Rothenburg Travel Guide: Must-See Sights & Unique Souvenirs

With our daughter enjoying her autumn holiday from school and our wedding anniversary that day, we decided on a day trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber—a gem on Germany’s Romantic Road and one of the most beautifully preserved medieval towns in the country. This post will take you through Rothenburg’s top landmarks, fascinating historical stories, with a helpful map with all the sights and shops mentioned.

What Makes Rothenburg so Unique?

Rothenburg ob der Tauber boasts one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval townscapes, with its complete city walls, colorful half-timbered houses, and distinctive red-tiled rooftops. As one of the Romantic Road’s most beloved towns, it’s brimming with charm. A standout feature is St. Jakob’s Church, home to the beautifully intricate “Altar of the Holy Blood.” Adding to its cultural allure, Rothenburg hosts the annual “Der Meistertrunk” festival, a tradition recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage for its celebration of local legend.

You might also notice something special about Rothenburg: many signs are written in Japanese! Thanks to Rothenburg’s friendship with Uchiko, Japan, the town provides signage in Japanese, making it more welcoming for Japanese visitors.

Where Is Rothenburg ob der Tauber?

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is nestled in northern Bavaria, close to Würzburg, along the Romantic Road (or “Romantische Straße” in German). Its picturesque medieval streets make it a must-see destination for those exploring this scenic route.

We set off from Frankfurt and reached Rothenburg ob der Tauber in just two hours by car.

Getting to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Nearby Cities

Here’s a quick guide to Rothenburg’s distance and travel time from major nearby cities, whether you’re driving or taking public transport:

Travel Times from Nearby Major Cities	By Car	By Public Transport
Frankfurt am Main	About 2 hours	About 2.5 – 3 hours
Munich (München)	About 3 hours	About 2.5 – 3 hours
Nuremberg (Nürnberg)	About 1 hour and 15 minutes	About 1 hour and 15 minutes
Würzburg	About 45 minutes	About 1 hour
Stuttgart	About 2 hours	About 2.5 – 3 hours

How to Get to Rothenburg

When planning your route, make sure to enter “📍Rothenburg ob der Tauber” in your map app—there’s another town called Rothenberg, and it’s easy to mix them up!

🚗 Driving to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

For the best experience, consider parking outside the old town walls. The medieval streets inside are paved with cobblestones, making it tricky to drive and park. Rothenburg’s tourism office also recommends visitors park outside the town walls and then walk in.

We chose Parking Lot P1 that day, which had plenty of spots available. Right next to the lot, there’s a children’s playground, perfect for kids to stretch their legs after the drive. Just beyond the playground is one of the town gates, and within a three-minute walk, you’ll reach the iconic Plönlein, one of Rothenburg’s postcard-perfect spots!

If you’re staying at a hotel within the old town, don’t worry—you’re allowed to drive inside. However, to maintain the town’s peaceful atmosphere, vehicles are restricted in the core area between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

2024 P1 Parking Fee: €6/day (a great value!)

Parking Overview

Here’s a quick overview of parking options in Rothenburg:

Parking Lot	Address	Notes
P1	Friedrich-Hörner-Weg
P2	Nördlinger Straße	Availability of camper spots
P3	Schweinsdorfer Straße	Availability of camper spots
P4	gallows gate
P5	Bezoldweg	Availability of EV spots

I’ve also written a handy guide on driving in Germany, covering key tips and common questions:
🔗 Germany Driving Guide: Road Tips & Rules, Speed Limits & More!

🚆 Public Transportation

For those taking public transit, you can easily plan your journey on the Deutsche Bahn website. I’ve pre-filled Rothenburg ob der Tauber as the destination, so all you need to do is enter your starting location, date, and time to see the available trains.

Rothenburg Attractions Map

I’ve put together a detailed Rothenburg attractions map, with all the must-see spots mentioned in this blog post. Just tap the star icon, and you can save it directly to your own Google Maps for easy access!

Must-Visit Sights in Rothenburg

📍 Rothenburg City Walls (Stadtmauer Rothenburg)

Rating ★★★★☆

The Rothenburg city walls stretch about four kilometers around the entire old town, making it one of Germany’s best-preserved fortifications. No need to walk the entire four kilometers—you can take a short scenic section for a feel of the medieval town, with views over the red rooftops and charming old city below.

After parking, we entered the old town through the Kleiner Stern gate. We spotted the steps leading up to the city walls and decided to start our day exploring there.

