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Road Trip Along The Romantic Road Germany
Germany’s most romantic road trip
Fancy exploring the most magical road in Germany? Then pack up your car, campervan or motorhome and set off on this four-day road trip along Germany’s Romantic Road. As you journey through the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, you’ll discover enchanting medieval towns like Nördlingen and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, fairytale castles and some of the region’s most delicious delicacies and wines. Keep reading to discover our recommended German Romantic Road itinerary below.
Route
Würzburg ➤ Rothenburg ob der Tauber ➤ Dinkelsbühl ➤ Augsburg ➤ Füssen
Distance
approx. 250 miles/ approx. 5.5h
Duration of trip
4 days
Highlights
Marienburg Fortress, Plönlein, Wörnitz Gate, Daniel Tower, Augsburg Town Hall Square, Mother Tower, Neuschwanstein Castle
Best time to visit
May to October
Toll
No toll roads
Day 1 – Würzburg
Your road trip along the Romantic Road begins in Würzburg, known as the ‘City of 1000 Madonnas’. As well as discovering the city’s many Madonnas, you can enjoy culinary delights, alpine vistas and delicious wine, all while exploring the charming old town and city sights.
Must-See Attractions
- Marienberg Fortress: The majestic fortress towers high above the city, offering panoramic views.
- Old Main Bridge:The bridge connects the fortress with the old town and is known for the impressive saints’ statues carved into the stone.
- Käppele pilgrimage church: An imposing baroque building, perched on the Nikolausberg, it is well loved for both its ornate frescoes and breathtaking views of the city.
- Würzburg Residence: An UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Würzburg Residence impresses with its magnificent architecture and beautiful gardens.
Food & Drink
Local cuisine
- Bürgerspital Weinstuben
- Backöfele
- Gasthaus Tilman
- Restaurant & Weinhaus Stachel
- Büttnerstuben
The most popular wineries
- Winery Am Stein
- Weingut Juliusspital
- Weingut Bürgerspital zum Heiligen Geist
Day 2 – Rothenburg ob der Tauber & Dinkelsbühl
Day 2 of our recommended route starts with a visit to the small town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Not to be missed, it is one of the most visited towns in Germany, with visitors from all over the world flocking to see its quaint medieval old town and colourful half-timbered houses.
Once you’ve snapped some Insta-worthy pictures, it’s time to hit the road and continue along the Romantic Road to Dinkelsbühl, Germany’s best-preserved town from the late Middle Ages. Explore the historic buildings or visit the nearby lakeside swimming resort Wörnitz if getting out in nature is more your thing.
Must-See Attractions
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
- Turmweg: Climb the historic town walls for unique and unforgettable views of the town and the surrounding countryside.
- Gerlachschmiede: One of the most photographed buildings in the town, no visit is complete without capturing a picture of this fairytale half-timbered house.
- Town hall tower: With breathtaking views of the entire town and the Tauber Valley, it is well worth the climb.
Dinkelsbühl
- Lion fountain on Altrathausplatz: This impressive fountain delights tourists and is a great place to start exploring this medieval town.
- St George’s Minster: This Gothic church is the town’s landmark and one of the most important religious buildings in southern Germany.
- Wine market:Located in the centre of Dinkelbühl’s historic old town, as well as being home to centuries-old half-timbered houses, you’ll also find the ornate German House here, one of the most important townhouses of the German Renaissance.
- Rothenburger Weiher:This small green oasis just outside the town walls is the perfect place to relax and immerse yourself in nature.
Gastronomie
Local cuisine
- Restaurant Alter Keller
- Zur Holl
- Klosterstübele
- Weib’s Brauhaus
- Brauereigasthof zum Wilden Mann
The most popular wineries
- Glocke Winery
- Johanniterhof
- Vincon-Zerrer
- Winzerhof Stahl
Day 3 – Nördlingen & Augsburg
On day 3 of your road trip along the Romantic Road, you have the chance to explore two more beautiful German towns. First up is Nördlingen, which lies in the centre of an impressive crater formed 15 million years ago by a meteorite impact.
