Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the medieval town in the Bavaria region that seems straight out of a story. A destination full of beauty, history and uniqueness. The medieval houses are charming and the town is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe. In translation, Rothenburg ob der Tauber means "Red Fortress over the Tauber" the red color coming from the roofs of the houses covered with tiles of the same color. Below you will find a complete guide that includes accommodation recommendations, places with delicious food and tourist attractions.
content
Useful information
Accommodation
The accommodation alternatives are diverse, here you can find rooms that offer excellent conditions located in historic buildings in the central area with affordable prices. Below you will find some of our recommendations for a sensational vacation.
Located in the historic center of the city in a medieval building, this hotel offers double rooms with a simple design but with all the facilities you might need. The hotel offers rooms with a wonderful view of the historic center of the city and the price of a double room is 105 euros.
This guest house is only 15 minutes' walk from the historic center of the city. The rooms are clean, modernly furnished and the price for two people is 90 euros. Here you will find all the equipment you need, from free wifi to TV and private bathroom.
A guest house located right in the historic center in a hundreds of years old building. Here you will find the comfort you need for a quiet vacation, the price of a double room is 110 euros and breakfast is included.
Tourist attractions Rothenburg ob der Tauber - What to visit
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a small town, but despite this you can find a lot of things to do and visit. Even a simple walk on its charming streets will be an experience you will not soon forget. Below you will find some points of interest that you should not miss.
Marktplatz & Rathaus
Marktplatz, a wide square bordered by a group of historical buildings, among which is the gigantic building with a unique facade of the town hall (Rathaus). If you want to admire a panoramic view of the city, this is the right place. You can climb the old town hall tower, which is more than 50 meters high, and the view at the top will take your breath away. Down in the square you can admire the splendid typical Bavarian architecture.
Plönlein
Translated as Piata Mica, this fairytale place is ideal for admiring the beautiful medieval architecture of the city. Two towers guard the square, the Sieber Tower dating from 1385 and the Kobolzeller Tor, built in 1360. Being a place extremely loved by both locals and tourists, this square is one of the most photographed in Germany due to its medieval landscape, that's why we recommend you to take at least a few pictures in this sensational place.
Ratstrinkstube
To the right of the town hall is the Ratstrinkstube. Currently, an infopoint for tourists is located in this place, but in the past this was the place where the city councilors met after work to relax with a glass of wine. The figurines that come out of the clock at the fixed time, remind of the legend "Mayor's Drink" (Meistertrunk). During the 30-year war between Catholics and Protestants, the Catholic general Tilly wanted to loot and destroy the city because it was a Protestant city. The citizens welcomed him with a cup of 3.25 liters of wine. Impressed, the general promised to spare the city if someone managed to drink it all. Mayor Nusch volunteers and manages to save the city from destruction.
Turmweg
Since the 16th century, Rothenburg has often been called the "Franconian Jerusalem" due to its urban landscape characterized by numerous towers. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is surrounded by a defensive wall, through which 6 gates allow visitors access to the old town. Tourists can explore the city wall on the so-called Road of the Towers, a 4 km route that encircles the old city. The route lasts approximately 2 hours.
Reichsstadtmuseum
This city museum is certainly fascinating because of its location, the way it is organized, but also because of the unique exhibits that are part of the city's culture, such as the Pokal, a famous piece by Meistertrunk. The location of the museum is certainly unique, it is found in a former Dominican monastery, where the oldest parts date from the 13th century.
Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum
This museum illustrates over 1000 years of criminal history and, by its theme, is unique in Europe. Arranged thematically, the museum is dedicated to medieval crimes, with an unconventional collection of torture instruments and art. The largest museum of this type in Europe is definitely a less common attraction but one that you must visit if you want to better understand the past.
Weihnachtsmuseum
A fairytale place full of magic, the Christmas Museum and Store presents both the wonderful holiday decorations and the history of Christmas. The founder of this museum, Harald Wohlfahrt, was attracted by the traditional festivities and decided to open this permanent exhibition that includes the most magical exhibits and stories. A place suitable for both adults and children where the spirit of Christmas is present throughout the year.
Jakobskirche
The Church of St. Jacob is a unique church due to its architecture, being an extremely well-known point among the faithful. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is on the Way of Jacob, a route traveled by pilgrims through different countries of Europe to reach the tomb of the apostle James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. More than 1000 pilgrims arrive in St. Jacob's Church every year. The church is famous for the Altar of the Holy Blood which shows the scene of the Last Supper. It was carved by the famous Tilman Riemenschneider between 1499 and 1505.
Gastronomy & Restaurants - What and where we eat!
German food is especially based on an extraordinary variety of pork, fish, beef and poultry dishes, from salami, sausages or leberwurst to the famous schnitzel, but also on delicious desserts such as apple strudel. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is located in the Bavaria region, where you will find many specific, extremely delicious traditional dishes. Below are some of them.
- Allgäuer Bergkäse Spätzle a kind of macaroni and cheese, delicious. Spätzle can be a side dish for various German specialties, and when mixed with cheese it is a main course in itself. In Bavaria, you can find them in combination with Allgäuer Bergkäse, a cow's milk cheese (from the Allgäu mountains), very aromatic and slightly spicy.
- Munich Schnitzel a variant of the Viennese schnitzel, being prepared with horseradish or mustard before being covered with flour, egg and breadcrumbs. Unlike in Austria, where the schnitzel is prepared with beef, in Germany it is mainly pork.
- Münchner Weißwurst there is a real tradition in the Bavarian area of eating these white sausages for breakfast, you can also find them in any brewery or restaurant along with a sweet mustard, pretzel and, of course, a pint of German beer.
- Nürnberger Rostbratwürste is a traditional delicacy from Nuremberg, a pork sausage, whose recipe dates back to the 14th century, the ingredients being very carefully selected. You can find them in almost any restaurant menu in Bavaria, alongside potato salad or delicious German sauerkraut.
- Rothenburger Schneeballen a traditional dessert from Rothenburg ob der Tauber, absolutely tasty, whose recipe dates back over 300 years. It's about balls made of a sweet puff pastry covered in powdered sugar.
- Apple strudel ultra well-known, Bavarian apple strudel is absolutely delicious, whether it is accompanied by ice cream or a warm vanilla sauce.
Where do you eat in Rothenburg ob der Tauber?
- Zur Holl – Mittelalterliche Trinkstube this restaurant with traditional Bavarian food is the ideal place to discover dishes specific to the area. With traditional dishes, but also with a variety of craft beers, this restaurant is an ideal place to get in touch with the German atmosphere. The prices are extremely good, starting from 10 euros.
- Gasthof Butz located in a classic location, with multiple alternatives from starters to various main dishes, this restaurant promises delicious, unique and diverse food at an incredible price-quality ratio. The price-quality ratio is excellent and the atmosphere is pleasant.
- Glock a rustic restaurant specializing in traditional dishes, this is the ideal place if you want to try authentic food. The atmosphere is welcoming and warm and the food delicious, you will definitely find something to your taste.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a unique destination that will help you discover and better understand German culture. We recommend you to spend at least two days here and enjoy all the attractions it offers, walk the charming streets and try as many delicious dishes as possible. A vacation in this fairy-tale town will definitely be memorable.
English 
Romanian 
Spanish 
Italian 
German 
Portuguese 
French