📍 Plönlein – The Iconic Postcard Spot

Rating ★★★★★

Plönlein is Rothenburg’s landmark and the most famous photo spot in town, even featured as a top recommendation by the Rothenburg tourism office. Many visitors think Plönlein refers to the charming yellow half-timbered house, but it actually means “the little place by the fountain” and includes not only the yellow house but also the fountain in front of it and the two towers in the background. Fun fact: it’s said that Disney’s 1940 animation Pinocchio was inspired by this very spot!

Capturing the perfect shot here can be a bit tricky, as it’s a popular area with visitors lining up for photos and a steady stream of cars and pedestrians passing through. Managing to snap a photo with no one in the background feels like a real win!

📍 Market Square and Town Hall (Marktplatz und Rathaus)

Rating ★★★★★

From Plönlein, we wandered uphill through Rothenburg’s narrow, winding streets until the breathtaking Market Square suddenly appeared before us, anchored by the grand and imposing Town Hall. This magnificent building complex stands as a proud symbol of Rothenburg’s historic wealth and importance.

To the left 👈 is the Town Hall and Town Hall Tower, and to the right 👉 is the Ratstrinkstube.

📍 Ratstrinkstube Clock Tower

Rating ★★★★★

In Rothenburg ob der Tauber, there’s a legendary tale surrounding the Ratstrinkstube clock tower.

The story dates back to 1631, during the Thirty Years’ War between Catholics and Protestants. Rothenburg was under siege by Catholic General Tilly, who intended to burn and pillage the town. In desperation, the town council offered Tilly a unique gift—a splendid colored glass cup filled with over three liters of wine. Impressed by this gesture, Tilly made an unusual offer: if someone could drink the entire cup in one go, he would spare Rothenburg.

To everyone’s surprise, the elderly former mayor, Georg Nusch, stepped up to the challenge. Incredibly, he managed to down the entire cup of wine in one breath! Deeply impressed, Tilly honored his promise and spared the city.

Today, this tale lives on as part of Rothenburg’s rich history and is celebrated each year during the Der Meistertrunk festival. Held annually since 1881 on the Pentecost weekend, this event has grown in prestige and was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2016.

You can relive this iconic moment at the clock tower of the Ratstrinkstube. Since 1910, the clock’s windows open on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and again from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., reenacting Nusch’s legendary “Der Meistertrunk”. This delightful tradition offers visitors a vivid connection to Rothenburg’s history and culture.

📍 Meat and dance house as well as Marie’s pharmacy

Rating ★★★★★

Opposite the town hall stand two charming timber-framed houses: the Meat and Dance House (Fleisch- und Tanzhaus) on the left and Marie’s Pharmacy (Marienapotheke) on the right. The Marie’s Pharmacy, formerly known as the Jagstheimerhaus, was built in 1448 by a Rothenburg mayor named Jagstheimer and once hosted the Habsburg Emperor Maximilian I.

In front of these iconic half-timbered houses, you’ll find the St. George Fountain (Georgsbrunnen), adding to the area’s historic charm.

📍 German Christmas Museum (Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum)

Rating ★★★☆☆

The German Christmas Museum is located next to the Marie’s pharmacy, inside the souvenir shop Käthe Wohlfahrt – Weihnachtsdorf.

The museum offers a dive into the history and traditions of Christmas, with four themed exhibition areas for an in-depth look at the holiday’s evolution, including: 1. The Christmas Tree’s Origin, 2. The Gift-Bearers, 3. Handicrafts from the Erzgebirge Region, 4. Advent Traditions.

For more details on the German Christmas Museum—like opening hours, tickets, and whether it’s worth a visit—I’ll be covering it in an upcoming article! Subscribe and stay tuned for updates!

📍 Medieval Crime Museum (Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum)

Rating: No comment – we just checked it out from the entrance!

We didn’t go into the Medieval Crime Museum, only stopping to peek inside. I guess it’s mostly filled with instruments of punishment and torture devices used on criminals, which seemed a bit too intense for us!

Opening Hours: Hours vary seasonally and on holidays, so check the official website if you’re interested in visiting.

Address: Burggasse 3-5, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

📍 St. John’s Church (St. Johannis)

Rating ★★★☆☆

St. John’s Church, built around 1200 and renovated in the 1400s in a Late Gothic style, once served as the town’s largest granary around 1600. Located right next to the Medieval Crime Museum, it’s worth a stop if you’re in the area!

Address: Burggasse 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

📍 The Roeder Arch & St. Mark’s Tower (Röderbogen & Markusturm)

Rating ★★★★☆

The Röderbogen (Roeder Arch) and Markusturm (Markus Tower) are among Rothenburg’s oldest structures, with Markusturm once forming one of the main gates in the 13th-century city walls. The distinctive roof of the Markusturm even inspired British architects who designed London’s Hampstead Garden Suburb in the early 20th century. In spring and summer, you might spot storks nesting on the tower’s roof.