Next is our suggested base for the night, Augsburg. With cultural attractions, impressive architecture, local delicacies and great wine, it offers something for all kinds of adventurers.
Must-See Attractions
Nördlingen
- Old town wall: he town wall and walkable battlements date from 1327 and are the oldest completely preserved in Germany.
- St. Daniel:The 90-metre-high church tower on the market square can be seen from far and wide and offers breathtaking views for those willing to climb the many steep steps to the top.
- Tanners’ houses: Once used by tanners, the historic half-timbered houses offer a fascinating insight into what life in the city was once like.
Augsburg
- Augsburg Town Hall:The town hall, with its spectacular golden hall, is one of the city’s main attractions.
- Fuggerei: The Fuggerei was founded in 1521, making it one of the oldest social settlements in the world. Now, a show flat and museum offer a deeper insight into what life was once like.
- Augsburg Puppet Theatre: The Augsburg Puppet Theatre is one of the most famous puppet theatres in all of Germany and can be found in the listed Heilig-Geist-Spital.
Food & Drinks
Local cuisine
- Berghof
- Fischer
- Hotel und Gasthof Wagner
- Meyers Keller
- Zum Sonnenwirt
- Restaurant Roter Ochsen
Day 4 – Schwangau & Füssen
Day 4 of your road trip along the Romantic Road ends in picturesque Füssen. The ‘Riviera of the Allgäu’ has Italian Riviera vibes thanks to its charming old town and position on the Lech River. Or carry on just a few miles into Schwangau to visit the world-famous Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles.
Must-See Attractions
Schwangau
- Neuschwanstein Castle: World famous and with around 1.5 million visitors a year, this is one of the most visited castles in the world for good reason.
- Hohenschwangau Castle: Once owned by the Knights of Schwangau, today you can book a guided tour of the castle and immerse yourself in the lives of the castle’s previous owners.
- Lake Forggensee: With its clear, turquoise-coloured water and stunning alpine surroundings, this is the perfect escape from city sightseeing.
Füssen
- Benedictine monastery of St. Mang: The former monastery is now home to the Füssen town council and the town museum.
- Galleries in the High Castle: The galleries are not only home to an impressive collection of medieval art but also offer a breathtaking view of the old town.
- Ziegelwies Forest Adventure Centre: As well as an exhilarating treetop walk you’ll find themed trails, nature trails and a huge forest playground for the little ones.
Food & Drink
Local cuisine
- Restaurant Helmer
- Schloss-Restaurant
- Restaurant 1250
- Berghotel Schlossanger Alp
- Gasthaus Obere Mühle
Useful tips for your road trip
The Romantic Road is well signposted; simply follow our above route and look out for the brown tourist signs for the Romantic Road along your way.
If you’re keen to keep exploring after your trip along the Romantic Road, we recommend continuing your road trip on the Route of Delights or the German Half-Timbered Road.
The Route of Delights is a road trip crammed with culinary delights. On your route through Bavaria, you have the chance to sample various regional delicacies, all while experiencing the idyllic landscapes of Bavaria, from the green hills of the Allgäu to the crystal-clear lakes of the Bavarian Alpine foothills.
Alternatively, you can continue your road trip on the southern route of the German Half-Timbered Road. This route takes you through the historic villages and towns of Hesse, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, which are known for their charming half-timbered buildings, as well as tranquil natural landscapes, like the Black Forest.
- Wild camping is generally prohibited unless clearly signposted or you have the landowner’s permission.
- Most campsites have rules about quiet hours, waste disposal, and open fires—check them before booking.
- Traveling with a dog? Make sure campsites are pet-friendly and follow any leash rules.
- The Romantic Road region is especially popular in summer, so book pitches in advance.
- Use our roadsurfer spots app to find unique pitches and plan your trip easily with our smart route planner.