Driving the Romantic Road from Würzburg to Rothenburg via Weikersheim

The Romantic Road (Romantische Straße) runs for about 400 km from Würzburg on the Main to Füssen at the foot of the Alps. Its northern stretch is one of the loveliest: the road follows the Tauber valley through vineyards and small towns to Rothenburg. Weikersheim lies right in the middle, which makes it a perfect place to break the journey.

The route at a glance

• Würzburg: the Residence and the Old Main Bridge
• Tauberbischofsheim: a short stop in the old town
• Bad Mergentheim: the palace of the Teutonic Order
• Weikersheim: the palace and the Baroque garden
• Röttingen: a little walled town on the Tauber
• Creglingen: Riemenschneider’s Altar of the Virgin
• Rothenburg ob der Tauber: the medieval walled town

Day one: Würzburg to Weikersheim

Spend the morning in Würzburg, the official start of the route. See the Residence and walk to the Old Main Bridge. After lunch, drive south through the Tauber valley to Bad Mergentheim, with its palace of the Teutonic Knights and spa gardens. Then continue the short way to Weikersheim for the night, with time for a walk in the palace garden in the evening light.

Day two: Weikersheim to Rothenburg

Start with a tour of Weikersheim Palace and its Knights’ Hall. Then follow the Tauber upstream to Röttingen, a little Franconian town with a castle and dozens of sundials. Next comes Creglingen, where the Herrgottskirche holds Tilman Riemenschneider’s carved Altar of the Virgin, one of the great works of German art. Finish in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in the late afternoon, as the day visitors leave, and join the night watchman’s evening tour.

How long does it take?

The drive from Würzburg to Rothenburg on the Romantic Road is about 100 km and takes around two hours without stops. With visits, it makes a comfortable two days, or a long single day if you skip some stops.

Tips

• Follow the brown Romantic Road signs, which keep you on the scenic route rather than the motorway.
• Keen cyclists can ride much of the same route on the Tauber Valley Cycle Path.
• Book a room in Rothenburg early in summer and at Christmas, or stay in Weikersheim and drive in.