Hohenzollern Castle rises alone on an 855 m peak of the Swabian Alb as the ancestral seat of the House of Hohenzollern, the family of Prussia's kings and Germany's emperors. Today's castle is the third on the site, commissioned by King Frederick William IV of Prussia and built in neo-Gothic (Gothic Revival) style by architect Friedrich August Stüler between 1846 and 1867; it is still privately owned by the Hohenzollern family. Its fairy-tale silhouette floating above the morning mist and treasures such as the Prussian royal crown make it one of Germany's most beloved castles, with over 350,000 visitors a year. As of 2026 it is open as usual, and online tickets are tied to a specific day and one-hour entry slot, so booking ahead is worthwhile.
The Treasury (Schatzkammer), headlined by the Prussian royal crown (the Crown of Wilhelm II, made in 1888) and other dynastic regalia seen up close.
Personal effects of Frederick the Great (Frederick II) — his flute, snuff boxes and uniform; his coffin also rested here from 1952 to 1991 before returning to Potsdam after reunification.
The neo-Gothic architecture itself: four towers, a U-shaped courtyard and encircling ramparts and bastions.
Sweeping 360° panoramas over the Swabian Alb from the rampart walk.
The Catholic Christ Chapel and Protestant Chapel, plus ornate interiors such as the Count's Hall (Grafensaal) and Blue Salon.
Good to know
RulesFor the interior (museum), online timed tickets are easiest: on the official site you pick a specific day and a one-hour entry slot, and online is about €3 cheaper than the cash desk. Popular summer weekend and holiday slots sell out, so reserve early.
SafetyFrom the car park it is a steep, roughly 25-minute uphill walk to the Eagle Gate (Adlertor) on an 855 m summit. Wear sturdy shoes, or take the shuttle bus that is included in your ticket. The ramparts are high and exposed, so mind children and watch your footing when it is wet or icy.
SeasonSummit weather changes fast — fog, wind and cold are common even in summer, with snow and ice in winter, so bring an extra layer. From about 20 Nov 2026 to 10 Jan 2027 the castle runs the evening 'Royal Winter Magic' (Königlicher Winterzauber) illumination with different hours (roughly 15:00–21:00) and separate, limited tickets.
RulesBy public transport, take a regional train to Hechingen, then castle bus line 306 (year-round) or 344 (weekends/holidays, May–Oct only) to the car park. Regional day tickets such as the Baden-Württemberg-Ticket, or the Deutschland-Ticket, cover both the train and the bus.
MannersInside the museum rooms follow staff guidance: keep noise down (especially in the two chapels), don't touch exhibits, and check whether interior photography or flash is allowed before shooting. Drones are not permitted.
CautionBook only through the official burg-hohenzollern.com. Third-party resellers may charge more or sell inflexible slots, and parking plus the shuttle are already included in the ticket, so don't pay separately for 'parking' to anyone on site.
Practical info
The nearest station is Hechingen (regional trains); from there take castle bus 306 (year-round) or 344 (weekends/holidays, May–Oct) to the visitor car park, then the included shuttle or a steep ~25-minute walk to the Eagle Gate. By car, use the A81/B27 with ample parking. Opening is generally around 10:00 (last admission in the late afternoon), with different hours during the winter evening event. Timed tickets are best booked online in advance, and because prices and hours change by season, always confirm the latest details on the official website before you go.
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