Top Things to do in Romantic Road
Top Hotels in Romantic Road
10 Things to do Good for Kids in Romantic Road That You Shouldn't Miss
Named by American soldiers during the post-World War II occupation years, the Romantic Road is a 200-mile-plus section of one of Germany's most picturesque highways, stretching from Würzburg in Bavaria's north to Füssen near the Austrian border. Along the route are many favorite tourist towns and attractions, including Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, Augsburg, and Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles. Bike tours along the route are quite popular, and bus tours are also available.
Restaurants in Romantic Road
1. Altstadt
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,384 reviews
Rothenburg has made a concerted effort to preserve its medieval heritage, and Old Town reflects the historic fruits of this labor.
Reviewed By johnbJ2216LG - Northville, United States
Christmas market we took our granddaughter to see the Christmas markets in Germany in the city and the Christmas market was a wonderful experience. The time itself without the Christmas market is a worthwhile experience because it had very little damage from the war And a lot of the structures are still intact if you are in Germany it’s a definite place you have to visit
2. Schloss Neuschwanstein
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17,562 reviews
Yet another of the eccentric King Ludwig II's magnificently odd architectural creations.
Reviewed By 430chuckd
You will be greeted at the entry to the little tourist shopping area where you will pay about 7 euros to park. From there you will walk to the nearby ticket office and purchase tickets for reserved tour times for one or both castles. This must be done on the day of your visit, and it's a good idea to get there early, since the time slots fill up rapidly and the number of people per slot is limited. Allow two hours between the starts of the tours if you plan to take the bus up to Neuschwanstein rather than walk, three hours if you walk. From the ticket office you will take a short walk uphill through a small shopping area with restaurants, hotel, a bank, gift shops, etc., following the signs to Schloss Hohenschwangau. It's best to see this castle first since it's the closest and the easiest stairway climb up the hillside. After this tour, which is about 40 minutes, walk back down to the nearby bus stop (you won't have trouble finding it) and purchase tickets at 2-1/2 euros each for the ride up the mountain stopping near Schloss Neuschwanstein, about a 10-minute drive and the buses run at 10-minute intervals. Or, you can use the walking trail if you’re in good shape, but it’s rather steep and long (about 40 minutes) and keep in mind that there are a LOT of stairs on the castle tour. The bus will let you off at a point with a very short hike to Mary’s Bridge (highly recommended if you’re not afraid of heights or rickety-feeling bridges), where you will get the best view photo view of the castle. From there walk back down to the bus stop and follow the signs mostly downhill to the castle, about a 10-minute walk. Taking the hiking path down from there after the 40-minute tour is easier than walking back uphill to the bus, since it’s all downhill. If you’re a serious German history buff and want to learn everything (and I mean Everything) about the history of the region, you can buy the museum tickets at the door. Don't miss the Linderhof Palace for jaw-dropping opulence while you're in the area. It's not as big as the castles, but the interior is truly impressive.
3. Rothenburg Town Hall (Rathaus)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,430 reviews
The city hall of this picturesque, undeveloped village reflects its anachronistic spirit.
Reviewed By smichelini2017 - Tampa, United States
Centered in the old walled city. It was festooned with colorful Christmas Market decorations and market stands serving everything from seasonal favorites like spiced wine to open fire roasted bratwursts, chestnuts, and more. Specialty shops included Christmas gifts and regional traditional decorations. The Rathouse serves as a beautiful backdrop for the Christmas Market.
4. Fortress Marienberg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,216 reviews
This castle, the city's most prominent symbol since the 12th century, includes a museum, restaurant and formal gardens.
Reviewed By lucianonecar - Berlin, Germany
The opportunity to walk up the hill and experience the views, touch the walls, walk through adorned entrance doors, and see other aspects of the fortress from outside was unique. A must-do for those who come to Würzburg.
5. Fuggerei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,317 reviews
The world's oldest social settlement, this estate houses 200 impoverished Catholic tenants.
Reviewed By 549JenB - London, United Kingdom
This is a lovely place to visit for everyone. It's the oldest social housing development in the world dating back to the 16th Century and was the concept of Jakob Fugger. It is still inhabited today and the people lucky enough to be allowed to live there pay 88 cents in rent and must be Catholics and willing to pray for the Fugger family. You can go into a ground floor apartment as it looks today as well as another one which looks like it did 200yrs ago. There is also a museum with lots of information about the Fugger family and a restaurant/cafe.
6. Town Walls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,380 reviews
Reviewed By janrA2759SE
These old city walls are amazing. You can walk around on top of a good portion of them. The view is great and it is a pleasant walk. They're covered so it's a nice walk even in the rain. You do need to be careful because it can be uneven in spots and the stairs are steep.
7. Augsburger Puppentheatermuseum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 306 reviews
Reviewed By tonyandcarmen - London, United Kingdom
I (Carmen) grew up in Augsburg and the Puppenkiste was part of my upbringing. Now I'm sad (though it's not surprising) to say that all plays are only in German, some even in native tongue but all are amazing. When I was younger there was a tour offered and I am not sure if it is still around but if it is, just to get a view behind the scenes, I'd go for that any time again. Last time we went, as my husband is english/french, we only passed it and I showed him the outside. It's also close to the 'Rotes Tor' water tower and open air theater which is only on in summer. There are several tram and bus stations near by which can get you there.
8. Alte Mainbruecke
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,692 reviews
Reviewed By DriesJ_12 - Hamont-Achel, Belgium
The perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine in the summer or a glass of mould wine in the winter, with an incredible view of the Festung, the vineyards and the beautiful bridge itself.
9. Forggensee
10. Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 640 reviews
This walled village houses mercantile buildings dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The fortified wall has sixteen towers; you can access the city from four of them.
Reviewed By Mellie2013 - Port Moody, Canada
Drove the Romantic Road in August. This was one of our favourite villages of the trip. Straight out of a Grimm's Fairy Tale. Cobblestone streets, friendly folks and a very peaceful atmosphere. The houses and businesses are rendered in late Renaissance facades with pastel colours and half-timbered frames. So photographic and charming. We parked on the outer ring and walked into the town through one of the four medieval gates that remain . This town has a history! Probably starting around the 8th century. It was once a "Free Imperial City" of the Holy Roman Empire. In the 13th century the fortifications began. Luckily this town is original, untouched by WWI or WWII bombings. Forward thinking in the 19th century, by Ludwig I proclaimed the city to be a heritage site to be preserved and protected. Delightful shops, bakeries, cafes, inns, restaurants and churches. Well worth an afternoon of roaming around. Highly recommend saving time to walk the fortification walls or at the least climb the St. George church tower. Delightful!