📍 St. Jacob Church (St. Jakobskirche)

Rating: No comment

St. Jakob’s Church in Rothenburg took a remarkable 173 years to complete, finally being consecrated in 1485. It later became a Protestant church and serves as the main church in the area, recognized as one of the Rothenburg Tourism Board’s Top 10 recommended sites.

The day we visited, a disgruntled visitor stormed out, angrily muttering in German, “I’ve never seen such a capitalist church!” Curiously, I stepped inside, only to be met with a ticketing attendant who asked me for €3.50. A little confused, I wondered what the fee covered. Was it an admission charge? Was there something specific inside worth the price?

As I was still trying to figure it out, the staff member, without much courtesy, asked, “Japanese?” It felt odd that he didn’t explain the fee or even use full sentences. In the end, I decided not to enter and enjoyed the view of the church’s impressive architecture from the outside instead.

Later, when researching at home, I realized I had missed seeing the famous Altar of the Holy Blood (Heilig-Blut-Altar), intricately carved by the artist Tilman Riemenschneider. This is why the church is a must-see in Rothenburg—don’t miss it when you’re there!

📍 Castle Garden

Rating ★★★★★

To enjoy a panoramic view of Rothenburg’s charming red rooftops, make your way to the Castle Garden—the scenery is peaceful and beautiful, absolutely worth the visit!

The Castle Gate dates back to around 1460, marking the highest tower within Rothenburg’s western defensive walls.

As you relax amidst the natural beauty of the garden, you might wonder where the actual “castle” is. Historians believe that Rothenburg’s original castle, Stauferburg, was destroyed by an earthquake back in 1356 and no longer exists.

The Golden Shop Signs of Rothenburg

As you stroll the picturesque streets of Rothenburg’s old town, you’ll notice an array of intricate golden signs hanging above the shops.

“If you have time,” my husband said, “you could photograph them all and create a beautiful collage out of them!” I think it would also make for an exciting City Hunt game—imagine going on a quest to find each sign!

Unique Souvenir Shops in Rothenburg

📍 Käthe Wohlfahrt – Weihnachtsdorf (Christmas Village)

At Käthe Wohlfahrt’s “Weihnachtsdorf” (Christmas Village), you’ll find an indoor Christmas wonderland open all year round—no need to wait for the holiday season!

Feel free to immerse yourself in the festive German Christmas atmosphere here and pick up some small gifts for friends!

Bonus Tip: If you’re here in late November or December, don’t miss Rothenburg’s Reiterlesmarkt (Knight’s Christmas Market)!

2024 Opening Dates: November 29 – December 23

By the way, for recommended must-try treats and tips on Frankfurt’s Christmas Market, check out my guide here: 🔗 Ultimate Guide To Frankfurt Christmas Markets 2024 with Travel Tips

📍 Waffenkammer Rothenburg o.d.T.

This souvenir shop features medieval knight armor, a variety of long swords, and chess sets—even with a medieval soundtrack in the background! It’s like stepping back in time.

Address: Ob. Schmiedgasse 9/11, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

📍 Teddys Rothenburg

This cozy shop is filled with plush toys and dolls. I especially loved the bear in the window, blowing bubbles—cute!

Address: Ob. Schmiedgasse 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Must-Try Rothenburg Treat: Schneeballen (Snowball Pastry)

Rothenburg’s classic treat, Schneeballen, dates back to medieval times, when it was a delicacy at weddings and festivals. These “snowballs” are made from crispy egg dough, deep-fried to a golden brown, then dusted with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar.

Bäckerei Friedel

For the most authentic Schneeballen, visit Bäckerei Friedel. A family-run bakery since 1882, they’re known for the original Rothenburg Schneeballen.

Address: Markt 8, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

BrotHaus Zuckerbäckerei

As it was conveniently located near the town hall square, we stopped by BrotHaus Zuckerbäckerei. We tried two snowballs—one with cinnamon flavor and another with nut flavor. The taste reminded me of Hong Kong’s “egg crisps,” though nothing particularly special. If you try the originals at Bäckerei Friedel, leave a comment and let me know how they taste!

Address: Ob. Schmiedgasse 10, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Final Thoughts

Rothenburg is truly a must-visit spot when exploring Germany! If this post was helpful, don’t forget to subscribe or follow me on Instagram 🙂

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