Rothenburg ob der Tauber: The Complete Guide
In the guide below, you'll discover everything from things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany to where to stay, when to visit, or how to get.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is known as one of Germany's most beautiful medieval towns.
So it won't come as a surprise to say that it was one of the first places we had included in our Bavaria itinerary during the planning process.
And we couldn't wait to see what the buzz is about. Despite the high expectations, our overall experience was great.
The town was stunning, still quiet during mid-spring, almost without tourists, and we really enjoyed every second of our visit.
But there was something else about this town we couldn't put a finger on. Something familiar about the whole experience.
After some time, we finally realized what that tingling sensation was at the back of our heads.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber reminded us of our hometown, Tabor. With its city walls, medieval architecture, and beautiful setting, it was like coming back home.
Even though a visit to Rothenburg ob der Tauber is pretty straightforward, there are a few things to know about this destination that'll make your trip more enjoyable.
What to See and Do
There are plenty of things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, from walking the city walls and wandering around the Old Town to enjoying the medieval spirit and exploring the area beyond.
While the historic part of the town is relatively small, you can easily spend a few hours there without getting bored.
On top of that, you can be sure to find some nice places to eat and stay if you want to stay longer.
The Old Town
The main reason to visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the well-preserved Old Town.
We already mentioned it's famous for its stunning Bavarian architecture, featuring half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and intact city walls.
Even though we've already seen all that in Regensburg, Bamberg, and other places, Rothenburg definitely offers the most comprehensive experience.
The most iconic place you should see in the Old Town is the Plonlein, a tiny square you might recognize from Instagram and marketing brochures, as well as from this post's cover photo.
One of the things we liked the most about Rothenburg's Old Town was that this is the ideal place to 'get lost' while wandering the maze of medieval streets.
While this cliche phrase is often overused, Rothenburg really entices you just to follow your nose.
And don't worry, it's pretty much impossible to really get lost there. We always found a way back to our hotel or, in several instances, the walls.
By the way, if you ever get hungry, you can always find a few good places to eat in the town center or try the Schneeball (snowball), Rothenburg's signature pastry.
Town Walls
Walking the town ramparts that once protected the Old Town was our favorite thing to do in Rothenburg.
We enjoyed walking the ramparts in Jerusalem, Derry, and Rothenburg was no exception. The entire circuit also offered a fantastic experience.
The entire walk around the walls is about 4 kilometers long, so be prepared to spend about two hours there (or even longer, as in our case).
We climbed the walls at the Spitaltor, but there were several entry/exit points along the way.
This was convenient as we could leave and come back pretty much every time something interesting caught our attention beyond the ramparts (believe us, there are some really cool places to see along the way).
The best part was that the whole experience was completely free, so it can be enjoyed by anyone, but it's especially great for those visiting Germany on a budget.
Oh, and the views of the Old Town and the Tauber Valley are really worth the effort and time.
Night Watchman Tour
One of the coolest ways to see Rothenburg is by taking the popular Night Watchman Tour.
You will learn who the watchmen were, why they were important, what their duties were, and tons of other information regarding the Middle Ages.
The tour starts, obviously, after dark (the meeting point is usually at the Marktplatz, which is Rothenburg's main square), so you need to plan your visit carefully if you want to enjoy this experience.
By the way, these tours are very popular, as we also saw them available in Nuremberg and a few months later in Ribe during our Denmark road trip.
Museums
If you have time, love regional museums, or just visit Rothenburg on a rainy day, you can be sure to find a few good museums in the town.
Arguably, the best Rothenburg museum is the Medieval Crime Museum, which is dedicated, as the name suggests, to crime in Germany during the Middle Ages and how it was dealt with.
It features a collection of torture devices, legal tomes, documents, books, and art, and if you have extra time, it's worth exploring.
Medieval Crime Museum is the best museum in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
If you're interested in Rothenburg's history, Rothenburg Museum should be on your list. It's housed in a monastery and has a variety of interesting items on display (weapons, armor, etc.).
You can also visit the German Christmas Museum or Historic Vaults (also known as the Rothenburg Town History Museum), which is located in the Town Hall (Rathaus).
