A Magical Day in Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, Germany
Rothenburg ob der Tauber was one of our excursions on our Christmas Market River cruise. Visiting during the holidays is about as magical as it gets! Its well-preserved medieval architecture takes you on a journey back in time, leaving you with fairytale moments as you wander through cobblestone streets.
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Rothenburg ob der Tauber has inspired Disney movies and theme parks. You’ll find great restaurants, unique museums, and plenty of shops, including a Christmas store/museum.
Rothenburg is located in Germany’s North Bavarian region along the Romantic Road. The Romantic Road connects charming towns and villages from Wurzburg to Fussen. It’s most easily reached by car. My husband and I visited Rothenburg while driving the Romantic Road years ago (there is more than one Rothenburg so use its full name in navigation).
The drive time from Frankfurt is 1 hour 37 min and from Munich, the drive is 2 h 11 min. If you arrive by car, they have several parking lots outside the old town. We parked in the lot marked P4 near Galgentor (Gallows Gate). Arrive early during busy peak periods.
You can also reach Rothenburg by train: you will need to change to a regional train in either Wurzburg or Ansbach.
Rothenburg is fairly small, so one day is enough time to see the major sites and get a feel for the town. If you're making Rothenburg a stop, one or two nights would be plenty of time. You’ll be happy you spent the night here… after the tour buses leave it’s even more dreamy.
Magical things to do in Rothenburg ob der tauber:
Market Square (Marktplatz):
Begin your day at Market Square, the heart of Rothenburg. Many of the main sights are only a few minutes away from each other.
Don’t miss the Town Hall clock. At the top of every hour from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., you have to keep an eye out for the special show that happens in front of the Council Drinking Hall called Legendary Master Draught. The small windows on either side of the clock open to reveal hidden mechanical figures that reenact a famous story from Rothenburg’s history.
Visit the Disney fountain:
This fountain was reproduced along with Rothenburg’s Town Hall in the German Pavilion at Walt Disney’s Epcot theme park. The Fountain of Saint George is located on the Market Square and is a symbol of the town's prosperity featuring a statue of Saint George slaying a dragon. The craftsmanship is amazing!
Climb the Town Hall Tower:
Climb 220 steps for 360-degree panoramic views of the old town. There are tight steps, towards the top so it’s not for the faint of heart or those with a fear of heights. The entrance to the tower is through the town hall door facing the market square.
Opening Hours:
April-October: 9:30 to 12:30 every day and 1:00-5:00
January-March & Nov: Sat & Sun 12-3
Christmas Market: Daily 10:30-2 and 2:30-6 (fri & sat till 8)
Walk Around the Old town Walls:
Walking the original city walls was one of my favorite things we did in Rothenburg. Seeing the town from a different perspective and experiencing its medieval charm was breathtaking. The 12th-century city wall circles most of the town and passes by 42 old towers and city gates. We loved the red-roofed houses and the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The walk begins at the gates, you could start at the Klingentor or the Markus Tower. If you are near Plonlein you can walk towards the large tower (Siber’s Tower) and take the stairs from there. Depending on the pace and the points of interest covered, the walking tour can take around 1-2 hours, walking the wall is free.
Consider joining a guided tour to learn about the town’s history.
Join the Rothenburg Night Watchman Tour:
If you’re coming for just the day try to stay late and attend the Night Watchman Tour. The tour starts at 8 p.m. in the market square. Your tour guide will be dressed up as a Night Watchman from medieval times with a black cape and lantern. Hear entertaining stories and learn what it would have been like for those who lived there years ago and learn what happened here during World War II. The tour is 9 Euros for adults, 4.50 for students, and kids under 12 years old are free.
Visit Dungeons:
The Imperial Dungeons in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a historical attraction located in the cellar beneath the Town Hall on the Market Square. The dungeons date back to the 14th century and served as a place of imprisonment for criminals. Guided tours are available to explore the underground chambers, learn about the conditions prisoners faced, and gain insights into the legal system of medieval Rothenburg. The tour also includes insight into the darker aspects of the town's history.
