How to Plan the Perfect Day in the Fairy-Tale Like City of Rothenburg ob der Tauber?

Discover the magic of Rothenburg ob der Tauber with our guide to the perfect day. Immerse yourself in its medieval charm, from cobblestone streets to half-timbered houses. Explore historic landmarks and savor culinary delights in this enchanting Bavarian city.

Nestled in the heart of Northern Bavaria lies an extraordinary village that simply cannot be missed. As we mapped out our road trip through this captivating region (check out our post here), it was clear that a stop in this idyllic village was non-negotiable. Positioned along the famed Romantic Road, this Bavarian gem exudes an irresistible charm that lures visitors from far and wide. Its cobblestone alleys wind through a landscape straight out of a fairy tale, inviting exploration at every turn. With its quaint half-timbered houses, flower-filled windowsills, and storybook ambiance, it's a destination that transcends words. In this post, we've curated a bespoke walking tour to ensure that you don't miss a single enchanting moment in this magical town. So, join us as we embark on a journey through the cobblestone streets and hidden treasures of this picture-perfect German village.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a small, picture-perfect town in the Franconia region of Bavaria, known for its fairy-tale charm. Surrounded by medieval walls and filled with colorful half-timbered houses, narrow lanes, and flower-filled windows, it feels like stepping into a storybook. The town sits above the Tauber River and is easy to explore on foot, making it a favorite stop for visitors wanting a peaceful and scenic getaway. Although Rothenburg is small, it has plenty to enjoy — cozy restaurants, unique little shops, and beautiful viewpoints around every corner. It’s also well known for its year-round Christmas store and delicious local treat called Schneeball, a sweet, doughy pastry. Whether you're strolling along the old town walls, relaxing in the town square, or snapping photos of the famous Plönlein corner, Rothenburg offers a magical and memorable experience for travelers of all ages.

HISTORY

One of the favorite stops along Germany’s “Romantic Road”, Rothenburg ob der Tauber began as a settlement in the year of 970. Afterwards, in 1142, King Conrad III built a “Red Fortress” (or Rote Burg in German) on a peak overlooking the river Tauber and a town flourished around it. Finally, in 1274, King Rudolf of Habsburg granted the town the right to be a Free Imperial City, bringing considerable political power to the city and fostering its economic success with different fairs taking place in the city.

However, when the Thirty Years’ war turned Catholics against Protestants in the fragmented Holy Roman Empire, Rothenburg suffered an invasion by the army of the catholic Count of Tilly and was abandoned in the following winter. Two years later, it suffered a bubonic plague outbreak. Without any money or power, Rothenburg stopped growing, and that’s why, luckily for us, it still preserves its 17th century looks. Later on, during the Nazi period, the town held a special significance to the ideologists, once they considered it to be the epitome of the German "Home Town" representing all that was traditionally German. They organized regular day trips to Rothenburg from all across the Reich to showcase the ideal German community.

GETTING THERE

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is easily accessible by car thanks to its location near major German highways. If you’re driving from Frankfurt, Munich, or Nuremberg, you’ll mainly use the A7 or A6 autobahns before following well-marked regional roads to Rothenburg. The drive typically takes between 2 and 3 hours depending on traffic and your starting point. This option offers flexibility, allowing you to explore the scenic Bavarian countryside at your own pace. There are several parking lots available near the town center, but space can be limited during peak tourist seasons, so plan accordingly.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber does not have its own train station, but it is well connected through nearby hubs. The closest train stations are Ansbach (about 30 km away) and Würzburg (around 40 km away), both easily reachable from major cities such as Frankfurt, Munich, and Nuremberg by regular regional and high-speed trains. From either station, you can take a regional bus or taxi to Rothenburg. The combined journey by train and bus or taxi usually takes about 2 to 3 hours. Planning your connection in advance is recommended to ensure smooth transfers.

The Romantic Road Coach is a scenic and convenient way to reach Rothenburg ob der Tauber, especially for a relaxed day trip. It runs from Frankfurt (departing at 9:00 AM) and Würzburg (at 10:35 AM), stopping in charming towns like Weikersheim and Röttingen before arriving in Rothenburg. The return trip is at 3:55 PM, giving you several hours to explore. Tickets cost around 66 EUR one way, with discounts for children, students, and seniors — booking in advance online is recommended. Rothenburg is also reachable by regional buses from nearby towns like Ansbach or Steinach, though these run less frequently.

14 BEST THINGS TO DO

As the best way to experience the unique medieval townscape of Rothenburg is to get lost into its ancient alleyways, leave your car in the parking lot just outside the walls near the Galgentor (Gallows Gate) and enter the city through this passage near to which the town's gallows stood until the beginning of the 19th century. As this entrance is located in the highest part of town, it was the most vulnerable point of the wall.

Continuing through the Galgengasse, a street with two towers at the opposite ends, you will reach the WeißerTurm (White Tower) which was built in the end of the 12th century and is also part of the first fortification system with its 33-meter height.

