If you’re wondering what to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany, I can tell you that this charming fairy-tale town is well worth a visit!
Postcard-worthy villages tend to feature heavily on my European itineraries so it was with great anticipation that I headed to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Situated at the north end of the aptly named ‘Romantic Road’ – a 410-kilometre tourist drive which passes through irresistibly pretty villages – Rothenburg is rich in medieval history, picturesque buildings, and Christmas shopping.
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Things to do in Rothenburg Germany
My introduction to Rothenburg came as we drove through the narrow, cobbled streets on the way to our hotel, the Herrnschlösschen,, which was perfectly situated right in the heart of the Old Town.
Ducking through the archway of one of the town’s original fortified gates I held my breath as we bumped over the cobblestones. I gasped with delight at the town’s pastel-coloured, half-timbered buildings.
This is a town with serious charm!
After checking into our hotel, we wasted no time in setting off to explore Rothenburg. Even though it was a weekday, the Old Town was bustling with people like us, eager to immerse themselves in what looked like a movie set.
Note: Whilst we explored the Old Town on our own, you can book a private guided walking tour with a professional local guide for a deeper insight into the town. > Click here for details.
Old Town and Marktplatz
Taking pride of place in the centre of Rothenburg ob der Tauber’s Old Town is Marktplatz, a large cobbled square lined with beautifully preserved Medieval buildings.
At the heart sits the Rothenburg Town Hall that dates back to 1250 and features two architectural styles, Gothic and Renaissance.
The 52-metre high Town Hall Tower can be seen from all over town and, if you’re prepared to climb the 220 narrow steps to the top, it offers the most spectacular views over the red rooftops of Rothenburg.
I’m not one for heights and admit to feeling a little nervous at the top but the views more than made up for my unease.
Entrance to the City Tower is €2.50 per adult. Due to limited space, only 20 people can access the tower at a time, so allow plenty of time if this is one of your top things to see in Rothenburg. The Town Hall Tower is open daily from April to October and at limited times during the rest of the year.
It’s at the entrance to the Town Hall that you can join the Nightwatchman’s tour each evening, too. (More details below.)
Surrounding Marktplatz are an abundance of pastel-coloured houses, cafes and tempting shops selling everything from the usual souvenirs to local specialties like the Schneeball.
This ball of biscuit dough comes flavoured with all manner of tastes from apple and cinnamon to champagne and truffles and everything in between.
It’s also in Marktplatz that the annual Rothenburg Christmas Market has been held since the 15th century. Known as the Reiterlesmarkt, the market features plenty of stalls selling handcrafted souvenirs and gifts, mulled wine and delicious Christmas treats.
Learn more about the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Market.
Good to Know: Rothenburg ob der Tauber can be visited on a European Christmas Market Tour.
Plönlein
One of the things that had attracted me to Rothenburg was a small yellow house that I had seen adorning the pages of many travel brochures over the years. Of course, I had to see it for myself!
In Plönlein, a small square, a distinctive yellow half-timbered house sits alongside both the Siebers Tower and the Kobolzeller Gate. It is the epitome of German charm.
With its bright blue shutters, flower boxes brimming with blooms and a small fountain at the front, there could hardly be a prettier house. Add to the scene a red roofed tower on either side and cobblestones at your feet, it’s not hard to see why visitors from all over the world flock to Rothenburg.
I waited until the crowds dispersed and snapped away.
Kathe Wohlfahrt’s Rothenburg Christmas store
Without doubt, one of the town’s most famous attractions is Kathe Wohlfahrt’s Christmas Village and the German Christmas Museum.
Thanks to the lovely team at Rothenburg Tourism, I was given a ‘press’ pass that allowed me to take photos inside – a very special treat as the Rothenburg Christmas Museum and shop are out of this world!
The Christmas Museum in Rothenburg traces the history of German Christmas celebrations and includes displays of all kinds of Christmas paraphernalia including cards, Advent calendars, trees, music boxes, decorations, Santas and much more.
Housed in the same building is the Christmas Village, the most famous Rothenburg Christmas shop. This shop is so chock-full of Christmas decorations it will make even the most avid Christmas-hater become a raving fan.
Just like a child writing his list for Santa, I found myself mentally noting all the things I’d like to add to my shopping basket. The only problem – how do I get them all home?
