Romantic Road Germany

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is perhaps the best known of all the medieval "sights" on the Romantic Road.

Along with its two neighbours (Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen to the south), it is a prime example of a walled medieval town - one of the few remaining in Germany - and its beautiful buildings, walls and alleyways have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bavaria.

In fact, it is such a tourist attraction that in high season it can seem like a medieval theme park, with busloads of visitors from nearby towns streaming into the market square from the coach parks on the edge of the old town.

However, the walls and history of Rothenburg still work their magic for those who take the time to explore away from the crowded central 'sights' and especially for those who stay overnight and can wander the lanes, walls and cobbled streets by moonlight...

Speaking of moonlight, one of the most popular daily events is the night watchman's tour, organised by local guides, which takes people around the market square and the medieval wall overlooking the Tauber valley.

Of course, more independent visitors can design their own tour, taking in sights such as the Medieval Crime Museum, the town hall and the castle gardens.

View of Rothenburg ob der Tauber
View of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg also attracts thousands of visitors to its popular festivals, such as the Meistertrunk (an event from the Thirty Years' War) play and the picturesque Christmas market in the town centre during Advent.

Discover more about the town and its history on our Rothenburg information page: Rothenburg Information Guide

One of the charming experiences of the Romantic Road is staying in the heart of a German town such as medieval Rothenburg. There is a wide range of traditional hotels and guesthouses to choose from, as well as a popular youth hostel.

Other visitors prefer to visit Rothenburg as a day trip from nearby cities such as Munich and Frankfurt.

Information about where to stay and details of how to get there can be found on our travel page: Rothenburg Accommodation & Travel

Rothenburg has plenty of places to visit during a stay and some of the main attractions are featured in our photo gallery along with short descriptions of each image: Places to See in Rothenburg

Quick Facts About Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg is located in the west of Bavaria near the border with Baden-Württemberg. The closest major city is Würzburg to the north.

'Ob der' is short for 'oberhalb der', which means 'above the' in English. Rothenburg is located on a hill 'above the' Tauber river.

Rothenburg was awarded its town charter in the 12th century and became a Free Imperial City in 1274. There had however been a small town at the base of fortifications near Rothenburg in previous centuries.

A fleeting scene that many people believe is a location in Rothenburg appears in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. In fact, the shot is from Bernkastel-Kues elsewhere in Germany. Rothenburg appears in the film credits because of aerial filming in the area which was not used (or digitally altered).

Rothenburg is another location on the Romantic Road which features in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The centre of the old town features as the city of the Baron Bomburst and the Childcatcher.

Where to stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber?

Check accommodation availability in Rothenburg ob der Tauber by entering your desired dates in the boxes above the map. Click on the prices to reveal more information about the accommodation and use the '+' and '-' signs to zoom in and out of the Rothenburg area.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Wrought iron street sign in Rothenburg

Towns Along The Romantic Road