The most important church of Rothenburg has its origin in 1311 and holds two impressive treasures: a wooden work of the famous caver artist Tilman Riemenschneider depicting a representation of the Last Supper in the Altar of the Holy Blood and the Twelve Messenger Altar by Friedrich Herlin which portrays the oldest known representation of the town. This temple in homage to Saint-James attracts many pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago. 

Continue crossing the town until the Burgtor. Built around 1460, it is the tallest gate of the town’s fortification system and its western access. It shows traditional medieval defense systems such as the so-called “Eye-of-the-Needle”, a narrow opening on the heavy gate to allow previously authorized people to enter or exit at night without the exposing risk of opening the whole gate, and an opening on the ceiling of the gate which could be used to pour boiling tar on eventual attackers.

Exiting through Burgtor, you will reach a park just outside the walls called the Castle Gardens in which once upon a time a castle stood, before an earthquake destroyed it in 1356. From there, you can have a stupendous view of the landscape of the city, its fortification and the Tauber river valley below. 

You can have a quick stop for lunch in one of these two restaurants serving good portions of German specialties. If you are looking for an experience of a traditional German tavern, head down to the Zum Pulverer. But if you want a more refined experience without losing the German decoration part, you can try the Meistertrunk and its fabulous inner garden.

If you are a fan of the Christmas Holiday like we are, going up the Herrngasse street, you can stop by the Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum (German Christmas Museum). We did not visit the museum itself, for which you have to pay from 2.50 to 4 EUR per person depending on the period of the year (more information here), but its shop part is already fascinating with thousands of different Christmas decoration items that will certainly make you dream about the most wonderful time of the year.

In the heart of the city, you can find the Rathaus (Town Hall). Consisting of two buildings, the first one with a Renaissance façade was reconstructed after a fire and is the entrance to the second one with its Gothic architecture and its 52-meter tower overlooking the city. Going up is possible only by stairs and offers a nice panoramic view, but the way is very narrow and, if during high season and peak hours, can take a while since you have to do it only in a single line.

This is the heart of Rothenburg! The Markt-platz gathers the tourists looking for overall information about the city and the guided tours in the Tourist Office (located inside the Clock Tower) and the local residents attending to occasional markets taking place there. Framed by the remarkable patrician houses, it also hosts the Georgsbrunnen (the George's Fountain), a 8-meter deep well able to store up to 80 thousand liters of potable water and portraying an image of Saint George on the top of a column.

After all this walking and climbing, what would be better than a sweet treat? We googled the best place to have the traditional and incredibly appealing treat from Rothenburg: Schneeball (snowball in English). It is a deep-fried dough made of short crust pastry shaped like a snowball, and covered in different kind of frostings, from confectioner’s sugar and chocolate to the very German marzipan. After reading some reviews saying the best place to have some was the Zuckerbackerei, we were ready to indulge ourselves in this famous treat. However, after the first bite, we got a bit disappointed. As it looks super yummy, we were expecting a delicious treat, but it is kind of tasteless and not sweet enough, specially for French and Brazilian standards of desserts. Nevertheless, it is worth trying.

One of the most famous postcards from Rothenburg is definitely the Plönlein (Little Square). Thomas saw pictures of it on Instagram and pinned it as one of the must go spots for his owns. A narrow cute half-timbered building with a small fountain in front, framed by the Kobolzeller tower to its right (providing a secured entrance to the town from the Tauber Valley) and the Siebers Tower to its left (protecting the southern gate), it creates a charmingly picturesque effect. As every trip we make, we faced some unlucky restoring work. In Rothenburg, it was the Little Square.

Walking on the city walls is a must do, even if it is just a small part so you can soak in all the medievalness of Rothenburg. It completely encircles the town’s historic center and there is a trail all over it passing through the towers and gates that take around 2 hours. As we did not have this much time, we didn’t do it but if you do have time, you can check the trail here.

The whole town depicts well preserved medieval-looking buildings. More than the tower gates, ramparts and Market Square, you can also witness it throughout the town in some nice houses with typical architecture of the region. The one worth mentioning is the Fachwerkhaus Gerlachschmiede, the former smith house which presents the ideal half-timbered architecture.

Ending the tour, you can stop by this location where you will also be able to take great pictures. The Markusturm (Marcus Tower), with the Röderbogen (Röder Arch) and its slim clock tower, were part of the town’s first fortification system (dating back to the 12th century) and remains today as one of the most beautiful tower of Rothenburg.

FINAL THOUGHTS

We can say that Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the most medieval-looking town you’ll find in Germany. Walking through its cobblestone streets, with old wooden houses and city walls all around, feels like stepping into a fairytale. Since I come from a country where most history starts in the 1500s, it felt like being in a movie or storybook—almost too magical to be real. If you’re traveling through Bavaria, make sure to visit this special place. Rothenburg is a true gem and one of those towns that takes your breath away the moment you arrive.

And now it's your turn to let us know your impressions, thoughts and also tips to visit this medieval German jewel. Have you already been to Rothenburg ob der Tauber? We look forward to reading your comments in the section below.

Tags: Germany