So Many Castles, So Little Time!

Park here for your time spent at Mespelbrunn Castle.

You are about to enter what is arguably the most famous moated castle in all of Germany. Indeed, Mespelbrunn has set the standard for what a Bavarian castle "should look like".
Mespelbrunn Castle, from 1412, was originally built as a private residence, but in 1427 modified as a fortified castle complete with a moat, towers and protective walls.
Time took its toll and generations changed the structures so that today the round tower from the 15th century is the only original element.
Now fashioned into a Renaissance-styled home, it is the private residence of the Counts of Ingelheim. The family occupies the southern wing and have made the rest of the castle open to the public.
While the outside of the castle is spectacular, if you want to see the inside, you'll need to book a guided tour. The tour lasts around 40 minutes and is mostly in German. However, they do have an information sheet available in English for you to follow as you move with the group. It is advisable to read over the English information sheet in advance to familiarize yourself and the kids with the layout and main points. If you don't speak German, this will make the tour much more enjoyable.

This country inn serving homemade beers and Franconian and Bavarian delicacies is a great place to have a casual family lunch.
If you're visiting in the summer months, grab a table outside in the garden or down by the lake where you can sit and let the children play nearby.
Be sure to try the apple strudel with vanilla ice cream, it's a must!

You'll park here to walk up to Burg Wertheim Castle.

The hilltop castle ruins of Wertheim overlooks the historic old town and the junction of the Main and Tauber rivers. As you climb up the hill, the most spectacular views will reveal themselves.
The 1183 Wertheim castle, one of the oldest castle ruins in the area, is technically a two-part castle, one part a tumbling down ruined tower and the rest a perfectly restored castle, complete with modern cafe.
But honestly, the best thing about this castle might just be the goats that roam freely around the walled compound. Kids and goats—see what I did there—it doesn't get much more entertaining than this.

After a day of castle and sightseeing, let the kids be kids and interact with the adorable fluffies at the Sommerhausen Zoo.
It is a family-friendly wildlife park with diverse animals in spacious enclosures. Children can observe and learn about over 350 animals, including pets and farm animals, while emphasizing natural care. Some animals may be hiding, so patience and careful observation are encouraged.
The zoo's website also introduces various animals and shares interesting facts about them, such as rabbits, peacocks, alpacas, domestic donkeys, and fallow deer, making it a fun and educational experience for the whole family.

Zur Kunstmühle is a very child-friendly and relaxed venue with typical German offerings. The informal picnic tables outside are perfect for a dinner with kids.
You'll find plenty of local dishes on offer, like schnitzel with creamed mushrooms and spaetzle and beer goulash with spaetzles.
So, grab a table, a dessert and relax. You deserve it after this busy day!

It's been a long, but fun and exciting day! Now you'll check into your hotel, the Guesthouse zur Kurve and relax for the rest of the night.
The hotel has a great buffet breakfast for you to fuel up in the morning. So get some rest because it's a big day tomorrow at Playmobil!