Last Updated on January 30, 2025 by Soumya
Looking for the best things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Germany? You’re at the right place.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Rothenburg odT for short, is a picturesque medieval town in the Bavaria region of Germany.
With a long history and quintessential half-timbered houses, Rothenburg, Germany, is brimming with medieval charm and culture—a fact that has earned it a spot on the German Romantic Road. It is also one of Germany’s famous Christmas market destinations.
Honestly, stepping into Rothenburg ob der Tauber is like walking into a real-life fairy tale. From walking on medieval city walls to visiting a year-long Christmas market and clicking lots of pictures in front of the cutest German house, here are the top 11 things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.

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Top 11 Things to Do in Rothenburg, Germany
Explore Marktplatz

The heart of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the Marktplatz, the town’s central square. Surrounded by colorful half-timbered buildings, this lively area is where locals and tourists gather, shop at local stores, and soak in the bustling atmosphere.
If you’re visiting during November or December, you’re in for an extra treat—the Marktplatz transforms into a magical Christmas Market, complete with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and warm cups of Glühwein or mulled wine.
✦ Pro Tip: Explore Rothenburg on this private old town walking tour with a local for rich insights.
Climb the Rothenburg Town Hall

For one of the best panoramic views of Rothenburg, climb to the top of the Rothenburg Town Hall Tower at the Marktplatz.
There are 250 steps to get to the top. The climb gets pretty steep and narrow towards the end—the last 10 steps are literally like hoisting yourself out of a hole in the ground. But the views from the top are absolutely worth the effort.
Enjoy stunning 360-degree views of the red-roofed medieval houses, cobblestone streets, and the surrounding countryside from the top of the Town Hall. Be sure to carry your camera to get some amazing pictures from up here.
The ticket counter for the Town Hall is at the top of the tower, just before the last flight of stairs. Buy your tickets here (we paid about €4) before continuing your climb.
When we started our climb, we were so confused about where to get the tickets from since there was nothing at the ground level! That’s the reason, I specifically wanted to mention this in my Rothenburg travel guide.
Walk the Medieval City Walls of Rothenburg ob der Tauber



Rothenburg’s city walls are among the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Germany. The best thing? They are wonderful to walk on, and they are free!!!
Walk along these medieval town walls to step back in time, gaze at unique vistas, and check out beautiful houses, rooftops, turrets, and charming streets below.
Each section of the wall tells a story, with plaques and markers sharing historical facts about the town’s defenses. There’s a section where you’ll see many plaques with Japanese names. Apparently, Japanese paid a lot of money to restore these sections of the wall.
Along the walk, don’t miss the adorable Blacksmith House, a picture-perfect spot that feels right out of a fairy tale.
The wall is roughly 1.5 miles long, and you can explore sections at your own pace.
Visit the Year-Round Christmas Store at Käthe Wohlfahrt

Enjoy the festive atmosphere no matter the season at Käthe Wohlfahrt, a year-round Christmas store in Rothenburg.
This world-famous shop is packed with handcrafted ornaments, festive decorations, and delightful Christmassy souvenirs.
Be sure to step inside the Christmas Museum upstairs to discover the history and tradition behind German holiday decor! This section really appealed to the history buff in me. But they don’t allow you to take pictures here, so keep that in mind.
Step into the Medieval Crime Museum



If you love history with a twist, you can’t miss the Medieval Crime Museum. Not my favorite thing to do in Rothenburg, but I really wanted to see what this museum was.
The Medieval Crime Museum is spread over two mansions and showcases over 1,000 years of criminal and legal history in Europe, with exhibits ranging from bizarre punishment tools to historical documents.
The highlights include an Iron Maiden, a mythical torture instrument from the medieval era, and shame masks. There’s even a section that shows how kids were beaten up and punished at school. Honestly, I did not quite enjoy this museum, but if you like digging into medieval crime, you may enjoy it.
Explore Rothenburg Museum
Located in a former Dominican convent, the Rothenburg Museum has a vast collection of artifacts, art, and exhibits highlighting the region’s development over the centuries.
From Gothic art to historical weaponry, there’s something for everyone at the Rothenburg Museum. Don’t miss the convent kitchen—it’s one of the highlights of the museum!
Check out the opening hours (which change quite a bit throughout the year) on the official website here.
Get the Perfect Photo in Front of Plönlein

Plönlein is Rothenburg’s most famous Instagram spot, and for good reason.
This charming, yellow-colored half-timbered house, framed by a fork in the road and flanked by medieval towers, looks straight out of a fairytale.
Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and get that picture-perfect shot.
Of course, it does not look that awesome in the winter when the weather is grey and dull. Summer or spring is the perfect time to get that shot.

