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26 Truly Awesome Things to Do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber: An Expert’s Guide

Last Updated: October 13, 2023 //  by  Ashley Smith 10 Comments

So you’re looking for all the best things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber? You’ve come to the right place, lemme tell ya.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany isn’t just one of my favorite cities in Germany; it’s one of my favorite places on earth . As a tour guide in Germany, I visit Rothenburg every single year. And every year I make it my goal to find new, awesome things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber that I didn’t get to the year before. So far, I’m on one helluva roll.

So many things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is world famous but most visitors just come for the day and leave before the sun goes down. This definitely makes it sound like there isn’t much to do here… but that’s so totally wrong.

Yes, this is a small, quiet town. But there are so many cool things to do here that I highly recommend at least two full days here to really absorb all the fairytale magic this town has to offer to mere muggles like us.

Take my expert word for it – check out all the most amazing things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber here:

Table of Contents

1. Check out the Plönlein

I’m just going to go ahead and get this one out of the way. Rothenburg’s Plönlein is, without a doubt, the thing this town is world famous for. (Don’t get me wrong, the Plönlein is very cool, but Rothenburg is so much more than this! Please! Just give it a chance!)

Though you maybe didn’t know what it was called, I guarantee you’ve seen Rothenburg’s Plönlein before. It’s basically just a super picturesque intersection in the town’s center. It’s got real Disney, Pinocchio, fairy tale vibes and I am here for it. Actually, everyone is here for it.

This singular view has essentially become the poster child for Germany’s Romantic Road – the lovely little road trip defined by adorable half-timbered villages. The word Plönlein translates to “small square with a fountain” which is exactly what it is.

There’s a crooked yellow house with teal shutters, medieval towers on either side, and about 1,000 tourists all trying to take pictures of it at the same time. It’s a real Instagram vs Reality situation. Regardless, you can’t come to Rothenburg and not check out the Plönlein. So go ahead, get your pictures, but know that there are so many more things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber!

Plönlein pro tip

The vast majority of Rothenburg’s visitors drop in for the day to see the Plönlein and then leave. This means everyone is taking the exact same pictures that are all completely full of other tourists. BORING.

Instead, be different and stay in Rothenburg overnight . Visit the Plönlein after dinner when all the day-trippers have left town and the moon and stars have come out. You’ll get tourist-free photos that look straight out of a story book.  

But if you only have one day to spend here, check out my one-day Rothenburg itinerary to make the most of your trip.

2. Take the Night Watchman Tour

One of the best things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber that totally lives up to the hype is the Night Watchman tour.

Rothenburg’s Night Watchman tour is another famous activity that thankfully takes place every night of the week and in English. (There is a German version too though if you need it.) This 1-hour tour is led by Hans Georg Baumgartner, the famous Night Watchman who walks you around medieval Rothenburg after dark to tell you about the town’s history.

You’ll learn about the origins of the town and how it fared during the Plague (ahem, the first one) and its many wars. He’ll teach you about the role of the Night Watchman and other fun medieval tidbits addressing crime and punishment. You’ll learn fun facts about some of Rothenburg’s buildings and structures.

He answers your questions and will happily take photos with you. But the best part? This tour is hysterical. I know it sounds super educational (i.e., boring) but that’s not the case at all. It’s educational, sure, but it’s also hilarious. 10/10 highly recommend.

The English version of the Rothenburg Night Watchman tour takes place every night of the week between April 1 st and December 30 th (except Dec. 24) at 8:00pm and costs just 9€.

To join the tour, meet in the Market Square and look for the crowd of people surrounding a tall medieval guy. You’ll know it when you see it. The tour is super casual – no reservations required – join or leave as you please. Pay the Night Watchman directly, in cash, at the end of the tour.

Night Watchman tour need to know

Hans Georg Baumgartner is the famous Night Watchman, but he takes the night off on Thursdays and Sundays. So, if that’s when you’ll be around, you’ll have a substitute Night Watchman.

The German tour is also available every night, same days, same meeting place, but starts at 9:30pm.

Night Watchman pro tip

If you’ll be visiting Rothenburg with your family or a bigger group, you can book a private Night Watchman tour just for your group!

This would be such a fun personalized activity for your group and will even save you some money depending on how big your group is. Check out how to book your private Night Watchman tour here .

Also check out: The 12 Best Day Trips from Munich

3. Go to Hell (Have dinner at Zur Höll)

Zur Höll is arguably the best restaurant in Rothenburg and having dinner here is a must on the list of things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Zur Höll literally means “to Hell” but the experience is absolutely heavenly.

This small tavern opened over 1,000 years ago and serves traditional hearty Bavarian meals and Franconian wine inside a very cool space. The main restaurant has just a handful of tables, but you can also dine in their candlelit cave. For real.

I eat here every year and I’m always impressed. This is the coziest, most delicious eatery in town. It’s also highly sought after so reservations are recommended. (Seriously, you probably won’t get in otherwise.)

Zur Hoell need to know

• Zur Höll is open Monday-Saturday from 5pm-10pm
• Reservations are necessary – you can make reservations by emailing them here
• Zur Höll is cash only
• Make sure to ask for the specials
• If you’re there late enough you’ll probably see the Night Watchman stop in for a beer, the way medieval night watchman do

Also check out: 3 Days in Munich: 38+ Awesome Things to Do

4. Walk the fortified city walls

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of only three cities in Germany with intact medieval walls surrounding the town. But the coolest part is that they are completely walkable, by anyone, for free! For these reasons, exploring the town via its medieval wall is definitely one of the best things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Rothenburg’s defensive wall circles the town and is dotted by 42 towers and six awesome city gates. Walk this “Tower Trail” and see this beautiful city from up above. There are numerous places where you can get on/off the wall and you can even go inside some of the towers.

Rothenburg Tower Trail need to know

• The Tower Trail is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• This is a totally free activity.
• Pay attention, tall people! You’ll need to watch your head a lot here as there are many low-hanging stones and zero warnings.
• The plaques you see along the wall contain the names and/or organizations of those who have donated money for the preservation of the wall.
• The wall path is largely uneven and the stairs on and off are steep. Pay attention at all times, be careful, use the handrails.

5. Go inside the Spital Bastion

Of all the towers and hidden spots inside the city’s medieval wall you can explore, one of the coolest things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is to go inside the Spital Bastion.

The Spital Bastion is (a weird word, yes, but also) one of medieval Rothenburg’s most important defensive fortifications along the wall . It was constructed in the 1580s and is considerably well-preserved and open to the public.

The Spital Bastion surrounds a beautiful courtyard and features a number of windows for cool wall views. You can explore the dimly-lit, multi-leveled structure where you’ll even find some old cannons. There is no hint of modern life in here and you’ll feel like you’ve got back in time.

Spital Bastion need to know

To get to the Spital Bastion, veer left at the Plönlein and walk straight until you dead-end at a medieval tower. There’s a staircase there that leads into the structure. Now, just follow all the random paths and get lost. (If you want to use GPS, head towards “Spitaltor.”)

6. Get to know the legend of Rothenburg’s mayor

One of the most interesting tidbits about Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the folklore surrounding its one-time mayor and the “Legend of the Master Draught.” Allow me to rewind a bit…

Back in 1631, Rothenburg was seized by a man named Count Tilly and his army during the Thirty Years’ War. Count Tilly was going to claim ownership of the town (and execute most of its residents, damn) until, as legend has it, Rothenburg’s mayor challenged him to a drink-off. I kid you not. Germany is the best.

Tilly agreed, declaring that Mayor Georg Nusch could keep his town if he could chug a 3.5-liter tankard of wine in ONE GULP. (That’s almost a gallon, FYI.) And, allegedly, he did! He saved his town from destruction, the people rejoiced, and they all lived happily ever after and absolutely schmammered, I assume.

This legend is a big part of local lore so there are many things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber that surround this tale. For starters, you can view (a replica of) the 3.5-liter wine tankard inside the Rothenburg Museum. Now, imagine chugging that much wine in one gulp . Kthanksbye.

This legend is also preserved in Rothenburg’s town center clock. At the top of every hour when the clock chimes on the Ratstrinkstube, the windows on either side of it open to tell the tale. (All sources say this happens only between 10am – 10pm, but last time I was there this also happened at 11pm, so methinks there’s actually no rhyme or reason here.)

On the left, a medieval-looking dude comes out to provide some fanfare. On the right, you can see the mayor lift his mug and chug chug chug until the bells cease. An hourly tribute to the brave act that saved Rothenburg, huzzah!

7. Attend the Master Draught Festival

There’s also an entire festival dedicated to this legend known locally as Der Meistertrunk . Every year on Pentecost weekend, the Master Draught Festival takes place in what must be one of the most hilarious things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

This festival consists of multiple theater performances of the legendary act, and probably a lot of unsanctioned amateur renditions as well, just for sh*ts and giggles. There are medieval outfits (and facial hair), history nerds chugging wine, and probably a lot of ye oldes and huzzahs too. Count. Me. In.

8. Chill out in the Marktplatz (town center)

If you want to see the hilarious clock mayor, be sure to spend some time hanging out in Rothenburg’s Marktplatz. Acting as Rothenburg’s town center, the Market Square is a large open plaza surrounded by shops and restaurants.

This is a great place to just sit and chill with a delicious Bavarian beer and people-watch the day away. Most of the eateries have outdoor seating and even though it’s the town center, because this is such a small village, it’s not annoyingly “touristy.”

You can see the mayor’s clock without having to leave your seat and you may even be able to see the Plönlein if you’re sitting at the right table. If you’re looking to just relax for an hour or so, hang out in the Marktplatz (part of the inspiration for Epcot’s Germany pavilion, btw).

9. Climb the Town Hall tower for amazing views

While you’re in the Marktplatz, head across to the town hall and climb to the top of the tower for the best views in Rothenburg.

As with all super old towers in Europe, you’ll have to climb 220+ steps up a tight corkscrew staircase not suitable for the claustrophobic . At the top, you ascend a short ladder then have to pull yourself up through a small opening to exit onto the little platform that circles the top of the tower.

Up here, you are rewarded with the best views in town making this one of my favorite things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. I love the red rooftops of Europe’s medieval towns and Rothenburg gets an A+ here.

Town hall tower need to know

Climbing the tower here costs 2.5€ and you pay at the top. I actually love this because I’ve met a lot of visitors who aren’t convinced they’ll make it to the top either out of anxiety or literally because they might not be agile enough to squeeze through the ridiculously small opening. This way, you don’t have to pay unless you make it to the top and can commit to finishing.

The tower is open:

• January, February, March, and November: Saturday and Sunday from noon – 3pm
• April to October: Every day from 9:30am – 12:30pm and 1pm – 5pm. Quasimodo needs his lunch break, you know.
• During the Christmas market: Every day from 11am – 6pm (and until 7pm on Fri, Sat, and Sun)

Pro tip: To enter, go through the grand arches in the main market square (the brown part of the building on the right), not through the white part of the building (on the left) under the tower where it would make the most sense.

10. Take a hike through the Enchanted Forest

If wide open spaces are more your thing, you’ll love to know that light hiking is one of the best things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. In fact, you’ll straight up think you’ve warped to the Enchanted Forest.

Rothenburg’s main Old Town is up on a hill, but you can actually leave the city walls and head down into the valley on a few different easy hikes around the area. But these are no ordinary hikes. Oh, no no no. You’ll meet strange creatures, pass castles and cottages, stroll over covered bridges, and much more.

You’ll pass through the seven levels of the candy cane forest, through the sea of swirly-twirly gumdrops, and then… OK, I kid.

Really though. Pass through the Burggarten on the right, follow the trail through the trees, past the wild hops because this Germany, over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house … a quiet, misty valley along the river Tauber with a covered bridge that’s surrounded by adorable gingerbread houses.

Or you can leave the Burggarten on the left, follow the seashells and wind your way down through the vineyard, past the mermaids and mysterious woodland church, to the troll bridge. I know this sounds like a joke but I am absolutely serious here.

Basically, take any path out of Rothenburg’s medieval wall and just follow it where it goes. You will not lose your way as hilltop Rothenburg will be visible just about anywhere you end up. The trails are paved and signposted and your GPS will work the whole time. It’s a great way to experience some alone time in Rothenburg and my absolute favorite of all the Rothenburg things to do.

11. Check out the Double Bridge

The troll bridge of which I speak is actually Rothenburg’s Dopplebrücke (double bridge). I found this landmark completely by accident the first time while out on a random walk through the woods. When I came upon it, it had started raining so I hid under the bridge for cover like your run-of-the-mill troll.

Related: 10 Crucial Tips to Visit Neuschwanstein Castle Skillfully and Worry-Free

This bridge dates back to the 14 th century but actually resembles a Roman aqueduct. Next to it you’ll find a picturesque little cottage along the Tauber River that I plan on one day living in. (Mostly so I can tell people, “Get out of my swamp!”)

You can walk across the bridge at the top, but it’s really not that exciting. It’s just a road. The path at the bottom is where you get the good views. There isn’t anything to “do” here; it’s just a cool thing to see and the walk to get there is absolutely dreamy.

12. Visit Toppler Castle

Another of my favorite Rothenburg walks takes you to Toppler Castle, a truly weird structure straight out of a fairy tale. But that’s just the start of it.

Toppler Castle became my new favorite Rothenburg spot on my visit in October 2022. It’s easy to get to and gets you some seriously cool photos.

Toppler Castle was built in 1388 and is even open for tours. Walk through the gate, ring the bell, and for 5€/person the owner (who lives in the house next door) and her cat will take you on a private tour of this historical little building. I told you this town was straight outta Hans Christian Andersen.

Toppler Castle need to know

Unfortunately, it’s pretty impossible to know when this place is open. For my latest visit, I was only able to find operating hours on one random site that listed them as Fri-Sun from 1-4pm. However, when I showed up at 6:30pm on a Monday, it was open.

I’m not sure there’s any kind of organized operating schedule here as it’s really just run by the woman who lives next door. She offers tours when she’s home and, I guess, not taking care of her own business as she’s perfectly entitled to.

My advice? Hope for the best but don’t plan your day around it. Head on down there and see if it’s open when you’re there. If not, try again the next day. There will be a sign on the gate that says either “heute geöffnet” (open today) or “heute geschlossen” (closed today).

(She does list a phone number on the closed sign though – so maybe you can call and ask when she will be available, if you speak German. If not, ask someone at your hotel if they would be willing to call for you.)

13. Shop for a cuckoo clock

I’ve been obsessed with cuckoo clocks since I was a wee child who loved the movie Pinocchio (the setting of which was inspired by Rothenburg ob der Tauber). All my years visiting this town, visiting the cuckoo clock shop has always been one of my favorite things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

My first few visits it was all just wishing upon a star that I had a house full of them. But on my latest visit I finally decided to splurge and get one. Now, it’s installed in my house and brings me endless joy every half hour. All I need now is a goldfish named Cleo.

Germany’s famous cuckoo clocks technically come from the Black Forest region, but the clocks you get here in Rothenburg are still official Black Forest clocks (and come with the authenticity papers to prove it). This town has such a special place in my heart, I wanted my clock to come from here.

If you want a really great souvenir from your time in fairytale Germany, head over to the Käthe Wohlfahrt shop. No, not the giant Christmas shop and museum of the same name. I’m talking about Der Kleine Weihnachtsladen which, okay, does mean “The Little Christmas Shop.”

This shop is quite small and contains a plethora of ornate handcrafted Christmas ornaments and decorations of all types. (The shop is tiny and the merchandise is pricey so watch your arms/purses/coats/ponytails or risk knocking over something expensive.)

Up the stairs to the back you’ll find the shop’s collection of hand carved cuckoo clocks. They have everything here: big ones, small ones, simple ones, way-too-complicated ones that would drive you nuts, and everything up to like 3,000€.

Cuckoo clocks need to know

The best part: they ship directly to your house alllll the way over in the United States for just 10€. I’m so happy with my purchase and the whole process – highly recommend.

Fun fact: You can even get a cuckoo clock here of the yellow house from the Plönlein that even has the Night Watchman on it! It’s just too perfect.

14. Visit the Christmas museum and shop

Yes, the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas museum and shop actually is one of the most popular things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. If you’re a Christmas geek, that is.

Rub elbows with all the traveling grandmas at Rothenburg’s Christmas Museum that features unique and historical Christmas ornaments and decorations from Germany’s Christmas culture. The accompanying shop is the perfect place to pick up some traditional German Christmas ornaments and decorations of your own.

However, if it’s gifts you’re looking for, maybe check out my guide to 35+ perfect gift ideas for Oktoberfest lovers instead. Just saying.

It’s open year-round (Code of the Elves #1: Treat every day like Christmas!) and even offers guided tours. Might as well get your holly jolly’s in the town that literally looks like the miniature Christmas village from your aunt’s foyer come to life.

15. Eat some Schneeballen

Schneeballen (German for “snowballs”) are the delicious treats that call Rothenburg home. These sugar-covered balls are simple: rolled up strips of pastry crust covered in a variety of toppings like powdered sugar, Nutella, cinnamon sugar, chocolate with nuts, raspberry glaze, and beyond.

Personally, I love schneeballen, but they can be quite polarizing. Some people just plain don’t like them. Those same people probably don’t like puppies or fuzzy blankets either, but to each his own.

You can find schneeballen all over Rothenburg but my favorite places to get them are:

• Bäckerei-Café Friedrich Schöbel
• Bäckerei Striffler
• and the Zuckerbäckerei

16. Enjoy federweisser and zwiebelkuchen in the fall

I feel absolutely blessed that my annual visits to Rothenburg happen in the fall. This is the time of the year when both federweisser and zwiebelkuchen are in season. Indulging in this regional combo is among the tastiest things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Federweisser (German for “feather white”) is a sweet, young wine. It’s only available for a couple of weeks in the fall and hails from the Rothenburg region. Zweibelkuchen (German for “onion cake”) is a quiche-like “cake” made from cream, onions, bacon, and some other stuff, but mostly cream, onions, and bacon. Federweisser and Zweibelkuchen are meant to be consumed together.

I’ve had this combo at a few places around Rothenburg (they taste different everywhere you go) but my absolute favorite is at Zur Höll.

17. Have lunch in a dreamy little beer garden

Another of my favorite places to dine (and, yeah, drink beer) is the beer garden at the Reichskuchenmeister hotel. They make the best flammkuchen (something like a flatbread) and the setting is just so lovely.

If you’re blessed with nice weather during your visit to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, definitely grab some lunch here.

18. Toss back some beers in a cozy tavern

Because this is a cozy fairy tale village, after all, your visit wouldn’t be complete without a late night in a dark tavern. And Rothenburg has plenty of those.

Besides Zur Höll, a few of my favorites include:

• Weinstube zum Pulverer – best service in Rothenburg, hands down
• Weinstube Löchle – which is also attached to the Reichskuchenmeister hotel
• Landwehr-Bräu am Turm – the brewery that makes all the beer you drink in Rothenburg and located in a stunning building (also with a great beer garden)

19. Learn a few things at the Medieval Crime and Justice Museum

When searching for what to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the Medieval Crime and Justice Museum always ranks at the top. While “medieval torture museums” throughout Europe are mostly lame tourist traps, Rothenburg’s is not.

This museum focuses more on the crimes committed and justice served in medieval Europe (and less on gratuitous violence and torture tools. But it does have its fair share of those too.) You can see interrogation logs from witch trials and learn all about baker-dunking. It’s as hilarious as it sounds, yes.

20. Explore the Rothenburg Museum

If you want to visit just one museum while in Rothenburg, I recommend this one. Housed in a monastery from the 1200s, the Rothenburg Museum covers literally millions of years of Rothenburg’s history (but mostly stuff from the past thousand years or so).

The museum itself is cool and you’ll likely get super lost. But you can learn all about the area’s Jewish history, see the famed Master Draught wine tankard plus a room full of fancy steins of yore, and a huge room of awesome medieval weapons and suits of armor. (To name a few.)

21. Stop by the Pope’s house

From August to October in 1986, a priest from Argentina named Jorge Mario Bergoglio studied German here in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Twenty-seven years later he became Pope.

Today, you can check out the house at Judengasse 27 that Pope Francis once lived in. Informational placards outside the house describe his time there.

22. Walk through St. James’s Church

St. James’s Church is Rothenburg’s largest building with a name that reflects its position along the Way of Saint James (more commonly known as the Camino de Santiago). It was built between 1311 and 1484 and is a world famous pilgrimage site.

A few of the reasons a stop in here is one of the neatest things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber include:

• The Holy Blood Altar – an impressive 16 th -century wooden altarpiece designed to contain the relic of the blood of Christ
• Its organ is one of the largest organs in Bavaria and they even hold free organ concerts year-round.
• One of the stained glass windows depicts the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt while pretzels fall from the heavens to help them survive the journey. That’s pretty interesting.

23. Follow Rothenburg’s Jewish trail

The story of Jewish life in Rothenburg has been nothing less than a roller coaster from the beginning of time. You can learn all about it on a free walking tour of the city that follows the city’s Jewish history (one of the lesser-known but still interesting things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber).

All around Rothenburg at notable sites you can find informational plaques describing the site’s importance to Jewish history. Scan the QR code to follow the trail with your phone (or start here with the official website).

A few of the featured sites include:

• the town’s historic synagogues and Jewish cemeteries
• the homes on Judengasse – the only surviving medieval Jewish residential street in Europe
• a pogrom stone from 1298 commemorating the lost lives of 400 Rothenburg Jews
• gravestones from the 13 th and 14 th century inside the Rothenburg Museum’s Judaica collection

24. Search for Rothenburg’s Stumbling Stones

However, not featured on the town’s Jewish trail are the numerous stumbling stones around town (known in German as Stolperstein ). These small and easy-to-miss Holocaust memorials are found all around Rothenburg. Each of these tiny memorials are the work of German artist Gunter Demnig to commemorate a Jewish Holocaust victim.