I did contribute to the local economy, though, with a gorgeous Santa and his sleigh accompanying me all the way to Australia from the Rothenburg Christmas store!
The Rothenburg Germany Christmas Museum is open daily between 10am and 5pm from 1 April to 23 December with special entry times on some additional dates. Entry is €4 per adult and €2 for children 6-11 years.
Allow at least half an hour to browse the exhibits and another half an hour to wander amongst the amazing selection of decorations in the Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village (shop).
See more photos from the Christmas Village and German Christmas Museum.
St. Jacob’s Church
On Church Square, you’ll find St. Jacob’s Church, whose twin towers dominate the skyline. Completed in 1485 after 173 years of construction, the church was initially Catholic but later became a Protestant church. It is still the main church in Rothenburg today.
Most visitors are drawn to St. Jacob’s Church to see the stained glass windows and two altars, in particular the intricately carved Altar of the Holy Blood by Tilman Riemenschneider, which dates back to 1499.
Wurzburg woodcarver Tilman Riemenschneider produced the piece, which represents The Last Supper, between 1499 and 1505 and it is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of his work.
With the addition of the Riemenschneider Altar, Rothenburg’s St. Jacob’s Church received an incredible treasure that is still marvelled at today.
The church is open daily. A small entry fee allows access to St. Jacob’s Church.
The Walled City
The medieval town of Rothenburg was a walled city in the 12th-century, and today you will still find towers, gates, and nearly 2.5 kilometres of walls that stretch around the historic town centre.
In medieval times the 42 towers and numerous gates of the city walls protected the town from invaders and provided excellent lookout points beyond the town. The views from the west side of the Rothenburg wall at Kobolzell Gate (Kobolzelltor) overlook the beautiful Tauber Valley.
As you stroll around town and along the walls, you’ll notice that more of the main gates of the city walls remain standing today. Amongst them is Roder Gate (Rodertor), a former toll booth and gatekeeper’s cottage which has the only lookout tower along the city walls.
It was badly damaged in a World War II Allied air raid in 1945 but was rebuilt soon after the war. A small museum in the tower (open daily from March to October and December) documents the destruction with aerial photographs from the time.
Rothenburg Night Watchman’s Tour
If you are fortunate enough to be staying in Rothenburg ob der Tauber overnight, I highly recommend you join the Night Watchman’s tour. We joined the one hour tour and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Dressed in a black cape and broad-brimmed hat and carrying a lantern, the Nightwatchman leads tourists around town, pointing out places of interest and explaining their place in Rothenburg’s history.
With his entertaining style, the Nightwatchman had everyone in fits of laughter as he regaled us with stories from the past. This is definitely one of the most fun things to do in Rothenburg, Germany.
The Nightwatchman’s Tour runs nightly at 8pm from mid-March to early January. The one-hour tour costs €8 per adult, children under 12 years are free. Wait at the front of the Town Hall in Marktplatz for the Nightwatchman to appear!
If you’d prefer to have your own private tour with the Nightwatchman, take a look at this tour.
TIP: If you will only be in town during the day, the Tourist Office also runs Rothenburg ob der Tauber walking tours tours at 2pm.
Rothenburg Castle
Whilst the Rothenburg Castle no longer exists – it is thought that an earthquake in Switzerland destroyed the castle in 1356 – a garden now sits on the site of the Hohenstaufen imperial castle.
The park is designed in the style of an English garden and offers some of the most spectacular views of both the Old Town and the Tauber Valley.
You can find the Castle Garden at the end of Herrngasse.
Medieval Crime Museum
Another of the popular Rothenburg attractions is the Medieval Crime Museum (Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum) which explores the history of crime and punishment from the late Middle Ages to the 19th-century.
On display are a collection of historical documents and photographs along with various tools used in medieval times for torture and punishment, masks of disgrace that gossips were forced to wear, chastity belts and more.
There’s also a special exhibition about witch hunts in Europe.
The Rothenburg Crime Museum is open daily year round. Entry fee: Adults €7.00, children 6 years and older €3.50.
Historical Vaults
In the twelve dungeons below the Town Hall, the Historical Vaults museum provides an insight into life during the Thirty Years War. Military equipment including uniforms, weapons, guns and flags are on display.
One of the twelve dungeons, the Imperial Dungeon, is considered Rothenburg’s oldest prison and it houses a guardhouse, a torture room and three jail cells.
