"oomp pa pa pa" a Hohenschwangau Travel Page by reenby

We cycled into Hohenschwangau with a sinking heart as we could hear the oomp-pa-pa band from some distance. There is a large coach park in the centre of the village for the hoardes of buses which deposit their customers, and then slumber until home time. This is a very touristy village.

Much to our relief the tourists faded away after 5 oclock, and in the end we more or less had the village to ourselves. It seemed a much nicer place then but many of the bars and resaurants closed at 5 as well.

We managed to eat well on both nights we were there, but it was early to bed on both evenings.

Perhaps that is just as well as you have to be prepared to get up early to get your tickets to the castles. There is a booking slot system in place, so get to the booking office early.

Be warned about the bus which takes you up the hill to the main castle. You can prepurchase your tickets for it but it gains you nothing as you have to join the same queue as those without tickets. Unless its too hot, I would advise just walking up instead.