Top Things to do in Romantic Road
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10 Things to do in Romantic Road That You Shouldn't Miss
Named by American soldiers during the post-World War II occupation years, the Romantic Road is a 200-mile-plus section of one of Germany's most picturesque highways, stretching from Würzburg in Bavaria's north to Füssen near the Austrian border. Along the route are many favorite tourist towns and attractions, including Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, Augsburg, and Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles. Bike tours along the route are quite popular, and bus tours are also available.
Restaurants in Romantic Road
1. Altstadt
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,384 reviews
Rothenburg has made a concerted effort to preserve its medieval heritage, and Old Town reflects the historic fruits of this labor.
Reviewed By johnbJ2216LG - Northville, United States
Christmas market we took our granddaughter to see the Christmas markets in Germany in the city and the Christmas market was a wonderful experience. The time itself without the Christmas market is a worthwhile experience because it had very little damage from the war And a lot of the structures are still intact if you are in Germany it’s a definite place you have to visit
2. Schloss Neuschwanstein
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17,562 reviews
Yet another of the eccentric King Ludwig II's magnificently odd architectural creations.
Reviewed By 430chuckd
You will be greeted at the entry to the little tourist shopping area where you will pay about 7 euros to park. From there you will walk to the nearby ticket office and purchase tickets for reserved tour times for one or both castles. This must be done on the day of your visit, and it's a good idea to get there early, since the time slots fill up rapidly and the number of people per slot is limited. Allow two hours between the starts of the tours if you plan to take the bus up to Neuschwanstein rather than walk, three hours if you walk. From the ticket office you will take a short walk uphill through a small shopping area with restaurants, hotel, a bank, gift shops, etc., following the signs to Schloss Hohenschwangau. It's best to see this castle first since it's the closest and the easiest stairway climb up the hillside. After this tour, which is about 40 minutes, walk back down to the nearby bus stop (you won't have trouble finding it) and purchase tickets at 2-1/2 euros each for the ride up the mountain stopping near Schloss Neuschwanstein, about a 10-minute drive and the buses run at 10-minute intervals. Or, you can use the walking trail if you’re in good shape, but it’s rather steep and long (about 40 minutes) and keep in mind that there are a LOT of stairs on the castle tour. The bus will let you off at a point with a very short hike to Mary’s Bridge (highly recommended if you’re not afraid of heights or rickety-feeling bridges), where you will get the best view photo view of the castle. From there walk back down to the bus stop and follow the signs mostly downhill to the castle, about a 10-minute walk. Taking the hiking path down from there after the 40-minute tour is easier than walking back uphill to the bus, since it’s all downhill. If you’re a serious German history buff and want to learn everything (and I mean Everything) about the history of the region, you can buy the museum tickets at the door. Don't miss the Linderhof Palace for jaw-dropping opulence while you're in the area. It's not as big as the castles, but the interior is truly impressive.
3. Fortress Marienberg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,216 reviews
This castle, the city's most prominent symbol since the 12th century, includes a museum, restaurant and formal gardens.
Reviewed By lucianonecar - Berlin, Germany
The opportunity to walk up the hill and experience the views, touch the walls, walk through adorned entrance doors, and see other aspects of the fortress from outside was unique. A must-do for those who come to Würzburg.
4. The Residenz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,636 reviews
This palace served as the home for Würzburg's powerful prince-bishops during the Enlightenment and is known for its extravagant artistic design and Baroque architecture.
