Abroad, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the most popular travel destinations in Germany. It’s hard to believe that most Germans have never even been there. Yet this small town has quite a reputation. Hardly any other city has as much medieval flair as this one. The beautiful old town with its many towers, ancient houses, winding alleys, numerous gates, fountains, fortifications, and wine taverns truly enchants everyone.

During our trip through the Franconia region, we were able to visit Rothenburg a second time and gained many new impressions. Join us virtually and discover one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. We’ll tell you the top sights in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the coolest places, and excursion destinations.

• Interesting facts about the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber
• The most beautiful sights in Rothenburg
• Restaurants & Cafés
• Cycling tours in the area
• Popular tours and excursions
• Events in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
• Hotel recommendations for Rothenburg
• Travel tips for Rothenburg
• Conclusion on Rothenburg ob der Tauber
• Travel reading for Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Interesting facts about the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is an enchanting medieval town in Bavaria. Known for its well-preserved old town, historic architecture, and picturesque location, it attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. The name “Rothenburg ob der Tauber” literally means “Rothenburg above the Tauber,” with “Rothenburg” referring to the red in the roofs and walls of the houses. The town stretches picturesquely across a chain of hills along the Tauber River.

The town has its origins in the 12th century and is famous for its well-preserved city walls, which encircle the entire old town. The city walls can be walked almost completely and offer breathtaking views of the town and the surrounding countryside. A highlight is the walk along the “Turmweg,” but more on that later. Another well-known landmark is Rothenburg’s Town Hall, an impressive building in the Gothic and Renaissance styles.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber offers a variety of events that bring the town’s past to life. These include the annual Imperial City Festival, which celebrates the city’s history and culture, as well as the famous Christmas market, which transforms the city into a magical wonderland in the run-up to Christmas. And, of course, the Tauber Valley Festival cannot be left unmentioned.

The most beautiful sights in Rothenburg

In the following section, we’ll take you on a tour of the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. You can easily see Rothenburg’s sights in one day. However, you should start early in the morning so that you have many places almost to yourself.

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1. Start at Plönlein

Let’s begin the tour at Plönlein. It’s probably the city’s most famous postcard motif. It’s a small square with a narrow half-timbered house and a fountain. This setting is made particularly special by the pretty houses all around, with the Siebersturm and the Kobolzeller Gate in the background. Even the 1940 Disney classic “Pinocchio” used Plönlein as a model for one of its buildings. It’s no wonder, then, that almost every visitor heads for this attraction.

2. Wenggasse

If you stroll from Plönlein towards the old town center, you’ll reach Wenggasse after just a few meters on your right. Colorful houses decorated with floral garlands await you here. Wenggasse offers a beautiful photo opportunity, but otherwise, there are only a few guesthouses and hotels scattered around. At the very end of the alley, you’ll reach the Gerlachschmiede. More on that in the next section.

3. The Gerlachschmiede

We discovered this beautiful half-timbered house quite by chance during our tour. It was completely destroyed in an air raid in 1945, but was lovingly rebuilt afterwards. The forge operated as a farrier’s shop until 1967. Today, however, it is closed and privately owned. The best place to photograph the Gerlachschmiede and the Röderturm is from the Turmweg.

4. View from the Röderturm

Directly behind the Gerlachschmiede is the Röderturm. It is one of only two accessible observation towers (Rathausturm and Röderturm) in the city. This tower was also badly hit and destroyed in air raids in 1945. At the very top of the tower, you can learn all about the destruction and reconstruction of the city at an exhibition.

Before you enter the tower, you can see whether the tower is open or closed from a sign at the bottom of the wall. When you reach the top, you only have to pay a €2 entrance fee. Then you can view the exhibition and enjoy the view of the city. Also check out the beautiful Röderbrunnen fountain in Rödergasse.