The museum is open daily 1 April to 1 November, weekends only during the rest of the year. Entry fee – adult €3.50, child (6-10 years) €2
Often when you finally visit a place you’ve long dreamt about, you are disappointed but my visit to Rothenburg surpassed even my lofty expectations. Whoever came up with the town’s motto, certainly got it right. It definitely is “Romantic but real!”
I can’t wait to return.
Update: I DID return to Rothenburg ob der Tauber in July 2019 and have updated this article with new recommendations.
Where is Rothenburg ob der Tauber?
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is located in the German state of Bavaria. It sits at the crossroads of the Romantic Road and the Castle Road, 67 kilometres south of Wurzburg and 250 kilometres north of Munich.
You can read my tips for driving these scenic routes here:
How to get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany
By car
Arriving by car is the most popular and convenient way to reach Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Use the following distances and travel times to help plan your trip:
- Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber – 243 km / 2h15
- Frankfurt to Rothenburg ob der Tauber – 182 km / 1h50
- Nuremburg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber – 80 km / 1h15
By bus
For those without a car, the Romantic Road Coach stops at the town daily enroute between Frankfurt and Fussen and vice versa.
By train
- Daily train services operate between Wurzburg and Ansbach to Steinach where you change for a regional train to Rothenburg.
- It takes just over two hours by train from Frankfurt to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
- There is no direct Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber train. The journey takes around 2h:30 with changes required at Nuremberg, Ansbach and Steinach. Learn more about day trips from Munich.
You’ll find further details for how to get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Munich, Frankfurt and Nuremburg in this article.
On an organised day tour
If you’d prefer to take an organised day tour by coach to Rothenburg, options are available from both Munich and Frankfurt. Click on the links below to find all the details you need to know to book your tour:
- Munich to Rothenburg day trip including Romantic Road.
- Day trip to Rothenburg from Frankfurt.
- Day trip to Neuschwanstein Castle and Rothenburg from Frankfurt.
Or check out even more Rothenburg Germany day tour options.
TIP: Rothenburg ob der Tauber makes a great stopping point on a Romantic Road itinerary.
Public parking in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The Old Town of Rothenburg is largely car-free however if you are staying inside the city walls you can drive to your accommodation to unload your luggage before parking your car.
There are numerous public car parks located just outside the city walls. Parking costs €1.20 per hour between 8am and 6pm and the ticket machines accept cards and coins. Parking lots are well sign posted as you approach the Old Town.
Where to Stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg Hotels
For my two night stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Hotel Herrnschlösschen, one of the luxury hotels in town was my choice. The hotel is situated right in the heart of the Old Town, just around the corner from the Town Hall.
The 4-star boutique hotel is housed in one of the town’s oldest buildings, dating back to the 11th Century. Luxuriously appointed rooms, a delicious a la carte breakfast and friendly staff made this a wonderful place to spend our night in Rothenburg.
Read my review of Hotel Herrnschlosschen.
Check prices for Hotel Herrnschlossen.
If you’d prefer to stay elsewhere, there are plenty of other hotels in Rothenburg ob der Tauber to choose from.
Browse ten of the top-rated Rothenburg hotels here.
Apartments
On my second visit to Rothenburg (July 2019), I decided to stay longer than just overnight so that I could explore more of the Romantic Road. We chose Landhaus Apartments just outside of Rothenburg for our week-long stay and loved it.
Where to Eat in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
There are a wide range of restaurants in Rothenburg ob der Tauber from cafes serving casual meals to more refined dining.
- In fine weather, the lovely garden behind Hotel Schwan is a great option for a delicious lunch. Serving sizes are large.
- Cafe Friedel has an excellent selection of Schneeballs and cakes, including the most delicious raspberry cake.
- Hotel Reichskuchenmeister’s menu includes pizza, salads and meat dishes. The outdoor terrace, which overlooks St. Jacob’s Church, is popular in summer.
If you are interested in exploring more towns along the Romantic Road, Fussen is a great place to start. Here are 6 fabulous reasons to visit Fussen.
Would you like to visit more fairy-tale towns in Bavaria on your trip? Check out our Bavaria Travel Guide for our top picks.
Rothenburg Tourism kindly provided my husband and I with free entry to the German Christmas Museum, City Tower and the Nightwatchman’s Tour.
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