Romantic Road Map
A drive along Germany's Romantic Road reveals medieval Germany at its finest
Germany's Romantic Road was once a trade route through Bavaria. Now it's a mostly scenic drive featuring walled medieval cities, towers, half timbered houses, and lots of tourist resources.
The entire drive is a little over 260 miles, and takes you from the town of Würzburg in the Franken wine growing region to Fussen, where you can stay while visiting the castle called Neuschwanstein.
Romantic Road Map
Map of the Romantic Road © James Martin, licensed to About.com
The Towns of the Romantic Road
Würzburg: if you like your wine, you'll like Würzburg and its outdoor cafes and excellent restaurants. The Residenz Palace is a World Heritage Site, and you'll want to visit it along with the Marienberg Fortress.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Rothenburg is a must stop on the Romantic Road. Not only is it one of Germany's best preserved medieval towns with walls you can walk around, but it has a torture museum for when things get a little too romantic for you. Find out more about Rothenburg, Germany, including pictures, a map, and hotel recommendations. Rothenburg also has a thriving Christmas market.
Dinkelsbühl: I have to confess I like Dinkelsbühl best of all (yes, for me the town is even more evocative than Rothenburg). You can walk along the walls or get guided by a night watchman if you like. Find out more about Dinkelsbuhl, Germany.
Augsburg: Augsburg has a rich history dating back to the Roman empire. Dubbed both "The Renaissance City" and "Mozart City", it has been an important center of trade down through the ages. During the Renaissance, Augsburg was a main cultural center which is reflected in its fine Rococo architecture.
Pfaffenwinkel: It's a small region rather than a town, but, according to Germany Travel's Birge Amondson, "this part of Bavaria (called "Pastor's Corner") is famous for its churches and pristine landscapes; a must-see is the pilgrimage church Wieskirche ("Church in the Meadow") in Steingaden; this rococo masterpiece is on the list of the UNESCO world Heritage sights."
Landsberg am Lech is yet another picturesque medieval walled city 35 km south of Augsburg along the Lech river, but Landsberg has a twist. It's known for its prison, in which Adolf Hitler was incarcerated in 1924 and where, in cell 7, he wrote Mein Kampf.
Fussen: This is Bavaria's highest city and the place where lots of folks stay to visit the castle of Neuschwanstein (and the interesting but lesser known Castle Hohenschwangau). If you crave life in a small town, you might select a hotel in Fussen (book direct), but if you like the country, and want to walk from your hotel to Neuschwanstein and/or Hohenschwangau, you can also stay in the village of Hohenschwangau. We had a good stay at the Hotel Muller.
More Romantic Road Resources
For those who might like an organized bus tour of the Romantic Road, there is an option for a Frankfurt to Munich Romantic Road Tour (book direct).
You can get further travel planning information from Germany Travel's Birge Amondson, who has written a Guide to the Romantic Road in Germany. She also offers a Romantic Road Photo Gallery.
Related Maps
You may wish to consult a Map of Germany, or a Map of Bavaria to plan your travel in Germany.
Near the Romantic Road
City Lovers will want to go to Munich and take a side trip to Dachau.
Guidebooks for Germany
See our Top Germany Travel Guides