Rothenburg Christmas Market wonderland
One of the biggest draws when visiting Rothenburg in the winter is the Rothenburg Christmas Market. Rothenburg transforms into a Christmas wonderland with a large Christmas tree in the center of town, and stalls selling local crafts and traditional food and drink. But the real gem is the town of Rothenburg itself, it looks like it’s been transplanted right out of a wintry fairytale, and makes the best backdrops for a Christmas market.
The Rothenburg Christmas Market is located on the main market square (Marktplatz) just outside of the town hall.
Visit the German Christmas Museum
Christmas is a big deal in Rothenburg! Just off the main square, you’ll find the German Christmas Museum. Get an Insight into German Culture and learn how German Christmas customs evolved through time.
Shop for Christmas year-round:
Rothenburg is renowned for its Christmas shops. Explore Kathe Wohlfahrt, a magical store filled with handcrafted ornaments and holiday treasures. It's Christmas every day in this enchanting shop.
shop for the perfect German Souvenirs:
My new nativity candle arch from the Kathe Wohlfahrt store in Rothenburg
You’ll find about every German souvenir you can imagine in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. We found lots of beautiful shops selling unique items.
Popular German Souvenirs:
Chocolate, wooden toys for children, postcards, German gummy bears, German cookbooks, Christmas ornaments, German kitchen tools, beer steins, German tea, Birkenstocks, table linens, nutcrackers, traditional clothing, German wine, Hummel figurines, snowballs, smokers (incense burner), Christmas pyramids (Carousel) nativity scenes, traditional German Christmas cards, porcelain Christmas Village, sheepskin slippers & boots, Franconian sausages, wine, and Cuckoo clocks.
Get a pictue at Plönlein:
This is the most charming spot in town and the most photographed spot in Rothenburg. I’m sure you’ve seen this picture on social media. Plonlein is a picturesque corner in Rothenburg, with iconic half-timbered houses. Plonlein translates to “small square with a fountain” and is a must-visit spot for those exploring Rothenburg. Don’t miss getting a picture here! If you’re staying in Rothenbur overnight, visit Plonlein later in the afternoon after day-trippers have left town. You’ll have fewer tourists in your pictures.
Visit a Crime Museum:
The Medieval Crime Museum (Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum) is a unique museum that focuses on the history of crime and punishment during medieval times. It offers a chilling look at the methods used for punishment. The exhibits detail crime and punishment during the Middle Ages, offering a unique perspective on Rothenburg's past.
Visit St. Jacob's Church
Admire its impressive 14th-century Gothic architecture and discover the church's rich history and artistic treasures.
Castle Gardens for views:
Head to the castle gardens (also known as Burggasse) for panoramic views of the valley below and the town walls. It's a serene spot to relax and enjoy the sculptures and trails throughout the gardens. This would be a great spot for a picnic.
Castle Gate & Tower
This is a well-preserved medieval gate that served as the main entrance into town. It’s on the southern end of the old town, near the Tauber River. This gate is an essential part of the medieval fortifications that once protected the town.
Eat in a Traditional Gasthaus:
Zur Holl is one of the oldest as well as one of the most beautiful homes in Rothenburg, dating back to 900 AD. Enjoy delicious German food with an old-world atmosphere… raw stone walls, and wooden beams. Reservations are required, request the popular cellar seat.
Try a local treat:
A popular treat in Rothenburg is the famous, Schneeballen pastry, dating back to the 1700s. These snowball-shaped pastries are strips of dough made into balls, then coated in sugar and other toppings. They come in various flavors and are sold at most of the bakeries. I tried one and it wasn’t my favorite. Also, be aware it’s so hard it could break a tooth.
Where to stay:
Stay at the beautiful Burg Hotel. James Bond character, Roger Moore once stayed at the Burg. And the rumor is he stayed in room #15. The wifi code is “Bond-007”.
I’ve been back from Germany for two months and often think about our time in this magical town! Rothenburg is a destination that lingers in your memory long after you've left its enchanting streets!
Don’t miss a few of my favorite cities near Rothenburg from our river cruise:
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