They contain such information as the person’s name, birthday, their fate (which concentration camp they were sent to, for instance), and the date on which they died. These bronze tiles are inlaid in the ground outside of that person’s home at the time.

As a World War II historian , I am always on the lookout for these around Europe, but they are very easy to miss. In Rothenburg, you can find some at:

• Herrngasse 21
• Judengasse 22
• Kirchgasse 1

25. Take a photographic stroll through the town

Not even joking, one of the best things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is to not really do anything at all. Just walk.

I have to admit, most of my time in Rothenburg each year is just spent walking around town. I’m not exaggerating when I say every single street, corner, and alleyway is the most photo-worthy spot you’ll ever see. And then you turn the corner and its gets even cuter! How is this possible!

Grab your camera (or phone, let’s be real here) and just walk without any particular destination at all. It’s not easy to get lost here so just wander and see what interesting surprises you can find. This year I came upon a hedgehog just prancing around town.

26. Get jolly at Rothenburg’s Christmas market

As the adorable and Christmas-obsessed town that Rothenburg is, of course there’s an equally adorable Christmas market here! Known as the Reiterlesmarkt , it’s open from just after Thanksgiving to right before Christmas.

Sip on some glühwein and snack on some schneeballen while shopping for traditional ornaments, gifts, and other tasty goods.

And if you can’t make it to Rothenburg for Christmas market season, check out my guide on how to recreate a German Christmas market at home and this list of German Christmas market foods you can enjoy at home (with recipes).

Where to stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

I am not kidding when I say there is so much to do in Rothenburg. If you have the ability to do so, please consider a couple of days here instead of just a few hours. And if you do, check out these great hotels:

• Akzent Hotel Schranne – Charming hotel in a perfect location that’s next to one of the only parking lots that exists within the city walls. This is fantastic if you’ve driven to Rothenburg. Also, the restaurant here is DELISH!
• Burghotel – This place is ADORABLE and has almost a 10/10 rating. Also in a perfect location with fantastic views.
• Hotel BurgGartenPalais – So cozy, so rustic-chic. Breakfast is included!
• Hotel Reichskuchenmeister – I mean, I already love this place’s restaurant, beer garden, and wine bar, so… why not stay here too?

More info for your Rothenburg ob der Tauber trip

• Heading to Rothenburg? Find great places to stay here .
• Need a car? Check out the best rental car deals in Germany here .
• Don’t forget to pick up a guidebook for all your Germany sightseeing.
• This Germany customs and culture guide is a must!

Which of these things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber are on your to-do list? Let me know below!

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About Ashley Smith

Ashley is a historian and Oktoberfest expert & tour guide. She has traveled to 39 countries and specializes in quick trips throughout Europe and the Americas that prioritize hiking adventures, museums of all kinds, cultural experiences, and jam-packed itineraries. She hails from Memphis, TN and currently lives in Boston with her husband and two feline sidekicks.

Reader Interactions

September 11, 2023 at 9:40 PM

I love reading all of your recommendations! We are planning a trip for September of 2024. Is a rental car the only option to get from Munich to Rothenburg?

Thanks for your help! Connie

September 15, 2023 at 12:23 AM

Thank you Connie! You can take the train from Munich to Rothenburg as well, it’s just not a direct journey. Put in “Rothenburg ob der Tauber” as your destination at bahn.com and it will show you all the possible routes. (Most of them combine train + bus.)

August 14, 2023 at 3:02 PM

Wonderful article! My husband and I are staying for 2 nights in mid-Sep, and we will be doing several things from this list.

August 16, 2023 at 12:39 PM

Thank you, Heather! I’m so happy to hear that! I hope you have a great time in this beautiful city. 🙂

August 7, 2023 at 9:26 AM

Thank you for the amazing list and thorough descriptions of things to do in Rothenberg ob der Tauber. It was so helpful in planning my visit this August. I threw this stop in last minute, but now it’s the one I’m looking forward to the most!

August 10, 2023 at 10:34 PM

Awesome! I’m so happy to hear that, Rebecca!

July 27, 2023 at 11:15 AM

Ashley, very informative, and you have a great last name!! Heading to München for Oktoberfest on Sept 18 and 19, then down to Neuschwanstein, then up Romantische Strasse for two nights in Rothenburg. Your articles have been great to read for all we plan to do. Thanks so much!

July 27, 2023 at 11:20 AM

Thank you, Jim! I’m so happy I can help. That’s going to be an awesome trip. Prost!

May 25, 2023 at 8:57 PM

! Wow! Great article! Well put together and very practically informative! I really like that town and you are informing folks of some things I didn’t know that I now want to see. TY!

May 26, 2023 at 7:54 AM

Thanks Jason! I find new things to do there every year too!

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Best Sights to See on the Viking Grand European Tour River Cruise

Imagine visiting lovely cities — small and large — along the fabled Rhine River and Danube River. You can certainly visit these cities on your own and enjoy them. We’ve discovered that river cruising gives you this, but with valuable perks. The Viking Grand European Tour river cruise takes you to all the key towns along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers. Each evening you enjoy the company of others, dine on destination-inspired meals, are lulled to sleep in “your own bed,” and wake up refreshed to start another great day of exploring. You have pre-planned tours of towns you visit — or explore on your own — and then return to your floating hotel, lounge, and restaurant.

Check out my Complete Guide to a Viking River Cruise  article to learn more about the overall experience onboard.

My husband, Pop, and I usually design our vacations to Europe, and we like talking about and planning what we want to see and where we want to stay beforehand. However, we heard more and more from friends about how much they enjoy European river cruises. So we decided to leave our comfort zone and find out more. We’re glad we did.

River cruising allows travelers to visit many great places while only having to unpack once. (Sounds good, right?) Essentially, you’re staying in a floating full-service hotel with amenities and planned excursions. We chose Viking River Cruises because of its stellar reputation and its 15-day Grand European Tour that began in Amsterdam, traveled down the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, and concluded in Budapest. You could, of course, choose to begin in Budapest and end in Amsterdam. It’s the same journey in reverse. Viking continues to add boats and ports of call, so there are plenty of options depending on your geographic and sightseeing interests. 

Disclaimer: My husband, Pop, and I paid for the Viking Grand European Tour. We did not receive compensation or discounts from Viking or any other organization. I merely want to share our experience on this river cruise with my readers. 

The following are our favorite visits to the major ports of call on Viking’s Grand European Tour river cruise.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands

Our Viking Grand European Tour river cruise began in Amsterdam. When we arrived at the ship, we dropped our luggage and explored the city a bit. We had already visited the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House on a previous trip. They were all outstanding, and we highly recommend visiting them. We decided to take a canal boat cruise for this short visit and walk the town more. 

Whether by canal boat or on foot, you’ll notice the relatively narrow homes along the canals. In years past, the maximum width of homes was 18 feet, so people built up multiple floors. Because of the height of the homes and the resulting narrowness of the staircases within, the homes have hoisting beams along with pulleys and ropes on the front gables to lift furniture and goods to the upper floors.

If you have time in your schedule, you may want to arrive a few days early so you have the time to explore the area a bit. There is a lot to see. When we visited a few years ago, we stayed in Haarlem, a 20-minute train ride from Amsterdam. You may have heard that Amsterdam is now considered overrun with tourists. It’s true. It’s crowded. That’s why we liked to return to the peaceful, friendly little town of Haarlem at the end of a busy sightseeing day.

KINDERDIJK, The Netherlands

This village’s name is derived from a long-told story about a flood hundreds of years ago when the water swept away belongings and a child in a cradle. As the tale is told, a cat perched on the cradle, balancing it as it floated away. Thus, the name Kinderdijk “children’s dike,” was born. Today some residents have a cradle (made of willows and reeds) in their back gardens as an homage to the village’s history.

You’ll see lots of windmills here. They’ve long served an important purpose by helping regulate water flow into and out of the river, depending on the water levels behind the dikes. Windmills are still in operation today and are homes for the families of the windmill operators. 

We biked along a path by the windmills and stopped at a museum (Museum Windmill Blokweer) showing  how a typical family lived there in the 1950s. Tragedy struck at this one when the son of the owner walked out the wrong door and was killed by the windmill’s blade. (There are two doors on a windmill, so there’s always a way out that is not on the side where the blade turns.) When people come to visit someone who is living in a windmill, they look up to make sure the brake for the blade is on, which indicates that the blade is not moving.

Whether taking the tour on foot or by bike (we highly recommend this easy biking tour), you’ll gain a keen understanding of the importance of windmills to Dutch life.

COLOGNE, Germany

Our Viking river cruise ship docked within a few minutes walk into the center of Cologne (or Köln in German), the fourth largest German city. Because it’s so walkable, you’ll be able to cover several of the top spots and have time to spare for a meal and/or shopping before you need to board the ship for departure.

Places of Interest

• Cologne Cathedral – When you approach the Gothic Cologne Cathedral, you are greeted with a dark facade. (This is due to the fumes from steam trains as the train terminal is adjacent to the cathedral.) The facade was built with sandstone — a material easy to transport centuries ago — that kind of soaks up the dirty fumes; this makes cleaning it a chore since sandstone is too fragile to power wash. But once you walk into the Cologne Cathedral, you see the beauty of the architecture and the artwork. And you feel small … so small, and that, of course, is by design. You are to look upward and feel the power of God. There are towering walls with detailed stained glass windows all around you.  This cathedral houses the bodies of the three magi, the three wise men, and holds special significance to Christians. It is a sight to see and ponder the labor and craftsmanship that went into building it. The Cologne Cathedral was the tallest building in the world before the Washington Monument and the Eiffel Tower eclipsed it. Gustave Eiffel gained some of his practical structural engineering inspiration from a visit to the Cologne Cathedral. Guided tours in English are available, as are tickets to climb up to the tower.

• Top of Cologne Excursion  – If you get the chance while on a Viking river cruise, take the Top of Cologne optional excursion. Your group will accompany an art historian in the construction elevator that whisks you  up to the workrooms where restoration work is always occurring. The workrooms are situated between the ceiling you see from inside the cathedral and the actual roof of the building. Up here you’ll see what goes into maintaining the cathedral (inside and out) including models of the gargoyles (for use in future restoration work). You can step out on narrow walkways, peer over city rooftops, and down into the streets below. One highlight was stepping out in the belfry for a spectacular 360-degree view. Sadly, we were asked not to share pictures of this excursion online. You’ll just have to go for yourselves. It’s a must-see! By the way, I’m a little afraid of heights, so I positioned myself on the inside of the elevator so I couldn’t easily see outside as it was lifting us up, and I really enjoy this visit.
• Cologne Beer Houses – Cologne has its special version of beer called Kölsch. It’s a pale ale — cold, crisp, and clear- served in small, thin 7-ounce glasses. No beer steins in this part of Germany! When you order a beer in a Brauhaus (beer house where Kölsch is brewed) or other taverns, the waiter will replace your empty glass with another one. This will continue until you put a coaster on top of the glass signaling, “No more! I’ve reached my limit!”  The beer houses are places designed for socialization — European style. Instead of big screen TVs like in the U.S., you’ll find customers enjoying conversations with their friends, welcoming others to the tables, and lots of positive vibes.

• Other Cologne Sights – Within easy walking distance from the dock (and the Viking river cruise ship) are the Museum of Applied Art , the Chocolate Museum , and the Mustard Museum . 

MARKSBURG CASTLE, Braubach, Germany 

An excursion on our Viking Grand European Tour river cruise, the Marksburg Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating from the 12th century and expanded over the centuries, the Marksburg Castle suffered minimal damage during World War II when so many other structures were destroyed. The fact that it survived the war relatively unscathed makes it a place that stands pretty much true to its original design.  Situated high atop a hill on the Rhine River not far from Koblenz, the castle served as a home for powerful nobles, a refuge for the citizens of the town Braubach, and a point to control the customs levied on boats traveling on this part of the Rhine River. 

As you walk through the castle (wear good walking/hiking shoes as the terrain is uneven in spots), you can picture yourself back in time because it’s well-preserved. There’s furniture in some rooms and the kitchen is staged to help you visualize castle life centuries ago. The well-narrated tour explains how each room was used and what life was like for the castle’s inhabitants. There’s even a display of armor on mannequins to show the progression of defensive wear soldiers wore through the ages. And, last but not least, there’s a torture chamber that will bring home the point that punishments were harsh. Due to the high strategic position of this castle, its canons were never fired in anger.

CASTLES OF THE MIDDLE RHINE, Germany

Several castles along the middle Rhine River hold the stories of the wealthy landowners who built fortresses for protection and exacted tolls from boats passing by. Cruising down the Rhine River was one of the highlights of Viking’s Grand European Tour. The castles are nestled on hilltops, high above little hamlets and towns. Vineyards are planted along many south-facing hilltops — a reminder of the delicious wines this area boasts for oenophiles and common folks alike. Our program director narrated this tour as we passed by these scenic spots one warm, sunny afternoon; the best views are from the sun deck.

MILTENBERG, Germany  

Miltenberg is a charming, small Bavarian town along the Main River with the city walls still visible. As one entered the town’s gates, in times of old, a toll was collected — whether you were engaged in commerce or just visiting. Nowadays, it’s a relaxing place to spend a few hours, strolling the winding cobbled streets, admiring the half-timbered structures with intricate signs denoting a merchants’ trade, window shopping, stopping for a beer, or walking up to the bishop’s house to catch a view of the river and countryside.

Here there is a monastery where boys as young as seven years old would go to be raised and be taught academics and religion. Boys learned trades at monasteries; in this case, they learned to make beer and bread — including pretzels. The dough for pretzels was commonplace, and people would eat it much like we eat baguettes today since they were then long thin pieces of bread. Over time, the loaves of bread were formed into pretzels. Here’s a story we heard from a guide: during one season of Lent, someone decided to twist the dough so that there’d be three holes, signifying the Holy Trinity. Forming the dough into pretzels also meant that the bread was more portable — a vendor could carry them on a stick and people could easily carry them in their pouches (no pockets back then!).

Zum Riesen , a hotel in the basic shape of a ship, is one of the oldest continuously used hotels in the world. One of its popular features in centuries past was an interior shopping area; this meant prominent ladies dressed in their finery didn’t need to shop in town (which was pretty stinky considering the odors emanating from the horses,  the fish market, and emptied chamber pots). Some of its more famous guests were Napoleon Bonapart and Elvis Presley.

Miltenberg is worth a couple of hours’ visit. It’s small and has charm, but there’s not a lot to do. It feels like it depends on tourism, and while it was quaint, it lacked the energy of other charming towns.

ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER, Germany 

Rothenburg is a delightful Bavarian town that carries you back to the Middle Ages. The town’s name means “red fortress above the Tauber” referring to the Tauber River. This is a well-preserved town with a population of a little more than 10,000 that welcomes tourism. 

Like Amsterdam and other European cities, Rothenburg’s half-timbered homes from yesteryear have hooks on the top of their facades to pull grain up to the top floor. Here it was stored for the year; this was particularly important when the town was seized by others because the grain was safely stored in the attic. The plentiful fountains in town served as a source of water, of course, but it also guaranteed a water supply should a half-timbered home have caught fire or if the town was surrounded by enemies. 

• Rothenburg Town Hall ( Rathaus in German) Bell Tower – Climb the bell tower for a far-reaching view of the town and countryside. You climb a little over 200 steps and pay the entry fee (less than 3 Euros for an adult) as you approach the last 10 steps. Enter the town hall through the doors facing the square, and you will see the steps to the bell tower.
• Town Ramparts – Walk the ramparts, and elevated path, to gain a view of the town and the reinforcements that helped protect the town from invaders.
• Castle Garden ( Burggarten in German) – Stroll through the Bishop’s gardens for a peaceful, relaxing time admiring the flowers as well as views of the countryside.
• Bakeries – Sample the snowball cookies — round confections of cookie dough that are deep fried and then either sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar or glazed.

• Disney Delights – Search for the structures that served as inspiration for Disney creations and backdrops for many movies.

WURZBURG, Germany  

Situated on the Main River in northern Bavaria, Wurzburg is known for its culture and wine (a dry white from the Silvaner grape). It’s a university city, and its students help Wurzburg have a younger vibe. As in other stops, our Viking river cruise ship docked within steps of the historic center. 

Main Place of Interest in Wurzburg

Wurzburg Residence –  This structure was built for the Prince-Bishop of Wurzburg in the 18th century.  A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wurzburg Residence ( Würzburger Residenz in German) and the outside gardens is one to visit. It was designed and furnished to rival Versailles. Why let the Sun King dominate Europe with his triumphant Versailles? So here you have the prince-bishop’s attempt to gain global attention: an enormous palace with a stately grand staircase and spacious rooms adorned with detailed woodwork and artwork. Each room had a specific purpose; the major ones are the White Hall and the Emperor’s Hall.  Photographs are not allowed once you enter, but suffice it to say, the architecture and artwork are something to see in an over-the-top kind of way. The money that was spent on this palace is incredible to ponder.  Some of the artwork incorporates trompe l’oeil (illusion in art) so some of the frescoes on the ceiling aren’t exactly what you think they are. In fact, there are parts that look as if they’re three-dimensional when, in fact, they’re painted in such a way as to fool the eye. You’ll spend time looking and looking again to try and figure out if that person’s garments are really hanging off the ledge or if it’s an illusion. (Hint: it’s often an illusion!)

Wurzburg War Destruction  About 90% of the Wurzburg Residence was destroyed by Allied bombing in 1945 during World War II.  Major John Davis Skilton, a member  of the U.S. Army and one of the people instrumental in preserving Tiepolo’s Olympus and the Four Continents  artwork on a ceiling in the Wurzburg Residence after it was bombed and left open to the elements , is honored here for his work in helping to restore this historic site after its near destruction. (Prior to the war, he was a curator at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.) You’ll see a tribute to him as you near the end of the tour. To read more about the work of the hundreds of people dedicated to preserving the artwork during World War II, read The Monuments Men : Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History .

Wurzburg Residence Fun Fact : The Three Musketeers (with Orlando Bloom, 2011) was filmed here. In the movie, Wurzburg stood in for Paris, and the Wurzburg Residence became Versailles. 

Other Places of Interest in Wurzburg

• Old Main Bridge – The Old Main Bridge ( Alte Mainbrücke in German), spanning the Main River, boasts statues of saints and other historic figures. In nice weather, it’s a gathering spot for folks. When we visited, the bridge was crowded with happy-go-lucky people sipping Franconian wine (served by a local restaurant) and visiting with friends.

• Fortress Marienberg – Dating from the 8th century, Fortress Marienberg, sitting atop the bank of the Main River in Wur zburg, offers two museums, a restaurant, and a commanding view of Wurzburg.

FRANCONIAN COUNTRYSIDE

This excursion takes travelers by a private motor coach to several spots. In addition to what is included below, this excursion includes a relaxing stop at a restaurant where visitors enjoy a cold beer along with pretzels (to dip in their delicious mustard).

Places of Interest in the Franconian Countryside

Zeil  .

A small town of less than 10,000, Zeil has half-timbered houses and quaint charm. It is also the place that suffered from conflicts as well as a devastating loss of crops in the early 17th century.  Some people questioned authority and were accused of being witches; ultimately hundreds were tortured and killed here under the local prince-bishop. When you walk through the town, you can see where people were chained to buildings in the square, so that passersby could look at them, spit on them, and more.

Wallfahrtskirche Maria Limbach

Said to have healing power, this pilgrimage church sits along a road calling no attention to itself. In fact, the exterior is so plain, that one would expect the interior to be simple, as well. This is most assuredly not the case. The interior is ornate, over the top, and showy. The architect also worked on the Wurzburg Residence palace in Wurzburg (which is a must-see in that town), but we were told that he died before he was able to design the outside. Today the church is used by appointment for baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Speaking of funerals, there is a very well-tended cemetery in the back of the property.

Seehof Palace  

Built in the 17th century and located just outside Mummelsdorf (and not far from Bamberg), this was the summer residence (to escape the city heat and smells) and hunting lodge of the Bamberg prince-bishops. Its White Hall was an important stateroom for hosting visitors; its ceilings are magnificently painted. The palace is surrounded by a manicured garden. Our guide told us that there was a salt lick outside the prince-bishop’s bedroom window, so he could watch animals as he peered outside in the morning after he awoke.

NUREMBERG, Germany

The second largest city in Bavaria (after Munich), Nuremberg ( Nürnberg in German) has over 500,000 residents, and over 35% of them are immigrants. A major force in German history, it is probably best known for its Christmas markets and its place in World War II history.  When visiting today, you can still see the moat, a centuries-old defensive measure, that encircled the city centuries ago.

It is said that Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party chose Nuremberg as its base due to its central location with Germany, its strong railroad infrastructure (an advantage as it made it easy for the masses to gather here), and the abundant land on the city outskirts which offered the space they needed to build large grounds including Zeppelinfeld (which you can visit) for their rallies. Since about 90% of the city was bombed during World War II, much of Nuremberg was rebuilt and, therefore, not original. Today, Nuremberg has a somewhat odd look to it as it has a patchwork of historic and modern (the 1960s-1970s) architecture. Considering so much of the city’s structures were ruined, there was not a proportional loss of life. I was told by our local guide that this was due, in part, to the large number of beer cellars that were enlarged and converted into air raid shelters. It was Nuremberg, of course, that was the site of the Nuremberg Trials that were held after the war.

Nuremberg Fun Fact : This Bavarian region is known first, for its beer — and second, for its wine. Beer was preferred since if it went bad, you simply made another batch that would be ready in weeks. If the wine went bad, you had to wait until the next year’s harvest before starting the process of replacing the spoiled liquid.

Places of Interest in Nuremberg

• Imperial Palace ( Kaiserburg in German) – The seat of power from the Middle Ages, this palace welcomed visiting emperors and other distinguished dignitaries. Today, mere mortals like you and me can visit the palace and its gardens.

