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Things to do in Linderhof Palace Park Germany

Set against an alpine backdrop along the rolling Bavarian countryside in Germany is a splendid palace with an amazing park. We spent part of the day visiting the fairytale castle of Neuschwanstein but we also managed to explore the grounds of nearby Linderhof Palace. Come along with us and discover this royal gem.

Linderhof Palace

King Ludwig II was a young king who ruled Bavaria for over 20 years before being declared insane and drowned mysteriously soon after. Ludwig was a dreamer but with limited powers as a monarch.

The eccentric king created three extravagant castles including Neuschwanstein Castle. Linderhof is the smallest but the only one finished and where he stayed the most.

Linderhof Palace

Ludwig was a recluse. Not surprisingly, Linderhof was located on a secluded area surrounded by forests and hills in the Graswang valley. This was one of his retreats and where he escaped into his fantasy worlds. 

Visitors cannot see the palace from the main road or the parking lot. The ticket center, hotel, restaurants and stores are in a small quad. It’s another 5-10 minute walk to the palace on a paved trail.

Linderhof Palace trail

Along the way, we found these swans on a pond. They were lovely greeters to this enchanting setting.

Linderhof Palace swans

Linderhof didn’t have towers and turrets and was smaller than many royal homes we’ve seen. The palace was built where Ludwig’s father’s hunting lodge once stood. This was the front portion of the palace.

Linderhof Palace front

Ludwig wanted to make this residence into a mini-Versailles. He admired France’s Sun King Louis XIV a lot. He initially planned it as a “modest villa” but turned into an ornate Rococo palace resembling some of the smaller French palaces.

Linderhof Palace side garden


We didn’t get to tour the palace interior due to poor time management. We were enjoying walking around the painted houses in Oberammergau so much that we lost track of time. But, we decided to do the 20-minute drive anyway to Linderhof to see the grounds that were still open and also free.

Linderhof Palace sculptures

Visitors can only see the palace’s interiors through tours. There are various languages for the tours and goes through 10 rooms. Like the other castles, visitors cannot take pictures inside. We would have loved to see the extravagant Hall of Mirrors room.

The details on the palace exterior were also beautiful. They built the reliefs and statues on the building to honor the Bavarian monarchy. But, the inside was Ludwig’s imaginary, world and homage to Louis XIV.

Linderhof Palace details

The Park and Gardens

While the palace may have been the main attraction of the estate, the park and gardens played a large supporting role to make this one of Bavaria’s most beautiful places. The formal garden had a large basin and fountain with gilded statues in the center.

The fountain shoots 98 feet up into the air. But, it was probably shut off late in the day since we never saw it.

Linderhof fountain

The three terraced gardens with a round temple is the crowning glory. The palace’s namesake, huge, 300-year-old linden tree to the right , still prominently stands. There was once a platform built into the branches where Ludwig ate a few times.

Linderhof Palace park

A bust of French Queen Marie Antoinette was also at one of the arches in the garden. This was one of the side-terraced gardens. They made for lovely spaces to stroll around and relax.

Linderhof terrace garden

The round temple at the top contains a statue of Venus. Ludwig once planned for a theater instead of the temple but decided to stick to one large building in the estate.

Linderhof Palace Venus temple

Ludwig’s garden designer, Carl von Effner, largely made the Linderhof Palace Park possible while fulfilling the king’s requirements of a mini-Versailles park. A very satisfied and happy Ludwig raised Effner to nobility status. I’d say it was much deserved seeing this magnificent finished park grounds.

Linderhof Palace Garden star

There were pockets of gardens and flower beds surrounding the palace and everything was in full bloom during our summer visit. The west ornamental garden surrounded it with high hedges with a gilded fountain in the center. The statues depicting the four seasons surround it.

Linderhof Palace trail

The eastern gardens were just as colorful with more statues and a golden cupid fountain. It makes one wonder how much maintenance and man power goes on with keeping these gardens so beautiful.

Linderhof Palace garden

Behind the palace was garden with miniature waterfalls cascading down over 30 marble steps. The Neptune Fountain was at the bottom to gather the water flow. There was a Music Pavilion at the top with much of the countryside and majestic mountains behind it.

Linderhof Neptune fountain

It was accessible by a long, covered trellis pathway that my kids adored. Can you tell?

Linderhof Palace with kids

There was such a huge variety of sculptures in the grounds that we almost felt like we were at an outdoor sculpture museum.

Linderhof Palace sculptures

Some were a bit whimsical that made us smile.

Linderhof Palace angels

My silly boy couldn’t resist pretending to drink from this cherub fountain.

Linderhof fountain with kids

The park also had other structures where Ludwig escaped to like Hunding’s Hut, the Moorish Kiosk, Moroccan House and St. Anne’s Chapel where he usually attended mass. But, the most popular attraction for visitors was the artificial Grotto.

Unfortunately, it was part of the palace-guided tour and we couldn’t get in. Colored lights, flower garlands surround a small lake with a shell-shaped boat where Ludwig was once rowed around the lake.

Despite not doing the palace tour and seeing some of the other ground structures, it was a worthwhile trip to see Linderhof’s exterior and grounds. There was still so much to this area we have yet to see including more of Linderhof Palace so we would love to return.

