Our most recommended things to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

From Munich: Rothenburg and Nördlinger Ries Day Trip by Bus

1. From Munich: Rothenburg and Nördlinger Ries Day Trip by Bus

Take a trip down the Romantic Road, a famous 220 mile route linking some of Bavaria's most exquisite architectural gems on a guided tour from Munich. Discover the natural beauty of the region, and the charming town of Rothenburg. After departure from Munich, travel first to Harburg which is one of the oldest and best-preserved castle complexes in Germany. This perfectly situated castle with its surrounding village retains the feel of the middle ages. Be enchanted by its historic flair and delve deep into its history. After visiting the castle, and pausing for coffee, you will drive on through the wondrous scenery of the Nördlinger Ries – the giant depression left by an ancient meteor in the Swabian landscape. Travelling via Dinkelsbühl, with its towers and spires, you will reach Rothenburg, a perfectly restored mediaeval town. Take some free time here for extensive exploration. Wander through the beautiful streets and alleyways, which are full of the charm of past times. Your return to Munich will take you through the largest hops-growing region in the world, the Hallertau. On this tour, be amazed by the beautiful region of southern Germany.

Rothenburg: Private 1-Hour Night Watchman Tour

2. Rothenburg: Private 1-Hour Night Watchman Tour

Experience Rothenburg ob der Tauber by night while hearing about its medieval past. Learn from your night watchman guide the important duties of a watchman and the greatest dangers a medieval town can face. Wander through tranquil squares and deserted alleys on this private 1-hour tour. Meet your night watchman at the suggested meeting point or be picked up at your hotel or a restaurant of your choice in the Old Town. With a hat, coat, halberd, horn, and lantern, the night watchman will personally welcome you and your group. Join the night watchman on this one-hour evening tour through the old town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Enjoy the tranquility of the almost deserted alleys and the sights of the city in romantic lighting. Listen to the watchman's stories and about life when the Black Death threatened people, as well as torture and cruel punishments. Learn to understand why places of worship, monasteries, and city defense played such an important role and how the city developed. During your tour, you will see the mighty St. James Church as well as the town hall and part of the city walls. A special highlight of the evening is a view of one of the gateways with its high towers. Take the chance to ask your night watchman whatever curiosities you may still have and enjoy a photo session with the night watchman before they say goodbye to you.

Rothenburg: Old Town Private Tour

3. Rothenburg: Old Town Private Tour

Experience Rothenburg ob der Tauber with a private guide. On this customizable tour, hear and see the things that interest you. Your guide will take you to important historical sites and provide interesting information regarding local culture and traditions. After a personal welcome from your guide, follow them to admire some of the most important sites of the city such as the town hall, the market square with the Council Drinking House, and the George Fountain. Have the opportunity to walk over the city walls and visit a historic gate. If you prefer, focus your tour on the main churches, such as the Jakobskirche or Wolfgangskirche. You can also learn about the beer and wine culture and culinary specialties of the region. Have the chance to get to know the parks and gardens of the old town and enjoy the fantastic view of the romantic Tauber Valley. There is also a lot to learn about the city's fountains and how the water supply worked. Regardless of what you decide to focus your tour on, don't forget to ask your local guide for some tips for the rest of your stay.

Rothenburg: Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour

4. Rothenburg: Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour

Get to know Rothenburg at your own pace on this interactive scavenger hunt walking tour. You'll explore the city on foot and get points for solving different types of tasks: Find sights: You will use hints to find the best sights and hidden gems throughout the city. The map function in the app will help you get there. Solve questions: Once you’ve arrived at the place you’re looking for, you’ll be asked questions about the sight. Most of the time, the answers are hidden in signs, pictures, etc. A great and fun way to learn new things about the city. Have fun: During the adventure, you can also expect exciting photo tasks that require a lot of creativity. If you master the snapshots, you will be rewarded with points. Along the way, you’ll reach amazing places like the "Plönlein", "Klingentorbastei", "Stadtkirche St. Jakob" and many more exciting sights in the neighbourhood. After you book the game, you’ll get a game code via email with instructions on how to play. Head to the “P1 car park" and use the code to unlock the game in the app. The tour ends at Mittelalterliches Kriminalmuseum. The experience is not limited in time. You can explore the city at your own pace and take breaks. Just download the Explorial-App, go to the starting point, and you’re ready to start with the game. The tour lasts on average about 1-2 hours.

Rothenburg: Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour

5. Rothenburg: Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour

Get to know Rothenburg at your own pace on this interactive scavenger hunt walking tour played on your phone. Decipher riddles, interact with the most important attractions of the city, and unlock interesting facts and legends. An ideal outdoor activity for first time visitors, couples, groups, families, and children. Can be used as a great team-building activity. You will receive the download instructions after booking the tour. After downloading the app you will first visit the beautiful St. Wolfgang Church. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the city sightseeing game. Next, you will visit the Blade Gate, the irreplaceable Church of St. James, and the Bronze Statue of St. James. Use the hints to find the city's best sights and hidden gems. The incredible route continues to the Georgsbrunnen, Medieval Crime Museum, Plönlein, and Gerlachschmiede. Finally, you will end the tour at Baumeisterhaus. Along the way, you can stop for a coffee or a break at any time. Stroll through the picturesque streets and discover the real Rothenburg on this fun tour while working as a team. 

