Würzburg Residenz
Würzburg
The vast Unesco-listed Residenz, built by 18th-century architect Balthasar Neumann as the home of the local prince-bishops, is one of Germany’s most…
©Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images
The Romantic Road
From the vineyards of Würzburg to the foot of the Alps, the almost 400km-long Romantic Road (Romantische Strasse) draws two million visitors every year, making it by far the most popular of Germany’s holiday routes. This well-trodden trail cuts through a cultural and historical cross-section of southern Germany as it traverses Franconia and clips Baden-Württemberg in the north before plunging into Bavaria proper to end at Ludwig II's crazy castles. Expect lots of Japanese signs and menus, tourist coaches and kitsch galore, but also a fair wedge of Gemütlichkeit and geniune hospitality from those who earn their living on this most romantic of routes.
Attractions
Must-see attractions for your itinerary
Schloss Harburg
The Romantic Road
Looming over the Wörnitz River, the medieval covered parapets, towers, turrets, keep and red-tiled roofs of the 12th-century Schloss Harburg are so…
Schloss Weikersheim
The Romantic Road
Schloss Weikersheim is the finest palace on the entire Romantic Road. Renaissance to the core, it's surrounded by beautiful formal gardens inspired by…
Fuggerei
Augsburg
The legacy of Jakob Fugger ‘The Rich’ lives on at Augsburg’s Catholic welfare settlement, the Fuggerei, which is the oldest of its kind in existence…
St Anna Kirche
Augsburg
Often regarded as the first Renaissance church in Germany, the rather plain-looking (and well-hidden) St Anna Kirche is accessed via a set of cloisters…
Festung Marienberg
Würzburg
Enjoy panoramic city and vineyard views from this hulking fortress whose construction was initiated around 1200 by the local prince-bishops who governed…
Reichsstadtmuseum
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Highlights of the Reichsstadtmuseum, housed in a former Dominican convent, include the Rothenburger Passion (1494), a cycle of 12 panels by Martinus…
Deutsches Weihnachtsmuseum
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
If you're glad Christmas comes but once every 365 days, then stay well clear of the Käthe Wohlfahrt Weihnachtsdorf, a Yuletide superstore that also houses…
Guidebooks
Purchase our award-winning guidebooks
Get to the heart of The Romantic Road with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.