• St. Lorenz Church – Dedicated to St. Lawrence, this church was built in the 15th century and was the first church in Germany to become Lutheran in the 1500s. St. Lorenz was badly damaged during World War II and has since been restored.
• Pedestrian Market Square – Nuremberg is an inviting place for visitors as the square and other areas in the city center are reserved for pedestrians — leaving cars verboten (German for banned ) in these places. Along the square and adjacent areas, people shop and dine in the many places inviting tourist dollars.

• Documentation Center ( Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelaende in German) – With detailed exhibits that include photographs, artifacts, and videos (including some from Holocaust survivors), this museum provides detailed insights into the rise and fall of Adolf Hitler. Near the end of the tour, you come to a balcony of sorts that overlooks the unfinished Congress Hall (resembling a coliseum) that Hitler had planned to use for his efforts. The museum gave off an eerie vibe (one that I’m sure was intended) with its low ceilings, dark lighting, brick walls, and life-sized photographs of the thousands upon thousands of Nazis who used Nuremberg as its base.

• Nuremberg Palace of Justice – The Nuremberg Trials were held here in courtroom 600. The courtroom has changed since the infamous international tribunals of Nazi criminals in 1945-1946, but you can imagine the scene with a guided tour leader explaining it to you. The courtroom is open to visitors when it is not being used for a trial; I was lucky enough to visit on such a day.

REGENSBURG, Germany

Regensburg is a charming medieval town — the oldest on the Danube River — that still has visible remains from the Holy Roman Empire. (Luckily, Regensburg sits right on the river, so we had a very short walk from our Viking river cruise ship to the town itself.) Regensburg grew to become part of a major trade route. Over the years, wealthy citizens boasted of their wealth by building tall towers (20 of the original 60 survive) within the city. Today it’s home to three universities; the young population makes it a happening place: there are plenty of restaurants, shops, and beer gardens.

Places of Interest in Regensburg

• St. Peter’s Cathedral – Built in 1320, this cathedral has a unique feature: a sculpture of a smiling angel (the first such sculptured angel known at this point). We were lucky enough to enjoy some organ music inside at noon — a welcome respite from sightseeing.

• Old Town Hall tour – There’s an afternoon tour in English that is excellent. Our tour guide explained the political system of the Middle Ages and beyond, the hierarchy of the Holy Roman Empire’s nobles, as well as the crime and punishment protocols. This tour included a visit to the torture chamber and prison cells. Buy your tickets at the tourist information office attached to the town hall.

• The Museum of Bavarian History ( Museum der Bayerischen Geschichte in German) – Opened in 2019, the museum recounts Bavarian history from the 19th century onward. 
• Historische Wurstkuchl (Historic Sausage Kitchen) – Our guide recommended this spot on the side of the old stone bridge (today it’s a pedestrian bridge) that serves a sandwich with finger-sized sausages, yummy mustard, and sauerkraut. Delicious! We ate ours as a takeout meal as we strolled over the bridge on our way to Alte Linde, an outdoor beer garden.

• Alte Linde (a beer garden) – This is the perfect spot to relax while visiting Regensburg. Because we had just chowed down on the saus age sandwich  before arriving here, we didn’t order food here, although there is a full menu. We opted to savor one of the beers under the deliciously cool canopy of mature trees along the banks of the Danube.
• Golf Museum – Pop and I don’t play golf, but we heard this is an interesting place for those who do.

Our visit to Regensburg was a day trip. I wish we had been able to stay a couple of nights. This place has a lively vibe with plenty of sightseeing, cafes, and beer gardens to enjoy. Regensburg was another key highlight of our Viking Grand European Tour cruise. 

PASSAU, Germany

It’s a good news, bad news story for this storied town.

Good news: The convergence of three rivers helped Passau (“The City of Three Rivers”) develop into a prosperous town driven by commerce — especially in salt, which was sometimes referred to as “white gold” since trading in salt helped its early economy flourish.

Bad news: Passau’s location on rivers has meant periodic flooding through the centuries.

A delightful town to visit, Passau is the first or last large town along the Danube before entering Austria, assuming you’re heading east. This town of 50,000 includes about 12,000 students at the University of Passau. Despite its popularity, Passau remains an enjoyable town to visit. The streets weren’t crowded; we only saw a lot of people during the midday organ concert at St. Stephan’s Cathedral — it’s a big draw!)

Places of Interest in Passau

• Old Bishop’s Residence ( Veste Oberhaus in German) – Built high above Passau on the opposite bank of the Danube River, the castle represented the power and wealth of the prince-bishop (and the Catholic church itself) who built it. The prince-bishop was the town’s top administrator until Passau became secularized in 1803 when Napoleon took over the area. You can walk through the ruins, visit the museum (well worth it), eat at the restaurant, and take in the view from the ancient walls. From here, you can see how the three rivers come together and even the difference in the color of the Inn River (due to the silt from its journey that originates in the Swiss Alps). You can walk up from the street (which we opted to do) or take a bus from Passau.

• New Bishop’s Residence ( Neue Residenz in German) – Well worth a visit is a stately Baroque stairway crowned with an elaborate ceiling fresco. Dominating the painting are two women. The woman in a red dress represents Rome; the woman in the blue dress represents Passau. The interpretation is that Rome is crowning the prince-bishop of Passau.

• St. Stephan’s Cathedral ( Stephansdom in German) – Built in the 17th century after a fire destroyed a previous church, St. Stephan’s was the seat of the Bishop of Passau. It is yet another ornate church with a richly carved and painted interior. What makes this cathedral particularly interesting is its organ. With over 17,000 pipes, it’s the largest cathedral organ in the world. We enjoyed a 30-minute organ concert here; organ concerts are offered at noon and in the evening most days from May through October.

• Mariahilf – This pilgrimage church, though not as ornate as St. Stephen’s Cathedral, is said to house the tomb of the first Hungarian Christian queen. It can be accessed by climbing up the covered 321 stairs ( Wallfahrtsstiege in German) used by pilgrims through the ages. This is another spot that offers stunning views of the town.

• Park at the Point (Lolly’s name for it) – Walk down here for a peaceful break. You’ll be at the point where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers converge. Benches and a grassy area offer a little relaxation from sightseeing in Passau.

MELK, Austria

I walked from the ship into town on my own along a pebbled path that turned out to be quite peaceful. The path leads you to a bridge, and the town awaits you on the other side. One of the main attractions of Melk is the abbey.

Place of Interest in Melk

Melk Abbey – Sitting high atop a rock in the Wachau Valley in Austria, Melk Abbey ( Stift Melk in German) is a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site. Founded by Benedictine monks in 1089, today, the abbey is still home to monks and still has an operating school. There’s elaborate architecture and artwork in all areas of the abbey along with a library with an extensive collection of manuscripts. No photography is allowed inside.

KREMS, Austria 

A city of about 24,000, Krems (or, as it’s sometimes known, Krems an der Donau) was a brief stop for us while on our Viking Grand European Tour river cruise. Therefore, I am only highlighting what we visited: Gottweig Abbey.

Place of Interest in Krems

Gottweig Abbey – Another UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site, Gottweig Abbey is a Benedictine monastery that dates back to 1083 on a hilltop overlooking the Wachau Valley along the Danube River. The Abbey has vast land holdings, including 13,000 acres of forest. Their main income is derived from timber, tourism, and wine. There are 42 monks with ties to this monastery; some live here, and others live and work in over 20 parishes in surrounding communities. Centuries ago, this was a safe harbor for townspeople to congregate during wartimes. 

The church is both Gothic and Baroque in design. Some of it was destroyed in an 18th-century fire as there was no local water source to halt the fire high atop the hill. This has since been rectified, of course. The altar is adorned by a large painting of Mary, its patron saint. Above the large painting of Mary is another one that is actually one of several that are switched out depending on the Christian season. 

In addition to the church, there is the imperial wing of the abbey with a grand staircase (with small risers, as was the custom centuries ago when women would ascend or descend stairs as if floating — never allowed to show their ankles). The magnificent ceiling fresco above the staircase was painted in 1739 and features Emperor Charles VI and Maria Theresa, the Hapsburg empress. The ceiling fresco features some trompe l’oeil , an optical illusion technique that fools the eye into thinking something is three-dimensional when, in fact, it is not. Other buildings on the campus are an infirmary for the monks (since no one other than the monks can enter the actual domicile of the monks), a retreat house, a youth hostel area, a restaurant, and a gift shop. 

Each of the monks has a responsibility in the community. The one we met was in charge of tourism, and one of the things he oversees is their Instagram feed. Here’s a peek at it: @goettweig, @stiftgottweig.

After our excellent tour by an Abbey guide, we feasted on a dinner on the terrace (overlooking the Wachau Valley), which was a visual and gastronomic delight.  If you’re in the area, this is worth a visit and a meal. They boast a variety of wines as well as apricot juice and jams. (Apricots are an important agricultural product in the area and are found in many local products.)

VIENNA, Austria

Austria’s capital and largest city, Vienna, accounts for about one-third of the country’s population. It’s home to several international organizations, including OPEC. Sometimes dubbed the City of Music for its rich musical history, it’s also sometimes referred to as City of Dreams because of one of its famous former citizens, Sigmund Freud. Its two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (the Historic Center of Vienna and the Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn) are popular with tourists. 

Vienna is huge compared to the other river towns on our Viking Grand European Tour cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. It boasts just less than 2 million people. There is much to do and see in Vienna and plenty of excursions from which to choose. We took a walking tour of the city and a guided tour of the Hapsburg’s summer home, Schönbrunn Palace . The palace has more than 1,400 rooms, but only a portion are for public view. We had been spoiled by all the delightful towns on our river journey south. What we found in Vienna and at  Schönbrunn Palace was wall-to-wall people (and this was before schools were on summer vacation). This was a city overrun by tourists. To be honest, my husband, Pop, and I opted to enjoy some of the coffee houses, window shop, and then relax in the relative peace of the Viking river cruise ship. The mobs of people turned us off. Hopefully, you will have a different experience.

BUDAPEST, Hungary

Budapest (actually pronounced Budape sh t because the “s” in Hungarian is pronounced “sh”) is the capital of Hungary. Formed in 1873, Budapest — with a population of over 1.7 million, the tenth largest city in the European Union —  is a marriage of two parts. Buda sits on the western side of the Danube River (the river is Danu in Hungarian) and Pest on the eastern side. It attracts over 14 million visitors annually as it’s become a popular destination.

Places of Interest in Budapest

• Buda Hill Funicular – There are other ways to get up to Castle Hill (by walking or taking the bus), but this is a fun and inexpensive way to make the trip. If possible, get in the first car so you get the best views as you ascend.

• Buda Castle – Home of the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum, the Buda Castle is something to see on Castle Hill. There are plenty of restaurants and shops to check out in the area.
• Matthias Church ( Mátyás-templom in Hungarian) – A Catholic church built in its current state in the 1200s in front of Fisherman’s Bastion, the church was initially named after the Virgin Mary but was later renamed after King Matthias in the 1800s. King Matthias ordered changes to the structure and held two of his marriages here.

• Fisherman’s Bastion ( Halászbástya in Hungarian) – Built around 1900 to commemorate the millennial birthday of Hungary, the Fisherman’s Bastion is a viewing terrace built on Buda Hill. Its seven towers represent the tribes that settled in the area in the 9th century.

• Széchenyi Chain Bridge – Built in the mid-1800s, this suspension bridge first linked Buda and Pest. It’s a beautiful structure that carries pedestrians and vehicles alike. 
• Hungarian Parliament – With its domed exterior, one might mistakenly think this is a religious building. It’s huge — the second-largest parliament building in Europe (after Romania). Some say the Hungarian Parliament was built to impress visitors from Vienna, 150 miles away. It’s a notable sight from outside — especially at night when it is adorned with lights. But inside, it is an absolute must-see. You can take pictures everywhere inside except in the heavily guarded Dome Hall, where the ancient Hungarian crown is on display (and guarded around the clock). Buy tickets online to ensure you’ve got a spot on an English-speaking tour on the day you’re visiting.

• Shoes on the Danube – This touching display is a short walk from the Hungarian Parliament. These shoes (made of iron) represent Jews who were shot and killed by the Arrow Cross militia in 1944-45. After being shot, their bodies fell into the Danube to drift away.

• Great Market Hall ( Nagyvásárcsarnok in Hungarian) – The oldest indoor market in Budapest, the Great Market Hall was opened in 1896 in the Pest area. It is chock full of stalls with merchants selling produce, meat, candy, baked goods, and Hungarian treats. The upper level has places to eat and souvenirs.

• Thermal Baths – The  Szechenyi Baths are probably the best known of the thermal baths, but there are many in the city. You’ll find luxury spa treatments, saunas, and massages at the baths, so do your research. Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit!

We had two short days in Budapest, but you may want to add more time to explore all the city offers. Many river cruisers add time at the beginning or end of their Viking Grand European Tour cruise (depending on if they are beginning or ending their cruise here), so they have enough time to do this city justice.

Related Articles

Viking related articles.

• Viking Ocean Cruises: The Ultimate Guide
• Viking Ocean Cruise Excursions: What You Need to Know
• Viking Cruises: Best Action Steps to Take After Booking a Cruise
• Viking River Cruises: The Complete Guide
• Best Sights to See on a Viking Grand European Tour Cruise
• Viking Antarctica Cruise: A Complete Guide for Adventurers

General Travel Planning Articles

• Best Apps and Websites for Savvy Travelers
• Travel Lightly: Top Ten Tips for Your Next Trip
• Travel Planning Timeline
• Expert Tips for Traveling to Europe for More Fun, Less Stress
• How to Use Google Translate While Traveling

Final Thoughts

The Viking Grand European Tour river cruise offered the best of the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers. We appreciated the well-planned ports of call and excursions. In addition, Viking did a fine job communicating with us about what we were to see each day. The evening port talk by the program director (before dinner) prepared us for the next day’s destination. Also, the Viking Daily, a four-page handout that was left in our stateroom each evening while we were at dinner, outlined the city we would be visiting the next day along with all the important times to note (docking, excursions, departure) and not-to-miss highlights and notable restaurants and shops of each destination. The Grand European Tour was certainly a grand experience for us!

To ensure you remember all the great experiences on your cruise, take lots of pictures and create a photo book of your journey when you return home. You’ll be glad you did!

If you have experiences to share from any of the cities mentioned in this post or as a passenger on the Viking Grand European Tour, feel free to share your thoughts below! 🙂

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8 thoughts on “best sights to see on the viking grand european tour river cruise”.

What a fantastic article. Well done. My wife and I and two friends will be boarding this Viking cruise in Amsterdam April 22nd this year. Your article provided us great insight into what we should expect from Viking and at all the ports of call. We have now completed our tour planning thanks to you.

A short story. We planned this adventure in 2019 for a spring 2020 sailing to celebrate our 50th anniversary and our friends 40th . That didn’t work out as planned due to Covid. So, we rebooked the same for 2021. That didn’t work out. So, we decided to skip a year and happy we did because of the regional politics. We only 6 weeks away from our sail date. Wish us luck.

Wow, your cruise is right around the corner, Glenn! How exciting! I’m glad you found the article helpful — and that your delayed adventure is so close. Good luck! Have fun!

Hello! I came upon your site while searching the internet for information on Viking River cruises. What a wonderful site! I just finished reading everything and it basically answered all of my questions. We are celebrating a 30th anniversary and this is our big trip for the year. Headed out for the Romantic Danube in early September and we’re very excited. Thank you for the information! Great job!!

Hi Phyllis, I’m so glad you found the article helpful. Happy 30th! Enjoy your fall cruise!

Hi Lolly, what time of year did you cruise? We are having a hard time figuring out what kind of clothes to bring.

Thanks, Debbie

Hi Debbie, my husband and I cruised in early summer. We like to visit Europe before schools get out there and families take their summer vacations. We were told years ago by some locals that places can get especially busy during July and August. Another optimal time in my view is September and early October. Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you so much for your review. We have been contemplating this cruise for a year or so and booked this past week for June 2020. Looking forward to it even more now.

Hi Ryan, I’m so glad you found the information helpful. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time on your cruise — only a few short months away. When you return, why don’t you post a few thoughts about your experience?! Have fun!

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Book your overnight stay or activities in Rothenburg

Stay overnight in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in the historic buildings with modern room facilities and overlooking the city walls and alleys. We introduce you to the hosts from Rothenburg: Family-run hotels and guesthouses make the stay for the guests in Rothenburg ob der Tauber for a personal experience.

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Events and tickets, tours and experiences.

Anniversary year 2024 - An outlook on 750 years of the imperial city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Here you will find all of the program items in the festival year   .

On May 15, 1274, King Rudolf of Habsburg confirmed Rothenburg's imperial city privilege. So in 2024 it will be 750 years ago. Because the memory of the imperial city's independence is still very present in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the city is celebrating the anniversary with a special program. The Bavarian state government supports the citizens' festival with funds from the special fund 'Revive inner cities'.

Discover Rothenburg: Our tips for your visit

Annual highlights

Our top sights

Discover the nature around Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The hosts in Rothenburg

Discover the area around rothenburg ob der tauber.

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First Timers Guide to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

By: Author Corinne Vail

Posted on 21 March 24

Home » DIY Travel » Germany » First Timers Guide to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Planning a trip to Germany? I’ll bet you want to go to the absolute, most charming city in the country, right? Hands down that’s Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and we’ll tell you all you need to know to have the best time.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a small, charming city in the beautiful state of Bavaria in Germany. It’s a must-visit destination that should be included on everyone’s itinerary. In fact, it’s one of the Top five places to visit in Germany , and you’ll see why! Regardless of the time of year you visit, Rothenburg’s medieval charm is sure to capture you.

Situated along the Romantic Road in Germany, Rothenburg boasts ivy-covered stone walls, tall watchtowers, and winding, cobblestone lanes for you to explore. We’ve been to Rothenburg several times, and each time we find something new to appreciate – whether it’s a hidden corner of the city or the warmth and welcoming kindness of the locals.

In this article:

• Where is Rothenburg ob der Tauber?
• Best Time to Visit
• Things to do in Rothenburg
• Getting There
• Where to Stay
• What to Eat
• Things to Do Nearby

Where is Rothenburg ob Tauber?

This historic, medieval walled city lies atop a rocky plateau overlooking the pastoral Tauber river valley in central Germany. Rothenburg is located in northwestern Bavaria in Franconia but very close to the German state of Baden-Württemberg.

Well connected by rail and roads, including Germany’s famous Romantic Road, Rothenburg is one of the most popular destinations in a country filled with castles and fairytales. Rothenburg train station is located just a short three minute walk from the Rodertor and then on into the medieval town.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber?

From the last weekend in May until the end of June, the approaching summer starts shaving off the cool temps of spring, and plants and flowers are blooming everywhere. Homeowners adorn their colorful half-timbered house fronts with window boxes filled with brilliant geraniums, and the town gardens are full and vibrant.

The outdoor tables at the cafes and restaurants sparkle with wine glasses, and everyone is outdoors, enjoying the warming sun that was so absent for all those short winter days. A leisurely stroll through the flower-scented castle gardens is hard to resist.

With the coming of summer comes tourists, which can be good and bad. It’s good because the town becomes fully awake and alive. Stores stay open longer, restaurants and cafes double their capacity with outdoor seating in the town squares or in courtyard gardens, and the town puts on reenactments, dances, and medieval shows bringing its colorful history to life.

For example, the town puts on its annual festival play, “ The Master Draught ” commemorating how the town was saved by a wine-guzzling mayor during the Thirty Years War. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the weather is much more comfortable than any other time of year. Check out this calendar so you don’t miss it!

Don’t rule out autumn to visit Rothenburg. The surrounding trees make the colors spectacular and the temperature is just right! September is one of the best times to visit Germany because of all the festivals, and Rothenburg is no exception. During the first weekend in September, they hold their City Fest, which is a medieval fair. Everyone is in costume. The food and stalls are mostly Middle-Ages themed, and it’s tons of fun!

Winter is super special in Rothenburg , so much so that we’ve written an entire article about it. To summarize, it’s cold but magical. The crowds are a bit thinner, except during its exceptional Christmas market, and to be quite frank, if you are in Germany during the winter and pass up Rothenburg, you are making a huge mistake!

Spring is probably the slowest season in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. There are not as many tourists, and for this reason, it may be one of the best times to go. Just be prepared for a little rain. There are a few great things going on in spring like the Stadtmosphäre at the end of April, and the Citizen’s fest in mid-May.

For a better experience, it’s recommended to start your day later than earlier, as crowds tend to thin out as the day progresses. You can begin by visiting a museum, indulging in some shopping, and then strolling around the old town. It’s best to have dinner after most people have left the area. Spending the night will allow you to explore the place in peace when there are fewer crowds. Also, during summer, it remains bright until almost 10:00 PM, giving you ample time to enjoy your surroundings.

Things to Do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Walk the ramparts and check out the gates.

The absolute best thing to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is just wander. It’s a stunning walled city with half-timbered buildings, fountains, wall reliefs, amazing towers and gates, and gorgeous views. There are too many Instagrammable spots to mention, but here are some of my favorites:

• Plönlein Square – Little Square
• Rödertor
• Spitalbastei
• Alte Schmiede – Blacksmith
• Rathaus – City Hall
• Half-timbered buildings throughout the city
• Toppler Castle
• Tauber Bridge
• Lord’s Fountain

Medieval Criminal Museum

Many castles have a dungeon that visitors can walk through and see exhibits. Sometimes, actors dress up and try to scare visitors. You might see fake weapons and art on display. However, the reality of a dungeon in a fortified castle or palace was quite different.

Prisoners were not usually kept in dungeons. They might be thrown into a hole until their fate was decided. If they were nobility, they were usually kept in nice rooms and treated well. So, the idea of what was going on in the dungeon is not entirely true. 

However, the Criminal Museum in Rothenburg is a different story. Cities had to deal with criminals and have a justice system. The museum does an excellent job of explaining and displaying the criminal code from medieval times.

The signage includes English, making it easier for visitors to understand the exhibits. Visitors can learn about life in the medieval city and the punishment for crimes such as being a devious baker or putting too much water in the beer. The museum has a good reputation for a reason and is worth visiting for people of all ages.

