plan my trip and explore the castle’s rich history!
This post is incredibly helpful! I love the detailed tips on planning the visit to Hohenzollern Castle, especially the insider advice on the guided tours. Can’t wait to explore the castle’s stunning architecture and history. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this informative post! Hohenzollern Castle looks absolutely stunning, and I appreciate the detailed tips for making the most of the visit, especially the advice on booking tours. Can’t wait to explore the castle’s history and enjoy the views!
I absolutely loved this guide! Hohenzollern Castle has been on my bucket list for years, and your tips on the best times to visit and the insider information about the castle’s history are invaluable. Can’t wait to plan my trip after reading this!
This post makes me so excited for my trip to Hohenzollern Castle! The tips on navigating the area and getting inside are super helpful. I can’t wait to explore the stunning views and fascinating history. Thanks for sharing such detailed info!
I absolutely loved your post about visiting Hohenzollern Castle! The tips on the best times to visit and how to navigate the inside were especially helpful. I can’t wait to explore the stunning views and rich history for myself! Thanks for sharing!
This post is incredibly helpful! I’ve always wanted to visit Hohenzollern Castle, and the tips about the best times to go and what to see inside are just what I needed. I can’t wait to explore the views and the history of this stunning place. Thank you for sharing!
This post is fantastic! I love how detailed your tips are for visiting Hohenzollern Castle. The info about the best times to visit really helps plan my trip. I can’t wait to explore the interiors and soak up the history! Thanks for sharing!