Join the Night Watchman Tour
Take a walk back in history in Rothenburg with the Night Watchman, Hans Baumgartner.
The Night Watchman Tour is one of Rothenburg’s most popular tours, where a costumed Hans (sometimes one of his team members) tells you all about the town’s history peppered with intrigue and humor.
The tours happen from the 1st of April till the 30th of December. You just need to show up at the market square and pay there. The English tour starts at 8:00 pm. All details here.
I really wanted to do this tour, but we visited Rothenburg in late December for the Christmas markets, and it was rainy and cold that night. I would love to go back in summer again and do this one.
✦ Pro Tip: Book a private Night Watchman Tour that you can take at your preferred time with your preferred people.
Visit St. Jacob’s Church

When visiting Rothenburg odT, do not miss the 15th-century St. Jacob’s Church, which is more than just a place of worship—it’s an architectural masterpiece and home to the breathtaking Holy Blood altarpiece, carved by the renowned wood sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider. The intricate detailing and craftsmanship are beautiful.
The church is located on St. James’ Way to Santiago de Compostela, which means it is also a very important stop for thousands of pilgrims every year.
Try a Traditional Schneeball

Although the schneeball is not my favorite European pastry, I recommend trying it on your Rothenburg trip.
The schneeball, the snowball in English, is a round shortbread usually dusted with sugar, now with everything ranging from pistachios to chocolate. They were born in Rothenburg ob der Tauber almost 300 years ago and are still eaten on festive occasions such as weddings.
If you’re visiting Rothenburg at Christmas, pairing a schneeball with a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate is the ultimate indulgence.
Get Lost in Rothenburg’s Charming Streets

And last but not least, don’t forget to simply wander through the charming streets of Rothenburg. Rothenburg’s real magic lies in its charming streets lined with half-timbered houses, vibrant flower boxes, and centuries-old shops.
If you find the spots in front of Plönlein too crowded, venture into some offbeat alleys to get your perfect shot.
How to get to Rothenburg ob der Tauber?
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a popular day trip destination from Nuremberg and Munich.
You can take the train (Germany Deutsche Bahn, DB for short) from either of these cities to get to Rothenburg. From the Rothenburg Train Station, the city center is a short 15-minute walk.
The train journey from Nuremberg to Rothenburg takes about 1-1.5 hours. The shortest route involves a couple of transfers at Ansbach and Steinach.
The train ride from Munich to Rothenburg is almost 3 hours, so that will be a long day trip.
Book your train tickets for Rothenburg on the DB website or OMIO website.
If you don’t want the hassle of planning a train trip, take a guided tour to Rothenburg from Nuremberg. Here’s another full-day trip from Munich that you’ll love.
Best Places to Stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Although people often visit Rothenburg as a day trip, staying a day or two in this charming town is a good idea if you wish to explore at your leisure and, more importantly, without the crowds. For instance, you can get the perfect shots in front of Plönlein early in the morning, long before tourists arrive.
Here are a couple of great places to stay in Rothenburg.
- Try the Historik Hotel Gotisches Haus Garni, a beautiful 4-star hotel situated in the heart of Rothenburg. Their rooms are huge with beautiful marble bathrooms and corner bathtubs.
- The 13th-century Romantik Hotel Markusturm is located in a lovely old building with warm, cozy rooms.
Travel Tips for Rothenburg, Germany

- Get here early in the morning for the best shots of Plönlein. It gets too crowded, otherwise.
- Book a Rothenburg guided tour from Nuremberg to avoid the hassles of planning.
- Climb the town hall tower for the best views of Rothenburg odT.
- For authentic Mexican food, head to Don Gallo Mexican Kitchen. We absolutely loved their food.
Loved this Rothenburg odT Bucket List? Pin it for later!