Rothenburg Town History Museum

This is a small museum about life in the city during its heyday. Vignettes and scenes of life during the Middle Ages are a great way to imagine what life was like back then. The museum doesn’t take long to visit, and in my opinion, is well worth it.

There are a couple of other museums in town as well:

• Rothenburg Museum
• German Christmas Museum
• Alt-Rothenburger Handwerkerhaus – Craftsman’s House
• Graphics Museum in the Dürer House
• Röderturm
• Meistertrunk Museum (City Legend)

Check out the Rothenburg Tourism Website for up-to-date info.

Visit the Reiterlesmarkt aka The Rothenburg Christmas Market

For one full month each winter (end of November until the 23rd of December), you can visit the most charming Christmas market in Germany, the Reiterlesmarkt. The Rothenburg Christmas marke t takes advantage of all the winding alleyways, cobblestone streets, and romantic half-timbered houses. We love it.

Nightwatchman’s Tour

A quirky walking tour that many German cities offer, the Nightwatchman’s tour harkens back to when the lamplighters and street guards walked throughout the city at night. They were the town’s eyes and ears and knew everything that was going on. The tours include stories about the buildings, the city, and the more fun anecdotes of happenings throughout Rothenburg’s history.

Rothenburg offers an English tour every night in the high season, and every Saturday in the low season at 8:00 at night. You don’t have to reserve tickets, just wait outside the Town Hall a little before eight and wait for the man in the cloak. It costs about 10 Euros each and lasts about an hour.

Shopping in Rothenburg

Rothenburg is one of the best places to buy souvenirs in all of Germany…in my opinion. You know I’m not a big shopper, but the stores in Rothenburg are the best. I love the wooden ornaments at the Kathe Wohlfart store, the Steiff stuffed animals at Teddy’s, and the small souvenir and art boutiques throughout the Old Town. It really is a pleasure to shop in Rothenburg.

Map of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Getting to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Nearest Airport – Nuremberg airport is a little over an hour’s drive, but a lot of people fly into Munich as well (2.5 hours away).

The Rothenburg ob der Tauber Train Station is in the middle of town, about an 8-minute walk to the Roderturm, entering you into the medieval walled part of town. It’s another 7 minutes or so to the Markt Platz, but really walking around the town and the alleys, and the outer path is all about exploring and enjoying

Pro Tip: Traveling by train in Germany? Be sure to check out the regional ticket special fares to save big! Travel any day between 09:00 and 03:00 the next day with up to four other travelers on any regional train for a significantly reduced cost. For example, four people can get from Frankfurt to Rothenburg and back for less than 15 euros each. Munich is even cheaper using the Bavaria ticket, those same four people going from Munich to Rothenburg—about 10 euros.

This is important! Now that you are convinced to add this beautiful city to your Germany itinerary, note that there are two Rothenburgs in Germany, so you want to make sure you are heading to the right one. The other one might be worthwhile to visit, but you don’t want to miss all the sights here.

How to Get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Frankfurt

• By Car: Travel time is about 2 hours. Take the A3 out of Frankfurt in the direction of Wurzburg about 115 km to the A7 traveling towards Ulm/Rothenburg o.d.T. Leave the A7 after 50 km at exit 108 and follow signs to Rothenburg.
• By Train: several trains (InterCity-IC, Inter City Express-ICE, and Regional Express-RE) run throughout the day to Wurzburg. Change there for the Regional Bahn (RB) toward Treuchtingen and get off the train at Steinach b. Rothenburg o.d. Tauber. Transfer to the Rothenburg train. Time at the stations is sufficient to catch each of the connecting trains and this trip will take between three and three and a half hours.

How to Get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Nuremberg

• By Car: Travel time is about 1 hour. Take the A6 out of Nuremberg in the direction of Heilbronn for about 80 km. Turn at the A7 junction towards Wurzburg/Rothenburg o.d.T. and continue for another 21 km to exit 108, following signs to Rothenburg.
• By Train: Travel time is about one and a half hours. Take the S-Bahn or regional express to Ansbach. Transfer to the Regional Bahn to Steinach bei Rothenburg o.d. Tauber. Transfer to the local train direct to Rothenburg.

How to Get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber from Munich

• By Car: Travel time is about two and a half hours. Leave Munich on the A8 in the direction of Stuttgart. After about 105 km, follow the signs for the A7 towards Wurzburg. Continue another 115 km to exit 108 and follow signs into Rothenburg.
• By Train: Travel time is about three and a half hours. Take the regional express train to Treuchtingen and then transfer to the Regional Bahn to Steinach. Transfer at Steinach to the local train to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

Parking in Rothenburg

Parking areas are well-marked and easy to find. However, there are a few “free” spots near the Rodertor and down the road from the Spitalbastion, check out the embedded map for locations. Our typical method for parking in Rothenburg is to try the small lot on Ansbacherstrasse.

If nothing is available here, we continue driving towards the Rodertor and turn left down Topplerweg, where there is often free street parking. If there’s still nothing, Topplerweg comes out right at the entrance to both the P1 and P2 parking lots, where there is sure to be an open spot.

Places to Stay-Rothenburg Hotels

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is admittedly a very popular destination. Therefore, accommodation is plentiful, but it can also be a bit pricey. Jim and I believe that it’s totally worth it to spend at least one night there, because it’s such a great feeling having the town mostly to yourself once all the day tours have left for the day, and it’s fun to take the Nightwatchman’s tour as well as get up and get some great sunrise photos. However, for longer stays, stay outside the Old Town or a nearby city. Your vacation dollars will go a bit further!

What To Eat In Rothenburg

Rothenburg is famous for a curious little pastry item known as Schneeballen, or snowballs. These are made using strips of short pastry dough that are wrapped around itself into a ball shape then deep fried and, traditionally, sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Over the years, a variety of new flavors and toppings have been developed so now it is possible to try chocolate, strawberry, salted caramel, pistachio, and the list goes on. These tasty treats can be found at any number of bakeries, pastry shops, and cafes.

Main dishes here are Franconian and Swabian with the usual bratwurst and pork dishes. However, Franconian Schaufele takes the traditional pork dish to a whole new level. Tender succulent pork shoulder with a thick layer of fat crackling on top is the dish to eat in Rothenburg. Schaufele is commonly served with a rich beer sauce and one or two giant potato dumplings. This isn’t a meal you should have every day, but if you are a pork eater, it is a must!

Things to do Nearby

Rothenburg is a stop on one of the most famous sightseeing paths, the Romantic Road, which is a great idea if you are looking for a day trip.

It’s also located in the state of Bavaria, so whether you rent a car or are taking a train journey, all of these places are well worth your time.

• Neuschwanstein, Hohenscwhwangau and Linderhof – different places, about 3 hours
• Munich and the beer halls there, like the Hofbrau Haus or Augustinerbrau – around 3 hours driving
• Nuremberg – Lots of WWII history, a castle, and Albrecht Durer – 1 hour 15 minutes
• Wurzburg and its WHS Residence – 45 minutes
• Bamberg – 1 hour 20 minutes

If you’re planning a trip to Germany you should definitely consider adding Rothenburg ob der Tauber to your itinerary. This small city in the state of Bavaria is a must-visit destination that’s perfect for travelers of all ages. Whether you’re visiting in winter, spring, summer, or fall, you’ll be captivated by the charm and beauty of this medieval city.

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

Sunday 31st of March 2024

I've been wanting to connect with my dad lately and found this to be such a great article to do that. He lived and studied in Germany for 9 years when he was in his 30's - that part of his life has always been a mystery to me. Getting his take on this was a great way to break the ice, for sure!

My key takeaways on Rothenburg ob der Tauber: 1. Visit the medieval criminal museum 2. Order the Schaufele (pork shoulder) when I'm in town 3. Plan a day trip on the Romantic Road 4. Take a walk along the walls early in the morning to take beautiful photos when it's quiet, with fewer tourists around 5. Take the Night Watchman Tour for those interested in medieval lore and history

This is definitely on my list of places to visit when I'm in Germany.

Tuesday 26th of March 2024

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is absolutely one of the most charming cities in Germany. I had a chance to live near there when I was a kid, and this article brought back a lot of wonderful memories.

Corinne Vail

Tuesday 2nd of April 2024

Wow! Lucky you. Where did you live?

Saturday 23rd of March 2024

We went here on our first visit to Germany, and have wanted to go back ever since! Rothenburg ob der Tauber is truly straight out of a fairy tale. Thanks for a trip down memory lane!

It's really a one of a kind place...don't you think?

12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Rothenburg

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Not only is it one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, the old Bavarian Imperial City of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is also considered one of the most attractive towns in Germany . For these reasons, it's definitely one of the most popular stops on the country's Romantic Road tourist route.

Picturesquely positioned on the steep banks of the River Tauber , Rothenburg's walls and towers look much as they did in the 16th century, while many of the buildings inside the walls are even older.

Among these fascinating points of interest are the 13th-century Town Hall (Rathaus); the 14th-century Council Tavern, with its old clock and mechanical figures; and several fine old churches. Half-timbered houses with their characteristic steeply pitched roofs line the narrow stone-paved streets, some housing museums that explore Rothenburg's long and fascinating history.

The chief attraction for tourists, though, is the charming old town itself, so spend some time strolling through it and walking along its walls.

To learn more about the best places to visit and other fun things to do in this historic German town, read through our list of the top attractions in Rothenburg.

See also: Where to Stay in Rothenburg

1. The Old Town (Alte Stadt)

2. rothenburg town hall (rathaus), 3. the old town walls, 4. plönlein: the "little square", 5. st. james's church, 6. the castle garden (burggarten), 7. medieval crime museum, 8. german christmas museum, 9. the master builder's house (baumeisterhaus), 10. klingentor, 11. spitalhof and spitaltor, 12. rothenburgmuseum, where to stay in rothenburg for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to rothenburg.

The charming streets and little squares surrounded by well-kept half-timbered houses have made Rothenburg the poster child for Germany's famed Romantic Road, and for Germany itself. So as you wander through the Old Town (Alte Stadt), its familiar scenes may make you feel as though you'd been here before.

In addition to the historic Town Hall (Rathaus), here, you'll find plenty of idyllic scenes worth photographing, including the sometimes brightly painted old half-timbered homes. If you visit in late November or in December you'll get to enjoy one of the best Christmas markets in Germany .

For a real treat, book one of the many hotels within walking distance of the Old Town and venture out at night. With the tourist hordes gone (most are only passing through on a day trip), you'll find yourself having much of this remarkable district to yourself.

Read More: Best Places to Visit in Germany in Winter

Dominating the Marktplatz at its center is the imposing Town Hall (Rathaus), one of the finest in southern Germany. The oldest part of this majestic building, constructed in the 13th century, faces Herrngasse. A later addition is the 16th-century, 50-meter-high tower, from which you'll find superb views over the Old Town.

The section facing the market was constructed in 1578 and includes the fine Imperial Hall, still used for theatrical performances and concerts. Also of interest are the former Council Tavern (Ratstrinkstube), added in 1466, and the old clock with its quaint mechanical figures.

Address: Marktplatz 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

One of the most popular things to do in Rothenburg is to take the walk around the Old Town Wall and its fortifications. To see everything and complete the entire loop, including a number of raised sections along the top of the wall, you'll want to dedicate around two hours of your time (less if you only want to tackle a smaller portion).

This fascinating and attractive walk is best started from the Spitaltor in the heart of the Old Town area, a massive gatehouse built in the 1500s. From here, head toward the equally stunning Rödertor, stopping along the way to enjoy the views. The next leg leads to the Klingentor and the 15th-century St. Wolfgang's Church, which now houses an interesting museum.

In all there are 42 gatehouses and towers along the walls, so be sure to allow additional time for taking photos and stopping for some sightseeing. Also allow time to stop for a coffee and a sweet " Schneeball " deep-fried pastry treat at one of the great little cafes you'll see along the way.

Fun English language private guided tours of the Town Walls and other historic landmarks are available from the town's visitor center.

Undoubtedly the most picturesque spot in an extremely pretty town, Plönlein looks like something right out of a fairy-tale book. Literally translated as "Little Square," it's really nothing more than an intersection, but is one of the best places to visit in Rothenburg for a memorable selfie or two.

The real star here is Plönlein's brightly painted half-timbered building that divides the two streets. This tall, skinny old building dates all the way back to the 13th century and was immortalized in Walt Disney's cartoon version of Pinocchio .

Don't be shy to explore the two streets the home separates. One of them heads up through the Siebers Tower , while the other slopes down to the Kobolzeller Tower . Both towers also date from the early 13th century.

Address: u. Schmiedgasse, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Just a short stroll from the Town Hall is the Lutheran St. James's Church. Known as Kirchengemeinde St. Jakob in German, as well as St. Jacobs, this attractive building was completed in 1485 and is widely considered to be one of the finest such pilgrimage churches in Germany.

Highlights of a visit to this historic landmark are the Altar of the Holy Blood, a superb wood carving dating from 1505 depicting the Last Supper, and the 700-year-old stained glass in the East Choir. The Twelve Apostles Altar shows the oldest known representation of Rothenburg.

English-language guided tours and audio tours are available.

Address: Klostergasse 15, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

In addition to its fine old architecture, you'll also find several lovely parks and gardens in Rothenburg, each just waiting to be explored.

One of the most popular is the spectacular Castle Garden (Burggarten). Laid out on the site of a castle destroyed in an earthquake in 1356, the gardens offer wonderful views of the Old Town and the famous Double Bridge farther down the Tauber Valley.

Its geometric flower beds, laid out in the 17th and 18th centuries, include eight sculptures representing the four seasons and the four elements. Other monuments of note are one dedicated to the 14th-century Mayor Toppler and the lords of the old castle, the once-dominant Hohenstaufen dynasty.

This large green space features plenty of trees and is perfect for an impromptu picnic. Grab yourself some savory sandwiches and sweet pastries from traditional bakeries such as the popular Brot & Zeit , then grab a bench or a shady spot and feel like a European as you soak up the atmosphere of this amazing historic town.

Address: Alte Burg, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The fascinating Medieval Crime Museum (Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum) deals with more than 1,000 years of crime and punishment in Europe. Particular focus is placed on the medieval period.

Highlights include artifacts used to extract confessions and inflict punishment, many of them extremely gruesome. Also interesting is the fascinating documentation and details pertaining to the often-flawed logic behind their use.

Numerous notorious criminal cases are depicted in woodcuts and copper etchings, while another exhibit deals specifically with the terrible witch-hunts that once gripped Bavaria.

Address: Burggasse 3, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg's Marktplatz is the scene of one of Germany's most popular Christmas markets , a tradition that can be traced to medieval times. But you can experience some of the season's colors and traditions all year round at the German Christmas Museum (Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum).

Part store and part museum, it displays seasonal decorations and artifacts focusing on local traditions in towns like Rothenburg. Highlights include tree ornaments, nativity scenes, and numerous old figurines, including 150 figures of Father Christmas himself.

If you can, visit during the lead-up to Christmas when the town is festooned with more than 80,000 candles and four kilometers of decorations and lights.

Address: Herrngasse 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Strolling along the Schmiedgasse, a fine old street running south from the Marktplatz, you'll come to No. 3, the Master Builder's House (Baumeisterhaus). Now a hotel and restaurant, this fine old building with its spectacular façade from 1596 is widely considered to be one of the finest Renaissance houses in Bavaria.

It was here that Rothenburg's Master Builder, Leonard Weidmann, lived and worked. A testament to his skills, the house is famous for its carvings of dragon motifs, along with statues representing the seven cardinal virtues and the seven deadly sins.

Address: Ob. Schmiedgasse 3, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Constructed between 1395 and 1400, the imposing Klingentor is one of the most architecturally interesting of all Rothenburg's towers. Sitting alongside St. Wolfgang's church, it forms a gate in the town walls that's just begging to be explored.

It also served another purpose as well: as a water tower. It contains a huge copper tank that feeds the town's fountains. You can climb it for a small fee to see views across the town and Tauber Valley.

Address: Klingengasse 15, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

In the picturesque Spitalhof are a number of interesting buildings worth visiting. In addition to the Hegereiterhäuschen, a fine old home built in 1591, there's the massive 16th-century Spital Gate (Spitaltor), both built by Master Builder Leonhard Weidmann.

The last of the town's many fortifications to be constructed, Spitaltor bears the Latin inscription, Pax intrantibus, salus exeuntibus ; this literally translates as "Peace to those who enter in, good health to those who leave again."

Constructed in the shape of a figure eight, these intimidating fortifications include seven gates, a drawbridge, a portcullis, and a parapet.

Address: Spitalgasse 55, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Housed in a former Dominican convent, Rothenbu rg Museum gives a better understanding of the importance of this beautiful old town. Established in 1936, the museum details life in the convent, which was dissolved in the 16th century, including a look at the historic living quarters.

Other features are the well-preserved 13th-century kitchen and the 14th-century panels of the Rothenburg Passion. The museum's Judaica Department contains artifacts showcasing the town's Jewish heritage, and the display of European weaponry, from the Stone Age to the 19th century, which includes hunting weapons once used by Frederick the Great.

Address: Klosterhof, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

All this delightful town's attractions are inside or right along the old town walls, within a few minutes' walk of each other. Several are within sight of the Marktplatz, where a surprising number of hotels also cluster. Rarely are there so many opportunities to stay in historic half-timbered buildings right in the center of a walled medieval town. Here are some highly-rated hotels in Rothenburg:

Luxury Hotels :

• A few steps from the Christmas Museum and Burg Garden, Hotel Herrnschloesschen offers guests free breakfast. So does the Historikhotel Gotisches Haus , a beautifully decorated historic building in the same area.
• Built into town walls nearby, the Burghotel overlooks the Tauber Valley with spectacular views from its terrace and well-furnished rooms.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Just outside the walls at the entrance to the old town, Hotel-Garni Hornburg is a beautiful and hospitable manor house with large, nicely furnished rooms.
• The family-run Hotel Reichsküchenmeister , in a half-timbered house just off the market square in the center of town, has a good traditional restaurant and includes breakfast.
• In the newer part of town, only a few blocks from Marktplatz on the way from the rail station, Villa Mittermeier Hotel & Restaurant offers guests free parking. The old-fashioned Hotel Eisenhut is in a historic building next to the Christmas Museum and just off Marktplatz.

Budget Hotels:

• Between the Christmas Museum and Burg Garden, Hotel Klosterstueble is in a traditional building with a cozy courtyard and quirky rooms.
• Antiques furnish the Hotel Spitzweg , on a small quiet street a block off Marktplatz, where hospitable hosts offer free parking, an unusual feature right in the center of town.
• Near the town gate, a five-minute walk from Marktplatz, Hotel-Gasthof Klingentor has spacious rooms and also includes free parking, along with breakfast.
• Day Tour from Munich: Rothenburg is a highlight of the Romantic Road, a tourist route through some of Germany's most charming medieval towns. You can follow this route by air-conditioned coach on the Romantic Road, Rothenburg, and Harburg Day Tour from Munich . There's time to stroll through Rothenburg's streets at leisure and discover its historic sights. A bonus of the tour is a stop at the 11th-century Harburg Castle, one of Germany's oldest fortifications.
• Day Tour from Frankfurt: Combine your visits to two of Germany's most popular attractions on the Frankfurt Super Saver: Neuschwanstein Castle and Rothenburg Day Trip , a 24-hour guided excursion by coach. Skip-the-line admission to Neuschwanstein and a professionally guided walking tour of Rothenburg are included, along with round-trip transportation from central Frankfurt.

More on Germany

Rothenburg, Germany (Optional Tour, Highly Recommend)

Thursday, June 29th ~ Afternoon

One of the many things I love about river cruising is that most of the shore excursions are included in the price. This afternoon’s excursion to Rothenburg was the exception and it had a fee of 69 Euros ($75 USD) per person.

In my opinion it was well worth the fee and one of my favorite stops in this part of Germany.

The official (and very long) name of the city is Verwaltungsgemeinde Rothenburg ob der Tauber which is German for “Red castle above the Tauber”. This well-preserved medieval town is located along the Romantic Road of Germany in the Middle Franconia district of Bavaria. Today it is one of only three towns in Germany with her city walls completely intact.

Looking out the window of our modern, new motor coach, enroute to Rothenburg, the scenery did not disappoint.

We started off with a short walking tour where our guide showed us some of the highlights inside the walled city.

Friendly note: Each of the pictures can be clicked on to see more details.

Our guide led us to the center of town to the main square where we were then given a couple hours to explore on our own. Steve and Brenda opted to stay in the square for a bit and listen to “The Ambassadors of Music” concert.

Germany is well known for their Christmas markets, and the Käthe Wohlfahrt shops are amongst the favorites. We thought that we might pick up a new holiday ornament to add to our collection, but nothing in particular spoke to us. It was still fun to get a feel for what they offered.

Besides toys and Christmas decor, Bavaria is also known for their beer, beer steins, and Black Forest cuckoo clocks

Next we walked out to the tip of the nose (according to the map above), to look at the views and garden outside the walls. When walking through the tower gates we could admire the shapes, curves and angles.

Just wandering the streets in Old Town was a treat and we were so glad that we had free time to explore.

St. James (St. Jakob in German) is a Lutheran church. Originally it was Catholic and is on one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Built between 1311-1484 and consecrated in 1485. More of the exterior is shown above/earlier in this post.

It’s western gallery (upstairs) contains the famous Holy Blood altarpiece which was carved in 1500-1505. The Last Supper tableau is interesting: it’s an unusual case where the central figure is actually Judas, and not Jesus himself.

An uneventful bus ride back to the ship and our Captain was waiting to raise the gangway and depart.

We had just enough time for a quick shower and a fresh change of clothes before heading to the lounge for drinks, port talk and then off to dinner.

We most sincerely appreciate it when you “like”, “share”, “comment”, “subscribe”, and/or invite your friends to follow along.

