© Stiftung Hambacher Schloss
Located on the east side of the Palatinate Forest, embedded in the picturesque surroundings of the German Wine Route and with a view overlooking the expanse of the Upper Rhine Plain is Hambach Castle, a vibrant site that marks the history of democracy in Germany and Europe. As of June 2022, the updated exhibit Up, up to the Castle! is open to visitors and features new exhibits and interactive elements to explore in depth.
The event program that includes political discussions, classical concerts, cabarets, and plays for children and adults offers just as much cultural entertainment as it does the possibility for lively debate. The castle garden, the Mediterranean-like panorama terrace, and Restaurant 1832 invite visitors to stroll around, discover, and enjoy.
Adults | 6,50 € | |
School and university students | 3,00 € * | |
People with disabilities | 4,50 € * | |
Families | 13,00 € | |
Groups of 10 or more (adults) | 5,50 € p.P. | |
Groups of 10 or more (school and university students) | 2,00 € p.P. | |
Children under 6 years | Free |
November to March
Monday–Sunday 11:00 am–5:00 pm
April to October
Monday–Sunday 10:00 am–6:00 pm
You can reach us easily by bus or train. From the main train station in Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Bus 502 goes right to Hambach Castle.
From the bus stop Schloss (Castle), the walk is roughly 400 meters up the hill to the entrance of the castle.
Here is the schedule for Bus 502.
To plan your trip, you can find information here about the Verkehrsbund Rhein–Neckar (VRN), which is the transportation organization for the region:
You can reach us by car by taking Autobahn A 65. Take the exit Neustadt an der Weinstraße-Süd (13) to the B 39.
Follow the signs to “Ortsteil Hambach” and then to Hambach Castle.
The roads to and from Hambach Castle go in a circle and are one-way. There is enough parking along the road going to (Schlossstraße) and along the road going away from (Freiheitsstraße) the castle.
For tour buses, there is a total of four parking spaces near the bus stop.
It is not possible to drive right up to Hambach Castle. Information on barrier-free accessibility is here.
Hambach Castle is an open space for everyone! Inclusion and barrier-free accessibility are a prime concern of ours. The castle garden, Restaurant 1832, and the castle are barrier-free. The exhibit Up, up to the Castle! conveys the history of the 1832 Hambach Festival also with numerous listening stations and an audio guide and can be experienced by the visually impaired and the blind. With exhibit elements that have enough clearance under them for people in a wheelchair, ramps, and low showcases, visitors in a wheelchair can take in the whole exhibit. We offer tours for the visually impaired and the blind and tours in simple language. Hambach Castle is reviewed and certified every three years by the agency “Reisen für Alle” for its barrier-free offers.
Bus: The bus stop (Bus 502) is below Hambach Castle. From there, it is roughly 400 meters on foot up the hill to the entrance of the castle.
Car: By car, you can reach us by taking Autobahn A 65. Take the exit Neustadt an der Weinstraße-Süd (13) to get on to the B 39. From there, follow the signs to “Ortsteil Hambach” and then to Hambach Castle.
The roads to and from Hambach Castle go in a circle and are one-way. There is enough parking along the road going to (Schlossstraße) and along the road going away from (Freiheitsstraße) the castle. From there, depending on where you park, it is 400 meters on foot up the hill to the entrance of the castle.
Handicap parking spots are available right at Hambach Castle.
To explore the permanent exhibit Up, up to the Castle!, audio guides are available for € 3 in German, English, French, and Polish.
Service dogs are permitted in Hambach Castle and in the permanent exhibit Up, up to the Castle!
Admission to Hambach Castle and the permanent exhibit costs € 6.50. For people with disabilities, admission is € 4.50.
Tour for the visually impaired and the blind with detailed descriptions of the countryside, architecture, and exhibit, including tactile exhibits.
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: € 90.00 plus castle admission
Tour for people with learning difficulties that talks about the history of Hambach Castle in simple language. There is lots of space and time for questions and conversations.
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: € 55.00 plus castle admission
Tel.: +49 6321 92 629-0
zeitreisen@hambacher-schloss.de
You will find information about Hambach Castle in simple language here.
Welcome to Hambach Castle, the cradle of German democracy! For your visit to be as pleasant and smooth as possible, the following rules apply to all visitors to the grounds of Hambach Castle Foundation (castle building, castle garden, access roads to and from the castle, and castle bus stop area). If, in exceptional cases, such as in a pandemic, additional rules are necessary, they will be communicated to visitors at the entrance gate to the castle grounds, and the rules are binding. The staff of the Foundation are the caretakers of the building and have the authority to enforce the Code of Conduct. The instructions of the staff must be followed. Any visitor who violates the Code of Conduct can be asked to leave and will not be allowed to return. All visitors are liable for any damages they cause on the castle grounds in accordance with statutory provisions.
Hambach Castle is open daily
(April to October from 10 am to 6 pm / November to March from 11 am to 5 pm).
Access to the castle grounds is free-of-charge. The admission fees to visit the castle are determined by the Hambach Castle Foundation. Notices and other public notifications apply.