Obviously, these are relatively small museums, so be prepared. You won't find the Germanisches National Museum of Deutsches Museum. But that's expected.
Visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber on a Day Trip
Thanks to its location, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a popular day trip from nearby cities like Wurzburg, Frankfurt, or Nuremberg.
If you ever visit one of these places, chances are that you'll find Rothenburg to be one of the must-visit places on recommendation lists.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the crown jewels of Bavaria, so it's not surprising that many tour operators include this town in their itinerary.
One of the most popular Rothenburg ob der Tauber Tours departs from Munich, though you will also find options from Wurzburg or Frankfurt.
Almost every tour also includes some additional stops, so you can be sure your day will be full of new and amazing adventures.
How Much Time Do I Need
We believe a minimum of a half-day (4-6 hours) should be set aside for a trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, even if you're pressed for time.
As we mentioned earlier, the medieval part of the town is fairly compact, but the looks can be deceiving, which is especially true for Rothenburg.
The walk around the Old Town is about 4 kilometers long, and it took us almost three hours to complete it.
We did many detours, took tons of photos, and tried to explore every corner, even those hidden ones, along the way.
We spent a night in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which we highly recommend if your itinerary allows.
Obviously, it's unnecessary to do so, but we believe it improves the experience.
You have time to take the popular Night Watchman Tour, try the local cuisine, and enjoy the cobblestone streets after dark without the daytrippers who fill the streets during the day.
Also, the local hotels are often pretty stylish and have plenty of Frankish character.
A full day in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is ideal for travelers who prefer a slower pace and have a loose itinerary, though it's really not needed to stay that long if you're an average visitor.
When to Go
Rothenburg ob der Tauber can be enjoyed any time of the year, but it's good to know that differences between each season may influence your overall experience.
We visited Rothenburg ob der Tauber in mid-April, and while the weather was changeable and temperatures lower than we expected, there were only a few tourists around, and the overall experience was pretty relaxing.
We also got a great deal on a hotel room, and the town's surrounding scenery was already turning into a green palette, giving the town a spring feel.
If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend following our footsteps. Travel in the shoulder season (off-season is even better) and try to time your visit for a weekday.
We also encourage you to thoroughly check every part of the Old Town as the biggest crowd usually sticks to the main streets.
Summer is the most popular time to visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber due to the great weather and long days.
Just be prepared that accommodation is expensive during this period, so make sure you make your reservations in advance to save money.
Also, don't forget that other places like Linderhof Palace will be packed to the brim with tourists.
Winter is considered off-season in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, with the exception of Christmas markets.
This traditional event is held annually from the end of November to the end of December and attracts visitors from every part of Germany.
Other than that, winter is quiet and cold, which is ideal for travelers looking for peaceful experiences.
Just remember that some places like Legoland Deutschland are closed or have limited access to surrounding areas like Neuschwanstein Castle.
What to Pack
Rothenburg ob der Tauber offers a classic small German town experience, so wear clothes according to the weather.
In summer you will need a T-shirt with shorts or a dress, preferably from breathable and lightweight materials.
During the rest of the year, you will need to add an extra layer or two. We started our trip in Regensburg when the temperatures were attacking 30 Celsius.
By the time we reached Rothenburg, the overnight temperatures dropped to near freezing. Mind you, this was April.
We were really glad we followed a long-term weather forecast and packed our trusty down jackets and warm boots.
In winter, you will need a warm jacket or coat, sweater, wool hat, and gloves.
A good travel umbrella and comfortable daypack should be on your packing list as well.
How to Get There
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is located in the countryside between Nuremberg, Wurzburg, and Stuttgart, making it one of the most popular day trips in this area.
You can easily get there by car, which is the most convenient option in our opinion (at least compared to public transport).
Remember that Rothenburg ob der Tauber sits on the Romantic Road, a popular road trip route connecting Wurzburg with Fussen. This is another reason why renting a car in Bavaria is a great idea.
Train and bus services from nearby larger cities are also available, but taking the regional buses/trains is usually a more time-consuming option.
Car
Rothenburg ob der Tauber can be found just off the A7, one of Europe's longest motorways connecting north with south (and Denmark and Austria).
