Visiting Linderhof Palace + Travel Tips
A visit to Linderhof Palace is an essential part of any trip to Bavaria.
Extravagance. That was the word that could describe our first impression of Linderhof Palace once we stepped into Ludwig II's personal sanctuary and started our guided tour. Opulence, luxury, and lavishness quickly followed. It's no wonder this Versaille-styled palace at the foothills of the Bavarian Alps is a must-visit.
It just didn't seem real. And we've already been to the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle. Add the charming scenery of Graswang Valley, affordable tickets, and beautiful gardens, and you quickly understand why Linderhof Palace was one of the highlights of our Bavaria road trip.
Even though a trip to Linderhof was pretty straightforward, we compiled some essential tips to help you plan your day out.
Is Linderhof Palace Worth It?
We'll kick off this post with the most essential question, and that is the most obvious one: is even Linderhof Palace worth seeing in the first place? Well, the short answer we can give you is a big YES. Even though the weather didn't work in our favor and the gardens were dull, Linderhof's guided tour was phenomenal.
It's easy to say that Linderhof is one of the most incredible palaces we've seen so far, not just in Germany but in the entire Europe.
There's also a longer version. We have to admit that Linderhof was initially under the optional column on our Bavaria itinerary. Not because we didn't want to see it but mostly because we were confident we wouldn't simply have time for it. Well, we wouldn't have created this guide if we hadn't eventually visited it, which only means we were ultimately able to squeeze it in.
We've seen quite a lot of castles in the previous months, but the richly decorated interiors of Linderhof Palace were on a completely different scale. Plus, it was along our planned route, and fortunately, we got enough time to make it there.
So, if you're not in this area, let's say you're in Munich, what then? We still believe it's worth the drive, though you should be aware that the palace is quite small, and if the weather is not on your side, walking around the gardens won't be nearly as enjoyable as it would be on a sunny day.
Trust us on this; we speak from our own experience.
Luckily, there are tons of other amazing places you can see around, like the whole Garmisch-Partenkirchen that has Eibsee, Zugspitze, etc. Then you have the Fussen area with Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, and Wieskirche. As you can see, there are plenty of things to see and do around Linderhof, and we guarantee you won't get bored here.
How to Get There
Linderhof Palace is located in a picturesque Graswang Valley near the small village of Ettal in the Bavarian Alps. The nearest big city is Munich, which is about 90 kilometers north of here.
As Linderhof Palace is one of the best day trips from Munich, it's no wonder getting there is not overly complicated. Driving and organized trips are the easiest way to get to Linderhof Palace, though public transport does exist in this area.
By Car
We drove to Linderhof Palace from Schwangau, where we visited Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles and made a quick stop at Wieskirche. We tackled the 60-kilometer drive in just under an hour (though we technically did the last bit from Wieskirche, which was about 40 kilometers and 40 minutes).
Rent a Car: We took our own car for the trip to Linderhof Castle, but if that's not an option for you, you can easily rent a car in Munich.
From Munich, it takes about 90 minutes to reach Linderhof, and all you need to do is to follow A95 (and eventually B2) to Oberau, then take B23 to Etal. Just a few hundred meters past Etal, turn onto St2060, which will take you all the way to Linderhof Palace. The parking will be on your right-hand side.
Use Public Transport
If you opt for public transport, Linderhof Palace can be reached from Munich by a combination of train and bus. From Munich Hauptbahnhof, take a train to Oberammergau, where you need to catch a bus 9622 to Linderhof. The bus stops at the parking lot just in front of the entrance to the Linderhof complex.
Linderhof Tours
A guided trip is a convenient and comfortable way to discover Linderhof Palace. The best-rated Linderhof Palace Tours depart from Munich and also include Neuschwanstein.
Parking Is Ample
We parked at Linderhof Palace for €3 a day. It was a huge parking lot that could accommodate up to 550 cars, but it was almost empty on the day of our visit.
When to Visit Linderhof Palace
If you want the best weather, July and August are ideal months to visit Linderhof Palace. Summer brings in warm, long days but also crowds and the highest accommodation prices in the Bavarian Alps. Don't forget that the gardens at Linderhof Palace should be absolutely gorgeous during late spring and early summer.
We visited Linderhof Palace around mid-April on an afternoon of a particularly cloudy day with near-freezing temperatures. By the time we reached Linderhof, it also started to rain, and to make matters worse, a touch of snow mixed in. That said, we practically had the gardens for ourselves, which was honestly not surprising.
The issue with spring and autumn is that the weather is quite changeable in this part of Bavaria, and you never know what the weather will be like (if you plan your trip in advance).
Linderhof Palace is open in winter, and if you want to avoid crowds, this is a perfect time to explore this site. The guided tours are still available but be prepared that Moroccan House, Moorish Kiosk, or Hunding's Hut will be closed. Plus, there are no waterworks.
