Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a city in Germany located in the state of Bavaria on the banks of the Tauber River. It is considered one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and is part of the famous Romantic Road.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber Germany – Photo Credit: Hendrik Kespohl
How to spend 1 day in Rothenburg ob der Tauber Germany
In this 1-day itinerary in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, discover the main attractions of the city.
Day 1 in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Start the day by visiting Marktplatz, a square that is a meeting point for tourists from all over the world. On the square is located the Rathausturm, the Town Hall Tower that offers a spectacular view of the medieval city.
Head to St. Jakobskirche, the most important church in the city, completed in 1485. Near the church is the Burgtor, one of the several gates in the city wall and today the gateway to the Burggarten, established on the site of a castle destroyed in an earthquake in 1356, and offering wonderful views of the old city.
Head towards Burggasse, passing the popular Schmiedgasse shopping street until you reach Plönlein, the city’s most famous symbol.
Things to see
- Marktplatz
- Rathausturm
- St. Jakobskirche
- Burgtor
- Burggarten
- Burggasse
- Untere Schmiedgasse
- Plönlein
Day 1 Itinerary Map
Sights in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
1. Plönlein
Plölein is the most famous postcard in the city. Translated literally as the “Little Square”.
The house is framed by two towers, the Kobolzell Tower and the Sieber Tower. The place seems to have come out of a fairy tale.
Plönlein, 91541
2. Marktplatz
Marktplatz
The Marktplatz is the center of the city and a meeting point for tourists from around the world. On-site there is a weekly market and many attractions during the summer.
Marktplatz, 91541
3. Rathaus
The Rathaus with its amazing renaissance facade overlooks the Marktplatz.
The Tower of the Rathaus is the highest in town providing a spectacular view of the medieval city and its surroundings.
Rosengasse 31, 91541
4. St. Jakobskirche
St. Jakobskirche is the most important church in Rothenburg. Its construction was completed in 1485.
Beim Klingentor, 91541
5. Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum
A thousand years of legal history is documented in the Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum.
The museum is located 260 meters from the Plölein.
Burggasse 3-5, 91541
Where to stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
1. Burggartenpalais Rothenburg
Best Hotels in Rothenburg ob der Tauber – ©Burggartenpalais Rothenburg
The Hotel BurgGartenpalais is located in the historic center of Rothenburg near the Burgturm und Stadttor.
There are different types of rooms available, and all are equipped with a TV, kettle, coffee maker, and minibar.
The hotel has a restaurant serving regional Franconian and neighboring Swabian dishes.
Herrngasse 26, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
2. Eisenhut Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Best Hotels in Rothenburg ob der Tauber – ©Eisenhut Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The Eisenhut Rothenburg ob der Tauber is located in the historic city center near the Plönlein.
Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV, minibar, and hairdryer.
Herrngasse 3-5/7, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
3. Romantik Hotel Markusturm
Best Hotels in Rothenburg ob der Tauber – ©Romantik Hotel Markusturm
The Romantik Hotel Markusturm is an elegant historic hotel located in the Markusturm tower in the center of Rothenburg.
Rooms feature a seating area, electric kettle, and TV.
The hotel has a restaurant that serves a variety of regional and gourmet dishes.
Rödergasse 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
4. Hotel Reichs-Küchenmeister
Best Hotels in Rothenburg ob der Tauber – ©Hotel Reichs-Küchenmeister
The Hotel Reichs-Küchenmeister is located in the historic city center near the Marktplatz.
The rooms are uniquely decorated and equipped with a TV, kettle, coffee maker, and minibar.
The hotel has a spa and a sauna.
Kirchpl. 8, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
5. Tilman Riemenschneider
Best Hotels in Rothenburg ob der Tauber – ©Tilman Riemenschneider
The Tilman Riemenschneider is a traditional 16th-century hotel located in the city center.
Rooms feature rustic décor with a seating area and a flat-screen TV.
The hotel has a restaurant that serves local and international dishes, as well as regional wines.
Georgengasse 11 – 13, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Shopping in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
1. Waffenkammer Rothenburg
The Waffenkammer is a store located in the historic center of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and offers a wide range of items and clothing that recall the Medieval Era.
Obere Schmiedgasse 9/11, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
2. ZentRo Rothenburg
ZentRo Rothenburg is a shopping mall located 1 km (0.6 miles) from the historic city center.
The mall houses a good variety of stores and a supermarket.
Bahnhofstraße 15, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
Plan your Trip
Rothenburg ob der Tauber has easy train access from various cities in Germany. Famous cities nearby: Würzburg, Nuremberg.
Distances
Würzburg – 60 km (37.3 miles)
Nuremberg – 104 km (64.7 miles)
Bamberg – 96.9 km (60.2 miles)
Munich – 248 km (154 miles)
Rothenburg ob der Tauber Germany Map
Book Your Trip
Book Your Accommodation
Book your hotel with Booking.com as they consistently provide the cheapest and lowest rates.
Book Your Flight
Find cheap flights to Germany by using Momondo. Momondo is a flight search engine that searches a lot of different airlines, including many budget carriers.
Book a Train Ticket
Check the train routes and schedules with Omio. Omio is an authorized Deutsche Bahn ticket seller, which compares and combines transport options for complete flexibility.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, and cancellations. It’s a protection in case anything goes wrong. You can book your travel insurance with Travelexinsurance.com.
See also
10 Best Luxury Hotels in Munich
15 Best Hotels in Munich City Center and Surroundings
Tegernsee Lake: Destinations, Things to do & Best Hotels
Outlets & Department Stores in Germany: Shopping Guide
40 Popular Train Routes in Germany
