Anyone searching for "old Germany" ends up in Rothenburg ob der Tauber sooner or later: a completely preserved town wall, cobbled lanes, and the most photographed corner in the country — the Plönlein.
The Route
Rothenburg lies about 180 km east of Frankfurt Airport — roughly 2 hours via the A3 and A7. By train, by contrast, the town is reached on the branch line from Steinach, with several changes along the way — check current connections on bahn.de. That is exactly why the Rothenburg day trip (from €553) is one of our most popular private tours.
What to See
- Plönlein: the iconic half-timbered ensemble framed by two tower gates.
- Town wall: walkable, with views over the rooftops into the Tauber valley.
- Käthe Wohlfahrt: the world-famous Christmas village — 365 days a year.
- Medieval Crime Museum and the market square with the Ratstrinkstube.
Rothenburg is not a museum — it is a town that has looked the same for 400 years, as if someone stopped time.
Visiting in winter? Rothenburg's Christmas market, the Reiterlesmarkt, fills the Marktplatz from 20 November to 23 December 2026 (11:00–19:00, Fridays and Saturdays until 20:00).
Combine with Würzburg
On the way back, Würzburg with its UNESCO Residence and Marienberg Fortress lies almost on the route — as a combined tour or its own Würzburg day trip. All tours at a glance: day trips from Frankfurt.
