Located just outside Stuttgart in the town of Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg Palace (Schloss Ludwigsburg / Ludwigsburg Schloss) stands as Germany’s largest palatial estate and one of Europe’s biggest original Baroque buildings. If you’re a fan of German palaces, this is a must-visit destination!
Table of contents
With an estate covering 79 acres as well as grand halls and even theatres to be explored inside, Ludwigsburg Palace has plenty to see. Check out this guide for all the best bits you won’t want to miss!
Ludwigsburg Palace near Stuttgart: Everything you need to know
What you need to know
- Where is Ludwigsburg Palace? The palace is located in the town of Ludwigsburg. It’s quite central, not too far from the train station and easy to find.
- How to get from Ludwigsburg Palace from Stuttgart? There’s a train from Stuttgart to Ludwigsburg which only takes around 15 minutes. It’s also easy to drive to.
- Who lived in Ludwigsburg Palace? The palace was originally built and lived in by Eberhard Ludwig Duke of Württemberg

How to get there
Ludwigsburg Palace is pretty central in the town, making it really easy to find.
- By public transport: Bus lines 421, 427, 430 or 444 to the stop Residenzschloss will leave you directly outside of the palace.
- On foot: If you’re coming from Ludwigsburg station it’s a 15-20 minute walk. The route is well signposted and you only have to take a few turns so it’s not hard to find!
- By Car: Parking is available at Mömpelgardstraße Parkplatz, and Parkhaus im Marstall. If you’re coming from Stuttgart you can take the B27 road up to Ludwigsburg.
Opening times
Ludwigsburg Palace opening times are as follows:
- 8 January – 9 February:
- Monday to Friday: 12 pm – 3 pm
- Saturday, Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm
- 10 February – 18 February:
- Monday – Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm
- 19 February – 22 March:
- Monday to Friday: 11 am – 3 pm
- Saturday, Sunday: 11 am – 4 pm
- 23 March – 1 November:
- Monday to Friday: 11 am – 4 pm
- Saturday, Sunday, Holiday: 10 am – 5 pm
Ludwigsburg Palace Gardens opening times are as follows:
- 17 March – 3 December: Daily 7:30 am – 8:30 pm
Be sure to check the website for any sudden changes to opening times before you visit.

Entry fee
It’s important to note that between March and November, the Blühendes Barock (Blooming Baroque) Garden Show runs on the palace grounds. However, if you enter via any entrance other than the one on Schlossstraße, you’ll pay a slightly higher entrance fee. This fee will grant you access to both the grounds and the palace. If you’re only interested in seeing the palace make sure you enter via Schlossstraße.
Ludwigsburg Palace has the following entry fees:
- Adult: 9€
- Reduced (Child, elderly etc.): 4.50€
- Family: 22.50€
Blühendes Barock Garden Show (Includes admission to the palace) has the following entry fees:
- Adult: 11.50€
- Children (4-15) & Students: 5.50€
- Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children): 31€
- Family ticket (1 adult, 2 children): 21€
- With family tickets, you can add additional children for 4€ each

My tips for visiting
- The Blühendes Barock garden show runs from mid-March to early November: During this time you pay slightly more to visit the gardens in addition to the palace itself. If you only want to see the Palace and aren’t fussed about the gardens be sure to enter via Schlossstraße or you’ll pay extra.
Ludwigsburg Palace History
Combining the elegance of Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical styles, Ludwigsburg Palace stands as a luxurious masterpiece, sometimes referred to as the “Versailles of Swabia.” Originally conceived as a hunting lodge, the palace was named after its builder, Duke Eberhard Louis—Louis being the French form of Ludwig. The initial construction, which consisted of the central part of the palace, was first completed in 1705.
By 1718, the palace had become the official residential palace of the Duke, and ambitious plans for its grand expansion were set in motion. The growth of the palace also led to the founding of Ludwigsburg town. The town was established to support the construction effort, providing a home for the workers involved. Duke Eberhard Louis also saw Ludwigsburg as a way to shift power away from Stuttgart, with aspirations of developing it into a thriving economic hub.
Unfortunately, Duke Eberhard Louis never witnessed the palace’s full splendour, as he passed away shortly before its completion in 1733.

Ludwigsburg Palace Grounds
Surrounding the North, East and South of the palace are expansive gardens with lots of different areas to be discovered. I spent nearly two hours just wandering around the grounds so be sure to save some time for this!
North Garden
The North Garden, one of the oldest sections of the grounds, was constructed shortly after the main areas of Ludwigsburg Palace. Tucked away at the back of the palace, this garden features a beautifully designed flowerbed arrangement encircling a large pond and fountain.
East Garden
The East Gardens are divided into upper and lower sections. The Lower East Gardens, designed in the English landscape style, offer a more natural atmosphere with wooded areas and shrubbery This area also features a cosy café and a beautiful rose garden. In contrast, the Upper East Gardens are more stylized, with carefully curated spaces like the Japanese gardens, a royal-themed playground, and a restaurant all centred around a pond.
Märchengarten – Fairytale Garden
The Fairytale Garden is a must-see, especially if you’re visiting with children. This enchanting area brings over 40 classic fairytales to life through individual scenes scattered throughout the woods in the Lower East Garden, including Rapunzel’s castle perched atop a hill. There’s also a boat ride along the Fairytale River as well as a great playground.

Bird aviary
In the Upper East garden, there’s more to discover than just bushes and trees. A large walk-through aviary is home to a variety of bird species, including chatty parrots that are more than happy to strike up a conversation, and even flamingos! At the end of the aviary, you’ll find the Posilippo Tunnel, a 30m underground tunnel connecting the lower and upper east gardens.

South Garden
The South Garden, serving as the grand entrance to Ludwigsburg Palace, is a masterpiece of Baroque design. Intricately maintained flower beds and carefully trimmed bushes line the pathway leading to the palace, encircling a large pond and fountain. The setting creates the perfect foreground for the palace.
Inside the Palace
The interior of Ludwigsburg Palace is an incredible showcase of the opulent styles of its time. Every wall and ceiling is adorned with impressive paintings, sculptures, and intricate stucco work. Luxurious furnishings add to the palace’s splendour, bringing the place to life. The Palace Theatre, one of the oldest surviving of its kind in Europe, is a major highlight of the interior. In addition to the Theatre, the Grand Hall and Throne Hall are also notable rooms, and there are over 30 rooms in total waiting to be explored.
Guided tours
Guided tours in English of Ludwigsburg Palace take place at the following times:
- 1 April – 31 October
- Mon-Fri & Holidays – 1:15 pm, 3:15 pm
- 1 November – 31 March
- Mon-Sun & Holidays – 1:15 pm

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival
From the end of August to November, Ludwigsburg Palace hosts the world’s largest pumpkin festival. The Kürbisausstellung Ludwigsburg (Pumpkin Festival) fills the palace grounds with thousands of pumpkins, showcasing around 600 different varieties. This epic autumn celebration is a must-visit, offering an array of pumpkin sculptures, carvings, and a huge selection of pumpkin-themed foods and merchandise.
Summary
Germany is full of incredible castles and palaces with Ludwigsburg Palace being no exception. This certainly has some of the best gardens and more lavish interiors I’ve seen. If you’re in Stuttgart or the surrounding area I can’t recommend a visit enough!