Private Rothenburg ob der Tauber Tours — Medieval Germany

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the most perfectly preserved medieval town in Germany — and one of the most photographed places in all of Europe. Encircled by intact 14th-century walls that you can walk in their entirety, the town's half-timbered houses, narrow cobblestone lanes, and massive stone towers look exactly as they did 500 years ago.

The town's most famous landmark is the Plönlein — a tiny triangular square where two lanes diverge between a tower and a half-timbered house, creating one of Germany's most iconic images. But Rothenburg rewards exploration far beyond this single photo spot. The Marktplatz with its ornate Ratstrinkstube (councillors' tavern), the medieval Crime Museum, the Gothic St. Jakob's Church with its famous Blood Altar, and the beautiful Burggarten (castle garden) with views over the Tauber valley all deserve unhurried visits.

Rothenburg sits on the Romantic Road, Germany's most famous scenic route that winds from the Main River wine country to the foothills of the Alps. As a day trip from Munich, it combines beautifully with Würzburg and its UNESCO-listed Residenz, or with Nuremberg's imperial castle and medieval old town.

In December, Rothenburg transforms into one of Germany's most enchanting Christmas destinations. The Reiterlesmarkt (Rothenburg's Christmas market) fills the market square with wooden stalls, mulled wine, and traditional crafts. The town's famous Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop — open year-round — is a wonderland of ornaments, nutcrackers, and handcrafted decorations.

Our private Rothenburg tours include expert commentary on the town's dramatic history — from its medieval prosperity to the legendary Meistertrunk (master drink) that saved it from destruction in the Thirty Years' War. Your guide will take you to viewpoints and quiet corners that most visitors walk right past.