From Frankfurt: Heidelberg & Rothenburg Full-Day Tour

6. From Frankfurt: Heidelberg & Rothenburg Full-Day Tour

Two of southern Germany's most charming communities offer a look at the country's medieval charm. You'll see the romantic city of Heidelberg and the historic town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Your journey begins with a morning tour to Heidelberg. Tour the famous Heidelberg Castle for a look at the long courtyard, the mighty terrace, and one of the largest wine barrels in the world, and then take a walk in the city's medieval center to marvel at the Old Bridge, Karl's Gate, the Church of the Holy Spirit, and the House of the Knights, as well as the oldest university in Germany. Next, follow the Romantic Road into the uplands of Bavaria for a visit to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the best-preserved medieval town in Germany. High above the Tauber River valley, the picturesque old lanes and the castle garden give you a look at the elegance of another era. See the wood-carved altar of St. Jakobs Church and marvel at half-timbered houses, the city gates, and the mighty Renaissance Town Hall. In the afternoon, take some leisure time to explore the town on your own. Look for the local delicacy called a "Schneeball," a fried dough ball with many different toppings before you meet your group for your journey back to Frankfurt.

Rothenburg: First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour

7. Rothenburg: First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour

Take a walk through historic Rothenburg with a mobile app featuring a walking route. Visit must-see landmarks including the Church of St. James, the Bronze Sculpture of Hl. Jakobus, and the Plönlein, while learning about the significance of each from the dedicated app. Download the World City Trail app and head to your starting location, St. Wolfgang Church. Hear about its medieval history before continuing via the famous Blade Gate and the Church of St. James. Next, stop by the Bronze Sculpture of Hl. Jakobus, where you'll learn about the man it is dedicated to, before visiting the Town Hall. Here, admire the beautiful Georgsbrunnen (George's Fountain). On the last leg of the route, stroll through the picturesque Plönlein area with its timbered houses, and stop to marvel at the Gerlachschmiede building. Finish your walk at the historical Baumeisterhaus restaurant. The activity can be paused and resumed at any time, so feel free to tailor it to your own pace by stopping for a meal or visiting an attraction.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Private Guided Walking Tour

8. Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Private Guided Walking Tour

Step back in time as you wander along cobblestone lanes in Rothenburg ob der Tauber on a walking tour with a private guide. See the town wall, half-timbered houses, and other famous landmarks that this medieval city is known for. Meet your guide in the heart of Rothenburg and set out to explore one of the oldest and most historic medieval towns along Germany's Romantic Road. Learn about the city's history from your local guide and discover interesting facts, like the story behind the city's Master Draught festival. See Rothenburg's most iconic landmarks, including the Marien Apotheke, which has been a pharmacy since 1812, the Plönlein, and the city wall dating back to 1142. Stroll past the Church of St. James, the Town Hall, the Master-Builder's House, and more. This private tour is entirely customizable and can be adjusted to suit your preferences on the day. Options include climbing to the top of the Town Hall Tower, exploring the Medieval Crime Museum, or trying a local pastry known as a snowball. Your walking tour of Rothenburg on der Tauber ends back at the Market Square, the perfect central location from which to continue exploring this fairytale town. 

Frankfurt: Romantic Road & Rothenburg ob der Tauber Tour

9. Frankfurt: Romantic Road & Rothenburg ob der Tauber Tour

Embark on a day trip from Frankfurt along the Romantic Road, Germany's oldest and most loved holiday route. Travel through Würzburg into the Tauber Valley to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the epitome of German romanticism. Depart Frankfurt in the morning, start the drive through the Spessart to Würzburg. Passing the university town, the Tauber Valley will be reached. Bad Mergentheim and Markelsheim are located where three major wine-growing regions come together. Drive to the Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the official starting point of the Romantic Road. Crossing the River Main, enjoy views of the Marienberg Fortress and the Käppele, the Chapel of Grace. Visit the city of Weikersheim next, where the Renaissance castle and the Baroque garden can be visited. See the historic market square, then pass Röttingen, Germany’s first European town, and Creglingen. Rothenburg ob der Tauber will be reached at lunch time. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a must when traveling in Europe. Famous sights are the medieval town wall, the historical marketplace, the town hall, the Gothic Parish Church of St. Jakob, and the Plönlein, an area featuring a colorful timber-frame house. The tour ends round-trip back in Frankfurt.

From Munich: Private Guided Tour to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

10. From Munich: Private Guided Tour to Rothenburg ob der Tauber

We drive along the Romantic Road to enjoy the Bavaria Countryside with old villages and churches. We will have enough time for short brakes , photos and coffee stops on the day . Hassle free private tour from Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Spend your time to explore the old town on your own . Fairytale countryside with churches and villages . See the Highlights of the Romantic Road in a comfortable Van with A.C. Duration of this private tour will be around 10-12 hours . Tour , Route , Day can be customized by customers and we help out with our experience of the region

Add dates

Things to do in
Rothenburg ob der Tauber

All activities

21 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 2

Immersive experiences

Go beyond Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Explore all

Frequently asked questions about Rothenburg ob der Tauber

What top attractions are a must-see in Rothenburg ob der Tauber?

What are the best tours to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber with kids?

What are the best deals and discounts on activities and attractions in Rothenburg ob der Tauber?

What are the most popular museums and exhibitions in Rothenburg ob der Tauber?

Other Sightseeing Options in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Want to discover all there is to do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 563 reviews

The tour was informative and eye opening. The pick up point was accessible and the tour guide ensures our well being throughout the journey. We had a double decker bus which was very comfortable. She shared with us about the history of Harburg Castle and Rothenburg. We were given enough time to explore the attractions. The guide also shared her recommendations in these two attractions. The trip took 10.5 hours and it is the longest tour in Munich. The journey back took around 1.5-2hrs from Rothenburg. So if you are not into long bus rides, you may want to consider other tours.

Really lovely guide, very humorous and informative, lovely bunch of people on the trip, and ample time to enjoy the places visited.

The guide was telling about the information not just about the attractions but also about Germany, and it’s a lot of fun.

Lovely medieval town, worth the trip. Our guide, Monica was great too!

Excellent tour guide, beautiful places to visit, strongly recommended