The sprawling park made this more kid-friendly than Ludwig’s other castles. My kids loved all the space to run around in the royal gardens. We hope you get the chance to explore Linderhof during a Bavarian visit.

Linderhof Palace with kids
Tips for Visiting Linderhof Palace

  • Check the times for the last tour. Tour tickets must be purchased at the ticket center (by the shops) before walking to the palace.
  • Admission Price: 8.50 euros for adults and children were free. The park buildings have separate admission prices or a combination ticket can be purchased.
  • Buy the 14-day Bavarian Pass which allows free entry to over 40 attractions and covers Linderhof. Family pass – 40 euro ($54 US).
  • Use the restrooms before walking to the castle as there are no facilities at or near the palace.
  • Tours are available in German and English and last about 25 minutes for the palace and 10 minutes for the grotto.
  • Opening hours: April to mid-October daily from 9AM to 6PM; mid-Oct to March from 10AM – 4PM; Only the palace can be visited during winter.
  • Go early or late. We had some areas of the grounds all to ourselves with no tour buses around.

*Have you visited Linderhof or Ludwig’s other castles?

41 thoughts on “Things to do in Linderhof Palace Park Germany”

  1. Oh my god this place looks absolutely stunning! Versailles definitely popped into my mind after looking at the first photo. You captured it beautifully. Writing this down immediately for when I visit my friends in Germany later this year. Thanks for sharing, Mary!

    Happy travels :)

  2. Bavaria must arguably be one of the most beautiful places on earth! These photos definitely add to the argument anyway. I didn’t know that Ludwig was a recluse but I love the thought of him creating Linderhof in a remote area as a place for escapism and fantasy. The labyrinth style garden and mythological statues definitely add to the fantasy world – this place is now on my never ending ‘list’!!

    1. Bavaria is someplace I’d love to retire if it didn’t snow :) Ludwig was such a strange and interesting man but thank goodness he created these fairytale castles for all of us to enjoy.

  3. Beautiful place! it looks like you had a relaxing visit and it also looks like you can spend hours visiting the grounds alone!

  4. Love the kids under the trellis photo. I bet they had fun doing that. I think the beauty of the palace is in the surroundings. The forrest and hills really put the icing on the cake – so to speak.

  5. How fascinating that the Neuschwanstein Castle wasn’t finished. I never knew that before. Those gold statues are gorgeous. Absolutely awesome photo of your son at the fountain, Mary!:)

  6. I feel like Goldilocks and the Three Bears — of all the castles you’ve featured on your blog, Mary, this one’s just right. Not too big or too ostentatious, no turrets or towers, just perfect. Even the gardens, sorry the park, looks manageable. Thanks for the tour, Mary. I think I’ve found my new home!

  7. Nice shots. I spent a good part of a day touring the Neuschwanstein complex. I don’t think I even knew Linderhof existed, despite the fact that I drove down the highway just to the south of it on my way between Munich and Reutte, Austria.

  8. Wow! I’m truly amazed by the lovely and charming look of this palace. I feel like being back in Holland. There is one place, a fairytale land called Efteling, where I spent my holiday in. Love the lake and wish I could have a picnic in this amazing park!

  9. I’ve always wanted to visit this part of the country – and this gives me one more reason to visit. How lovely. Thanks for the warning on time management – that’s always a downfall of mine!

  10. This place looks fantastic. I had never heard of it but will definitely put it the must see list of Germany.

    Great to have you at Oh, the PLACES I’ve been!

    – Alma, The Tablescaper

  11. This one looks like a real winner. I am so impressed with the grounds and your photos are gorgeous.Your first picture is spectacular and as always your kids are smiling. Now you would never photoshop a smile would you….I didn’t think so.

  12. That first photo immediately made me think of Versailles because of the gold statue in the middle of the pond. The round temple and the high hedges of the ornamental garden remind me of Versailles, too. I’d love to visit Linderhof in person one day, and I especially wish that I had a garden like this of my own.

  13. I love Linderhof! One of the many times we’ve visited, the girls had friends visiting Europe and it was raining. We took tons of fun umbrella pics on the baroque steps…gorgeous! Kids always love the grotto!

  14. Hi Mary, I enjoy your castle posts. Linderhof though small looks majestic. The garden looks stunning and relaxing. You seemed to capture every lovely corner of it. Love the shot of whimsical cherubs. So cute! The kids must have loved running around the garden. I would!

  15. Well our Mad King Ludwig II certainly had a flair for the ornate! Linderhof is absolute exquisite in every respect and your photos certainly bring to life this extraordinary palace. Thank you for this wonderful introduction, now part of my bucket list as are Hohenshwangau and Neuschwanstein!!

  16. Ludwig certainly had high taste in architecture!! What a fascinating place! As an Indian I see so many forts and palaces here in India but this seems just so very well kept and ornate. Its a pity that you could not tour its insides, but there is always a next time. Have a good day Mary :)

  17. I kick myself every time I see this castle, we drive past it by accident and decided to not bother turning around. WHAT A MISTAKE. The gardens, the architecture and the wow factor, it has it all. Great detail for anyone wanting to go there.

  18. Gosh Mary, Linderhof Palace looks truly amazing. I’ve visited Neuschwanstein before but when I head to Bavaria this year I will definitely be including a visit to Linderhof Palace. The gardens look fabulous and your photos are superb.

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