5. The Tower Trail

From the Röderturm, you can also access the Tower Trail. This takes you almost around the entire old town and offers great vantage points and plenty of information about the development of the city’s defenses. The Tower Trail is 4 kilometers long and has 22 stations, which are not in any particular order. You can start your tour from anywhere. You should allow 2 to 3 hours for the entire trail. We discovered many great photo spots along the Tower Trail (e.g., Gerlachschmiede, Taubertal, and many more). Most of the 46 towers in Rothenburg ob der Tauber are located along the city walls, the fortifications, and at the six city gates. On the Tower Trail, you will pass some of these towers.

6. St. James’ Church

If you leave the tower trail at the Klingentor, you can stroll along the street to St. James’ Church, which is located in the center of the old town. This imposing church was completed in 1485 after 173 years of construction. Inside, you’ll find two altars, numerous art treasures, 600-year-old stained-glass windows, and a modern Rieger organ with 69 registers and four manuals. Admission is only €2.

7. View from the Town Hall Tower

We love admiring places from above. In Rothenburg ob der Tauber, you can do just that from the Town Hall Tower. Only 220 steps separate you from the 52-meter-high viewing platform. From the top, you have a fantastic view of the Old Town and the surrounding area. However, you shouldn’t mind the narrowness or height. There isn’t much space on the platform. Marco and I worked up quite a sweat up there! The entrance fee is only €2.50, and the view is worth it!

8. Central Market Square

The central market square is the lively center of the town; here you can admire several of Rothenburg’s sights. Among other things, you’ll find the Market Square Fountain, which was built in 1446. This fountain produces an impressive 100,000 liters of water. Directly behind it, you’ll see the Fleisch- und Tanzhaus, as well as the magnificent patrician house of today’s Marienapotheke. The square also houses the tourist information office, as well as many restaurants, cafés, and shops.

9. Off to Herrngasse

From the town hall and market square, you can turn into Herrngasse. Some of Rothenburg’s highlights await you here, too. First, you’ll pass the German Christmas Museum. This museum and Käthe Wohlfahrt’s shops are open year-round. You can find absolutely everything here, from nutcrackers to Christmas tree decorations. Then, continue to the truly beautiful Herrnbrunnen fountain, which, according to an inscription, dates back to 1595. At the end of the alley, you’ll pass the Franciscan Church, consecrated in 1309.

10. Sunset in the Castle Garden

At the end of Herrngasse, you’ll reach the Castle Gate, which leads you to the Castle Garden. The Hohenstaufen Imperial Castle was once located here, supposedly destroyed by an earthquake in 1356. Today, it’s a beautiful park with fantastic views. We consider this spot one of the most beautiful in the entire city.

Especially in summer, this oasis of peace is the perfect place to escape the heat. The gardens in the center of the Castle Garden, with their many stone figures, are beautifully landscaped. Here at the wall, you have a fantastic view of the city wall, the houses, and the Tauber Valley.

On our last evening, we rounded off the day with a beer on the wall and enjoyed the great atmosphere. At that time of day, there were hardly any visitors in the Burggarten. And even during the day, the Burggarten was never overcrowded; it’s easy to move around the grounds. At the end of the castle garden, another vantage point awaits you, offering a view of the Tauber Valley.

11. Detour to the Crime Museum

Back in the old town, it’s time to visit the Medieval Crime Museum. You can reach it after about a 7-minute walk from the castle gate via Burggasse. To be honest, we’re not big museum fans, but this museum still surprised and impressed us. In the Medieval Crime Museum, you’ll learn all about the last 1,000 years of legal history. From original racks, thumbscrews, and other torture devices to gallows, masks of shame, and witchcraft, absolutely everything was there.

We can only be glad that we no longer live in the 13th century and don’t have to experience all those gruesome torture methods firsthand. The exhibition is spread over four floors and was constructed with great care and attention to detail. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the winter months from November to March, it is only open between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Adult admission is €9.

