Rothenburg ob der Tauber is pure romance. Germany’s best- preserved medieval walled town has four square miles of lamp-lit cobbled lanes weaving through Gothic and Baroque architecture. Let yourself be enchanted by this special atmosphere. Be sure you allow enough time for your stroll through this small town, so rich in history and culture. It almost feels like time has stood still, when passing by the beautiful old houses, secluded squares and tucked- away corners of the old quarter. Here towers, taverns and town gates alternate with fountains, fortifications and former storehouses.Rothenburg is a great place to stay during the day, but it gets even more beautiful in the evening. Do not miss the evening walk with the Nightwatchman, stepping back in time.
The perfect time for Christmas lovers to come to Rothenburg is the month of December, Rothenburg’s Reiterlesmarkt is a must during the Advent period. Every year, the medieval town of Rothenburg is transformed into a winter’s fairytale. As far back as the 15th century, Advent festivities have been accompanied by a wonderful Christmas market. This market can look back on over 500 years of living heritage that has hardly changed a lot since its historic origins. To keep body and soul together, treat yourself to a glass of mulled wine, enjoy an original Rothenburg Snowball, or, if you have a heartier appetite, satisfy your hunger with a grilled sausage or roast chestnuts.
Michael’s recommendations
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is like a huge open air museum, untouched in the last centuries. In a certain way it is a clichee of a German medieval town, but absolutely true. It tends to be crowded in the summer months, I would recommend a visit in spring or autumn. An alternative is a visit beforeChristmas when the amazing Christmas market takes place.
What is the best in Rothenburg? The evenings! The majority of tourists come just for a day tour and leave either in the late afternoon or after an early dinner. This makes the evenings so special and you get an idea how it was by night in the last centuries.
Restaurant Recommendations
Enjoy international cuisine, made of excellent products, that are a mixture of tradition and experiments, that convince by its simplicity and taste. The restaurant is part of the hotel Villa Mittermeier, a beautiful old Villa situated just outside the medieval town walls of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Enjoy the special atmosphere of the modern interior in this traditional building.