No Photography
Photography is not allowed inside the Linderhof, though you're free to take photos of the palace's exteriors as well as the gardens
I was a bit disappointed at first when I read about their photo policy (not surprised, though, as it was the same at Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau), but I changed my mind once I stepped inside the palace. This is one of those places where I was glad I didn't have to take photos and just solely focus on the wildly decorated rooms.
The main reason is to protect the delicate interiors and make the visit enjoyable for all visitors. The rooms were quite small, and even though our group consisted of a total of eight people (plus a guide), we felt a bit cramped.
Keep in mind that the maximum group size is 40 visitors, and we don't want to imagine how it would look if everyone were swinging their cameras around. It wouldn't simply work here.
A Brief History of Linderhof
When Ludwig II was coronated a king in 1864, he inherited a property with a small lodge (Konigshauschen) he used to visit with his father, King Maximilian II of Bavaria, on their hunting trips.
The works on Linderhof Palace started in 1869 and finished in 1880 when the whole park was completed. Interestingly enough, the whole project started by turning the small hunting house into a larger Royal Lodge.
Over the years, a brand new palace was built right next to the original house in the subsequent phases. In 1874, Ludwig II finally decided to move it to a new spot.
One of the most important things to know about Ludwig II was that he was deeply fascinated by King Louis XIV of France (you probably know him as The Sun King) and his pet project, the majestic Versailles. And while Linderhof is tiny compared to Versailles, the inspiration is evident in every detail. Needless to say, it was also influenced by mid-18th century Rococo and Louis XV.
Linderhof was one of the few projects Ludwig II saw to be completed (unlike Neuschwanstein and Herrenchiemsee).
Today, Linderhof is one of the most beautiful palaces in Germany, so it's not surprising it attracts tourists from all over the world.
Tickets Can Be Booked Online
The entry fee to Linderhof Palace is €10 for adults during the main season. This combo ticket includes a guided tour and grants you access to the gardens.
The admission is a bit cheaper in winter, but not by much (the difference was about €1). Unlike Neuschwanstein, we didn't book the tickets ahead of time, but only because we knew the English tour was still available.
Tours depart every 5-10 minutes during peak season, and we recommend booking ahead.
Opening Hours
Linderhof Palace is open daily between mid-March and mid-October from 9 AM to 6 PM. Between mid-October and mid-March, the palace is open daily from 10 AM to 4:30 PM.
Be prepared that the park buildings (except the Royal Lodge) are closed in winter. Linderhof Palace is closed on the following days: December 24, 25, and 31, January 1, and Shrove Tuesday.
What to See on a Linderhof Palace Visit?
Apart from the gorgeous palace, Linderhof Park is home to several interesting buildings and features worth exploring. The complex has nicely well-maintained walking paths, so it's really easy to explore on foot.
Walk Around Linderhof Gardens
One of the main reasons to visit Linderhof Palace is the meticulously landscaped gardens featuring terraced gardens, water parterre, Neptun fountain, cascades, and much more. The influence of Versailles can be seen in every detail of the Linderhof gardens, but you need to arrive in the right season.
Traveling in the shoulder/off-season has many benefits, like no crowds, relaxed experience, etc., but it also comes with some downsides. Linderhof is no exception.
We've already discussed the weather, which had its own mind. Another not-so-great thing about Linderhof was that the gardens, although well-landscaped, felt dull, monochromatic, and empty.
Yes, the gray clouds and rain played a big part in that, but also, the fountains were still covered by large tarps, flowers were not blooming yet, and the waterworks were off. Simply, we missed something that would at least bring some emotion into the whole scene.
See the Waterworks
If you want to see the water fountains in their full glory, you need to come between mid-April and mid-October (and the exact dates differ from year to year). Otherwise, the fountain goes off every 30 min.
Moroccan House (Marokkanisches Haus)
Moroccan House was our first stop in Linderhof, which was originally built in 1873 for the World Exhibition in Vienna. Ludwigh bought it five years later and moved it to Linderhof.
The house used to have several rooms where the king even lived from time to time.
Today, it's a small house with a lavishly decorated interior. On the way to Royal Lodge, you can also stop at Swan Pond nearby.
Royal Lodge (Konigshauschen)
Royal Lodge is located halfway between the ticket office and the palace. This small building was originally a farmhouse converted into a hunting lodge by King Maximillian II.
The interesting bit is that it used to be positioned by the palace until Ludwig II decided to move it to its current location. You can go inside and see the permanent exhibition From Lynder-Hof Estate to Linderhof Palace.
The Venus Grotto
Venus Grotto is an artificial cave on a hill above the palace inspired by Richard Wagner's Tannhauser opera.
Venus Grotto was closed when we were there due to restoration works, but from what we read, it has a small lake with a golden boat, a painting depicting a Venusberg scene, colorful lightning, a waterfall, and even stalactites.
The whole structure was pretty advanced for the time it was built: they had electrical lighting powered by 12 dynamos from a nearby house. The electrical setup is considered to be one of the first of its kind in Bavaria.
Moorish Kiosk (Maurischer Kiosk)
Nearby the grotto is a Moorish Kiosk, which Ludwig purchased in 1876 (this one was built for the Paris World Exhibition in 1867).
