Updated on July 14, 2025 by Angelika

For a few days now, I've been exploring the Swabian Alb and discovering corners that are still unknown to me. Although as a Swabian I have often visited the Alb since my childhood, there are still many undiscovered treasures, especially in the southern part of the region. Before I head back home, I have put two special highlights on my agenda today: Sigmaringen Hohenzollern Castle and Inzigkofen Princely Park, which is just three kilometers from the castle.

Discover Sigmaringen Castle from the outside

I park in the Prinzengarten parking garage, directly in front of the palace, for a fair daily rate of 3 euros. Before I visit the castle from the inside, I want to take a look at it from all sides from the outside. To the right of the castle, a pedestrian and railroad bridge leads to the other side of the Danube and across the B32. On the way, I am greeted by the bronze roebuck on the Panthelstein, which was once donated by Major Eugen Panthel. A little further on, the hiking trails to Mühlberg begin.

View from Mühlberg - The perfect view of the castle

When I see the steep, rocky mountain, I initially fear that I won't make it to the top. But although the path to the viewpoint on the Mühlberg is a little steep, it's not far. And this viewpoint really is a must for every visitor to Sigmaringen who is reasonably fit! The view of the majestic castle, the charming old town and the expansive Danube valley is simply breathtaking! I take plenty of photos from various locations, but the best view is from the upper vantage point, where there are also two benches where you can take in the beautiful view.

As I still want to visit the castle and later see the most important sights in the Princely Park in Inzigkofen, I make my way back. Before the bridge over the Danube, a path leads along the banks of the Danube to the Danube stage in front of the Karls Hotel. From there, there is also a wonderful view of the castle. You can sit down on the steps there and enjoy the beautiful view for a while.

Unbelievable - but the entrance to the castle is not so easy to find if you don't know your way around. I wasn't the only one who had to ask. You first have to walk a little way along Fürst-Wilhelm-Straße before turning right up Kirchberg, past St. Johann's Church to the castle. In Fürst-Wilhelm-Straße, the traders have already started to dismantle their stalls - it is after 12 noon. This street is home to Sigmaringen's historic town hall and other beautiful buildings from different eras. A short stroll through the town center is well worthwhile and can be completed quickly.

Sigmaringen Palace - a witness to Hohenzollern history

You first have to walk along Fürst-Wilhelm-Straße for a while before turning right up Kirchberg, past St. Johann Church to the castle. I have already bought my ticket online. I pick up an audio guide, lock my rucksack in a locker and off I go.

The Hohenzollern coat of arms is displayed to the right of the entrance door to the palace. "Nihil sine Deo" - "Nothing without God" is the Hohenzollern motto.

The tour takes me through the princely apartments, which are furnished with furniture and paintings from different eras, a banqueting hall, which is often used for events, and even into the princely bathroom, which was fitted with a state-of-the-art bathtub and flush toilet in the 19th century. I was surprised to hear that in the 19th century, people liked to show off their light bulbs to show that they already had electric light. The tour ends in the weapons hall, which impresses with a collection of historical armor and weapons from different eras that reflect the history of the Hohenzollern family and its military significance.

Another surprise for me was that Sigmaringen was the "capital" of France, so to speak - more precisely, the seat of the French Vichy government under Marshal Pétain. When the Allies advanced towards Paris in the fall of 1944, the Nazi leadership evacuated the collaborating Vichy government to Sigmaringen. This brief episode ended in April 1945 with the end of the Second World War.

Relaxation with a view of the castle - at the ice cream parlor on Karlsplatz

Before I continue my journey, I make my obligatory coffee stop at the La Piazza ice cream parlor on Karlsplatz. Following a renovation in the 1990s, the Marstall building now houses restaurants, a Deutsche Post branch and even the Zündapp Museum has arrived. Children frolic between the water features on the square.

I have a Black Forest cup with a view of Sigmaringen Castle - this time from the front, where a construction crane somewhat disturbs the view, but of course such monuments also require some maintenance work. Freshly fortified, I set off on my climbing expedition in Inzigkofen Park.

The Princely Park Inzigkofen - a romantic nature experience

The Princely Park Inzigkofen is an outstanding example of Romantic garden design. Around 1815, Princess Amalie Zephyrine von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, also known as the "Princess of Paris", had an English-style landscape garden created on the grounds of the former Inzigkofen monastery. In the following years, the park was extended, the slope and rock passage at the eastern end of the Danube gorge through the Swabian Alb was landscaped and made accessible with footpaths. The largely unwooded slopes on both sides of the Danube were planted with trees and shrubs. Today, the park extends over 25 hectares on both sides of the Danube and combines artistically designed garden architecture with the rugged nature of the Swabian Alb. Particular highlights include the Amalienfelsen rock, the Devil's Bridge, the suspension bridge, the Hermitage with the Meinrad Chapel and the Inzigkofer Grottoes. The park invites you to take relaxing walks, hikes and photo tours and is an ideal destination for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.

But beware: you need hiking boots to get to the Devil's Bridge and suspension bridge! The terrain is mountainous, with some very steep steps, roots and slippery rocks. The short hiking trail from the Teufelsbrücke parking lot to the two bridges is also described as "moderately difficult" in hiking guides, and rightly so in my opinion.

Devil's bridge and suspension bridge - two highlights in the countryside

Shortly before the Devil's Bridge parking lot, there are hiking signposts indicating two different paths to the Devil's Bridge. I take the first, which leads down very steep steps. I then continue on a well-secured hiking trail along the rocks and through a rock passage to the Devil's Bridge, a fascinating structure that elegantly spans a gorge, the Höll. The view of the gorge, the Danube and the surrounding nature is spectacular.

When you leave the bridge, you go up a few steps again. After about 10 steps, I turn around - because I have read that this is the best place to photograph the Devil's Bridge. However, due to the lush vegetation, the arch under the bridge is barely visible.

I continue downhill towards the suspension bridge on a relatively challenging path over slippery rocks and stones. I can hear the squeaking of the bridge from afar.

It's the weekend and lots of families are out and about. The suspension bridge is of course a special attraction for children - they jump around on it enthusiastically, which makes the bridge sway enormously. I have to wait a little longer to take photos of the Amalienfelsen rock, which has the best view from the suspension bridge. The inscription on the rock reads "In memory of Amalie Zaphyrine 1841". Inzigkofen was the favorite place of Princess Amalie, who died in 1841 and spent a lot of time there in her summer house on the grounds of the former monastery.

Amalienfelsen - A striking rock on the banks of the Danube

The inscription on the rock reads "In memory of Amalie Zaphyrine 1841". Inzigkofen was the favorite place of Princess Amalie, who died in 1841 and spent a lot of time there in her summer house on the grounds of the former monastery.

My trip to Sigmaringen and Inzigkofen showed me once again how much this region has to offer - you just have to look closely. The Hohenzollern Castle, which towers majestically over the town, tells of an eventful history and impresses with its architecture. Inzigkofen Princely Park, on the other hand, surprised me with its wild beauty. The sometimes steep hiking trails, the bridges spanning the Danube and the striking rocks give it an untamed, almost mystical atmosphere. Both places have their very own charm and invite you to lose yourself in their stories and landscapes.

Looking for more tips for the Swabian Alb?

Then take a look at my other articles on destinations in Baden-Württemberg - from castles and palaces to scenic hiking tours and historic towns, there’s something for every taste!

In my article about the most beautiful road trip routes in Germany I have a Tour across the Swabian Alb in three variants for you. Sigmaringen Castle and Inzigkofen Princely Park are two highlights of the route!