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Ask someone what the prettiest town in Germany is, and there’s a fair chance that they’ll reply Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Even if you don’t know the name, you probably recognise the photos. This medieval town in southern Germany has many admirers who have helped make it one of the big destinations along the Romantic Road in Bavaria.
Although I try to focus on more obscure destinations — like in the case of Germany, say Erfurt — I couldn’t resist the chance to visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber for myself. And I wasn’t disappointed, as this town is marvellously preserved, and there are medieval gems around every corner.
The thing is, there’s much more to Rothenburg than most people realise; a few hours here isn’t going to cut it. Here’s why you need at least one day in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and how I recommend you fill it.
How to get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a Bavarian town, a little south of Germany’s center.
The easiest places to reach Rothenburg from are the cities of Nuremberg and Wurzburg, two larger Bavarian cities. You can take the train from both, but you might find local bus connections from Ansbach or Dombühl make the trip much cheaper.
If you’re driving, the city is just off the A7 autobahn, which goes right down the middle of Germany. Once you arrive, there are large parking lots just outside the town walls.
Of course, the easiest way to visit Rothenburg is with a tour. The most common are group tours from Munich and group tours from Frankfurt.
Where to stay in Rothenburg
Many travellers make a day trip to Rothenburg, but is it worth staying overnight?
I found that having two days in Rothenburg made it much easier to explore the town thoroughly. It also meant that I had time to wander down into the Tauber River Valley. Had the weather been better on my second day, I would have gone further on the local walking trails. Still, you can see a lot of the town in a single day.
If you do choose to stay in Rothenburg, you have plenty of options open to you.
Many of the nicer hotels and guesthouses are located within the town walls, which means the town’s charms are right outside your front door.
A more budget-friendly option by the train station is Hotel Rothenburger Hof, which isn’t fancy, but it did the trick for me.
For more ideas, here are several highly-rated places to stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber:
When to visit Rothenburg
Seeing as Rothenburg is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bavaria, it’s best to expect crowds when you visit.
Mornings are the best time to go sightseeing, it seems, as most tourists on day trips have yet to arrive. I certainly noticed the difference between exploring the old town in the morning and what it was like after lunch.
The town centre gets quite busy in the middle of the day, even during early spring. I shudder to think, though, what it’s like in high season during summer.
It’s for that reason that I recommend visiting Rothenburg in the shoulder seasons of April to May and October to November. Mind you, photos of the town in winter covered in snow do make winter visits more appealing.
Places to visit in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
While you may recognise the town for one or two specific areas, there are actually many things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Don’t make the mistake of rushing through the highlights, because this town is even more picturesque and captivating if you let yourself wander. Still, there are attractions you don’t want to miss, which you can find below.
If you don’t feel like finding your own way around, a private walking tour is an easy way to get your bearings.
Town Walls and Gates
Rothenburg is one of those towns that make a big impression right off the bat.
The town is enclosed by big stone walls that provide it with lots of character, especially since you have to pass through one of its mighty gates to enter. Coming up from the train station, you’re most likely to approach the Rödertor first.
If you can, I encourage you to visit each of the town gates, as they each have their own distinct and impressive design.
Marktplatz
At the heart of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, you’ll find the main square of Marktplatz. Much like many main squares in Europe, it’s the busiest part of town, and where you’ll see the Town Hall. I didn’t quite get the typical view of the square as work was going on, but it was still clear how important this space was.
While the Renaissance Town Hall is the clear centre of attention, the timber houses that share the square with it are equally enchanting. Also hard to miss is the Marktplatz Fountain and its incredibly detailed design, unless a crowd of tourists is around it, that is.
Plönlein
When it comes to famous Rothenburg attractions, none can compete with the corner at Plönlein.
This picturesque intersection of two streets is iconic thanks to all the photos people share of it. Take one look and it’s easy to see why, with the half-timbered house and tower gates on either side. I was amazed there weren’t more people the first time I walked down here. That was in the late morning, though, and things changed drastically later in the day.
Not much more to say than enjoy the view!
Old Town Streets
No matter which historic city or old town you’re in, the best thing you can do is simply wander.
Rothenburg is made to be explored on foot, with plenty of pretty backstreets just waiting for you. Leave the most central streets and you’ll soon find the tourist numbers drop off dramatically. Tour groups don’t want people straying, I suppose.
One of the most popular streets for tourists to see is Schmiedgasse, as it connects Marktplatz with Plönlein. Here you have a number of different styles of building, each with its own charms. A thing they do share in common, though, is the golden guild signs that hang out over each doorway.
It’s these smaller details that really do make you feel like you’ve wandered into the past.
Spital Bastion
Down past Plönlein at the southern end of town stands one of Rothenburg’s most impressive gates.
Known as the Spital Bastion, there are several parts to this imposing section of fortification. With several layers of defences between the gates and even an earthen moat around it, you can’t imagine anyone forcing their way in. Just as you can walk along the town walls, it’s also worth climbing up into the bastion to see the inside.
Markusturm and Röderbogen
It’s not only around the outer walls of Rothenburg that you’ll find quaint towers.
There are actually other towers in town as well, like the one above, built among the Markusturm and Röderbogen houses. What makes this spot nice is that you have the stone tower and gate blended in with lovely half-timbered houses.
The view from the other side of the gate is much more common, but there was scaffolding in the way while I was there. I think this angle still works, though.
Burggarten and Burgtor
Heading to the western end of town, down from Marktplatz, you’ll soon reach another tower, the Burgtor.
What makes this tower special is that it provides access to the pretty Burggarten gardens. This is the rare green space within the walls of Rothenburg, and it’s a lovely little spot.
Besides the gardens, it also features a stellar viewpoint with views of the far end of the Old Town. It’s here that you can really see how the town conforms with the landscape of the river valley.
The other great part of the view is that you can look down the hillside to the Tauber River below. With trees and small vineyards dotting the hillside, it’s stunning.
Tauber River Valley
Having seen the views from the Burggarten, the temptation to explore the valley below town is hard to ignore.
But I think many people on day trips to Rothenburg skip the valley as they feel pressed for time. If you can, find the time!
Walking trails zigzag down the hillside, past the grapevines, and lead you to the Tauber River at the bottom of the valley. There, you’ll find the historic Tauber Bridge and Kobolzeller Kirche. While it’s really not far from the town centre, you do feel like you’re transported into the German countryside.
Once you’re down in the valley, you can cross the Tauber Bridge and go for a walk following the river.
Walking trails branch off into the forest from the main road, but offer a less direct route than the road. Curving around to the north, you’ll eventually read a small covered wooden bridge which brings you to the path back to the Burggarten. Unfortunately, it started drizzling as I did this walk, but in the right weather, it would be really nice.
Is visiting Rothenburg ob der Tauber on your list for your next Germany trip? Do you agree that it’s one of the most beautiful towns in Germany? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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1 comment
Super article! Rotenburg looks like a fairy tale town. Plönlein is fabulous. Thanks for sharing.