If you thought the UK had tons of castles, Germany says, “Hold my beer”.
Deutschland might as well be Castleland: there were as many as 26,000 castles in Germany, though many have crumbled into the pages of history.
But the ones that remain? That number still stretches into the thousands.
Call them castles, medieval fortresses, palaces, or mansions, there are regal sites throughout the country and nearly two dozen in the state of Hessen alone. Here are the best castles near Frankfurt that you should hail a carriage to.
Image credit: Getty Images, Maui01. Image Location: Schloss Philippsruhe, Hanau
Get ‘Schlossed’: castle counting near Frankfurt
How many castles are there near Frankfurt, Germany?
There are dozens of castles near Frankfurt and around the state of Hessen. Some, like the Ehrenfels Castle in Rüdesheim am Rhein are ruined while others like Kransberg Castle is a swanky Schloss where weddings and other events are held.
What is the closest castle to Frankfurt, Germany?
Höchster Schloss, dating back to the 14th century, is one of the closest castles to the center of Frankfurt, Germany. It’s located in Frankfurt am Main West, right along the Main River, and only footsteps away from the Frankfurt-Höchst train station.
What is the most beautiful castle near Frankfurt?
When it comes to the most beautiful castles near Frankfurt, Schloss Philippsruhe Hanau is a stunner. This baroque palace was designed in the 18th century and hosts the annual Brothers Grimm Festival. Right on the banks of the Main River, the gardens are just as spectacular. It’s a short walk from the Hanau West train station, a 35-min train ride from Frankfurt.
Is Frankenstein’s Castle a real castle in Germany?
Yes, though you should know that there are technically two Frankenstein castles in Germany. The castle that reportedly inspired the castle in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein book is located in Mühltal, with the closest train station being Pfungstadt approximately 45 min from Frankfurt. There’s also Frankenstein Castle in the municipality of Frankenstein, Germany, which is accessible via the Frankenstein (Pfalz) train station roughly 2h from Frankfurt.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Rolphus. Image Location: Castle Hohenzollern
The best castles near Frankfurt, Germany
Hohenzollern Castle | Bisingen, Zollernalbkreis
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Bisingen: from 3h 25m, plus taxi ride
One of the most visited castles in Germany, Hohenzollern Castle is a 19th-century castle set atop a mountain. This castle is equally imposing and inspirational with its Neo-Gothic design that looks like it was modeled from a fairytale.
Eltz Castle | Wierschem
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Müden (Mosel): from 2h 15m, plus taxi ride
Be sure to knock when visiting Eltz Castle — the same family has called it home for the last 900 years. Unlike many castles that fell harm to history, Eltz looks as wonderful as it did in the Middle Ages and houses centuries of furnishings.
Heidelberg Castle | Heidelberg
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Heidelberg-Altstadt: from 1h 10m
The red sandstone ruins of Heidelberg Castle don’t make it any less romantic. It has a history dating back to the 1200s and was one of the most coveted castles of the Renaissance era. Heidelberg has a story for every scar, and you can listen to them all with an easy day trip from Frankfurt.
Image Credit: Getty Images, SerrNovik. Image Location: Heidelberg Castle
Landgrafen Palace | Marburg
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Marburg (Lahn): from 1h 7m
If you think the outside of Landgrafen Palace, aka Marburg Castle, is impressive, just wait until you see its interior. It’s now part of Philipps-Universität Marburg, housing the university’s art and culture museum.
Neuschwanstein Castle | Schwangau
Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Füssen: from 4h 38m, plus taxi ride
Let’s go ahead and temper our expectations: Frankfurt to Neuschwanstein Castle is possible, but it’s a far journey compared to the dozens of other castles right in Frankfurt’s backyard. Neuschwanstein Castle is jaw-dropping and visiting will convince you to seek out other sites in Europe that inspired Disney’s iconic tales. But if you’ve only got a few days in Frankfurt? Maybe make time for Neuschwanstein Castle when you visit Munich.
Consider your first-class train cabin your own regal coach. Download the Trainline app and discover the best castles near Frankfurt today.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Boris Jordan Photography. Image Location: Neuschwanstein Castle