Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a town in the Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany. It's known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, especially in the Altstadt or Old Town, which is surrounded by a wall with several gates and towers.
This town is a popular tourist destination and is often referred to as a "romantic" town because of its picturesque setting and charming atmosphere. In fact, this town was said to be the inspiration for the town of Pinocchio.
When I was planning my trip to Europe, Rothenburg ob der Tauber has always been a priority in my itinerary. I first heard about it from a friend who lives in Germany and when I Googled photos of it, I just knew that I had to visit it.
If you're traveling to Germany, specifically to Munich, you shouldn't miss out on visiting this beautiful town. Here's a quick travel guide.
How to Get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber
During my planning, getting to Rothenburg ob der Tauber was hard to figure out. I've read that you can take the train but the travel time is too long, which is around 3 hours. You'd also have to switch trains at least three times.
And since I didn't want to do all that, I checked for more convenient ways to go there even if I could only do a day trip, and that's when I found out that there are group tours you can take to visit the time. So I did just that. I booked a day tour from Munich through GetYourGuide to visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber and a medieval castle in Bavaria.
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| picturesque German medieval town |
I'd suggest booking the same tour that I signed up for but you can opt for the train if you're planning to stay overnight in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
What to See in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a beautiful town and every corner is picture-worthy. You can just walk around the town and take in all the sights. But there are some remarkable spots in this town that you shouldn't miss.
Rothenburg Town Hall
Also known as Rathaus, the Rothenburg Town Hall is a beautiful Renaissance building that dates back to the 16th century. It has a distinctive facade with two towers that are visible from many parts of the town. The building is adorned with ornate carvings and decorative elements, including statues of the town's founders, the Hohenstaufen dynasty.
The Town Hall houses a museum that tells the story of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and its people. The museum displays a range of artifacts and exhibits, including a collection of historic weapons, medieval documents, and even a reconstructed courtroom. Unfortunately, this building was closed during my visit so I didn't get to enter the museum.
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| Rothbenburg Town Hall |
Plönlein
Plönlein is one of the most famous sights in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. When you Google photos of the town, this is the spot that often comes up in the search results. It's a picturesque square with half-timbered houses and a tower and it's also said to be one of the most photographed spots in this town and even in Germany.
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| the famous Plönlein |
St. Jacob's Church
St. Jacob's Church is a Gothic church located in the heart of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. It was built in the 14th century and is considered one of the town's most important landmarks. The church is named after Saint James, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, and was originally built to serve as a pilgrim's church for those making their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
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| St. Jacob's Church |
Rothenburg Town Wall
This town is surrounded by an impressive town wall that dates back to the 14th century. The wall was built as a defensive structure to protect the town from invaders and has since become one of the town's most important landmarks.
The town wall is more than two kilometers long and is punctuated by several towers and gates. There are several places where you can access the wall and take a walk along it, enjoying the views of the town and the surrounding countryside.
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| one of the gates along the Town Wall |
Burggarten
The Burggarten is a beautiful park located in the heart of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, just a short walk from the Town Hall. The park is located on the site of a former castle, which was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War. The park was created in the 19th century and features a range of beautiful plants, flowers, and trees, as well as several fountains and sculptures.
One of the highlights of the Burggarten is the garden terrace, which offers panoramic views of the town and the surrounding countryside. It's a great spot to relax and enjoy the scenery, especially during sunset.
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| views of the countryside from Burggarten |
We spent nearly three hours walking around Rothenburg ob der Tauber and to be honest, it's more than enough if you just want to see the town. However, you'd need more time if you want to check out the museums or if you want to do more shopping.
While in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, make sure to visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt's Christmas Village which is the most famous Christmas Store in the world and it will give you Christmas feels the whole year round. Also, don't forget to try the schneeballen or snowball, which is a sweet pastry that's a famous delicacy in this town.
I can't say anything more other than the fact that this town is truly beautiful and every corner of it is just picturesque, including even the most ordinary streets. I couldn't stop taking photos the whole time I was there.
If you're visiting Munich, then I would highly recommend including Rothenburg ob der Tauber in your itinerary. You can easily join a day tour for a convenient and hassle-free trip. If you're visiting in December, I'd suggest staying overnight because this town is known for its festive Christmas Market.
However, it doesn't matter what time of the year you'll be visiting Rothenburg ob der Tauber - it's always worth it.
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