Rothenburg
GERMANY
Savor & Sip
Great places to dine in Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber.
Ratstube
Located directly on Rothenburg’s historic Marktplatz beside the Rathaus, Ratsstube is one of the town’s classic lunch stops for visitors seeking hearty German cuisine in a medieval setting. The menu includes schnitzel, sausages, roast pork, dumplings, and Bavarian beer served beneath vaulted ceilings or on the lively outdoor terrace. Its central location and continuous lunch service make it especially convenient during sightseeing breaks. Website in German only
$ $ $ $ $
Alter Keller
Although best known for dinner, Alter Keller also opens for lunch service on weekends and remains one of Rothenburg’s most atmospheric historic restaurants. Vaulted cellar rooms, stone walls, and traditional Franconian décor create a deeply medieval ambiance. Signature dishes include schnitzel, beef roulades, sausages, and regional wines, offering visitors an immersive old-world German dining experience. Website in German only
$ $ $ $ $
Brot & Zeit
Located along Rothenburg’s picturesque Herrngasse, Brot & Zeit is a modern artisan bakery and café popular for quick, high-quality lunches and fresh baked goods. Guests will find sandwiches, soups, pastries, pretzels, and excellent coffee in a bright contemporary setting within the medieval old town. Ideal for travelers seeking a fast, casual, and distinctly German lunch stop between sightseeing. Website in German only
$ $ $ $ $
Gasthof Butz
$ $ $ $ $
Landsknechtstübchen
This cozy tavern-style restaurant captures the atmosphere of old Rothenburg with wood-paneled interiors, traditional décor, and straightforward German cooking served throughout lunch hours. Popular dishes include schnitzels, sausages, goulash, and potato specialties paired with Franconian beer. Its quieter location just off the busiest tourist routes gives it a more local, relaxed character while remaining walkable from the market square.
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$ $ $ $ $
Wander & Wonder
Journey into the city’s museums and landmarks.
Käthe Wohlfahrt
Käthe Wohlfahrt’s Christmas Village transforms a medieval townhouse into one of Germany’s most famous holiday attractions. Visitors wander through thousands of handcrafted ornaments, nutcrackers, pyramids, and festive displays beneath glowing lights and towering Christmas trees. The adjoining German Christmas Museum explores centuries of holiday traditions and decorations.
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Admission Costs: free to enter and shop; €5 for the museum
Rothenburg Town Walls
Rothenburg’s remarkably intact medieval defensive walls stretch nearly 4 km around the old town and remain one of the city’s defining features. Visitors can walk elevated covered sections, pass through historic gate towers, and enjoy sweeping views over red rooftops and the Tauber Valley. The walls illustrate how fortified imperial cities once defended themselves during the Middle Ages.
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Admission Costs: Free outdoor access
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St. Jakobskirche
Built between the 14th and 15th centuries, St. Jacob's Church is Rothenburg’s most important religious structure and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. The church is especially famous for Tilman Riemenschneider’s intricately carved Holy Blood Altarpiece. Visitors encounter soaring vaulted interiors, stained glass windows, and one of Franconia’s finest examples of late medieval craftsmanship.
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Admission Costs: €6 to €8
Medieval Criminal Museum
One of Rothenburg’s most unusual museums, the Medieval Crime Museum explores European legal history, punishment, and justice from the Middle Ages through the early modern period. Exhibits include torture devices, legal texts, interrogation tools, and historical court records. The museum provides fascinating insight into how law, religion, and social control shaped medieval society.
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Admission Costs: €10.50
Plönlein
Perhaps Rothenburg’s most iconic postcard view, the Plönlein features a small half-timbered house framed by twin medieval towers and winding cobbled streets. Though not a museum or formal attraction, it represents the romantic image of medieval Germany recognized worldwide. Visitors come for photography, architecture, and the uniquely preserved atmosphere of the old imperial city.
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Cost: Free
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Rothenburg's Town Hall
The Rathaus combines Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles developed over several centuries and remains the symbolic center of Rothenburg civic life. Visitors can pay for the privilege of climbing the tower's 220 steps for panoramic views across the old town’s red rooftops and church spires. The building also connects directly to Rothenburg’s famous Meistertrunk legend commemorating the Thirty Years’ War.
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Tower Admission Cost: €4
Burggarten
Situated on the site of Rothenburg’s former imperial castle destroyed in the 14th century, the Burggarten offers tranquil gardens and dramatic views over the Tauber Valley. Stone remnants of the original fortress remain visible, while landscaped terraces provide one of the best scenic overlooks in town. It is an ideal place for quiet walks and photography.
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Admission Cost: Free
Röderturm
The Röderturm is one of Rothenburg’s most recognizable medieval gate towers, guarding the eastern entrance to the old town since the 14th century. Part of the city’s remarkably preserved fortifications, it features timber-framed upper levels, defensive battlements, and panoramic views from nearby wall walks.
Admission Cost: Varies seasonally