He added a peacock throne, glass chandelier, marble fountains, etc., and used it for reading and tea-drinking sessions.
Hunding's Hut (Hunding Hutte)
In the eastern corner of Linderhof Park is a Hunding's Hut, a Germanic house modeled after Wagner's Walkure Act from the Ring des Nibelungen. Here, Ludwig II used to read Germanic and Nordic legends.
The Hermitage of Gurnemanz
Only a short walk from Hunding's Hut is the Hermitage of Gurnemanz. This wooden chapel/hut was modeled after Wagner's Parsifal opera, and Ludwig used it as a quiet place for his medieval poetry reading.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
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Linderhof Palace: Take a Guided Tour (English Speaking)
We didn't know much about Linderhof Palace before the trip and even less about the interior, so we were really not sure what to expect from it.
The morning tours at Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau gave us a small hint about things to come, but the reality exceeded all our expectations.
Well, the whole experience, albeit pretty short, went beyond everything. The richly decorated rooms of Linderhof Palace were just a pure attack on all our visual senses.
A few days back, we visited Wurzburg Residence, known for its epic ceiling frescoes.
And that's where our eyes were fixed most of the time. In Linderhof, we had no clue where we should look first. Interestingly enough, the first impression was relatively modest.
While the surrounding scenery is breathtaking, the white building of Linderhof Palace looks almost inconspicuous.
Sure, we admired the combination of French Rococo with Baroque elements and neoclassical touches, but the building lacks Nymphenburg's grandeur due to its small size.
Even the vestibule, where the guided tour starts, looked relatively simple and modest. But as soon as we stepped into the Western Tapestry Room, we instantly knew this excursion was going to be something else.
All rooms were incredibly ornate, richly decorated, and full of amazing paintings to the point where we asked ourselves, isn't it a bit too much? Ludwig II didn't think so, and the result was just mesmerizing.
The most incredible part was that it almost looked like the decorations became even richer and more intricate in each room. We thought not much could surprise us, but every time we walked into a new room, we realized how wrong we were just seconds ago.
A total of 10 rooms are accessible to the public in Linderhof Palace (we've already mentioned the Vestibule and Western Tapestry Room, but there's also the Eastern Tapestry Room).
The Audience Room, Bedchamber, and Dining Room were the most beautiful, but we also enjoyed the smaller Cabinet Rooms (Yellow, Lilac, Pink, and Blue).
The absolute highlight was the Hall of Mirrors, inspired by the same room in Munich Residenz designed by architect Francois Cuvillies.
We've seen some similar rooms recently (not just in Bavaria but also in Denmark - the one in Rosenborg Castle was really cool), but Linderhof's Hall of Mirrors was the most incredible of the bunch.
Every inch of the wall is covered with mirrors, making the reflection effect in his room simply mind-blowing.
Ludwig II was a night owl who visited the Hall of Mirrors mostly at night when lit just by the hundreds of candles - the effect must have been incredible.
The best part is that the chambers at Linderhof Palace are a perfect example of the 'photo don't this place a justice' thing.
We checked the official photos after the tour, and while the rooms looked impressive, the actual experience was far more immersive.
Lockers Are Available
FYI, large backpacks are not allowed inside Linderhof Palace. You can find lockers opposite the Schloss Hotel.
How Long Is the Linderhof Tour
The guided tours at Linderhof Palace take about 25 minutes, which makes the whole experience quite short if you ask us.
Yes, the palace is small, but it's super interesting. We were on the last tour of a very quiet day, and the guide looked relaxed and chatty, extending the tour duration somewhere up to 35 minutes, which seemed more suitable.
Unfortunately, we believe that was just an exception.
Where to Stay near Linderhof
Unfortunately, the historic Schlosshotel Linderhof by the park entrance has been closed for years so you need to look elsewhere. The good news is that Linderhof is situated in one of the most gorgeous parts of the Bavarian Alps, so you can be sure to find some great accommodations within a short drive.
Ettal, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and Oberammergau are all within a 15 to 30-minute drive from Linderhof Palace. Plus, there's always an option to stay in Munich and visit Linderhof on a day trip from there.
So here are our picks on the best hotels near Linderhof. Hotel Blaue Gams is a charming country-style hotel with cozy and affordable rooms only 10 minutes from Linderhof. Aja Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a modern and popular hotel with a pool and sauna, but the best part is that it's located a stone's throw from Zugspitzbahn - Talstation. Hotel Maximilian has a traditional Bavarian design, spacious rooms, and its own little brewery.
How Much Time You Should Spend at Linderhof
We spent about an hour and a half at Linderhof Palace, but we had already discussed that we arrived there just in time to catch the last guided tour of the day, and the weather was just miserable.
If you're not in a rush and the weather cooperates, you can easily spend two to three hours at Linderhof.
The park is really large, with the farthest point roughly 1.3 kilometers from the entrance, and ideal for leisurely walks.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