12. Visit the Candy Factory

Do you also have a little sweet tooth? Then you should definitely stop by the Rothenburg Adventure Factory of the Sweets Company in Untere Schmiedgasse. Here you will find candies and lollipops in various flavors, colors, and shapes. Around 50 kilograms of sugar are processed here every day. Not only can you buy delicious candies here, but you can also watch them being made several times a day. And if you’re lucky, the owner himself might even hand you a freshly made lollipop. A really cool experience for kids, too. ☞ To the website

13. Rödergasse & Röderbrunnen

In our opinion, Rödergasse is one of the most beautiful and photogenic streets in the city. This street is home to St. Mark’s Tower, Röderbogen, Röderbastei, Röderturm, Röderbrunnen, and numerous shops, restaurants, and guesthouses. Stroll through the street and be enchanted by the many beautiful photo opportunities.

14. Toppler Theater

Located in the heart of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, in the middle of the northern courtyard of the former Dominican monastery and now the Rothenburg Museum, the Toppler Theater presents itself as a gem of remarkable size. True to the motto “Small but perfectly formed,” this unique open-air stage shines with a charming historical ambience that would delight even Shakespeare.

The unique auditorium offers seats up to 138 people and is harmoniously embedded in one of the oldest sections of the Rothenburg city wall. We spent the last evening of our recent trip here and watched the amusing comedy “The Double Robbery” by Johann Wolfgang Goethe. Highly recommended! ☞ To the program

15. Picnic at the Wildbad

After a long day of sightseeing through Rothenburg ob der Tauber, we set off for a hearty picnic at the Wildbad. You can reach this wildbad via the Spitalviertel and the covered bridge. The entrance to the Wildbad is directly across the street from the Spitalbastei. A staircase leads down to a pavilion and further to the former spa house (now a conference center and hotel).

In the 14th century, Mayor Heinrich Toppler had a bath built here. In 1894, the town sold the Wildbad to the Göggingen orthopedic surgeon Friedrich von Hessing. He was, among other things, the inventor of the prosthesis and, after a nine-year construction period, had the Wildbad built in its current form. Here, his patients could recover and relax in the spa house on the Tauber. The former spa house is truly impressive and its interior captivates with numerous details from precisely that period. We were given a guided tour through the rooms, which catapulted us back to times long past.

The entire complex is stunningly beautiful and invites you to relax and unwind. At the information desk, we received a picnic backpack packed with treats, sparkling wine, wine, tableware, a blanket, a park guide, and much more. They truly thought of everything. We then found a nice spot in the park, spread out the blanket, and enjoyed the picnic to the fullest. You should book the picnic at least two days in advance. The picnic costs €25 per person.

Restaurants & Cafés

There are numerous cafés, bakeries, and restaurants in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We’ve tested out some of them and will introduce them to you in more detail in the following section. You won’t find McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King, or the like in the Old Town. You should avoid them anyway and instead try the delicious Franconian cuisine.

1. Café Einzigartig

The name says it all. At Café Einzigartig, you’ll find an extraordinary café with great attention to detail. It’s a kind of retro shop and café in one. You can buy pretty much everything in this café. Breakfast is freshly prepared and tastes simply heavenly. You can choose between various breakfast variations, order delicious drinks, feast on homemade cakes, or try other delicacies.

It’s also worth taking a look at the daily newspapers from 1954 or taking a tour of the café. You’ll discover lots of cool things, we promise! The café is located at Galgengasse 33 and is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on Mondays. Only on Sundays does the café open until 10 a.m. Café Einzigartig is our absolute favorite café in Rothenburg.

2. Café Lebenslust

We’ve been to Café Lebenslust several times. The café is located right next to St. Jakob’s Church and has a lovely, cozy courtyard with tables and chairs. You can also put together a delicious breakfast here with smoothies, fresh juices, and excellent coffee. The café is open daily (except Tuesdays) from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Be sure to order the homemade cheesecake and homemade lemonade. Simply heavenly!

3. Snowballs in Rothenburg

We first tried snowballs in Wernigerode in the Harz. And they’re also ubiquitous in Rothenburg. You’ll discover these traditional pastries in the windows of bakeries, such as the Striffler or Diller bakeries. Snowballs are fist-sized balls of shortcrust pastry with icing or filling. You can find them in countless variations. They keep for several weeks, which is why they’re also popular as gifts.

