Rothenburg Old Town

Travel tips you can trust

Why
Rothenburg Old Town
in Germany is special

Rothenburg has the best preserved and most photogenic old town in Germany. Its half-timbered buildings and narrow, winding cobblestone streets are so charming that some tourists have actually suspected that it was designed by the likes of Walt Disney.

Rothenburg Old Town
tips and insights

How to pronounce

Rothenburg: Roe'-ten-burg

Setting

The town is built on a geological spur rising high about the Tauber River below. This strategic location aided its defense during conflicts in the Middle Ages.

During World War II

Parts of Rothenburg were bombed. But fortunately, the lion's share of old town suffered minimal damage, thereby preserving the buildings for future generations.

Walls

Rothenburg is almost totally surrounded by fortified walls. You can climb and walk along them.

Location in Germany