📷 Llez, CC BY-SA 3.0Lichtenstein Castle
Lichtenstein, Germany
A fairy-tale castle perched on a cliff edge of the Swabian Alb, built in the 1840s after a romantic novel. Even without a tour, the view from the grounds is worth the stop.
Lichtenstein Castle near Honau stands at 817 m on the Swabian Alb above the Echaz valley. The castle was built between 1840 and 1842 to plans by Carl Alexander Heideloff, on the foundations of a castle dating from 1390. It was inspired by Wilhelm Hauff's 1826 novel "Lichtenstein", which led Count Wilhelm of Württemberg, later Duke of Urach, to buy the site in 1837. King Frederick I had the earlier castle taken down in 1802 and replaced by a hunting lodge. The ruins of Alt-Lichtenstein castle lie about 500 m away. The castle is privately owned.
There is a car park by the Schlossschenke, and the entrance is a walk of about 250 to 300 m. The interior can only be seen on a guided tour (about 30 minutes). According to the official website, the castle is closed in January and February (as of October 2026); times and prices vary, so check them in advance. Drones are not permitted.
- Nearest town
- Lichtenstein, Germany
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 48.4063, 9.2574
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Azur CampingCampsite7 km from Lichtenstein CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Wohnmobilstellplatz beim Bauernhausmuseum - ÖdenwaldstettenMotorhome stopover11 km from Lichtenstein CastleMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Wohnmobilstellplatz MössingenMotorhome stopover14 km from Lichtenstein Castle · 10 pitchesCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalWi-Fi
- PfählhofCampsite17 km from Lichtenstein CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Hofgut HopfenburgCampsite18 km from Lichtenstein CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- WoMo-Stellplatz BeurenMotorhome stopover20 km from Lichtenstein Castle · 58 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
All campsites in Germany · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Lichtenstein Castle?
Lichtenstein Castle is in Lichtenstein, Germany, at GPS 48.4063, 9.2574. It is about 7 km from Erpfingen.
Can you camp near Lichtenstein Castle?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Stellplatz am Schönbergbad, about 6 km away; within 25 km there are 30 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Lichtenstein Castle?
Lichtenstein Castle is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Swabian Alb: castles, springs and the Danube.
What is there to see near Lichtenstein Castle?
Places worth a stop nearby: Uracher Wasserfall (13 km), Hohenzollern Castle (23 km), Blautopf (39 km) and Birnau Basilica (74 km).
When is the best time to visit Lichtenstein Castle?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)