Quite possibly the cutest town in all of Germany- Rothenburg ob der Tauber. It’s about 2 hours from Frankfurt and at the top of the Romantic Road (a scenic route from Würzburg to Füssen in the south). It’s one of Germany’s best preserved medieval towns. Most people visit the town as part of a tour so the real magic happens early in the morning or later in the evening. When I went in early September, crowds were low and we had lovely weather.
I highly recommend staying two nights or more in town. We stayed at Glocke Winery & Hotel and were able to walk right out the door to amazingness. Lots of tours go to Rothenburg, so if you stay overnight you can wander the quiet streets before and after all the tours leave. Here’s some tips & must dos in the magical town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
1. Wander Through the Cobblestone Streets
Wandering through the Old Town without an itinerary is one of the best things to do in Rothenberg ob der Tauber. The Old Town is filled with indepdent shops selling everything from handmade leather goods and art, to cuckoo clocks, and Christmas decor year-round. These aren’t tourist-traps-they’re run by locals and artisans. The pace is slow and there are hardly any cars to contend with.
2. Visit the iconic Plönlein
“Plönlein” roughly translates to “little square” or “small square at a fountain,” but in this case, it refers to a charming, tilted half-timbered yellow house, flanked by two medieval towers- Siebersturm (left): Leads to the southern part of town, built in 1385 and Kobolzeller Tor (right): Heads down toward the Tauber Valley.
3. Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas Village
For all things Christmas year round, stop into the rather large Käthe Wohlfahrt stores. There is even a museum with an extensive collection of decor, interactive displays and more.
4. Night Watchman’s Tour
As the sun sets, join the famous Night Watchman’s Tour (available in German or English). This fun and informative walk brings medieval history to life with humor and storytelling as the watchman leads you by lantern light through the town’s darkening streets. It’s well worth the 9 € fee, which is paid in cash at the end of the tour. I was nearly brought to tears when he told the story of how the town was saved during WWII. Reservations are not required, just be at the main square at 8:00 p.m. for the English tour.
5. Try A Schneeball
A Schneeball is a deep-fried dough pastry, traditionally made from shortcrust pastry (Mürbeteig) that’s rolled out, cut into strips, and then bunched up into a ball shape using a special tool. It’s then fried until golden and dusted with powdered sugar—hence the “snowball” look. Apparently they’ve been around for more than 300 years. Listen, I didn’t really like it because it was a little dry, so temper your expectations and give it a try.
6. Walk Along the Preserved City Walls
One of Rothenburg’s highlights is its fully preserved medieval town walls. Start near the Rödertor gate and make your way along the top of the wall, enjoying views into gardens and over tiled rooftops.
7. Explore Market Square
Visit Marktplatz, the lively main square surrounded by the stunning Rathaus (Town Hall), shops, restauraunts, and St. George Fountain.
8. Climb the Town Hall Tower (Rathaus)
For a 360 degree view of the town and surrounding area, climb the 220 steps of the town hall. The cost is just €4.
9. Visit St. James’ Church
St. James’ Church (St. Jakobskirche) is famous for its Holy Blood Altar, a work by Tilman Riemenschneider. Construction began in the early 14th century and, like many great Gothic churches, it took generations to complete. St. James’ Church was built specifically to serve pilgrims traveling along the famous Way of St. James pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. That’s why it’s named after St. James the Apostle. Construction lasted from 1311–1484 (over 170 years!) Because Rothenburg was a prosperous medieval town, the church is richly designed and filled with masterworks of late medieval art.
10. Medieval Crime and Justice Museum
This one-of-a-kind museum is fascinating and slightly eerie, with exhibits on torture devices, witch trials, and medieval law. The cost is just €8
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love Rothenburg ob der Tauber and can’t wait to return. The town has so much charm and history. I highly encourage spending a few nights to take in all the details and simply wander around.
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