4. Alter Keller

In the mood for hearty, delicious Franconian cuisine? Then head to the Alter Keller. This restaurant is located right in the center of Rothenburg’s old town and impresses with its rustic ambiance. Whether it’s cheese spaetzle, all kinds of steaks, dumplings, salads, soups, or sweet desserts – there’s something for every taste. The restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

5. Restaurant Eisenhut

We visited the Restaurant Eisenhut. This restaurant is known for its exquisite cuisine with delicate creations. Chef Thomas Sczyrba spoils his guests with fresh, regional, and seasonal products. This ensures varied and high-quality cuisine. The panoramic terrace is located in the back courtyard and offers a fantastic view of the Tauber Valley. You should definitely reserve a table in advance, as there are limited seats on the panoramic terrace. We didn’t take any photos, we just enjoyed ourselves and left the camera at our accommodation.

6. Restaurant “Unter den Linden”

How about a relaxed setting in the countryside, away from the old town? Then head to the restaurant “Unter den Linden.” From the “Neue Burg” playground, the “Kurze Steige” path leads downhill for about 5-10 minutes. Once you reach the valley below, you’ll find the restaurant “Unter den Linden.” Here you can relax outdoors by the Tauber River. The beer garden offers plenty of seating and a heated interior for cold and rainy days. Freshly prepared dishes and drinks are available on site. This is where Rothenburg residents especially like to meet for an after-work beer.

7. Allegra Chocolate

While Marco took a short break on the sofa, I strolled into a chocolate shop. Allegra Chocolate is located just a few minutes’ walk from the church square on Georgengasse. Here you’ll find handmade pralines and hand-scooped chocolate in various varieties.

Of course, I jumped at the chance and bought nougat and nut chocolate. I haven’t tasted such delicious chocolate in a long time. Simply heavenly! The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturdays only until 5 p.m.). The master confectioner and chocolatier also offers chocolate-making courses.

Bicycle Tour in the Surrounding Area

We went on a wonderful bicycle tour in the surrounding area. We rented e-bikes from “Rad und Tat” and cycled to Colmberg Castle (17-20 kilometers each way). But you don’t have to go that far; you can also cycle part of the Taubertal Cycle Path. This is around 100 kilometers long and connects Rothenburg ob der Tauber with Wertheim. The bike paths in the area are generally in good to very good condition and adequately signposted. You can find out more about the available bike paths here: Cycling in Rothenburg.

We cycled along the Altmühltal Cycle Path. One section of it leads from Rothenburg to Colmberg. Here we took a break at Colmberg Castle, fed deer, and had a coffee. The view from the castle is truly fantastic. Overall, we really enjoyed the route, which took us through fields, meadows, and forests. Only occasionally did we go uphill, but with the support of the e-bikes, this wasn’t a problem.

On the way back, we stopped in Linden and treated ourselves to a delicious ice cream at the quaint Gasthof Linden. In total, we were on the road for about 7 hours on this sunny day, with plenty of snack and photo breaks. Generally, the round trip to Colmberg only takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Popular Tours and Excursions

You can also take many other tours and excursions in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Themed tours take place daily in the old town, such as a tour with the night watchman or a ghost tour with the executioner. You can even take a tour in a vintage car or join a vineyard tour. You can find all offers on the Rothenburg Tourism website.

Events in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Master Drink: Experience a journey back in time at the historical festival “The Master Drink” in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This special event spans the entire old town and takes you on a journey back in time. The main events take place on the festival meadow and in the Kaisersaal. More information here.

Taubertal Festival: The Taubertal Festival unfolds its magic again in August in the picturesque Taubertal, overlooking the Burggarten and the Eiswiese. Artists from the alternative, rock, and hip hop genres take to the stage and create a great atmosphere. More information here.

