Author: Barry Pickard
The Romantic Road is a scenic route that spans across the heart of Bavaria, Germany. It takes you on a journey through rolling hills, quaint villages, and charming cities. This road trip is a celebration of the region's rich history and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for those looking for a unique travel experience. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just seeking a peaceful escape, the Romantic Road has something to offer.
The term ‘Romantic Road’ was coined in the 1950s as a bit of tourism marketing ploy, but has become a very popular route for visitors, taking in, as it does, many quintessential German towns and attractions. The road follows old trade routes linking the north to the south, going from Wurzburg in the north, down to Füssen in the south.
You could easily spend two or three weeks travelling this route, stopping off at the many beautiful towns and villages along the way, but for the purposes of this blog, I will only be guiding you along some of the highlights of the Romantic Road from Dinkelsbühl to Füssen. I hope that one day I’ll be able to complete the full route and report back to you!
Don’t forget that at Tailor-Made Itineraries we delight in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if travelling The Romantic Road appeals to you, reach out to us by email. We would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the delights of this route or indeed, a general tour of Bavaria.
The Romantic Road, Bavaria
Dinkelsbühl
Dinkelsbühl is a picturesque medieval town and is famous for its well-preserved historic centre, which is surrounded by a 14th-century wall. The centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is a great place to wander around and take in the sights. Be sure to check out the town's many churches, including St. George's Minster, and the town hall.
Dinkelsbühl was founded in the 8th century and became an important trade centre during the Middle Ages. The town was granted the status of an imperial free city in the 13th century, which gave it a great deal of autonomy. Dinkelsbühl's fortifications were built during this time, and they helped to protect the town from attack during the Thirty Years' War and other conflicts.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: The Hotel Deutsches Haus is a superb place to eat. The food is exquisite, and the surroundings are perfectly complimentary for the Romantic Road. Although we didn’t stay overnight at the hotel, it looked like it would be an ideal stop on this route.
Nördlingen
Nördlingen is a charming medieval town that was built inside a 15-million-year-old meteorite crater! The town was founded in the 12th century and grew in importance as a trade centre during the Middle Ages. The town was granted the status of an imperial free city in the 14th century around which time its impressive fortifications were built.
Daniel
Nördlingen’s most famous landmark is Daniel, a 90-meter-tall church tower that offers panoramic views of the town and the surrounding countryside. The church itself, the Cathedral of Saint George, is also well worth exploring.
The Rieskrater Museum
The Rieskrater Museum is a natural history museum whose exhibits explore the formation of the Ries Crater, its impact on the surrounding environment, and the subsequent evolution of the region. The museum also has a collection of meteorites, fossils, and other artifacts related to impact craters. The museum was founded in 1990 and is housed in a 16th-century barn.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: The town walls are a great place to get a bird's eye view of the town. You can walk along the walls for free, and there are a number of towers and gates to explore.
Donauworth
Donauworth is a small town that seems to have stepped out of a medieval storybook. The town's historic centre is a great place to wander around and take in the sights. Be sure to check out the town's many churches, including the Liebfrauenmünster, and the town hall.
Donauworth is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Germany. The town's historic centre has been largely unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it provides a unique glimpse into life in Germany during this time period. Located on the Danube River, the riverside provides stunning views of the town and the surrounding countryside.
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