Gratitude Moment: Today I’m grateful for the opportunity to go on two quite different tours in two distinct cities. I especially enjoyed visiting Rothenburg. I think it would have been a shame to have been so close and missed seeing it.

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About Tim and Joanne Joseph

20 responses to rothenburg, germany (optional tour, highly recommend).

Joanne, your photo of Rothenburg, with the colorful homes, large fountain and the reflection captured—- is breathtakingly magical. “Going out into the gardens” looks like the most beautiful painting! Again, your skills are elevated beyond measure. It’s nice seeing what we missed during this part of the day.

Like Liked by 1 person

Thank you Brenda! That fountain reflection picture is one of my favorites from our trip. This area of Germany exceeded my expectations from a “photo op” standpoint. It is impossible to see it all when we are only at a location for a few hours, but I think we both made great use of the time we had. I’m so thankful that we got to take this river cruise and make these incredible memories together ❤️

Dear Joanne,

Since I got your blog link from Ellie, I am following your recent trip to Europe and river cruise, and I have enjoyed it very much. The way you describe in such a detail with pictures about your adventures, places, events, foods, etc. it gives me a feeling that I am also travelling with your group. Albeit I cannot smell the aroma and the taste of the beautifully presented foods and beverages. I hope one day the internet technology advances to such degree that you can also include the aroma and the tastes of the foods in your blog! 😊

Until then, wish you, Tim, Brenda, and Steve many more joyous travel adventures in the future. Bijan

Hello Bijan and welcome! Thank you so much for your wonderful and kind remarks. Wouldn’t that be fabulous to be able to add both smell and taste. I love that idea ❤️

I just love the wonderful sense of perspective in your photos Joanne. As well as your creative selection of content.

HaHa, Mike if you only knew some of the awkward positions I get into, and the number of times Tim has to help me back up, just so I can “get the shot”, you would have a good laugh.

The highlight for me among the photos is the stork’s nest(!) which, at first glance, I thought was a tree growing from the roof! FABULOUS!

Thank you ❤️ Just a moment before I took this picture there had been two storks in the nest. Unfortunately they left before I could get the shot.

You have it in the memory recesses to be called upon when you see that nest.💥

What a fabulous city which has no doubt been captured in your stunning photos! Thank you for sharing this wonderful destination.

Appreciate you stopping by! ❤️

There was a lot to see, thanks for sharing the extra tour. I am a car guy, so loved the Christmas truck. I know, all that history we saw, I am impressed with an old truck!

John, I think it is great that you noticed the truck. We each have things that catch our eye. ❤️

I’ve never been to this part of Germany and it looks lovely in the summer! You have so many beautiful picture here Joanne, I especially like feature photo 🙂

Thank you! I think this part of Germany would have quite a different look and feel in November and December when the famous Christmas Markets are the big draw.

I am fascinated by the many colors of houses . They just make me feel joyful. Are there shops at the bottom and living quarters at the top? Thank you for sharing your European trip with me and your many followers.

Lavern, I think you are correct that some of the shops have homes or apartments over them. Thank you so much for following our journey ❤️

Ditto on every single comment that was already made! You do such a wonderful blog!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you 😊

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The Paddan Tour

Boatsightseeing in gothenburg.

• Live-guided boat sightseeing in Gothenburg
• Top-rated tour - guests' absolute favorite
• Free cancellation up to 24h before departure

About this tour

The classic city tour on the Paddan boats shows you the beauty of Gothenburg from a waterside perspective. The tour takes you under 20 bridges and out to the harbour.

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Hop on board the popular and classic Paddan sightseeing boats – a must-visit when in Gothenburg! With humor, the guide tells the story of Gothenburg.

Departure point: Kungsportsplatsen Highlights: Top-rated tour – see the canals, harbor, and other landmarks. Good to know: Live-guided tour in Swedish and English. Dress according to the weather – the boats have no roof.

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Step aboard our Paddan sightseeing boats in the centre of the city at Kungsportsplatsen. See the old moat and canals that date from the 17th century while learning about the history of Gothenburg’s construction and defence.

Live Guided Boat Tour with the Paddan Boats

The classic city tour on the Paddan boats shows you the beauty of Gothenburg from a waterside perspective. The tour takes you under 20 bridges and out to the harbour.  This guided boat tour with Paddan continues beneath Gothenburg’s many low bridges, which brings us out into the fascinating harbour with traditional shipyards, the fishing harbour, new and old housing, expanding commercial and academic sites and maritime museum.

Departures and Booking

The boats depart 2-3 times every hour. Please note that only a selection of departures are available online. The online booking closes 1h before the departure and booking in our ticket shop opens 30 minutes before the first departure of the day.

Also, make sure to bring clothes according to weather since it is an open top boat with no roof.

How is the accessibility on this tour?

This tour is not adapted for wheelchair users. To board a Paddan boat, passengers must descend a staircase (12 steps) and a couple of steps down into the boat. All passengers must be able to either sit on the floor or have their heads between their knees when passing under the lowest bridges.

Can I bring my pet on board?

No. Special rules apply to service dogs. Service dogs must have certification and wear a harness/vest indicating they are on duty. Service dogs must be pre-booked through our booking department.

Can I bring our stroller on board the boat?

Yes, subject to availability, preferably collapsible. Otherwise, it can be securely locked at the quay. Locks are available for borrowing at the ticket kiosk.

Are there restroom on board?

Can we sit outdoors are there outdoor seating areas on board the boat.

Only outdoor seating is available. Please dress according to the weather. In the Paddan ticketshop, rain ponchos are available for purchase

Do escorts ride for free on this tour?

• The Paddan Tour/Rundtur Paddan, 2024

Buy Sightseeing tickets The shuttle buses stop in central Gothenburg at the Grand Theatre or at Gustav Adolf’s square. When arriving to the city you can buy tickets for the most popular sightseeing tours. You can take the Paddan tour that let you explore Gothenburg from the waterside or join the Hop On – Hop Off bus that takes you to all interesting landmarks. Or maybe enjoy the combination tour that includes both Hop On – Hop Off bus and boat!

Arendal Cruise Terminal From Arendal it takes around 20 minutes to central Gothenburg by shuttle bus or taxi.

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8 Amazing Things to Do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

A t the crossroads of the Romantic Road and Castle Road sits a small city with unparalleled history and distinctive half-timbered houses. Rothenburg ob der Tauber draws many tourists but is still far enough off the main routes through Germany.

If you love the idea of exploring a fairy tale town in the heart of Germany, here are the top things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber that you need to add to your itinerary.

Best Things to Do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber 

1. take a walking tour by day or night.

Rothenburg is an ideal town to explore by foot, as it’s primarily flat and well-cobbled. There are great options for walking tours no matter when you want to see the city. 

By day, the Rothenburg Tourism Office recommends a 90-minute walking tour of the Old Town. Your guide will show you some of the most important buildings in the city, and guide you through the labyrinth of narrow roads to cover many parts of the city. In the process, you’ll learn about the fascinating history of Rothenburg, and have plenty of opportunities for photos. 

€8 per person; tours daily from March to October. Contact Rothenburg Tourism outside these dates for more details. 

By night, everyone recommends the Nightwatchman tour. Lead by a traditionally-dressed ‘nightwatchman’ with a great sense of humor, the tour meets in front of the city hall several times each evening. In a large group, you’ll wander through the center of town, learning the ‘darker’ parts of history, tidbits about Rothenburg’s fascinating architecture, and even why nightwatchmen were needed at all. 

€8 per person; tours in German & English year-round. 

2. Experience Christmas Year-Round 

Rothenburg is also affectionately known as “Christmastown,” Germany – and for good reason. Their Christmas market is one of the best in Europe, but they celebrate Christmas year-round. 

The flagship Käthe Wohlfahrt store is located in Rothenburg, and houses tens of thousands of unique Christmas and holiday decorations. The store is beautiful, modeled on a Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market), and can take a while to explore.  Read our full article on Käthe Wohlfahrt Rothenburg here>>

Fans of Christmas should also be sure to visit the Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum (German Christmas Museum). Meticulously designed to offer guests an accurate education about the history of Christmas, this museum makes up for its lack of flashiness with an astounding number of items. If you’ve ever wondered why Santa Claus wears red, the decorations we’ve used through the centuries (including what ornaments Nazis hung on their trees), and who Krampus is – this is the perfect museum for you. 

€4 per person in peak season (summer + Christmas), €2.50 per person in non-peak 

season. 

3. Visit the Kriminalmuseum (Medieval Criminal Museum) 

As one of Germany’s most well-preserved cities, it’s a perfect spot for a museum that houses some of the oldest medieval relics still in existence. The Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum (Medieval Criminal Museum) is one-of-a-kind, housing 30,000+ artifacts of “law and order” from 1,000 years of medieval German history. 

Exploring the museum’s permanent exhibit, you can see everything from shackles, stocks, and punishment masks to a dunking stool used to punish bakers who cheated their customers. This is also home to the famous Iron Maiden of Nuremburg, a “torture” device historians have studied and preserved, which is now the crown jewel of the collection. 

The Kriminalmuseum also has a temporary exhibit building, which changes exhibits from time to time. For example, one past exhibit focused on Luther and witchcraft; the exhibits offer a fascinating expansion of what the museum normally offers. 

Adults are €7, families are €17. You can also book a guided tour of the museum.

4. Enjoy a Taste of the Tauber 

Beginning in 2016, Rothenburg worked with local towns to encourage the Genießen ob der Tauber (Taste of the Tauber) culinary initiative. Aimed at highlighting local food and drink producers, restaurants and chefs are creating special menus sourced within the Tauber river region. 

Restaurants in Rothenburg are offering a special menu that features local dishes and ingredients beyond the standard dishes you might expect; one of the most popular places to try this menu is at Eisenhut Hotel & Restaurant . On their special menu, Eisenhut Restaurant chefs offer both a la carte and prix fixe menus so you can choose as much or as little food as you’d like to try. 

Dishes from €7 and prix fixe options from €39.50 with €21.50 wine pairing option. 

5. Climb the Rathausturm (City Hall Tower) 

Nothing beats a good view. Climbing the tallest building in every town gives you the chance to see the city spread out below you – it gives a good context for the city and the countryside. 

If this is something you enjoy, be sure to take an hour to climb the Rathausturm (Town Hall tower). 220 steps take you to the top of the tiny spire, and the panoramic views are worth it. Admittedly, it’s a very narrow viewing platform, so this probably isn’t good for people afraid of heights. If you’re okay with a little thrill, this is definitely worth the time and money.

€2 per person, paid at the top once you’ve climbed about 220 stairs. 

6. Walk the City Fortifications 

Rothenburg has one of the most complete and well-preserved city fortifications in Germany. Even better, they’re completely free and open to the public (unlike say, Dubrovnik!). Take a walk one afternoon to climb the rickety steps onto the narrow walkway and enjoy the views. You can peer through arrow slots to the surrounding countryside, or get a great view of Rothenburg from above roof level. 

Don’t forget to pay attention to the names and locations inscribed on certain stones built into the wall. Following World War II, Rothenburg “crowdsourced” restoration funds, and allowed people to buy sections of the wall with their donations. These names come from around the world and throughout the past seven decades – you might even see a name you recognize! 

7. Go to Hell (Höll) 

If there’s one restaurant everyone recommends in Rothenburg, it was Zur Höll (“to hell”). Tucked off the main streets near town hall, Höll is a hopping spot despite the potentially off-putting name. 

This restaurant is so popular that it often requires a reservation, so be sure to arrange one in advance if you want to have a tradition dining experience here. The tiny restaurant is low and crowded, but will transport you back in time. 

Zur Höll is located at Burggasse 8, less than five minutes walk from the main square of Old Town Rothenburg. 

8. Redeem Yourself at St. Jakob’s Kirche (St. James’) Church 

After hell (or maybe before), be sure to explore St. Jakob’s Kirche (St. James’ Church). This “small” city church is beautifully constructed and has admirable stained glass. It’s also home to three other must-see items. 

First, the church is currently housing several African sculptures, and selling smaller souvenirs made by African artists and craftsmen. Second, the Holy Blood Altarpiece is housed in the upper back section of the church behind the organ. As the name suggests, this beautifully hand-carved “high alter” contains a relic: several drops of Jesus’ blood.

Finally, be sure to stop by and say hello to St. James outside the main entrance of the church. He wears the garb of a traveler and marks Rothenburg as one of the stops on the Camino de Santiago through central Germany. 

This includes the best things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, but there is so much more if you have more time to explore.

Valerie Stimac runs the travel site Valerie & Valise as well as other sites, including one focused on helping you plan London travel since you’ll already be exploring Europe. 

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Walking on the Free Ramparts and Town Walls of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Walking on the sentry walk on the walls and ramparts of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is free and a top attraction when visiting the romantic, wall-enclosed medieval town.

Romantic Rothenburg ob der Tauber, at the heart of the Romantische Straße tourist route in Germany, is famous for its beautifully preserved picture-perfect medieval old town center that is still surrounded by its defensive town wall. It is possible to appreciate the ramparts from outside the town but it is more fun to follow the sentry walk on the wall for fantastic views of the old town center, half-timbered houses, and the beautiful countryside. Access to the sentry walk is free and most of the walls are open year-round and at all times.  Day-trip tours are often available from Frankfurt and Munich.

Ramparts of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The medieval town center of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is still completely encircled by its town walls with over 40 towers and town gates still in place. Much of the walls are original from 1400 with defenses strengthened until the mid-17th century — following the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) Rothenburg was too impoverished to dismantle the walls or update the buildings of the town according to newer fashions. 

Rothenburg’s chocolate-box, picture-perfect medieval look only became popular again with artists and then tourists from the mid-19th century. Currently, Rothenburg attracts well over 2 million visitors per year — it is by far the most popular stop on the Romantic Road tourist route.

It is possible to follow the sentry walk on the walls of Rothenburg around most of the town. The sentry walk is mostly covered making it also a pleasant walk in rainy weather. Most of the walls are open at all times and year-round.

Town Walls of Rothenburg 

The just over 3 km (2 miles) of town walls encircling Rothenburg were built in three main phases:

Rothenburg received town rights in 1172, which allowed the settlement next to an older castle, to encircle itself with a defense wall. The original town was roughly in a circle shape with the steep slopes on the western part of the town forming a natural defense that was topped by further walls. The Weißer Turm (White Tower) and über-romantic Markusturm (Markus Tower) with the Röderbogen (Röder Arch) still mark the outer limit of the city in around 1200 — the total length of these first defensive walls was 1,400 m.

In the second phase — late 14th century — the defense walls were moved outwards with the new ring away from the valley to mostly where the walls are today — the walls were now 2,400 m. However, the southern limit was the Siebersturm (1385) just beyond the famous Plönlein square. At this stage in history, Rothenburg with a population of 6,000 was one of the ten largest cities in Germany. (Definitions differ but irrespective of the way of counting or the political geography, it was one of the richest and most important cities in medieval Germany.)

The third and final phase added the southern tip from beyond the Plönlein to the Spitalbastei. This impressive figure-8 bastion was still strengthened during the Thirty Years’ War when Rothenburg was occupied several times. By the mid-17th century, developments in military technology made town walls irrelevant and impoverished Rothenburg of little interest to attackers anyway. Then, as now, the total length of the wall amounted to 3,400 m (2.1 miles).

Access to the Walls of Rothenburg

Since the completion of the final building stage, the bird’s eye view shape of Rothenburg ob der Tauber could be described as a keyhole, or a face (with a pointy nose) seen in side profile. Using the image of a side profile, it is possible to walk from the neck along the back of the head to the forehead, not along the face, but again from the chin to the neck.

Using a map, it is possible to walk on the covered sentry walk all the way from the Spitalbastei (in the south) to the Klingenbastei (on the northwestern corner of the town) along the eastern and northern sides of the town (left and top on most maps). 

The only significant parts of the walls of Rothenburg that are not accessible are on the west (left side of most maps) — from the Klingentor in the north to the Kobolzeller Tor (near the famous Plönlein) — and the small section at the south from Reichsstadthalle to the magnificent Spitalbastei.

Rothenburg’s Ramparts and Walls 

The medieval defense structures of Rothenburg ob der Tauber are among the most popular attractions of the town. Of the around 70 defense towers in operation in Rothenburg at the time of the Thirty Years’ War, 42 are still maintained in some form. The only one that may be climbed is the Röderturm (small charge).

Most to the gates and towers display the shield with two red towers for Rothenburg while the black eagle on a yellow background is for the Holy Roman Empire to indicate visitors enter a Free Imperial City, which Rothenburg was from 1274 until it was absorbed by the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1802. (The double-headed eagle was only in use after 1433.)

Top Bastions and Town Gates in Rothenburg

Four of Rothenburg’s town gates with gate towers remain in use for motorized traffic while several further smaller entrances in the walls are used by pedestrians:

The most impressive part of the town defenses of Rothenburg of der Tauber is the imposing Spitalbastei at the far southern tip of the town. This is the only town gate where the complete bastion survived mostly intact. The Spital Bastion has double courtyards in the form of a figure 8, seven gateways, and upper walkways with embrasures survived. The bastion may be explored freely — the inside is dark at the best of times so best explored before dusk. The interior is vast but the roof fairly low and the windows small by design (form follows function). It was designed so horses could drag up cannons and supplies to the defenders.

The Klingentor at the northern exit towards Detwang and Creglingen similarly has impressive fortifications but these did not survive as complete as the Spitalbastei. An interesting part of the Klingenbastei is the Wolfgangskirche (1475) where the church was built inside the bastion and part of the town defense system. A huge water tank in the Klingenturm (1400) was the water supply for Rothenburg for over three centuries until 1910

The Rödertor and Galgentor once had very mighty bastions, as these were at the side of Rothenburg which had no steep slopes or other natural defenses. During the Thirty Years’ War, Tilly breached the walls here in 1631 and the French in 1645. The gate towers here survived but not that much of the original defense structures — some of the forward gates at the Rödertor are still in place and worth exploring if unable to see the Spitalbastei or Klingentor. The Rödertor is the only defense tower that visitors may climb to the top (€2) but the Rathaus tower is more popular for aerial views.

The Galgentor is the only gate to Rothenburg open to drivers at busy times (and then only for those with hotel reservations or other permissions to drive into the old town center). Its real name is actually Würzburger Tor but as the gallows ( Galgen ) were nearby the impression they’ve left survived long after their use ceased in the mid-18th century. (When in Rothenburg visit the very interesting Medieval Crime Museum for more on this and other criminal and legal history.) For this reason, the street inside the town leading from the Galgentor is the Galgengasse (Gallows Alley) while the street outside the gate is still Vorm Würzburger Tor (“in front of the Würzburg Gate”).

Smaller Town Gates

Two further gates gave access to the town but they are no longer open to motorized traffic:

The Burgtor that gives access to the Burggarten — a park with beautiful views of the old town, ramparts, Tauber Valley, Doppelbrücke, and the Topplerschlösschen — was an important entrance to the town but is now cut off from motorized traffic links. Here it is still possible to see not only the mask through which pitch could be poured onto attackers but also the mid-16th-century postern gate (a small door inside the main door). This so-called eye-of-the-needle door was used to allow individuals into the town one-by-one at night to prevent a surprise attack. Such admittance after dark required advanced permission from the town council — anyone arriving after sunset slept outside the town. 

A glance from the Burggarten , where the original castle was, to the Tauber River in the valley 80 m below explains why it is Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Rothenburg Above the Tauber) and not Rothenburg an der Tauber (on the Tauber) in a similar fashion as for example Frankfurt am Main is “on the Main” and Frankfurt an der Oder is “on the Oder River”.

The Kobolzeller Tor (1360) is less imposing but at the same time very interesting. The structures here are not as elaborated as at the other gates but it is possible to access the sentry walk here and see how the defenses worked — this smaller bastion had its own inner courtyard and four gates. The steep slope inside the courtyard made an attack difficult with defenses possible from the devil’s chancel above, as well as from the Kohlturm tower.

Also from here — just a few houses down from the crowded Plönlein — it is often very quiet and a pleasure to walk on the wall towards the southern part of the old town.

Where to Walk of the Ramparts in Rothenburg 

While the Spitalbastei is clearly much more impressive than say the Galgentor, the difference for various sections of the wall is less pronounced. Simply walking along any section is fun and gives good views either of the old town center or the countryside, although the latter less impressive away from the river.

Best Rothenburg Town Wall Walk

However, if given a free choice, after photographing the popular Plönlein, or actually the Siebersturm behind it, instead of heading back uphill to the crowded Market area, or through the gate to the southern part of the town, take the smaller road downhill to the right toward the Kobolzeller Tor. Go up the stairs as soon as possible to see the defense structure of this gate from above and then continue along the sentry walk as far south as possible — the Stöberleinsturm just after the amphitheater. This tower is the only one in Rothenburg to have preserved its original medieval roof and four corner turrets. 

This section of the wall is often very quiet and the ramparts are more interesting with several staircases in rapid succession to take the sentry walk down several levels. It offers great views of the valley but perhaps less so of the medieval city. Rather than heading into town from the amphitheater, continue alongside the wall and exit the town at the Sauturm (pig tower) and walk the short sections outside the wall to the impressive bulwark of Spitalbastei.

Sentry Walk from Spitalbastei to Klingentor

It is possible to walk on the sentry walk all the way from the Spitalbastei to the Klingentor – a total distance of 2.5 km all roof covered. Parts of the wall here were destroyed by aerial bombing on 31 March 1945 but restored to the original condition. The name plaques here are of donors that originally helped to finance the restoration and of major contributors helping with the upkeep — the going rate is around €1,200 per m per year.

From this stretch of the wall, the old town views are the most interesting — the view through the walls is not so much of the countryside than modern town and especially huge parking lots. The areas near the Rödertor and Klingentor are often busier due to the proximity to parking lots and bus stops, however, the town views from here are superb. The St-Jakobs-Kirche (St James) with the Holy Blood Altar by Tilman Riemenschneider is the dominant church towards the north of the town.

