Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Is it Worth the Hype?

Ever avoided a place because you thought it was way too touristy?

Same. I avoided Rothenburg ob der Tauber for many years. I thought it was only a tourist destination that lacked authenticity. I was so wrong!

This place has everything you`d want in a getaway: it is beautiful, vibrant, and full of surprises.
If you`ve been putting off your trip, like I did, it`s time to wake up and book that trip.

Let me show you why: In this article, I gathered the Rothenburg ob der Tauber best things to do, restaurants, photo spots, as well as camping options in Rothenburg.

No time to Read? Quick Guide to Rothenburg

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Things to Do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

1. Walk all along the Town Wall

The Town Wall of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a must-see. This ancient structure leads you through medieval towers, some dating as far back as the 1200-s. It`s one of the best-preserved town walls in Germany. The best part? You can walk in its full length while enjoying the best views of the town.

Information about Town Wall of Rothenburg:
– City Wall Length: 4 km
– Walk Duration: 1-3 hours
– Opening Hours: Round the clock
– Entry fee: Free of charge
– How to access: It`s very easy to find as the wall surrounds the entire old town. The Northern City Wall is a good place to start your walking tour.
– Places of interest: Spitaltor, Gerlachschmiede, Stoeberlein Tower (altogether there are 42 towers in the old town)

2. Stop by the Christmas Shops

Do you love Christmas time? In Rothenburg, it`s Christmas season no matter when you visit!
The town has year-round Christmas shops that instantly take you back to winter wonderland. They sell traditional and/or high-quality festive decorations, ceramics, and ornaments for the Christmas tree. They are a must-visit for any holiday lover.

There are two Christmas stores: a large one next to the Town Hall and a small, more traditional shop close to the Plönlein.

I was hoping to grab some sweets, but surprisingly, no food was sold in the Christmas shops.

Information about the Christmas Shops:
– Locations: Käthe Wohlfahrt Weihnachtsdorf, The Little Christmas Shop
– Opening Hours: 10am-6pm every day (the little shop is closed on Sundays)
– Entrance Fee: free of charge
– Photography: in the Little Christmas Shop, it is not allowed to take photos.

3. Take Pictures at the Plönlein

The town of Rothenburg, and especially the Plönlein, is said to have served as inspiration for the original Pinocchio. But what exactly is “the Plönlein”?

It translates to “little pond”. The Plönlein is the charming yellow house and the water fountain in front of it, creating an iconic spot in town.

This picturesque area is the most photographed spot in Rothenburg – and a true symbol of the town.

Information about Plönlein:
– Location: southern part of Rothenburg
– When to Visit: Early morning or during lunchtime for fewer crowds
– Places Nearby: The Little Christmas shop, little wine stores and bakeries

4. Wander on the streets of the Old Town

Rothenburg is one of the most picturesque towns in Germany. There is no doubt about it. Everywhere you look, you find something exciting to see. Get lost on the little streets, watch the buildings from the medieval times, and enjoy your time in the old town.

Check out the gallery below for a glimpse of the Old Town!

Information about the Old Town:
– Location: Inside the Town Wall
– Places of Interests: Plönlein, Spitaltor, Cathedral, Town Wall + All the 42 towers in the Old Town
– For Rainy Days: visit the Rothenburg Museim or the Medieval Crim Museum

5. Have Dinner at the Alter Keller Restaurant

After spending hours hunting for the best restaurants, we finally tried a few. Our favorite? By far the Alter Keller Restaurant, hidden in a quiet little street. We ordered the local dishes recommended by the staff: they were so delicious I can`t wait to return to this place.

If you have time to try only one restaurant, make it the Alter Keller Restaurant. Plus, dogs are also welcome here!

Information about the Alter Keller Restaurant:
– Location: Restaurant Alter Keller
– Type of Restaurant: Traditional local cuisine
– Price: Mid-range
– Opening Hours: Monday-Tuesday closed, Wednesday-Friday from 5:30pm, on weekends from 11:30am-2:00pm, and from 5:30pm

6. Try the Famous Schneeball (Local Pastry)

Who could resist trying a one-of-a-kind local sweets? In Rothenburg, every bakery offers Snowballs (in German: Schneeball), a traditional pastry you won`t find anywhere else. These deep-fried delights are made of flour and covered in chocolate or other toppings. It is a must-try, trust me.

The snowballs also make a great souvenir: their self life is up to 6 weeks without refrigeration

Information about the Snowballs (Schneeball)
Where to find: in all bakeries and sugar shops of Rothenburg
Filling Types: sugar, chocolate, egg liqueur, chocolate, nuts, almonds, marzipan, etc.
Main ingredients: fat, eggs, flour, sugar (+coating)
Origin: it`s a known pastry since the 1700-s in the regions of Franconia

7. Walk along the Tauber River

It`s no coincidence that Rothenburg is a part of the Romantic Road. Rothenburg is situated in a beautiful valley, surrounded by the Tauber River and little hills. If you have time, leave the town and take a walk along the river.

Information about the Tauber River/Valley:
– How to access: there is a walking street called “Kurze Steige” which leads you from downtown to the Tauber Valley and the river
– Walking: you can walk along the river for as long as you like
– Biking: there is a cycle route along the Tauber Valley (its whole length is 100km-s).

Best Photo Spots in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Getting to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Map of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is located in Franconia, which is primarily a part of Bavaria. While geographically it belongs to Bavaria, Rothenburg identifies itself as Franconian, a separate region. Franconia is famous for its wine, distinct dialect and natural heritage.

The closest cities to Rothenburg are Würzburg, Nürnberg, Frankfurt am Main, Stuttgart and Munich.

Parking in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

There is a large parking zone just outside of town in the South. If you want to find a more central parking lot, you can go to the Northern Part of the town to this parking lot.

Camping in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

At the time of visiting Rothenburg ob der Tauber, I was living in a motorhome for a few months. I am aware of three good options where to stay around the area:

Paid Motorhome Area (Central Location): There is a Stellplatz (paid parking lot) just outside the old town, dedicated for campers. It often gets crowded.

Camping: We stayed in Camping Tauberromantik and we loved that place. It is outside of town, next to the Tauber River. You can reach Rothenburg in 20-25 minutes on foot. Due to its location, it is great for families and dog owners.

Free Motorhome Area: if you have a bike with you, there is a free camper area ca. 11km far from Rothenburg. There is a cycling route directly connected to Rothenburg next to the motorhome area. We stayed there for one night: it was very peaceful and we felt completely safe.

FAQ-s about Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Final Thoughts

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a fantastic travel destination. Althuogh it is popular, it has kept its authenticity.

I hope you found this article helpful. If you visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber using this article, please let me know! I`d love to hear about your experience.

P.S: I am a big fan of the Bavarian Alps. Check out my hiking guides to discover the best hiking trails of Bavaria!