Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Romantic Road & Harburg Castle Day Trip from Munich

Harburg Castle

Harburg Castle rises above the Wörnitz river and the village below, and it is among the oldest and best-preserved castle complexes in Germany. Its walls, towers and courtyards date back more than eight hundred years, and it has escaped destruction in war, which is why it keeps such a medieval feel. Inside you can see the armoury, the chapel and rooms with collections of art and weapons.

On a Harburg Castle tour, the guided visit is offered in English. The castle stands on a steep hill and has stairs inside, so comfortable shoes matter. Entry is not included in the tour price and is paid on site by card. Harburg Castle opening hours change by season, and the best time to visit is spring to autumn, when the surrounding countryside is green.

The Nördlinger Ries and Dinkelsbühl

After the castle the coach travels through the Nördlinger Ries, a circular landscape about 25 kilometres across formed when a meteor struck the region some fifteen million years ago. Farmland, small towns and church spires fill the basin, and your guide explains how scientists identified the crater.

The route then passes through Dinkelsbühl, a walled medieval town with towers, gates and half-timbered houses on the Romantic Road. It is a pleasant look at Franconian life before you reach Rothenburg. If you ask how to get to the Romantic Road from Munich, a guided day trip by coach solves the planning and lets you enjoy the views.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the most famous stop on the Romantic Road, a walled town whose streets, gates and timber-framed houses look much as they did centuries ago. The Market Square, the Town Hall tower, the Plönlein corner with its two gates and St James's Church, which holds a carved altarpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider, are the classic sights.

You have about two hours of free time, enough for lunch, a stroll along the town wall or shopping for gifts and Christmas decorations, which Rothenburg is known for. Many travellers ask if a Rothenburg day trip from Munich is worth it; for the atmosphere alone, yes. Streets are busiest around midday, so a quiet corner is often easy to find.

The Romantic Road by coach

The Romantic Road runs about 350 kilometres (220 miles) from Würzburg to Füssen, linking castles, walled towns and villages in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. This tour follows a section of it in the west of Bavaria, so you see the landscape without driving yourself.

The coach is comfortable and air-conditioned, and audio commentary is offered in several languages, subject to availability, in addition to your live English-speaking guide. The return journey crosses the Hallertau region back to Munich. With roughly ten and a half hours in total, you should expect a full day.