Most of the air raid damage was done in the Northern parts of Rothenburg. If walking on the northern walls between the Schrannenplatz parking area and the Galgentor this area is clearly less interesting, even if the wall is generally a lot quieter than around the Rödertor. A popular sight just south of the Rödertor is the Gerlachschmiede — a half-timbered house that functioned as the smith shop until the mid-1960s. 

Walking Around Rothenburg ob der Tauber

It is of course also possible to walk around the outside of the walls of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. On the Tauber River side (west), it is even a highly recommended hike with beautiful views of the old town, ramparts, and the valley.

On the west side, the town walls are mostly without a sentry walk, as the natural slope allowed for the defense wall to be much lower on the town side. It is often possible to walk right next to the wall inside the town and peak through the holes. 

However, it is more interesting to walk on the outside of the town walls from the Klingentor to the Burggarten — where the original 12th-century castle was located. The small Topplerschlösschen (1388) was the retreat of the famous Rothenburg medieval mayor Toppler — it is one of the most-famous little castles in Germany but best seen from a distance. (It is only open on special reservation.)

It is similarly a pleasant walk on the outside of the town from the Burggarten to the Kobolzeller Tor or even all the way to the Spitalbastei— these slopes are known as the Riviera and at times steep. Either follow the direct upper route or go down towards the Tauber River and the Doppelbrücke (Double Bridge) — a 14th-century bridge resembling a Roman viaduct that is still in use but not on the main road. 

Hiking on the eastern side of the town gives good views of the ramparts including the dry moat — wet moats are more a Hollywood fantasy, only the odd small castles, such as wonderful Schloss Mespelbrunn on the road to Frankfurt, originally had a true wet moat. Much of this area is park-like but also contains several large parking lots — walking on the sentry walk inside the walls is far more pleasant.

Other Wall-Encircled Towns in Bavaria

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is not the only wall-encircled town in Germany, it even has competition from several on the Romantic Road . At nearby Dinkelsbühl all the town defense towers survived to the present but here it is necessary to walk around the town rather than on the walls. In Nördlingen, which is famously nearly perfectly round, it is possible to walk all the way around the town on the restored town walls. 

These two towns are very pleasant to visit too and are often pleasantly quiet, but Rothenburg remains the medieval jewel in the crown of the Romantic Road. As most visitors to Rothenburg are day-trippers, hotel prices are surprisingly reasonable, making it a good option to stay the night and enjoy the much quieter town in the evening and early morning.

More on Rothenburg ob der Tauber

For more on the Rothenburg ob der Tauber and nearby sights on the Romantic Road:

• Top Sights on the Romantische Straße with Romantic Road Map
• Walk on the Ramparts and Sentry Walk on the Wall of Rothenburg
• Visit the St.-Jakobs-Kirche (St James Church) with the Tilman Riemenschneider Holy Blood Altar
• Visit the Medieval Crime Museum
• Visit the Wolfgang’s Church in the Klingenbastei
• See the Herrgottskirche with Tilman Riemenschneider Altar of the Virgin in nearby Creglingen
• Transportation to Rothenburg ob der Tauber – Driving or Take the Train
• Bus Day-Trip Tours are often available from Frankfurt or Munich.
• Tripadvisor Hotel Comparison – Hotel prices in Rothenburg are surprisingly reasonable, except over weekends.
• Save with the Bayern-Ticket on Train Transportation in Bavaria
• Suntransfers give easy quotations for taxis and airport shuttles from Frankfurt or Munich airports.

About the author:

Henk Bekker

Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer with over 20 years of experience writing online. He is particularly interested in history, art, and culture. He has lived most of his adult life in Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark. In addition to European-Traveler.com , he also owns a travel website on the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland and maintains statistical websites on car sales and classic car auction prices . Henk holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and an MSc in Development Finance from the University of London.

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Germany ‎ > Rothenburg  > Free Rothenburg Walking Tour Map

• Rothenburg Overview
• Top 10 Things To Do
• Top 15 Hidden Gems
• Old Town Walking Tour
• City Wall Walking Tour
• Christmas Market
• Imperial City Days Festival
• Getting To Rothenburg
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Free Rothenburg Walking Tour:

Walking Tour Location :  Old Town Rothenburg Cost :  Free, Self-Guided ( Museum and funicular/lift costs below ) Style :  Do-It-Yourself Walking Tour ( Self Guided )  Start :  Market Square ( Marktplatz ) End : Plönlein Corner Walking Distance :  1.1 miles ( +0.6  miles for Infirmary Quarter; +0.6 miles for short wall walk ) Time Required :  60 Minutes for Walk ( 2-3 hours with sights; +1 hour for each of the 3 museums; +0.5 hours for Infirmary Quarter ) Fun Scale :  10 out of 10

Overview of Old Town Rothenburg:

Spending a day in Old Town Rothenburg ( Row-tin-burg, with a rolled R ) is like stepping 400 years into the past.  This time capsule of a Franconian village is packed with colorful half-timber homes, old-world sights, cobblestone lanes, and is surrounded by a medieval city wall.  The pure beauty of Old Town is Rothenburg’s main attraction, but when you mix in the Night Watchman tour, the Christmas market, and great year-round shopping you have the makings for an unbelievable visit.

We highly suggest spending at least one night in Rothenburg as it feels truly magical in the evening after the tour buses have left.  Our self-guided walking tour map below covers all the must-see attractions with plenty of opportunities to get away from the mid-day crowds.  If you have extra time, you can also walk along the City Wall tour ( Turmweg ) or bike down to the river which gives the city its full name Rothenburg ob der Tauber ( meaning Red Castle over the Tauber River ).  Rothenburg is definitely a place to take your time, relax, and enjoy.  We hope you enjoy our self-guided Old Town Rothenburg walking tour map!

Rothenburg Walking Tour:

1. market square ( marktplatz ):.

About Market Square :  Shortly after King Conrad III of German ( House Hohenstaufen ) built his royal castle in Rothenburg in 1142, a village began to grow around it.  Traders quickly started selling their goods and produce and Market Square was born.  As Rothenburg gained official market rights in 1172, the main square became the center of both trade and social life in the town.

Since Rothenburg sat on two major Medieval trade routes, it gained Free Imperial City status in 1274 by Rudolf I King of Germany ( Habsburg Dynasty ).  The village quickly grew to be the 2nd largest city in Germany in the year 1400 behind Cologne, and the vast Market Square truly blossomed.  Rothenburg’smain square became the host for the town’s biggest festivals along with some of the most impressive colorful mansions and half-timber houses.  If you are looking for a bite to eat in the square, we recommend the Ratstube Restaurant whose tables spill out onto the square during nice weather.  The restaurant also has a secret dining room down in their medieval cellar we feature on our Top 15 Hidden Gems of Rothenburg .

In addition to the festivals, there were also numerous historic events that happened in Market Square.  In 1474, Holy Roman Emperor Friedrich III had a  massive feast  in Rothenburg’s main square, where he symbolically gave King Christian of Denmark the German state of Holstein to pledge an alliance.  A more gruesome event happened in Market Square in 1525 when Count Casimir von Ansbach had 17 leaders of the recently defeated Peasants’ Revolt  publicly beheaded  here and left to lay in the street all day.

The 30 Years War is what frozen Rothenburg in time and over each of the 7 times the city was occupied ( 1631-1645 ) the homes on Market Square had to harbor alternating hoards of both enemy forces ( Catholic ) and allied troops ( Protestant ).  During one of the occupations in 1632, the Protestant King of Sweden Gustavus Adolphus ( Gustav-Adolf ) stayed along Market Square just 49 days before being killed in battle.

2. Council Drinking Hall ( Ratstrinkstube ):

About The Council Drinking Hall :  Built prior to 1446, the huge Council Drinking Hall was once a very exclusive tavern that could only be entered by city council members.  In order to be on the city council, you had to be born into a noble-class patrician family making it very limited.

With the Medieval government long gone, today all the action at the Council Drinking Hall happens on the outside of the building’s beautiful facade.  On the front of the hall is a centrally placed modern clock ( installed 1638 ), a calendar date clock, and a sundial ( 1768 ) above the black double eagle coat of arms from the Holy Roman Empire.  The former tavern building also holds the local tourism office and one of the only ATMs on our self-guided Rothenburg walking tour.

At the top of every hour from 10am-10pm, you have to keep an eye out for the special show that happens on the front of the Council Drinking Hall called legendary Master Draught .  The small windows flanking sides of the clock open to reveal hidden mechanical figures which reenact a famous story from Rothenburg’s history.

Folklore says that in 1631 Mayor Nusch ( Nu-sh ) saved the Protestant village from destruction at the hands of the troops of Catholic General Tilly during the 30 Years War.  The legend is that the famous mayor won a wager for Rothenburg’s fate by drinking over 3 liters of Franconian wine in one gulp known as the Master Draught.  The truth of the story is that General Tilly and his 40,000 troops occupied the village for the entire Winter before leaving, badly depleting Rothenburg of its food reserves.

3. Town Hall ( Rathaus ):

About The Town Hall :  After the Old Town Hall located at today’s Meat & Dance Hall burned in 1240, construction on a new huge  Gothic-style Town Hall  ( Rathaus, pronounced Rat-house ) started here in 1250.  The new block-long Town Hall was much larger than the old one as it covers the entire length of Market Square.  The design was also very different as it was the new complex was made up of two massive parallel halls with entrances onto Herrngasse Street, a soaring bell tower, and built-in market stalls facing the main square.

Like the Old Town Hall, the new Gothic Town Hall also had a brush with fire in 1501 when the front half of the building facing Market Square burned down.  Luckily, the back half of the building, the watchtower, and the vaults survived the fire.  You can see a painting of the Town Hall from 1466 before the fire HERE  which you can see in person later on this walking tour at Saint James Church.

Since it had been over 250 years since the Gothic Town Hall was built, they decided to rebuild the damaged front in a more modern Renaissance-style instead.  The rebuild spanned some chaotic years in Rothenburg and was a huge project that wasn’t completed until 1572 which included a new entrance facing Market Square.  The New Town Hall was so impressive for its day, that it was considered the  most imposing example of Renaissance architecture north of the Alps for almost a decade.  While they functioned together, the white back half of the complex became known as Old Town Hall and the yellow front half became known as New Town Hall.

The Baroque-style street-level arcade and full-length porch further expanded the front of the Town Hall in 1681.  We love the coat of arms for the seven Holy Roman Empire Electors decorate the arches of the arcade.  Notice how the left side of the gallery has 13 steps, but as you look to the right  the steps gradually disappear  into the pavement?  This is because Market Square is actually quite slopped and the new stairs spanning the length of the building needed to account for the angle.

If you look up at the angles of the windows in the short center tower on the front of the Town Hall you can follow the path of the staircase spiraling inside it.  The surrounding windows on the facade are also used as a living Advent Calendar during the annual Christmas Market.  We will visit the much taller belltower on the white back half of Town Hall next on our free walking tour of Rothenburg.

4. Town Hall Tower ( Rathausturm ):

About The Town Hall Tower :   The surviving back part of the Gothic Town Hall remained white, but got a Renaissance upgrade to its  bell tower .  The 170-foot-tall tower provided better communication with the city watchtowers, and today you can still climb the 220 steps for the best views in Rothenburg.

One of the more interesting things about Rothenburg’s Town Hall Tower is that it was built without its own ground-level foundations.  This means that the tower basically rests on top of the building’s roof gable thanks to some perfect enginering.  While the vaulted passageway under the tower is stunning, the entrance to climb the bell tower is on the front of the building complex facing Market Square.

Tower Hours :  January-March & November Saturday & Sunday Noon-3pm; April-October Daily 9:30am-12:30pm & 1-5pm; During the Christmas Market 10:30am-2pm & 2-6pm ( 8pm Friday & Saturday ).   Cost : Adults 3€; Kids 1.50€.  Entrance : To begin your climb to the top of the white bell tower you will need to enter the main door on the front of the yellow part of the Town Hall facing Market Square.

5. Fountain of Saint George ( Sankt Georgsbrunnen ):

About The Fountain of Saint George :   Sitting over the 8-meter-deep  Herterich’s Well  is the beautiful Fountain of Saint George.  Water wasn’t always easy to come by in Rothenburg even though it is by the Tauber River because the village sits upon a rocky ridge.  An underground canal system was built in 1418 to keep the Rothenburg’s 40 public wells stocked with outside water in case of drought or war.  The new water table reservoir system in the village also provided allowed 300 of Rothenburg’s roughly 800 homes to get their own private wells.

As part of a series of building projects in 1446, a free-flowing fountain was added over Herterich’s Well to give some elegance to Market Square’s main communal water source.  In front of the green home ( Marktplatz #8 ) near Herterich’s Well sat the gallows, pillory, and hangers where people were executed or tortured on public display .  There was even a second smaller well at the pillory where bakers would be dunked underwater ( Bäckertaufe ) as punishment to starve them of their oxygen during times of famine as the city starved.

The Renaissance-style central column was added to the Herterich’s Well Fountain in 1608 and is capped by a figure of an  armored Saint George  on horseback famously slaying a dragon.  The addition of Saint George ultimately changed the name as the fountain was officially dedicated to him.  This image of the victorious knight defeating darkness is a very common scene in Medieval art often as a symbol of man overcoming the plague.

If this wonderful fountain looks familiar to you, that may be because it was featured in the 2017 version of Walt Disney’s Beauty and the Beast .  A fully life-size replica of Rothenburg’s Saint George Fountain was built on the London set for the filming of the movie.  The Saint George Fountain was also recreated for the German Pavilion at Epcot Center.  We pass by a few other spots that inspired scenes from Disney movies along this free Rothenburg walking tour and we also highlight them on our 15 Hidden Gems of Rothenburg guide.

6. Meat & Dance House ( Fleisch und Tanzhaus ):

About The Meat & Dance House :  The gorgeous half-timbered home behind the Saint George Fountain known as the Meat & Dance House is one of our favorite homes in Rothenburg.  As King Conrad III ( House Hohenstaufen ) built his royal castle at the other end of Herrngasse Street in 1142, a village started to with a large building here that served as his  Royal Court ( Am Hof ) .  Representatives from as far away as Rome and Byzantium would come here to hold court with Conrad, the King of Germany, who was destined to be the Holy Roman Emperor if it wasn’t for his untimely death.

After King Conrad’s last son die without an heir in 1167, the former royal court became Imperial property.  Holy Roman Emperor Federick Barbarossa ( Conrad’s nephew ) gave the village city & market rights in 1172 and this building became Rothenburg’s 1st town hall .  Not only was the Old Town Hall ( Altes Rathaus ) where the noble city council would meet but was also where the local market was managed.

Unfortunately, the Old Town Hall burned down in 1240, but the magnificent half-timbered building you see today was completed on the original foundation in 1270.  With tall vaulted ceilings, the upper level was used as a dance hall for parties and celebrations.  The first floor was an open shop for local butchers to sell their meats.

Today, the upper level of the house is used to store colorful costumes that the city uses in annual festivals and historic reenactments.  The lower level is now home to the Artist Union which sets up various art galleries.  Prior to 2014, the house was painted in dull tan-colored tones and we love that they brought back the bright red and white which are Rothenburg’s official colors.  If you go around the backside of the Meat & Dance House you can see the Romanesque Royal Fountain ( Hofbrunnen ) which was also part of King Conrad’s royal court.  As you look at the side of the building make sure to look at the covered live fish storage container.

7. Mayor Jagstheimer’s House ( Jagstheimerhaus ):

About Mayor Jagstheimer’s House :   As one of the most beautiful historic homes you’ll see in Europe, this huge half-timber Jagstheimer House mansion has roots in early-day Rothenburg.  As Rothenburg gained the rights to form a noble city council in 1172, they built a new home for the mayor right next to the Old Town Hall ( today’s Meat & Dance House ).

Based on excavations on the narrow foundations visible in the basement, we know the first version of the Mayor’s home looked very different than you see it now.  It had a narrow stone lower level which was built up like a tower and likely resembled the top-heavy Toppler Water Palace ( photo ) in the Tauber River Valley.  The Mayor’s house was also burned in the Fire of 1240, but the half-timber upper floors were repaired.  One interesting thing about the repairs from the fire was that an underground tunnel was built ( or at least planned ) connecting the Mayor’s house to the new Gothic Town Hall across Herrngasse.

Hans Jagstheimer (yags -time-ahr ) bought the mayor’s house in 1479 and completely re-built it as you see it today in 1488.  Jagstheimer was no stranger to construction as he served on the City Council as the regional Builder Master ( Äußere Baumeister ) from 1481 to 1493 and even spent time as the mayor.  The main feature that literally stands out on the Jagstheimer House is the 2nd story oriel-style bay window sticking out of the corner of the mansion.  Surprisingly the home is mansion-sized as stretches back far off of the main road all the way past the former Royal Court ( Am Hof ) and has a delightful inner courtyard.  Over the years the stately home hosted numerous prominent guests including Emperor Maximilian I in 1513, who also visited Rothenburg as a teenager.  The Jagstheimer family continued to live here for 4 generations until the last heir passed away in 1571.

Georg Nusch, Rothenburg’s most legendary mayor also lived at the Jagstheimer House after marrying the widowed owner in 1617.  At the time she ( Maria Salome, b.   Schnepf ) was 46 and Nusch was only 28.  Nusch was well educated and quickly joined the City Council as he also came from a local patrician family. His f ather was the owner of  Rothenburg’s Red Rooster Guesthouse ( Hotel Roter Hahn ) which first opened in 1380.

As the 30 Years War approached Rothenburg’s doorstep, Nusch grew vital in preparing the village for battle and his home became a hostel for visiting Dukes and high commanders.  Having been elected mayor the year prior, Nusch was in charge when the Catholic forces under General Tilly breached the city walls and occupied Rothenburg in 1631.   Folklore of the Master Draught says Nusch drank 3 full liters of wine in one drink to save Rothenburg from destruction although Tilly’s troops stayed in town for the entire Winter and ate most of the food reserves.  During the war, Gustav Adolf ( Protestant King of Sweden ) also stayed at the Jagstheimer House for an evening ( September 18th, 1632 ) just 49 days before he was killed in battle.  Mayor Nusch died childless in 1668, but the home remained in his family until 1769.

The 1st floor of the Jagstheimer House has been home to the  Saint Mary’s Pharmacy ( Marienapotheke )  since 1812.  Johann Michael Schiller had been a pharmacist since 1785 at the struggling Mohrenapotheke ( open since 1600 ) in Market Square, then bought the Jagstheimer House to expand out on his own.  The image of the Virgin Mary was already below the Oriel window making the name an easy fit.  We love the Medieval-style wrought iron business sign at the pharmacy which pays a nod to the when most people couldn’t read in the Middle Ages and relied on imagery to identify businesses.

Address :  Marktplatz #10.

8. Imperial Dungeons :

About The Imperial Dungeons :   You can also visit 8 of the vaults of the historic Imperial Dungeons to get an idea of the prison conditions in the 1500-1600s including The Thirty Years War.  Exhibits include a guardhouse, a torture room, and three jail cells.  The entrance to the Imperial Dungeons is inside the gothic city hall atrium hallway and is accessible on the southside of the building along Herngasse.

Prior to the Town Hall vaults being used as a prison, criminals were also kept in other smaller jails inside some of the sections of the city wall.  These locations included the Marcus Tower ( 1204 ) which has 10-foot-thick walls and the Rotten Tower ( 1385 ) which housed serious criminals.

Heinrich Toppler, Rothenburg’s most famous Mayor , was imprisoned in the dungeon where he died in 1408 after being arrested by competing factions of the local nobility.  Toppler had come from a wealthy patrician family which lived at today’s Gasthof Goldener Greifen and his dad was on the city council.  Toppler married the daughter of another city councilman whose wife ( Katharina Reinfrau ) was the richest person in Rothenburg.  After being elected Mayor by the council in 1373, Toppler  helped Rothenburg boom by gobbling up neighboring towns and growing Rothenburg’s holdings to over 400 square kilometers.  Toppler also led the city through rough times and is known for being just as he enabled laws to protect local Jews against organized massacres ( pogroms ).

The main drama started in 1400 when Mayor Toppler reached out to deposed King Wenceslas of Bohemia for military help against Ruprecht who had just power-grabbed the King of Germany ( Romans ) title.  This angered local nobles even though Wenceslas had lived in Rothenburg as a boy at age 12 ( 1373 ) while his dad was Holy Roman Emperor.  Toppler wasn’t re-elected in 1403 but continued to serve on the council.  The whole thing eventually caused the Bishop of Würzburg to flip-flop alliances and joined Nuremberg in 1405 who attacked Rothenburg two years later.  The city of Rothenburg withstood the 10,000 troop Siege of 1407 with ease thanks to Toppler’s planning but lost a lot of land holdings and the nobles never forgave him even though the city was prosperous.

On April 6th, 1408 the City Council had used Toppler’s wealth against him in public opinion and arrested him for stealing and he died in the dungeons on June 13th before being given a trial.  Mayor Toppler is now beloved for having brought the golden age to Rothenburg and maybe the noble should have backed him as just 3 years later Ruprecht lost the King of Germany title to Wenceslas’ brother Sigismund ( future Holy Roman Emperor ).

Dungeon Hours :  June-October Daily 9:30am-5:30pm; November-May Open Daily with times posts on a board at the entrance roughly 11am-4pm most days; Closed most of January.   Cost :  Adults 3.50€; Kids 2€.  Dungeon Website : Here .

9. Käthe Wohlfahrt Store & Christmas Museum :

About Käthe Wohlfahrt :   In a town famous for its Christmas Markets, Käthe Wohlfahrt ( Kay-ta Vul-fhot ) makes the holiday season last all year long.  While they have 5 stores in Rothenburg, it is their headquarters that is the most impressive.  Käthe Wohlfahrt is world-renowned for the quality of its ornaments and Christmas wears.  The multi-level store is a full-on Christmas village with a teddy bear town and the largest collection of ornaments in Germany.  Visiting really is special and will have you in the Christmas spirit the second you enter.