Reviewed By monideepad - Bangalore District, India
We walked ahead and reached the Würzburg Residence with the Courtyard Gardens and the Residence Square. A very strong representation of the 18th-century Baroque palace architecture, the Würzburg Residence has been listed has World Heritage Site since 1981. As soon as we had stepped in through one of the three monumental gates, we realised that we had indeed saved the best for the last... Once within the Courtyard Gardens, we were appalled by its beauty and wonderstruck to see how thoughtfully it had been planned within the fortifications. Known to be one of the finest Baroque Gardens that Germany can boast of, the Courtyard Garden is made up of three sections, South Garden inside the gate, the East Garden, the and the Nursery The part of the Courtyard Garden or ‘Hofgarten’ close to the Residence or ‘Residenz’ comprises the east part. It is grand and in formal Baroque style with the terraces that create an illusion of spaciousness. As we moved further towards the south end, we noticed a transition in its style towards an English garden, with perfectly trimmed sharply conical 18th Century Yew trees, with sculptures at their base, with mini forests and meadows and an orangery at the far back. Monumental sculptures, statues of Greek Gods, figures, vases, urns decorate the park which has cute white benches. I was particularly smitten by the fountain because of the frozen water around. A small branch was lying on top of the frozen water and it was a spectacular sight. The Nursery is like a rough park. I could not help wondering how lush green and colourful the Courtyard Garden would look when in full bloom. The Courtyard Gardens could be visited free of charge, but for visiting the Residence, one has to take a guided tour. The baroque palace, Würzburg Residence, was built in 1720 at the request of Bishop Johann. The palace is made of yellow sandstone and hence emits a golden glow. I am very fond of palace tours as I am invariably intrigued about its interiors. Photographs were not permitted but I brought back memories of this Franconian Versailles which boasts of grand rooms, more than three hundred in number, spread over three wings; the central main, the north and the south wings. I was mesmerised by the ornately elegant golden and marble church ‘Hofkirche’, which was built for the exclusive use of the prince bishop, the grand, wide staircase, the ceiling decorated with frescoes, the alter decorated with paintings of Tiepolo, the chapel and the Imperial Hall; all of which bear the impressions of Baroque, Rococo or Neoclassical architecture and art. It goes without saying that Residence too was very badly damaged during the World War II, but thankfully, it was eventually restored.
5. Fuggerei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,317 reviews
The world's oldest social settlement, this estate houses 200 impoverished Catholic tenants.
Reviewed By 549JenB - London, United Kingdom
This is a lovely place to visit for everyone. It's the oldest social housing development in the world dating back to the 16th Century and was the concept of Jakob Fugger. It is still inhabited today and the people lucky enough to be allowed to live there pay 88 cents in rent and must be Catholics and willing to pray for the Fugger family. You can go into a ground floor apartment as it looks today as well as another one which looks like it did 200yrs ago. There is also a museum with lots of information about the Fugger family and a restaurant/cafe.
6. Alte Mainbruecke
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,692 reviews
Reviewed By DriesJ_12 - Hamont-Achel, Belgium
The perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine in the summer or a glass of mould wine in the winter, with an incredible view of the Festung, the vineyards and the beautiful bridge itself.
7. Altstadt von Fuessen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,428 reviews
Reviewed By borneo88 - Miri, Malaysia
We stayed for one night prior to visiting Neuschwanstein Castle and found our stroll around the town square most enjoyable. It is a pedestrian zone and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.
8. Mount Tegelberg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 354 reviews
Reviewed By LucindaT887 - Kingman, United States
After spending more than a month studying guide books and internet sites about hiking trails on Mount Tegelbeg, I bought my ticket and thought I was set.....wrong. They had a late snow in 2019 and all of the hiking trails were closed when I got there. Bummer. However, I really enjoyed the ride to the top and a look at the snowy vista. It was warm and sunshine down below and cool and crisp on top. You couldn't go any further than the clearing behind the top cable car station and the restaurant was closed that day -- so I made my own fun, shared laughter with others and put this trip back on my bucket list. Moral: you can't control Mother Nature and you need to travel with a sense of humor!!
9. Alatsee
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By japcookie - New York City, United States
Pretty lake with lots of little inlets to wade or swing in (there are ropes tied to several trees around the perimeter). If you're up for a steep hike, you can take a walk over to the Austrian border for lunch or dinner. Follow the path into the town and pass the residential area. Once you cross the bridge there will be signs for Brauereigastof Schwarter Hlder where they speak English and can provide an English menu. Recommend a big beer and pretty much anything w the spaetzle!
10. Schwansee
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By LucindaT887 - Kingman, United States
This is a small serene lake just off the road from Fussen to Hohenschwangau (about a mile from Hohenschwangau). Fortunately my hotel was on the same road near the path leading to the lake. Just a leisurely 15 minute walk on flat terrain, this walk is refreshing for most any age. The lake was quiet that late afternoon that I took my stroll. Not many tourist go here so that's a treat in itself.
