Harburg Castle
Burg Harburg
Germany · Bavaria, Swabia · Near Augsburg
Built 1150 · Romanesque / Medieval German
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Quick Facts
- Hours
- Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00. Closed Mon
- Day trip from
- €262
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Best time
- April to October
- Nearest city
- Augsburg
Featured Tour
Harburg Private Guided Walking Tour
Cancellation available · Instant confirmation
Highlights
- ✦One of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in southern Germany
- ✦Completely intact medieval townscape within the castle walls
- ✦Strategically positioned above the Wörnitz River on the Romantic Road
- ✦Original medieval buildings including treasury, gatehouse, and keep
- ✦Spectacular views over the Wörnitz valley and Bavarian countryside
Skip the queue with a guided tour
Skip-the-line tickets & expert guides
Burg Harburg is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castle complexes in Germany, a sprawling hilltop fortification above the Wörnitz River valley in Swabian Bavaria. Unlike many German castles rebuilt or restored in the 19th century, Harburg retains largely original medieval fabric — a genuine ensemble of Romanesque and Gothic buildings clustered within its walls, including a Romanesque chapel, treasury, keep, and multiple residential wings. The castle sits directly on the Romantic Road (Romantische Straße), Germany's most famous heritage driving route, making it one of the most visited medieval monuments in Bavaria. It has been in the ownership of the Princes of Oettingen-Wallerstein for centuries and remains their property today.
History
The castle is first documented in 1150 and was an imperial Hohenstaufen fortress before passing to the Counts and later Princes of Oettingen. It served as the administrative centre of their territories for centuries and was never captured or destroyed, accounting for its exceptional state of preservation. The castle passed to the senior line of the Oettingen-Wallerstein dynasty and remains their property — one of the oldest continuously owned noble properties in Germany.
How to Visit
Getting there: Harburg is 80 km north of Augsburg on the B25, directly on the Romantic Road. Regional trains serve Harburg from Augsburg and Nördlingen; the castle hill is a 10-minute walk from Harburg station.
Tickets: Entry costs €6 for adults, €3 for children. Walk-up entry is available at the castle gate (open mid-March to October, Tuesday–Sunday). The GYG private guided walking tour (t603038, from €262, no reviews yet) covers 1.5 hours with a private guide; this is a premium private tour rather than a standard entry ticket.
Practical tips: Some interior areas are accessible by guided tour only — check availability at the gate on arrival. The small inhabited village within the castle walls is freely walkable; combine with the guided interior tour for the full experience. Arrive before 11:00 in summer to avoid tour-bus crowds on the Romantic Road.
Combine with: [Moritzburg Castle](/castles/germany/moritzburg-castle) is a Baroque hunting palace in Saxony for a wider German castles itinerary. On the Romantic Road itself, Nördlingen (15 km north) is one of Germany's best-preserved medieval walled towns — its intact ring wall, two surviving towers, and medieval street plan can be walked in 1–2 hours as a same-day addition. Neuschwanstein, the most-visited castle in Germany, is ~100 km south on the same driving route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — it sits directly on the Romantische Straße, Germany's most famous heritage driving route from Würzburg to Füssen, and is one of its most impressive stops.
Location
Schlossgasse 1, 86655 Harburg (Schwaben), Germany
Nearby Castles
Tours & Tickets
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From
€262/ group