Frequently asked questions

On their birthday, birthday celebrants will receive a small gift certificate at the Visitor Information Center (upon presentation of their ID).

Please note that tickets for Hohenzollern Castle cannot be cancelled or rebooked.

Hohenzollern Castle is illuminated in the evening/at night:

• from 1st Advent to Candlemas (February 2nd): daily
• from Candlemas to 1st Advent: Fridays and Saturdays

The lighting is activated by a twilight switch and goes out at 22:30.

The castle is also open almost every day during the cold months. But be careful: the museum rooms are not heated - please dress warmly!

Dogs on a leash (max. 2 meters) have access to the castle grounds, but not to the museum rooms, the chapels and cellar rooms - regardless of type, size and transportation/carrying options.

Dogs may be taken onto the shuttle bus and into the castle restaurant, provided they do not impair the safety and well-being of other guests.

In general, animals may not be taken into the museum rooms, chapels and cellars - regardless of type, size and transportation/carrying options.

A certified assistance dog that has the appropriate ID card or proof of two years of training, including a passed assistance dog exam, and a visible badge may accompany its user inside the museum.

The operation of drones and other remote-controlled model aircraft is prohibited on and above the entire castle grounds and castle hill, including parking lots, for safety reasons. This prohibition is based on both statutory and private law regulations. As the private owner of the castle grounds, the House of Hohenzollern has issued this ban in order to avert danger to visitors and employees, to protect their personal rights and to ensure the protection of cultural assets. On this basis, the castle administration will report any violations to the police. The ban applies to all unmanned aerial systems and model aircraft, regardless of their size, weight or insurance cover.

Outside the castle grounds (= outside the castle hill), a drone can be launched and flown in the direction of Hohenzollern Castle on public/approved/permitted land within the framework of the legal regulations, as long as a minimum distance of 500 meters towards the castle is maintained. Closer approaches and overflights are prohibited. Aerial photographs (images/videos) taken in the process may be used for private purposes. For commercial purposes, written permission must be obtained from the castle administration for a fee.

Hohenzollern Castle is a historic site where comprehensive safety cannot be guaranteed. By entering the castle grounds, visitors acknowledge any potential risks, agree to behave responsibly, and release the owners from any liability. We ask that you refrain from causing damage to this historic, protected structure and from climbing on the walls. Parents are responsible for their children.

If you’d like to visit with a group  – e.g. a nursery group, school class, club outing, etc. – please feel free to contact our Visitor Information Centre in advance by email or by telephone on +49(0)7471 2428.

To prevent damage to the historic interior, hiking rucksacks, walking sticks and umbrellas are not permitted in the museum rooms.

You are welcome to leave your rucksack at the visitor information desk for safekeeping. Bins for hiking poles and umbrellas are available at the museum entrance.

Smaller rucksacks may be taken into the museum, but must be worn on the chest.

You will find spacious toilet facilities both in the upper parking lot P1 and in the castle - naturally also handicapped accessible.

Hohenzollern Castle has 2 car parking lots and 1 bus parking lot, which are located halfway up the castle hill.

• The upper parking lot (P1) is the main parking lot with a shop and restrooms.
• The lower parking lot (P2) will be opened if necessary.
• The parking lot for coaches is located directly next to the upper parking lot for cars.

In general, castle admission prices include the cost of the shuttle bus between the visitor car park and the Eagle's Gate (the castle’s entrance gate), as well as parking fees for cars and motorbikes.

Parking fees for motorhomes are 5,00 € for 1 day / 10,00 € for 1 day + 1 night (motorhome parking tickets available from the online ticket shop or at the terminal in the parking shop).

There are 5 designated spaces for motorhomes in the upper car park (P1). These spaces do not have water connections or waste disposal facilities. However, the P1 toilet facilities may be used.

Debit cards, all major credit cards and cash are accepted.

Photography and filming is permitted in the outdoor area and in the museum rooms (without flash, without tripod) for private use. Photography and filming is only not permitted in the Treasury.

When taking photographs/filming, it must be ensured that the flow of visitors is not impaired and that the personal rights of other visitors and castle staff are not violated.

Photographs taken within the castle grounds may be used for private purposes. For commercial purposes, written permission must be obtained from the castle administration for a fee.

Tickets can be purchased on-site at our parking lot shop, provided tickets are still available there. On busy days, tickets may no longer be available on-site. We therefore recommend purchasing tickets online.

Hohenzollern Castle is a historic and listed building, situated on a hill and, due to its age and original purpose, equipped with a correspondingly ancient access system. We make every effort to provide access to the castle for guests with walking disabilities. Unfortunately, however, we cannot guarantee or offer accessibility in all areas.

The shuttle bus that runs between the visitor parking lot and the Adlertor (entrance gate to the castle) is wheelchair accessible and also suitable for transporting a baby carriage. It is about 350 meters uphill from the Adlertor to the castle courtyard (partly over cobblestones). Alternatively, there is an elevator a few meters from the Adlertor. The exit of the elevator is on the Schnarrwacht bastion. From there it is about 50 meters to the castle courtyard.

Guests who are dependent on a wheelchair can of course use it in the museum rooms. However, a staircase with 25 steps must be climbed to reach the museum rooms. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide suitable staff to assist. We kindly ask you to assess the feasibility yourself and, if necessary, to climb up and down the stairs with the help of your own relatives. We are happy to grant free admission to two people accompanying a wheelchair user.

The treasure chamber is accessible from the castle courtyard without stairs and can therefore be easily visited by wheelchair users.

Guests who are dependent on a walking aid such as a rollator, crutch or cane can of course use these in the museum rooms, provided the walking aid is rubberized and does not damage the floor or the furniture. Long and sharp objects such as walking sticks or umbrellas are not permitted in the showrooms.

Baby carriages and buggies are not permitted in the museum rooms.

You will find disabled toilets in the P1 parking lot and in the castle grounds just a few meters below the castle courtyard.

For further questions and information, please call the castle information desk on 07471-2428.

...that by purchasing your admission ticket, you are directly contributing to the preservation of Hohenzollern Castle, which - unlike many other castles and palaces - remains privately owned and finances its own ongoing maintenance and personnel costs without government support?