Imperial City Festival: Every year on the first weekend in September, the Imperial City Festival offers an enchanting journey back to Rothenburg’s glorious times. The picturesque backdrop of the old town serves as the stage for an extensive medieval encampment. Look forward to numerous historical groups from a wide variety of eras. More information here.

Fairytale Magic: During the Fairytale Magic, the historic old town of Rothenburg becomes an enchanting backdrop for a world full of fantastic stories. Visitors can expect a diverse program of guided tours, theater performances, concerts, readings, and other events, all centered around the theme of fairytales. More information here.

Reiterlesmarkt (Christmas Market): During Advent, the entire old town is wrapped in radiantglittering light. The Christmas market in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the most popular Advent markets in Germany. With its 54 lovingly decorated stalls, it opens its doors from the Friday before the first Sunday of Advent until December 23rd and invites you to linger every day. More about it here.

Hotel recommendations for Rothenburg

Gästehaus am Plönlein

During our first trip, we stayed at the beautiful Gästehaus am Plönlein*. This family-run accommodation is located right next to the Plönlein and is ideally located for exploring the city. You can choose between the “Peter” holiday apartment, the “Sandra” apartment, or the “Marlies” apartment. We were able to stay in the attic apartment, which is only rented to friends or regular guests. It has been beautifully renovated and furnished with great attention to detail.

We enjoyed spending the evenings in the living room with its rocking chair, dining table, and couch. It also included an open kitchen, a bathroom with a tub and shower, a toilet, and a bedroom with a bed and clothes rack. We particularly liked the view from the living room. All in all, our stay at the Guesthouse am Plönlein was almost perfect; only the heat in the attic apartment was very unpleasant.

Hotel Edelzimmer

During our last trip, we stayed at the Guesthouse Edelzimmer*, which is located right next to the Toppler Theater. There are various romantic and spacious boutique vacation apartments here, each individually designed and furnished. We had the Deluxe Apartment with a kitchenette, sleeping and dining area, and a bathroom with a shower.

The apartment is located on the ground floor of the 16th-century former monastery barn and has been beautifully integrated into the old walls with great attention to detail. In the morning, a delicious breakfast buffet is served not far from the apartment in a small guest room. Book your room here*.

How to get to Rothenburg

By car: Arriving by car is a convenient way to reach Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The town is located on the A7 motorway and is well connected to the German motorway network. Please note, however, that the historic center of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is closed to car traffic. There are parking spaces outside the old town, from which you can easily reach the center on foot (or by taxi). Book a rental car here*.

Distances to Rothenburg ob der Tauber:

• Hamburg: 560 km
• Berlin: 515 km
• Dresden: 403 km
• Cologne: 363 km
• Munich: 241 km
• Frankfurt: 180 km
• Stuttgart: 137 km

By train: Rothenburg ob der Tauber does not have its own train station. The nearest train stations are in Würzburg and Ansbach. From there, you can continue your journey to Rothenburg ob der Tauber by regional train or bus. Connections are regular, but it’s a somewhat longer journey with transfers. We usually travel from Rostock via Hanover and Würzburg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Book train tickets here*.

Conclusion on Rothenburg ob der Tauber

We didn’t have a clear idea of what Rothenburg ob der Tauber would be like before our first trip. But the small medieval town ultimately won us over and captivated us. Rothenburg has retained its charm and uniqueness and is actively working to keep it that way. You won’t find any hotel chains, McDonald’s, Starbucks, or even H&M in the historic center. What’s more, the area around Rothenburg is incredibly green, something we never expected.

Rothenburg rocks, and you shouldn’t miss a visit to this town. Amazing sights, a fairytale old town, delicious food, plenty of greenery, and plenty of activities await you. We highly recommend a trip to Rothenburg. We recommend spending at least 3 full days in the city. This way, you can explore Rothenburg and the surrounding area at your leisure.

Travel reading for Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Are you still looking for suitable travel reading? How about the comprehensive Franconia travel guide*? Here you’ll find out everything about Franconia and Rothenburg on over 500 pages. In our shop you will also find a selection of great travel novels.