It means it's incredibly easy to reach Rothenburg ob der Tauber by car, especially from Wurzburg or Ulm, as they sit on the same route.
We drove to Rothenburg from Wurzburg, and the 60-kilometer journey took about 40 minutes.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is about 75 minutes from Nuremberg, two hours from Frankfurt, and less than three hours from Munich.
Driving in the historical part of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is allowed, but we found information about the night driving ban on the official website from 7 PM to 6 AM.
Keep in mind that some of the streets in the Old Town are quite narrow (our navigation took us to one of those places), making driving a bit more challenging.
Parking
Even though you can park in some areas in the historic part of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, leaving your vehicle in one of the large parking lots outside the city walls is better.
There are currently five designated car parks: P1 Friedrich-Horner-Weg, P2 Nordlinger Straße, P3 Schweinsdorfer Straße, P4 Galgentor, and P5 Bezoldweg.
These facilities offer reasonable pricing even for those who want to spend a full day in Rothenburg.
If you're staying in Rothenburg ob der Tauber overnight, we highly recommend finding a hotel with parking.
Many hotels in the historic part of the town don't have on-site parking, but they usually have available off-site parking.
This was, for instance, the case of the hotel we stayed in, Hotel Eisenhut.
While it was a minor inconvenience, we were really glad we could safely leave our car behind while still being within a 5-minute walk from the accommodation.
Train
You can get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber by regional train from nearby Steinach (b Rothenburg ob der Tauber).
This is a short train trip that takes about 15 minutes.
Most travelers catch a direct train to Steinach in Wurzburg (about a 40-minute ride). Search the DB (Deutsche Bahn) website for current timetables.
There are lockers available at the station, but we found information that they tend to be out of order at times.
Bus
You can take a regional bus to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, for instance, from Ansbach or Dombühl, but this option is mostly for seasoned travelers.
For more information, see the VGN website.
A Romantic Road Coach (sometimes known as Romantic Road bus) should also be available every Sunday from the beginning of May to mid-September along this route.
Where to Stay
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is compact and we do recommend staying in Old Town if the budget allows it.
We found a traditional hotel right next to the main square, giving us easy access to almost every must-see site this town has to offer.
Most hotels are located within the historic part of the town (with a few exceptions that can be found just outside the city walls), so you don't really need to overthink it.
To make your decision easier, we've already compiled a comprehensive list of the best hotels in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, where you will find additional tips and information on this topic.
You can also see a quick summary of the best Rothenburg hotels in every category, though we should warn you that there are no cheap hostels or luxury 5-star resorts.
Hotel Eisenhut | After a quick research, we decided to stay in this 4-star hotel. It had a hard-to-beat location, stylish rooms, and affordable parking, and we got a great night's sleep.
Burghotel | Situated 350 meters from Marktplatz, Burghotel offers a quiet location, charming rooms, beautiful views, cozy rooms, and a relaxing experience.
Hotel Rappen | This family-run hotel, located just outside the city walls, is one of the most popular places to stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. It has functional rooms, a traditional restaurant, and a sauna.
Staying Safe
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a small tourist town that is generally very safe to visit.
The town felt very safe when we were there, but that's nothing new, and we had similar experiences in towns like Bayreuth and Bamberg.
Even after dark, Rothenburg ob der Tauber felt as safe as during the day, but again, this is a small tourist town in Germany, so that's not very surprising.
Our only advice is to stay vigilant in crowded areas to outsmart pickpockets.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Rothenburg ob der Tauber Worth Visiting?
In our opinion, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is definitely worth seeing as it was one of the most beautiful towns we had a chance to explore during our Bavarian road trip.
The medieval part of this town was incredibly picturesque, walkable, easy to explore, and had a good selection of charming hotels.
Our experience was enhanced by the fact that the town was still fairly quiet at the time of our visit, but we had a feeling we would have enjoyed it even on a busy day.
Another big plus for us was that we could easily park there, which could sometimes be a problem in similar destinations.
The only downside is that the town can be fairly busy during the summer, but we have already discussed it and provided a few tips on avoiding the crowds.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
