Schloss Linderhof marks the final stop in our exploration of King Ludwig II’s castles and palaces. Unlike his other grand projects, this petite, Rococo-style château was the only one completed before the king’s untimely death. Built on the foundations of a hunting lodge, Königshäuschen, inherited from his father, the original plan was to replicate the Palace of Versailles. However, the valley’s terrain made this impractical, leading to the creation of a unique château that still bears touches of Versailles. As a long-time admirer of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who has already visited his other two castles and his final residence at Starnberger See, I felt compelled to complete my journey by experiencing this intricately detailed château and its enchanting garden.
Best time to visit: Late Spring to early Autumn 🌳🍁
In Autumn 2022, my husband and I went on a journey to Schloss Linderhof. It was a trip I had eagerly requested, as nothing compares to traveling during this vibrant season. Would you care to join me in revisiting this magnificent Schloss and its breathtaking views?
Given the absence of nearby villages or towns close to Schloss Linderhof, we opted to spend the night in Oberammergau. While a day trip from Munich to the Schloss is feasible, we preferred a more leisurely pace.
In the previous year, 2022, a severe train accident near Garmisch-Partenkirchen resulted in fatalities and injuries. Consequently, there was no direct train service from Munich to Oberammergau. We had to take RB 6 and transfer at Murnau to a bus, which curiously bore the train’s number.
At present, one needs to take RB 6 to Murnau and RB 63 to Oberammergau. But before traveling, please always double check with Deutsche Bahn.
Autumn weather in the mountains is usually not predictable – sometimes it’s sunny, and sometimes it’s foggy or rainy.
The Bus 9622 and destined for Linderhof Schloß, Ettal, departs directly from the Oberammergau train station, eliminating the need for additional walking. Don’t be alarmed if the bus takes a circuitous route, rest assured, it will eventually reach the destination. The bus ride lasted about half an hour, and upon arrival, our first stop was the box office to purchase tickets and a guided tour.
The Schloss
I was amazed by the intricate and detailed craftsmanship of the Schloss’s façade. My husband remarked that it resembled a French Château more than a traditional castle or palace.
The interior of the Schloss is quite compact. It even felt a bit cramped to me, particularly the staircases. Upon entering, the first hall we encountered featured a statue of King Louis XIV of France. The Sun King’s visage also adorned the ceiling, radiating like the sun itself. 
The Schloss houses an array of antiques from around the globe, including some beautifully crafted and painted Chinese vases. I have to say, I’m quite fond of Ludwig II’s beds, which are draped in blue duvets and curtains featuring exquisite needlework. Similar to Schloss Neuschwanstein and Neues Schloss Herrenchiemsee, a crank mechanism is employed here as well to transport the dining table.
The Garden of Linderhof
So far, this garden is my favorite among all the royal gardens in Bavaria. Similar to Schloss Linderhof itself, the garden is compact and it is cross-shaped. Given its location in a valley, the designer had to creatively navigate the complex terrain to construct a garden that blends French and British styles, situated between two hills.
The areas flanking the Schloss are symmetrical in shape, but the details and the arrangement of plants and flower beds are asymmetrical. You can choose to explore either or both sides, which lead to charming arbors. Climbing upwards, you’ll find yourself high above the Schloss, at the starting point of a cascading water feature and near the Music Pavilion. This pavilion is even higher than the Temple of Venus on the opposite side of the garden. The water flows down through a canal-like structure, creating a cascade that leads to the Neptune Fountain at the rear of the Schloss.
In front of the Schloss, a flat area makes for easier garden design. Here, you’ll find a large Water Parterre and the Fountain of Flora and Putten. Surrounding the parterre are flower beds, bushes, trees, and statues, all meticulously arranged to create a pleasing landscape.
To reach the Temple of Venus, we ascended a staircase and were first greeted by another fountain where two goddesses pour water into a central basin. Further up, we encountered a statue of Louis XIV set against a massive ivy wall. The staircase led us to a platform ideal for photography, complete with two terrace gardens. Another terrace garden appeared as we climbed further, and finally, we reached the Temple of Venus.
Visiting Schloss Linderhof in the Autumn was a visual feast, with trees displaying a spectrum of golden, red, and purple hues. The scene was made even more enchanting by clouds drifting through the mountainous backdrop.
Although we had to leave to catch our bus, I highly recommend visiting other nearby attractions like the Venus Grotto, Moorish Kiosk, Moroccan House, and the old Royal Lodge.
The town of Oberammergau
Distinctive for its heavy Catholic influence, Oberammergau is like many Bavarian towns where the exteriors of houses are adorned with biblical narratives. This is a unique feature I haven’t encountered outside of Bavaria. The town also offers a variety of dining options that serve Alpine-region cuisine. For more details on these eateries, you can check out my Foodie Map.
As mentioned earlier, I strongly recommend an overnight stay in Oberammergau if you’re visiting from Munich. While it’s possible to visit Linderhof immediately after Neuschwanstein, doing so might not allow you the time to fully immerse yourself in the local culture, architecture, and natural beauty.
While this marks the end of my Ludwig II series, I plan to continue tracing his footsteps and perhaps revisit these iconic locations to discover what I may have missed the first time around. King Ludwig II’s love for the Alps, romantic tales, and grand castles and palaces has only intensified my own passion for them.
