Rothenberg ob der Tauber is one of Germany’s best-preserved, medieval walled towns. Rothenberg feels like it was plucked straight from a fairytale, making it easy to feel transported back in time when visiting this gorgeous little town. That’s why many consider Rothenberg THE German Christmas Village.  

Christmas markets

Interestingly, Rothenberg’s Christmas Market was the smallest of all we visited in Germany. What set it apart is definitely the setting is this unique city. The stalls are located on the picturesque Market Square winding around to the Rathaus (town hall) where you can find warm drink or beautiful Christmas ornaments, hand-made apparel, or unique gift items made by local artisans.

Just beyond the markets you can visit the world-renowned “mother of all Christmas stores,” Käthe Wohlfahrt which has two separate shops across the street from each other. Or, just stroll through ancient streets taking in the holiday spirit and exploring the local shops.

Tips for Planning Your Trip

• You only need a few hours to half a day to see Rothenberg, which makes it a great day trip from Munich, Nuremburg and Frankfurt.
• If you take the train and are coming from within Bavaria, you can save money by purchasing a Bayern Train Pass. Once you get to the Rothenberg ob der Tauber Train Station, it’s a 10 minute walk to the city walls.
• Rothenberg is really popular, so it gets packed. Go early and during the week to minimize the crowd if you can. While many people say that staying in Rothenberg after the day trippers leave is a great time to be in the city, that’s not necessarily true during Christmas market season. The crowds can really pick up at night, as the magic of the illuminated lights and stalls envelops the town.
• Wear sturdy walking shoes and layers, as the town is full of cobble-stone streets and the weather is often cold and rainy or snowy during Christmas market season.

What You’ll Find There

• There are often mini-concerts at hotels that you can dip into, music in the churches, and even chocolate figurine making. The Tourist Information Center will have all the details.
• The German National Christmas Museum is located here, as are the Imperial City Museum, and a Medieval Crime Museum (aka the “Rothenberg Torture Chamber”).
• Take time to wander about town. Stroll out to the Castle Gardens for great views over the Bavarian countryside. Go to Das Plonein, one of the most photographed spots in all of Germany, to get your “must have” picture.
• We enjoyed walking portions of the old city wall. You can either do the full circuit or just a segment or two. Walking around the wall, it’s easy to imagine how the town guards must have felt all those centuries ago. If you are staying the night in town, you might consider participating in the famous Night Watchmens’ Tour. It only takes 45 minutes and is both educational and fun for all ages.