The 2,700 square foot  German Christmas Museum   ( Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum ) sits above the store and covers hundreds of years of holiday history.  The interesting exhibits have everything from Christmas trees, ornaments, holiday pyramids, Christmas cards, and more.

Käthe Wohlfahrt Website :  ( HERE ).   Christmas Museum Website :  ( HERE ).

10. Lords Alley & Fountain ( Herrngasse & Brunnen ):

About Herrngasse :   Connecting the Market Square to the former location of King Conrad’s royal castle is the prestigious street called Lords Alley ( Herrngasse ).  The name Lords ( Herrn ) comes from the rich merchants who lived along the street in the Middle Ages.  Because the lane is rather wide for a small Medieval village, it helped preserve the buildings as fires couldn’t spread as easily.

Today Herrngasse is still home to some of Rothenburg’s most stately homes and fancy shops.  We will cover some of these stately homes next on this free walking tour, but it is important to look at the architectural details of the colorful buildings .  We love the hayloft windows and pulley systems which used to bring goods to the upper floors of the homes for storage.  The hayloft windows are covered more on our Top 15 Hidden Gems of Rothenburg guide.  Two of our hotels in Rothenburg are also on Herrngasse including the Historic Gothic House ( website ) and Hotel Eisenhut ( website ).

Right in the middle of Herrngasse was the old cattle market which is marked today by the  Lord Alley Fountain ( Herrnbrunnen )  added in 1595.  The fountain got a Renaissance column makeover in 1615 ( remodeled in 1722 ) with the mermaid statue to bless the water.  The double fishtailed mermaid has a golden crown on her head and a golden scepter in her hand.  The base of the column has blonde pig-tailed maidens spitting the water back into the fountain.

Each Spring this fountain is one of the main ones in Rothenburg that gets decorated with Easter eggs to bless the water.  The hollow eggs that elaborately cover the Easter Fountains ( osterbrunnen ) are brightly painted and strung to form a beautiful garland.  During the Imperial City Days Festival each September, the fountain is also where they demonstrate the Baker Baptism ( Bäckertaufe ) where bakers in Medieval times were dunked underwater as punishment during times of famine.

11. Staudt House & Courtyard ( Staudthof ):

About The Staudt House & Courtyard :   This stunning home is one of the finest Medieval buildings in all of Rothenburg.  The patrician home is double the width of its neighboring buildings and has a large inner courtyard laid out in the 1100s.  Most of the current mansion was built around 1500 and it has had numerous famous guests since then.  Holy Roman Emperor Charles V ( reign 1519-1527, also King of Germany ), German King Ferdinand I ( Charles’ brother & successor ), and Marie Eleonore of Brandenburg ( wife of King of Sweden Gustav Adolf ) all stayed as guests in this home in Medieval times.

The Czech Staudt family has lived here as the property’s owners  since 1644 .  The interior is open for special tours which include the beautiful courtyard, former servants’ apartments, old stable, and the medieval kitchen.  The hedges in the courtyard’s garden were planted in 1678.

Outside the home, make sure to check out the wide door which is big enough for a carriage to fit through.  We also love the old  chain doorbells  hanging out front with 4 different chains to ring different parts of the home.  The baroque window bars are from the year 1772.  You can get a glimpse of courtyard life at the neighboring  Kleines Cafe  which is part of the Herrnschlösschen Hotel Restaurant Garden.  The coolest thing about the garden at the cafe is that you can see a preserved tower house on the back of the building with a top wider than its bottom.  It looks very much like the Toppler Water Palace  ( photo ) and it what Market Square’s Jagstheimer House looked like before being rebuilt in 1488.

Address : Herrngasse 18.

12. Herring Washing Street ( Heringsbronnengäßchen ):

About Herring Washing Street :   As you stroll down Lord’s Allery you pass the Franciscan Church ( Franziskanerkirche ) which is the oldest church in Rothenburg.  It was built in 1285 ( consecrated in 1309 ) as part of a monastery for the Knights of the Hinterland, a friary dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The small fountain outside of the church was where traveling tradesmen in Medieval times would wash the sea salt off of their barrels and herring fish which led to the name of the cross street, Herring Washing Street ( Heringsbronnengäßchen ).  The current stone fountain from 1784 ( moved to West wall in 1872 ) has motifs of Rothburg’s Imperial City Crest and the lion emblem for the Counts of Comburg.

The Counts of Comburg may seem obscure today as they died out in 1116, but they built the small Vinegar Jug Castle in Rothenburg’s Infirmary Quarter in 1070.  One year before the last Count of Comburg died, his daughter married the soon-to-be Duke of Franconia, Conrad III.  The influential Conrad would later go on to be crowned the King of Germany ( 1138 ) and built his Hohenstaufen Castle in Rothenburg ( 1142 ) which sparked the development of the town ( 1170 ).

Further down Herring Washing Street ( Heringsbronnengäßchen #2 ) is a massive ivy-covered mansion which is one of our favorite homes in Rothenburg.  The vines not only cover most of the property’s large inner courtyard but also spill out over the outer wall.  The building used to house the grammar school and housing for the Franciscan Church Monastery and was also a court prison.  As you reach Castle Street ( Burggasse ) at the bottom of the hill, the ivy on the outer wall of the vine mansion is breathtakingly beautiful.

13. Castle Road ( Burggasse ):

About Castle Road :   As you hit Castle Road you get your first view of the Tauber River Valley over Rothenburg’s city wall.  Most of today’s Castle Road in the Middle Ages was part of the Saint John’s Monastery ( established in 1200 ).  Since the monks wanted to be separated from the general public to avoid temptation, a large part of the long alleyway was covered with a wooden roof and was closed to non-monks.  The roof made the alley very dark, so it gained the nickname Hell Alley.

Playing off the street’s original nickname, our favorite restaurant in Rothenburg is called To Hell Tavern ( Zur Höll ).  The restaurant sits in the  oldest home in Rothenburg  with a foundation dating back to 970.  While small, the tavern has an authentic Medieval feel, one of the widest selections of Franconian wines in town, and a fantastic cave cellar room.

From Rothenburg, Castle Road was actually part of a 1200km trade route connecting over 70 castles that helped the early city prosper.  In the East, the route extended through Nuremberg and Bamberg all the way to Prague.  In the West, it went through Schwäbisch Hall and Heidelberg and all the way to the French border in Alsace.  Known as the Thuringian Castle Road, it was also part of the middle route of the Saint James Way to France and brought an influx of pilgrims who called Rothenburg the Franconian Jerusalem .

Make sure to get a good view of the valley before entering Fürbringer Barn Gate ( Scheunenturm ) to see the former grounds of the royal castle.  We will also visit the other end of Castle Road at the end of this free Rothenburg walking tour.

Zur Höll Hours : Summer Sunday-Thrusday 10am-9pm; Friday & Saturday 10am-11pm.  Christmas Market Daily 5pm-10pm.  Winter Monday-Saturday 5pm-10pm; closed Sundays.  Restaurant Reservation Requests : [email protected].  Restaurant Website :  ( HERE ).

Related Video : Tour Of Zur Höll Restaurant

14. King Conrad Hohenstaufen’s Castle :

About King Conrad’s Castle :  The appendix-like park on the West side of Old Town Rothenburg was where Conrad III, King of Germany  ( House Hohenstaufen ) built his royal castle in 1142.  This castle led to the development of the surrounding town by 1172 and gave it the name Rothenburg ob der Tauber, meaning Red Castle over the River Tauber.  As you walk through the Fürbringer Barn Gate ( Burgtor ), you enter what was formerly the walled farmyard ( wirtschaftshof ) which then connected to the fort-like castle by a bridge ( see image ).  Conrad chose the location because the fertile land was cheaper than administrative centers like Bamberg or Würzburg, and also because he had close ties to the area.

In 1115, Conard III ( House Hohenstaufen ) grew roots in Rothenburg by marrying Gertrude, the daughter of Count Heinrich II von Comburg-Rothenburg.  The Counts of Comburg ( died out in 1116 ) oversaw parts of Franconia at the time from their court in Schwäbisch Hall and built the small fort known as the Vinegar Jug Castle ( now gone ) on the hill of Rothenburg’s Infirmary Quarter in 1080.  Conrad also came from a powerhouse family as his dad was the Duke of Swabia ( followed by his brother ), his mom’s dad was Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, his mom’s second husband was Margrave of Austria Leopold the Good ( House Babenberg ) who developed Kerms & Vienna, and his maternal uncle was Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV.  Through his bloodlines, Conrad was directly related to all previous 18 Holy Roman Emperors going back to Charlemagne the Great and was destined for the throne himself.

Just one year after the wedding  Conrad III was named Duke of Franconia by uncle Emperor Henry IV.  Conrad was also named Prince-Regent for Germany along with his older brother Frederick I ( Duke of Swabia ).  HERE is a map of the territories at the time to understand how much land the brothers were put in charge of.  When Conrad’s uncle Henry IV died in 1125, his brother lost the appointment for King of Germany in surprise fashion to a distant cousin Lothair III ( Duke of Saxony, House Welf ) who leveraged Papal support.  This was the start of the feud between the Guelphs ( House Welf ) versus Ghibellines ( House Hohenstaufen ) which would later spread in Tuscany and last over 100 years.  After huge military defeats and the election of Lothair as Holy Roman Emperor in 1133, the brothers eventually had to acknowledge as their ruler.

Gertrude of Comburg had died in 1131 after giving Conrad three daughters so he  re-married to Gertrude of Sulzbach in 1136, whose dad Count Berengar II of Sulzbach had founded Berchtesgaden in 1102.  Conrad’s powerful brothers-in-law through the Berengar sisters gave him important allies including Prince Vladislav II of Bohemia ( later King ), Prince of Polish Ladislaus the Exile, and Byzantine Emperor Manuel I.  With his bloodlines and new alliances, Conrad III was quickly elected King of Germany in Coblenz ( March 1138 ) after Lothair died ( December 1137 ), snubbing Lothair’s son-in-law and heir, Henry The Proud ( Duke of Bavaria & Saxony, House Welf ).  Because Henry the Proud didn’t support him, Conrad striped Henry of the Bavarian duchy and gave it to his half-brother Leopold Leopold the Generous ( House Babenberg ) who also control the Margrave of Austria.

The newly crowned King Conrad III grew to be one of the most powerful men in Europe over the next 14 years and seemed destined for the Holy Roman Empire Crown which had sat vacant since Lothair’s death.  Before leaving in 1147 with 20,000 troops to fight with Louis VII of France in the 2nd Crusade, Conrad III arranged for his two sons Henry Berengar ( then 10 years old ) and Fredrick IV ( then 2 ) named Co-Kings of Germany ( Prince Regent ) with him in Regensburg to take over in case Conrad III died in battle.  Conrad went on to participate in the ill-fated Siege of Damascus ( 1148 ) and returned to Germany.

His son Henry Berengar, who was once betrothed to the Princess of Hungary, was the winning general at the Battle of Flochberg ( 1150 ), but died later that year.  Not long after, Conrad III also died on the 15th of February 1152 at Bamberg ( buried at Bamberg Cathedral ) of malaria.  The title King of Germany then went to Conrad’s nephew Frederick Barbarossa ( Emperor 1155-1190 ) who had fought with him in the 1st Crusade instead of his own six-year-old surviving son Frederick IV ( 1145–1167 ).  The title transfer  was a bit controversial as only Frederick Barbarossa and the prince-bishop of Bamberg were at Conrad’s deathbed to hear the order.  Frederick IV was given his dad’s castle in Rothenburg and named the Duke of Swabia, but the Duke of Franconia title went to the Bishop of Würzburg.

Frederick Barbarossa was named Holy Roman Emperor in 1155 and Frederick IV took part in his cousin’s campaigns in Italy where he died from disease after occupying Rome in 1167 at the age of 21 and with no heirs.  After Duke Frederick IV’s death in 1167, Conrad’s castle in Rothenburg  was only lightly used .  Emperor Barbarossa’s heirs produced three more Holy Roman Emperors and several Kings of Germany before the Hohenstaufen line died out in 1254.

The last Hohenstaufen King of Germany ( Conrad IV ) only stayed at Rothenburg Castle seven times between 1238 and 1251, then it sat mostly vacant as Imperial Property, and was eventually  ruined by an earthquake in 1356 .  This event, known as the Basel Earthquake happened on October 18th and although it was estimated at a 6.0 quake the quake was centered 170 miles ( 273 km ) away in Switzerland so it is hard to believe it fully ruined the Rothenburg Castle.  It may have been damaged some, but it is more likely is that the dilapidated Imperial property which had been largely vacant for 100 years and partially burned in 1298 was pillaged for stone by the citizens to bolster the strengthening town.

15. Castle Ruins & Garden ( Burggarten ):

About Bruggarten :  In 1356, Castle Hohenstaufen was said to have been  ruined by a large earthquake  ( known as the Basel Quake ).  In reality, that quake in Switzerland was too far away to have done major damage but the castle had sat mainly vacant and unmaintained for over 100 years.  In 1380, the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund officially sold the dilapidated Imperial castle to the city and allowed much of the stone to be quarried to repair and bolster a growing Rothenburg’s fortifications.  Quality stone was a precious commodity at the time and the 820 foot ( 250 meters ) long and 130 foot ( 40 meters ) wide former fortress had a lot of it.

In 1400, Mayor Toppler decided to rebuild the former castle’s  Upper Ducal House  into what is now the Chapel of Saint Blaise.  As this royal castle didn’t have a chapel, the original Ducal House was connected to King Conrad’s private quarters and where he received guests during his visits.  At the time of Toppler’s work, Rothenburg was the 2nd largest city in Germany at 6,000 residents and one of the 10 largest in the Holy Roman Empire.

Against the northside of the Ducal House, look for the stone Jewish Memorial  from the Rintfleisch Massacre of 1298.  At the time Rothenburg’s Jewish community lived along the outside of the original city wall, but had to seek refuge in the Hohenstaufen Castle for three days when a traveling mob arrived to kill them in religious persecution.  With the help of local Christians, the mob burned and killed a majority of Rothenburg’s 500 Jewish residents including women and children.  Before being stopped, the mob had ravished 146 communities in Franconia killing over 20,000 Jews.  While parts of the old Jewish Quarter remain near the White Tower, the community was officially banned from Rothenburg in 1520.  In more recent times, a second memorial was added inside the chapel for German soldiers who died in WW1 & WW2.

Roaming further down the former castle grounds, you’ll run into the orange Garden House ( Gartenhaus ) cottage which was once the main entrance into Hohenstaufen Castle.  The cottage was built over the foundations of the ancient gatehouse in the 1600s and still incorporates the old Romanesque archway into its Eastern facing facade.  Although not castles in the 1100s didn’t have pleasure gardens, the westside of the cottage has a lovely Baroque Castle Garden ( Burggarten ) in what was once the fortress’s main courtyard.  The garden has beautiful geometric flower beds with 8 sandstone statues representing the 4 seasons and 4 elements.  We love taking photos of the statues framed up with vines hanging from the wooden trellis tunnel.  The garden is one of the best places in Rothenburg to relax, offering great views of the Infirmary Quarter skyline and the Tauber River Valley below.

As you reach the Western end of the former castle grounds you will even get to look down at Mayor Toppler’s unique top-heavy home along the river.  This end of the castle had a watchtower and three-story manor house.  A memorial stone was added in the Castle Park in 1908 honoring the 500 year anniversary of the death of the famous Mayor.

16. Castle Gate & Tower ( Burgtor & Turm ):

About The  Castle Gate :   While the Fürbringer Barn Gate along Castle Road was the original entrance to the castle, traffic naturally shifted to Castle Gate ( Burgturm ) which connected to the grounds to the Market Square.  Following King Conrad’s death and infrequent Imperial visits over time, the castle eventually sat mainly vacant for over 100 years until Emperor Sigismund sold it to the city in 1390.

Although it is sometimes incorrectly attributed to an earthquake, the neglected castle was in disrepair and quickly became a quarry to enhance the walled defenses on the west side of the rapidly growing Rothenburg.  This included  super-sizing the Castle Gate  ( completed in 1460 ) by adding the town’s tallest wall watchtower, a drawbridge, and other protective measures.  Two small gatehouses were built in front of the Castle Gate to help funnel in traffic, control customs, and thwart would-be attackers.  To get a unique perspective on this stunning gate system, we like to look at it from the southside where you really get an amazing profile view of the former drawbridge.

A short distance after entering the Castle Gate you’ll see a decorative Pitch Nose Mask ( pechnase ) which has a mouth hole the guards would use to pour hot tar on attackers.  Flanking each side of the mask, you’ll see two large vertical slots where chains were fastened to raise the gate’s small drawbridge.  In medieval times, all of the city gates were locked at sundown so you would have to pay a fine at the gatehouse to get in after dark.  You would also have to enter a special Eye-of-the-Needle Door with a miniature opening only big enough for one person at a time, known as the manhole.  The current wooden manhole door dates back to 1555.

Read More : Rothenburg City Wall & Gate Tour

17. Former Dominican Convent Garden ( Klostergarten ):

About The Convent Garden :   The Imperial Kitchen Master, Lupold von Nordenberg, funded a move to bring the local order of Dominican nuns to Rothenburg from the nearby village of Neusitz in 1258.  The Dominican Convent complex had a large garden, a modest church, and dormitories for the devote nuns.  While some of the convent’s wealth through donations much of it also came to the wedding dowry money they received from women who joined.

Although the Dominican Convent was dissolved in 1544 and the church was torn down in 1813, the rest of the grounds have been preserved as part of the Imperial City Museum.  One of the main highlights of the museum is Germany’s oldest Medieval kitchen which dates back to the late-1200s.  We will visit the museum in the former living quarters next on this free Rothenburg walking tour.

Even if you skip the inside of the museum, the Convent Garden is free to visit and one of the  best hidden gems in Rothenburg .  If you are looking to relax away from the hoards of mid-day tourists, this garden is one of the best green areas to do so inside the city walls.  In the Convent Garden, they still grow 50 types of herbs, including a section of well-marked poisonous plants .  While looking at the labels on the poisonous plants you can imagine their mixtures and wonder if they were used to heal or harm.

Hours :  April-October Daily 8am-7pm.   Cost :  Free.

18. Rothenburg City Museum ( Reichsstadtmuseum ):

About The Rothenburg City Museum : Inside the dormitory building of the  former Dominican Convent , the Rothenburg City Museum covers the history of the town’s time as a Free Imperial City ( 1274 through 1802 ).  The enjoyable museum ( opened in 1936 ) centers its attention around religious events and works but it also covers much more including Medieval weapons, historic sculptures, and Rothenburg’s best paintings.  The Medieval Crime Museum, which we visit later in this walking tour, is the best museum in Rothenburg, but the Imperial City Museum is a very close second.

Our favorite exhibit in the Imperial City Museum is the impressive Medieval kitchen from the former Dominican Convent ( started in 1258 and dissolved in 1544 ).  The kitchen dates back to the late-1200s and is considered the  oldest kitchen in Germany .  One of the coolest parts of the kitchen is the Lazy Susan the nuns would use to give food to the poor visitors outside the convent without being seen.

In addition to all of the art and weapons, are two other exhibits that also really stand out to use at the Imperial City Museum.  The first is the Jewish Heritage Room where you will find excellent displays with medieval ritual objects.  There are also original preserved Jewish  tombstones from the 13th & 14th centuries  that were moved here from below the White Tower.  You’ll notice the small pebbles placed on top of the tombstones which is an ancient practice originating from when stones were placed over shallow graves to stop the bodies from being exposed over time.

The second exhibit that really stands out is the completely preserved salesrooms of the former Saint George Pharmacy  ( 1708-1991 ).  While Saint Mary’s Pharmacy ( 1812-present ) in the Jagstheimer’s House is the only remaining pharmacy in central Rothenburg, there used to be as many as 3 of them at a time on Market Square.  There was Saint George which you see in the Imperial City Museum at Markt #10, the Mohren Apotheke ( 1600- late 1700s ) at Obere Schmiedgasse #1, and the historic Löwen-Apotheke ( 1374-2016 ) on Marktplatz #3.  They changed buildings and family ownership over the years, but along with the hospital in the Infirmary Quarter, the pharmacies were important to Rothenburg’s history.

Museum Hours :  April-October Daily 9:30am-5.30pm; November-March Daily 1-4pm.   Museum Website :  ( HERE ).   Museum Cost :  Adults 4.50€; Kids Free.

19. Feuerlein’s Oriel Window ( Feuerleinserker ):

About The Oriel Window :   This picture-perfect home built around the year 1616 by the Feuerlein family ( foundation from 1501 ) and it is featured on many of Rothenburg’s postcards.  The main draw is the 2nd story corner bay window with a pointy roof protruding out of the house.  It is considered to be an oriel-style window  because it is not supported by the ground below and sticks out like a balcony.

If you stand just up the road from the house and look back toward the city center, you’ll get the same view you see printed on plates and postcards around town.  If you look closely at the window, you’ll see a religious inscription in German that translates to “ For food for the body, eat the bread from this house, but for food for the Soul God’s word is the choice “.

A hidden treat in the alley on your way to the oriel window house from the Rothenburg City Museum is the delightful Old Frankish Wine Tavern ( Altfraenkische Weinstube ) which is covered in vines.  The interior of the vintage restaurant is even more wonderful and the food makes it a favorite among locals.  We highly suggest getting reservations in advance as the restaurant is small ( website ).

20. Saint Jacob’s Church ( Sankt Jakobkirche ):

About Saint Jacob’s Church :   Saint Jacob’s Church is the most important church in Rothenburg and was finished in 1485 after 170 years of building.  The church was started by the Teutonic Order of Knights in 1298 but construction was later taken over by Rothenburg’s City Council in 1398 who eventually bought it from the Knights in 1672.  During the Reformation in 1544, the Catholic church turned Protestant but many of the Catholic elements and relics were allowed to stay.