Please see our website for the public tours and group tours we offer (www.hambacher-schloss.de). Tours on the castle grounds are organized and carried out exclusively by the Hambach Castle Foundation.
Access is not permitted to the castle grounds outside of the designated paths.
Access to the castle grounds is only permitted with a special permit from the Hambach Castle Foundation.
The use of bikes, scooters, inline skates, skateboards, etc., on the castle grounds is not permitted. Bicycles may only be parked at the designated bicycle stands.
Cars and trucks on the roads to and from the castle must drive at a walking pace.
Dogs must be leashed everywhere on the castle grounds and must be attended and supervised at all times.
Taking pictures and filming for personal use are permitted, but in the exhibit rooms, please do not use flashes, lamps, tripods, or selfie sticks. Adhering to the copyright and ownership rights and personal rights of third parties is the responsibility of the person who is photographing or filming.
Food and refreshments on the entire grounds are provided exclusively by Restaurant 1832 (Hambacher Schloss Betriebs GmbH).
Noise pollution, particularly from playing music, must be avoided.
A cloakroom and lockers are available free-of-charge for coats, large bags, and backpacks. We assume no liability for the cloakroom and bags
Stairs, hallways, and designated emergency exits must always be kept clear for safety reasons.
In case of fire and in the event of an alarm, the building must be left quickly and calmly.
Eating and drinking are not permitted in the exhibit rooms.
Teachers, group leaders, and other group supervisors must ensure that the children and youth in their care behave appropriately and considerately.
Actions, events, and projects that depict and/or spread unconstitutional or illegal thoughts are forbidden as are actions, events, and projects with extremist, racist, anti-Semitic, or anti-democratic contents.
It is forbidden to use language, writing, or gesture to disparage the freedom and dignity of any person (Art. 1 of the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany) and to use, spread, or make visible signs and symbols that either are in the spirit of organizations that do not align with the constitution or that are unconstitutional or that represent these.
There is no-smoking policy in all closed spaces on the castle grounds.
Climbing any wall on the castle grounds is forbidden.
This Code of Conduct was enacted on September 12, 2020 by the Board of the Hambach Castle Foundation and applies to all the grounds in the possession of the Hambach Castle Foundation.
© Stiftung Hambacher Schloss
Below Hambach Castle, you will find our Museum Shop. Let yourself be inspired by select literature on the topics of the history of democracy, politics, and regional history. Whether you are looking for a novel, biography, non-fiction book, or illustrated book—we have a large selection. Or perhaps you are looking for typical Palatinate products as a gift or souvenir? In the Shop, there are many delicacies, such as our popular chestnut pesto or an especially creamy honey from bees around the castle’s mountain. The legendary Elwedritsche from the Palatinate Forest, a mythical bird-like creature, is naturally just as much a part of our selection as the legendary Dubbeglas. Prepare to be amazed by the selection for children and adults that we carefully put together. We look forward to your visit and are happy to answers questions you may have about our products.
© Stiftung Hambacher Schloss
Indulge in our culinary delights in Restaurant 1832. Whether you prefer traditional Palatinate dishes, light and creative food, freshly baked cake, or exquisite three-course meals, the team under the direction of Chef Lukasz Partyka creates fine food for every palate with well-chosen ingredients from the region. Wines selected with care complement the culinary experience. In terms of its architecture, Restaurant 1832 is remarkable. The star Swiss architect, Max Dudler, created both an unpretentious und generous building whose sandstone blends seamlessly into the circular walls of Hambach Castle. The team of Restaurant 1832 is looking forward to your visit!
Please contact our Visitor Services:
Monday–Friday
9:00 am–5:00 pm
Tel.: +49 6321 92 629-0
E-mail: zeitreisen@hambacher-schloss.de
Please go the Museum Shop (just past the iron gate on the right) 15 minutes before the tour begins.
We accept cash, EC card, Visa, or Master Card. Alternatively, we can send you an invoice after your visit.
In Hambach Castle and the permanent exhibit Up, up to the Castle!, taking pictures for private, non-commercial purposes is allowed.
Exceptions are designated exhibit items in the exhibit, such as the original flag of the Hambach Festival. When participating in tours and other educational offers of the museum, taking pictures, filming, and making sound recordings are not allowed.
Taking pictures and filming with drones and other remote-controlled model aircraft are not permitted on the entire grounds of Hambach Castle, including the bus parking lot. Taking pictures and filming for commercial purposes are only possible after obtaining written approval from the head of the Foundation.
To visit the permanent exhibit Up, up to the Castle!, we recommend 60–90 minutes. Depending on the interest and desired depth of knowledge, the duration of the visit can vary. To enjoy the castle garden thoroughly, we recommend allowing an extra 30 minutes.
Yes, there are lightweight and portable folding chairs available in the exhibit.
Dogs are not allowed in the exhibit Up, up to the Castle! An exception is made for service dogs. In the banquet hall and foyer, leashed dogs are allowed.
Yes, you have free admission with both cards to Hambach Castle and the permanent exhibit Up, up to the Castle!
For all addition offers, e.g., tours or events, the cards cannot be used.