Hohenschwangau, Germany Summary

Within the Schwangau muncipality is the village of HOHENSCHWANGAU, 2km to the southeast. Consisting in the main of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, snack bars and souvenir shops, not to mention five enormous car parks, it’s the most rampantly commercialized place in the whole of Germany – though it’s only fair to add that it’s set in close proximity to some of the most spectacular scenery the country has to offer. To escape from the worst of the crowds, it’s well worth taking a stroll along the footpaths encircling the two beautiful lakes which lie directly to the east. In summer, you can swim or sail in the larger lake, the Alpsee, whereas the Schwansee (literally, “Swan Lake”) is a strict nature reserve surrounded by an English-style park offering wonderful framed vistas of the two royal castles.