The huge church is dedicated to Saint James who was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and considered the first apostle.  After James was buried in Spain, pilgrims started traveling to his grave from as far away as Jerusalem and created numerous pilgrim routes  across Medieval Europe.  Because the growing Rothenburg already sat on two important trade routes, the impressive church gave the city a new avenue to also attract hoards for pilgrims in route to Spain from the North and East.

In front of the church, you will see a statue of Saint James added in 2002 which is ready to greet and bless you.  In his left hand, Saint James holds a shell which became his official symbol since they are so abundant in the area of Spain where he was buried.  You will also find shell icons on the ground all over Rothenburg which are just to mark out the Saint James Way paths.  The finger on the statue’s shell hand points outward to invite you to also become a pilgrim and is well polished from tourists rubbing it for good luck.  His right hand holds a walking stick staff with a finger pointing up to remind visitors to think of the heavens above worldly possessions.  The letters on his chest say “lobet gott” meaning “praise God” in English.

The top attraction at Saint Jacob’s is the wooden  Altar of the Holy Blood , also called the Franciscan Altar, which sits upstairs on the West side of the church and is often missed by tourists.  Carved by Tilman Riemenschneider from 1499-1505, the alter is considered one of the master artist’s best works.  The center panel of the altar shows a scene from the Last Supper, while the panel on the left shows Jesus entering Jerusalem, and the panel on the right side shows Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Above the 3 panels is the  Relic of the Holy Blood  which is a crystal said to hold a drop of Jesus’s blood that was set into a wooden cross in 1270.  The entire Altar of the Holy Blood was originally housed in the Franciscan Church, Rothenburg’s oldest church, before being moved here.

Riemenschneider also has other smaller carved altars from on the lower level of the church including the Altar of Ludwig von Toulose and the Altar of the Coronation of Mary ( 1501-05 ).   The Virgin Mary Altar was first housed at the Holy Ghost Chapel in the Infirmary Quarter before being moved to Saint Jacob’s Church.  Sometimes these lower-level altars are confused for being the artist’s main work and tourists miss the two-story-tall masterpiece upstairs.

At the Eastern end of the nave is the main  High Altar  carved by Swabian master artists in 1446 and dedicated to the Twelve Apostles.  The central panel shows 6 Saints under a crucified Jesus who is surrounded by 4 angels in incredible detail.  The scene and side panels were brilliantly painted by Friedrich Herlin and the carving on the back of the altar is the  oldest known representation of Rothenburg . On the left side of the High Altar is a beautifully  carved stone panel  with a wooden tabernacle where the Communion wine jug is stored outside of services.  The stone panel was also painted by Friedrich Herlin in 1448 at the same time he worked on the High Altar.

We love the huge  Medieval stained glass windows  above the High Altar which let amazing colored light in against the nave’s pale interior.  The oldest stained glass window is the center one dating back to 1350 while others were finished about 40 years later.  For the best light go early in the morning.  Hidden nearby is Toppler’s Chapel which holds the gave of former Mayor Toppler who died in 1408.  The stone panel in the chapel shows hands holding up dice because the name Toppler ( topel ) in German means a cubed game.

21. Imperial Kitchen Master Restaurant ( Reichs Küchenmeister ):

About The Restaurant : We love the amazing tree-lined patio at the restaurant overlooking Saint Jacob’s Church.  The restaurant is named after the Imperial Kitchen Master Lupold von Nordenberg, who built the mansion as his own home in 1200, and was very influential in early day Rothenburg.  Converted into an Inn, the future Emperor Ferdinand I stayed here in 1540 followed by a visit by Emperor Charles V in 1546.

The Inn operated as Café Köppel in the 1800s, was one of the few buildings inside the original city walls to be damaged by WW2 bombings in 1945, and has served as a restaurant & hotel since 1948.  The beer is cold and the food is very tasty.  They also have more formal dining inside, but we prefer the laid-back patio.

Address : Kirchplatz 8.  Restaurant Hours : Daily 11:30am-9:30pm; bar open for night caps after the restaurant closes.  Restaurant Reservations : [email protected] or +49 (0)9861 970-0.  Hotel & Restaurant Website : ( Here ).

Featured On : Best Restaurants In Rothenburg .

22. The Master Builder’s House ( Baumeisterhaus ):

About The Master Builder’s House :  This amazing home is Rothenburg’s most beautiful Renaissance mansion.  It was built in 1596 for the local master builder and famous stonemason Leonard Weidmann.   The lavish interior of the mansion is now home to a restaurant and cafe.  While the inside of the Master Builder’s House is worth seeing, the main attraction is the facade which is highlighted with statues of the seven virtues and the seven vices .

The statues of the good and bad qualities are especially interesting as they are mixed together on purpose as a reminder that they occur mixed in life .  The lower row of statues from left to right has Kindheartedness ( hand on heart ), Gluttony ( wine cup ), Motherhood ( children ), Betrayal ( weight counterfeiters ), Gentleness ( lamb ), Wisdom ( two snakes ), Temperance/Moderation ( one cup wine & one water ).  The upper row has Stinginess ( money bag ), Courage ( club ), Unchastity ( goat ), Justice ( sword ), Pride/Vanity ( mirror ), Falsity ( snake ), Laziness ( snail ).  The original sandstone statues are on display at the Imperial City Museum and were replaced by replicas for preservation.

Before finishing the Master Builder’s House, Leonard Weidmann also built both the Spital Bastion ( Spitalbastei ) and Hegereiterhaus in the Infirmary Quarter which are two of the coolest structures in town.  He is often credited with finishing the green mansion next to his own home, but it has actually been run as the Golden Greifen Inn since at least 1274.  Mayor Toppler’s dad owned the Inn by 1309, and the famous mayor himself owned it when he died in 1408.  We love the tiny street-level doors here used to access the Medieval cellars.

Restaurant Website :  ( HERE ).

23. Medieval Crime Museum ( Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum ):

About The Medieval Crime Museum :   Sitting in the former Dominican monastery complex of the Monks of Saint John is the only law museum in Europe!  The Medieval Crime Museum covers over 1000 years of medieval law history, sensational criminal cases, including the persecution of witches and witchcraft in Bavaria.  This museum has amazing displays that are family-friendly as they focus more on being educational and interesting than over-the-top gory and sensational like some theatrical “torture museums” around Europe.

Even before your enter the Medieval Crime Museum, you are presented with a series of interesting displays at the front door.  The large birdcage on a wooden arm was called the Baker’s Baptism and used to dunk dishonest bakers in the water.  There is also a playful recreation of a dual wooden stock where you and a partner can put your hands and heads in for an excellent photo op.  Nearby is also a child catcher wagon which was built for the hit 1964 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which was partially filmed in town.  You can read more about the film locations in town in our article about the hidden gems of Rothenburg .

The inside of the museum also doesn’t disappoint.  Our favorite items are the instruments used for torture, shaming, and punishment.  The devices were used for everything from stealing to people who cheated on their spouses, and even those who simply gossiped too much.  Visiting the museum is by far one of the coolest things to do in Rothenburg and helps get you into the medieval spirit.  We especially love to pair a visit to the museum during the day with a themed evening walking tour run by the town Executioner.

Museum Website :  ( HERE ).  Average Visit Duration : 45-60 minutes for most or 2-3 hours for history buffs.

24. Saint John’s Church & Fountain ( Sankt Johannis Kirche ):

About Saint John’s Church :  Originally built in 1200 as the Gothic-style chapel for the nearby Saint John’s Hospital, this church also served as the headquarters of the Order of Saint John Monks.  The hospital was built just on the outside of the City Gate Tower ( Stadtturm ) for Rothenburg’s first city wall as to not spread infections in town.

As a small suburb started to spring up on the Southern end of Rothenburg, the city wall was expanded in 1385.  This expansion also gave the church space to be totally rebuilt in its current style from 1390-1410 including the addition of the City Watchtower ( Stadttor ) on the Eastern side ( no longer exists ).  Saint John’s was forced to switch to Protestantism during the Reformation, but and since changed back, and is now Rothenburg’s only Catholic church.  The interior is one of the blander in town, but it is still an important place to take note of.

The large Saint John’s Fountain ( Johannisbrunnen ) next to the church is the  biggest well in town , able to hold over 25,000 gallons of water.  It was built in 1608 ( remodeled in 1716 ) and is decorated with a beautiful Doric-style column capped with a statue of the zodiac sign Aquarius.  The dual-tailed merman image of Aquarius is mean for good luck to bless the water which was so vital to everyday life in the Medieval village.

Sitting right behind the fountain is a large  stone fish pond  that we find to be really cool, but is often overlooked.  The tank was the holding pond was the perfect way to make sure they always had plenty of fish on hand at the monastery.  The ponds were remodeled in 1856 and have held up great since then.  Just past the fish ponds, you can get great views of the Baroque garden and large vineyard sitting on the slope right below the city wall.

25. Plönlein Corner :

About Plönlein Corner :  The postcard-perfect shot you were looking for, Plönlein Corner is the  most iconic image of Rothenburg .  The bright yellow half-timbered house in the split of the road framed by two towers is almost jaw-dropping.  While Plönlein means a small level area in Latin , it’s the change in elevation in two forks of the road that makes it even cooler.  Get here before or after the tour buses roll in for the day to get great photos with the famous square free of tourists.

Make sure to inspect this central postcard-perfect home from all angles before proceeding with this self-guided walking tour.  If you look at it from the right side you will better notice wooden fish wells that hugs the street line.  Make sure to also check out the beautiful flower bed made out of a former well fountain ( 1607 ) directly in front of the home.  You’ll quickly understand why this home was used as inspiration for scenes in Walt Disney’s Pinocchio ( 1940 ) and as Belle’s home in the live-action version of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast ( 2017 ).

Down the hill to the right of Plönlein Corner is   Kobolzeller Tower & Gate which was started in 1204 and was built up over more than two centuries.  Leading up from the Tauber River Valley, this fortified checkpoint has a series of 4 staggered gates built to kennel would-be visitors in for extra layers of protection.  It is intimidating to walk along the bailey wall and under the Devil’s Pulpit where archers could shoot invaders square on.  If you take the steep path down toward the river you can get an excellent photo back up the hill of the Kobolzeller Gate framed by the trees.

Up the hill, to the left of Plönlein Corner Sifter Maker’s Tower ( Siebersturm ) also has a gate from 1204 with the watchtower coming in 1385 as the city wall was extended around the Infirmary Quarter to the south.  The new tower was originally called the Inner Gebsattler Tower, but was later renamed for the Association of Flour Sifter ( or Sieve ) Makers.

Other Nearby Sites:

26. infirmary quarter ( spital ):.

About Infirmary Quarter : After the formation of the Parish of Detwang on the Tauber River in 970,  development in the area started to move up the hill.  One of the first buildings up the hill was a small fortress for the Counts of Komburg called the Vinegar Jug near today’s Infirmary Quarter.  This small fortress led to King Conrad building his own castle here which gave birth to Rothenburg.

When the first city walls were built in the early-1200s, the Infirmary Quarter neighborhood was left outside the fortifications.  In 1280, a religious order called the  Knights of the Hinterland established a hospital to help the sick and poor called the Holy Ghost Infirmary.  The Infirmary was eventually enclosed by the city wall from 1370-1385, but a large fire in the 1500s required most of the hospital complex except the Holy Ghost Church to be rebuilt.

Today you will find some of Rothenburg’s most delightful buildings .  The most beautiful area is the Toppler Amphitheater next to the Little Flushing Tower ( Stöberleinsturm ).  This natural bowl hosts outdoor plays throughout the year and has staggered sections of the city wall which is our favorite part to walk on in Rothenburg.  You’ll also find the bright yellow former hospital kitchen known as the Hegereiter House looks so cozy it could be in a Disney movie.  The Old Horse Mill ( Rossmühle ), which is now a youth guest hostel, has ten rooftop windows that peek out at you like playful blinking eyelids.  The figure-eight-shaped Hospital Bastion ( Spitalturm ) defense system is also tons of fun with a covered bridge, cannons, and a dry moat for you to explore.

Read More : Rothenburg City Wall Walk

27. City Wall Walking Tour ( Turmweg ):

About The City Wall : With roughly 2.5 miles of Medieval ramparts and 70 towers surrounding Rothenburg, a stroll on top of the 20-foot-tall wall is one of the joys of any visit.  While we do have a complete city wall walking tour available for anyone wanting to the complete circuit, the shorter version from Ruckesser Tower just past Plönlein Corner over to Röder Tower will at least give you a taste.  Working your way up the steps and into the covered walkway on top of the wall is magical .  The ceiling only about 6 feet tall, and the path is single file, but you’ll really get the Medieval feel.  Slits in the wall provided lookouts and created vantage points for incoming attacks.

During WW2 Allied planes dropped bombs on the northside of Rothenburg, killing 37 people, destroying 306 houses, 6 public buildings, 9 watchtowers, and damaging over 2000 feet of the wall.  Luckily through generous donations, the damage was able to be restored close to its original state.  Many of the donations came from people sponsoring 1 meter long sections of the wall by buying plaques with their family names on them.  When it started in 1950, each sponsorship cost $40 per meter and is now over $2000 a meter.  As you walk the wall make note of the various plaques from sponsors by local and foreign.

Read More:   Rothenburg City Wall Walking Tour .

28. Old House of Crafts ( Alt-Rothenburger Handwerkerhaus ):

About The Old House of Crafts :   Built in 1270, this amazing building has been home to tons of craftsmen over the centuries and gives you a glimpse into how they worked and lived.  A visit traces the everyday story of the barrel makers, shoemakers, and weavers who lived in this house for over 500 years.  Luckily this Medieval home was extremely well preserved because a hermit lived here in the 1800s and never modernized it while other local homes were receiving electricity.

If you are going to be visiting this house, consider joining the Walburga Tour ( website ).  During the tour, you are led around Rothenburg by a costumed  widow of the 16th-century cobbler master  craftsman shortly after he passed away.  Your guide brings you around town letting you know what life was like in the day and why she needs to be in a hurry to marry again quickly or lose everything.  It is a very amusing journey and you get an extra treat at the end as you finish the tour in here home at the Old House of Crafts which includes a special tour.  While it runs almost every day, it is only in English on Saturday evenings in the Spring through Fall.

Hours : January 8th-Easter Closed.  Easter- October 1st Monday-Friday 11am-5pm; Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm.  1st Day of Advent-January 7th Daily 2-4pm.  Cost : 3€; students half off.   Website : Here .

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Disclaimer: Information on this page and in our walking tours were deemed accurate when published, however, details such as opening hours, rates, transportation, visa requirements, and safety can change without notice. Please check with any destinations directly before traveling.

Are we jinxing a win by mentioning a Celtics parade? Previous Boston Rolling Rally routes

The Boston Celtics currently hold a 3-0 series lead on the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Championship.

Given the potential scrappiness of the Mavericks and their two star players - Luka Dončić and former Celtic Kyrie Irving - the series is far from over.

The Celtics will have the chance to close out the series in Dallas on Friday, June 14, but if a game 5 is needed, the series will return to Boston.

Last time the Celtics won the championship was in 2008 - representing the team's 17th championship banner in its history. A rolling rally parade was held, with Celtics players traveling throughout the streets of Boston in duck boats.

We didn't jinx it! What we know Tuesday: Cue the duck boats! Celtics 2024 NBA championship parade details

If - and that's IF - the Celtics win their 18th banner, where would the team's rolling rally be? That's not known yet, but its worth taking a look at the history of rolling rally championship parades in Boston.

What was the Celtics' championship parade route in 2008?

The Boston Celtics won their 17th NBA championship against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008. The winning game was on a Tuesday, and the rolling rally was held on Thursday.

The parade started "at the TD Garden and (went) past City Hall and Boston Common before ending at Copley Square in the city’s Back Bay neighborhood," according to the Brockton Enterprise .

What was the parade route for the Boston Bruins when they won the NHL championship in 2011?

In 2011, the Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cup in game 7. The winning game was on a Wednesday and the championship parade rolled through the streets of Boston the following Saturday.

The Patriot Ledger reported that in 2011, the duck boats (packed with Bruins players) started at TD Garden and proceeded down Causeway Street and onto Cambridge Street. The rally continued on to Tremont Street before taking a right on Boylston Street, ending at Copley Square in Boston.

What was the route for the last New England Patriots championship parade in 2019?

After the New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, the duck boat parade was held on Tuesday. The rolling rally left from from Hynes Convention Center, and then headed up Boylston and Tremont streets toward City Hall, where players spoke.

What was the parade route for the Red Sox MLB championship in 2004?

The Boston Red Sox won the 2004 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The series was won on a Wednesday and the parade celebration was held on Saturday.

"The (Red Sox) parade spanned the city of Boston and went up the Charles River, ending after the water portion of the parade was complete," according to the Boston Duck Boat website.

What are duck boats?

The Boston Duck Boat website states, " Boston Duck Tours , over the years, has had the honor and pleasure of hosting four of Boston’s sports teams in Rolling Rally Championship parades 12 different times," the first one being the first New England Patriots championship in 2002.

The website notes that duck boats "were originally used as Army vehicles and had great back decks. This way, the players could stand on and wave to the crowds below. It was close enough to get these players right up to their fans. But, also far enough to keep them from being mobbed by the crowds."

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Hollywood celebrates famous dads on father's day, father's day 2024 hi famous, i'm dad ... h'wood celebrates fathers.

Grab those toolkits and ties, people ... it's Father's Day once again -- and, Hollywood knows how to highlight its dads, the famous ones and the ones who helped raise a future celeb.

Hollywood celebrities shared pictures with their own fathers or -- if they have kids themselves -- then pics of them with their little ones ... and, you can just feel all the fatherly love coming through social media.

Glen Powell and Mark Zuckerberg started off the festivities by highlighting their own dads -- with Zuck even humbling his billionaire persona to highlight his old man in a shirt that reads "Ed's Kid."

Kris Jenner shared a glimpse into the super blended Kardashian fam ... highlighting all the dads in their big ol' group.

Among those who made the cut ... Travis Barker , Scott Disick , Tristan Thompson , Kanye West , Travis Scott , and her late ex-husband Rob Kardashian . A pretty star-studded group, we gotta say.

Tom Brady not only shouted out his own dad, but also thanked his kids for making him father ... a G.O.A.T. Father's Day move.

Other celebs who posted in honor of the holiday ... Justin Timberlake , Henry Cavill -- who announced he's going to be a dad BTW -- Gwen Stefani , Jessica Alba , Brittany Mahomes , David Beckham , Hugh Jackman , Nick Cannon , John Legend and more.

Everyone celebrates the holiday differently though ... so see if you can match the hot celebrity dad bod to a famous face if that's what gives your holiday cheer!

Happy Father's Day, everyone!!!

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Old news is old news be first.

Here’s the latest on the Celtics’ championship parade, which is scheduled for Friday

When will the Celtics’ NBA championship parade be held? Clear your schedules, and plan to take the day off on Friday.

On Tuesday morning, Mayor Michelle Wu’s office confirmed that the parade will be held 11 a.m. Friday, starting in front of TD Garden on Causeway Street, traveling past City Hall Plaza and the Boston Common on Tremont Street, and ending on Boylston Street by the Hynes Convention Center. Read more here.

Wu is expected to discuss public safety preparations for the parade at a 1:30 p.m. press conference on Tuesday at City Hall.

Friday is when the temperatures are expected to cool slightly after a hot week forecast in Boston .

Boston blew out the Dallas Mavericks, 106-88, in Game 5 at TD Garden to set off what should be a celebratory week in the region.

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Celtics parade in Boston: All the details you need to know

• Date and time: Friday, June 21 beginning at 11 a.m.
• Location: The parade route will run from in front of TD Garden on Causeway Street, past City Hall Plaza and the Boston Common on Tremont Street, and end on Boylston Street by the Hynes Convention Center.
• Forecast: The temperature is expected to be in the mid-80s. Keep up with the latest forecast here.

What is the route for the Celtics parade?

The parade will run from in front of TD Garden on Causeway Street, past City Hall Plaza and the Boston Common on Tremont Street, and end on Boylston Street by the Hynes Convention Center.

Check back for a full map later.

Why does the Celtics parade start in the morning?

Fans can expect the duck boats to begin their slow roll around 11 a.m., the usual start time for the dozen other parades Boston Duck Tours has held between February of 2002 and February 2019 for the Patriots (six), Red Sox (four), Bruins (one), and Celtics (one).

Ed Davis, the former Boston Police Commissioner in the middle of the Title Town parade run that included the Celtics’ 2008 rolling rally, said that a morning start is a hedge against adult-beverage-fueled unruliness.

“From a police perspective, having something in the morning, it’s less likely to have violence associated with it because of alcohol consumption and things like that, so it just makes it a safer time,” said Davis.

How many duck boats does it take?

Cindy Brown, CEO of Boston Duck Tours, said Friday that the company is expecting to deploy anywhere from the high teens to 25 vehicles to transport Celtics players, coaches, staffers, and assorted Green legends through throngs of fans on a route that will wind its way from TD Garden to Hynes Convention Center.

Besides Boston Police officers, State Police, and officers from Boston-adjacent towns will likely be called to duty for the celebration.

The company will run a full schedule-through the day before, and then spend the evening and overnight preparing the duck boats for a parade. That includes taking out the seats on the top deck and installing a platform high enough for the celebrants to be seen over the railing as the convoy slowly moves past the throngs of spectators.

Boston Duck Tours doesn’t get paid for the use of its boats and it doesn’t pay the city or the team to use its boats. The company will have to cancel pre-booked tours on the day of the parade and swallow a day’s worth of revenue that is “far into six figures,” said Brown.

“Obviously the marketing opportunity and the pure joy for our staff to be involved in something so important to the city is worth it,” said Brown.

Michael Silverman can be reached at [email protected] . Katie McInerney can be reached at [email protected] . Follow her @k8tmac . Emma can be reached at [email protected] or on X @_EmmaHealy_ .