Schloss Linderhof: The Crown Jewel of King Ludwig II’s Palaces
Schloss Linderhof marks the final stop in our exploration of King Ludwig II’s castles and palaces. Unlike his other grand projects, this petite, Rococo-style château was the only one completed before the king’s untimely death. Built on the foundations of a hunting lodge, Königshäuschen, inherited from his father, the original plan was to replicate the Palace of Versailles. However, the valley’s terrain made this impractical, leading to the creation of a unique château that still bears touches of Versailles.
As a long-time admirer of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who has already visited his other two castles and his final residence at Starnberger See, I felt compelled to complete my journey by experiencing this intricately detailed château and its enchanting garden.
Best time to visit: Late Spring to early Autumn 🌳🍁
In Autumn 2022, my husband and I went on a journey to Schloss Linderhof. It was a trip I had eagerly requested, as nothing compares to traveling during this vibrant season. Would you care to join me in revisiting this magnificent Schloss and its breathtaking views?
Given the absence of nearby villages or towns close to Schloss Linderhof, we opted to spend the night in Oberammergau. While a day trip from Munich to the Schloss is feasible, we preferred a more leisurely pace.
In the previous year, 2022, a severe train accident near Garmisch-Partenkirchen resulted in fatalities and injuries. Consequently, there was no direct train service from Munich to Oberammergau. We had to take RB 6 and transfer at Murnau to a bus, which curiously bore the train’s number.
At present, one needs to take RB 6 to Murnau and RB 63 to Oberammergau. But before traveling, please always double check with Deutsche Bahn.
Autumn weather in the mountains is usually not predictable – sometimes it’s sunny, and sometimes it’s foggy or rainy.
The Bus 9622 and destined for Linderhof Schloß, Ettal, departs directly from the Oberammergau train station, eliminating the need for additional walking. Don’t be alarmed if the bus takes a circuitous route, rest assured, it will eventually reach the destination. The bus ride lasted about half an hour, and upon arrival, our first stop was the box office to purchase tickets and a guided tour.
The Schloss
I was amazed by the intricate and detailed craftsmanship of the Schloss’s façade. My husband remarked that it resembled a French Château more than a traditional castle or palace.
The interior of the Schloss is quite compact. It even felt a bit cramped to me, particularly the staircases. Upon entering, the first hall we encountered featured a statue of King Louis XIV of France. The Sun King’s visage also adorned the ceiling, radiating like the sun itself. The Schloss houses an array of antiques from around the globe, including some beautifully crafted and painted Chinese vases.
I have to say, I’m quite fond of Ludwig II’s beds, which are draped in blue duvets and curtains featuring exquisite needlework. Similar to Schloss Neuschwanstein and Neues Schloss Herrenchiemsee, a crank mechanism is employed here as well to transport the dining table.
The Garden of Linderhof
So far, this garden is my favorite among all the royal gardens in Bavaria. Similar to Schloss Linderhof itself, the garden is compact and it is cross-shaped. Given its location in a valley, the designer had to creatively navigate the complex terrain to construct a garden that blends French and British styles, situated between two hills.
The areas flanking the Schloss are symmetrical in shape, but the details and the arrangement of plants and flower beds are asymmetrical.
You can choose to explore either or both sides, which lead to charming arbors. Climbing upwards, you’ll find yourself high above the Schloss, at the starting point of a cascading water feature and near the Music Pavilion.
This pavilion is even higher than the Temple of Venus on the opposite side of the garden. The water flows down through a canal-like structure, creating a cascade that leads to the Neptune Fountain at the rear of the Schloss.
In front of the Schloss, a flat area makes for easier garden design. Here, you’ll find a large Water Parterre and the Fountain of Flora and Putten.
Surrounding the parterre are flower beds, bushes, trees, and statues, all meticulously arranged to create a pleasing landscape.
To reach the Temple of Venus, we ascended a staircase and were first greeted by another fountain where two goddesses pour water into a central basin.
Further up, we encountered a statue of Louis XIV set against a massive ivy wall. The staircase led us to a platform ideal for photography, complete with two terrace gardens.
Another terrace garden appeared as we climbed further, and finally, we reached the Temple of Venus.
Visiting Schloss Linderhof in the Autumn was a visual feast, with trees displaying a spectrum of golden, red, and purple hues. The scene was made even more enchanting by clouds drifting through the mountainous backdrop.
Although we had to leave to catch our bus, I highly recommend visiting other nearby attractions like the Venus Grotto, Moorish Kiosk, Moroccan House, and the old Royal Lodge.
The town of Oberammergau
Distinctive for its heavy Catholic influence, Oberammergau is like many Bavarian towns where the exteriors of houses are adorned with biblical narratives. This is a unique feature I haven’t encountered outside of Bavaria. The town also offers a variety of dining options that serve Alpine-region cuisine. For more details on these eateries, you can check out my Foodie Map.
As mentioned earlier, I strongly recommend an overnight stay in Oberammergau if you’re visiting from Munich. While it’s possible to visit Linderhof immediately after Neuschwanstein, doing so might not allow you the time to fully immerse yourself in the local culture, architecture, and natural beauty.
While this marks the end of my Ludwig II series, I plan to continue tracing his footsteps and perhaps revisit these iconic locations to discover what I may have missed the first time around. King Ludwig II’s love for the Alps, romantic tales, and grand castles and palaces has only intensified my own passion for them.