Where to Stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber in 2024

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Looking for accommodations in Rothenburg ob der Tauber? Here’s everything you need to know about finding a place to stay in this historic medieval town, including where we stayed on our most recent visit.

Quick Answer: Best Hotels in Rothenburg, Germany

1. Excellent Location: Hotel Reichs-Küchenmeister
2. Where We Stayed: Pension Elke Rothenburg
3. Spacious Family Rooms: Romantik Hotel Markusturm
4. In Front of Plönlein: Historik Hotel Goldener Hirsch Rothenburg
5. Short Walk from Main Train Station: Hotel Gasthof Rödertor

Where Can I Find The Above Map?

It’s part of our Germany Travel Planner, and it’s your Germany travel planning BFF! Using our custom interactive planning map you’ll be able to quickly see the best sights, castles, hotels, day trips, and more – along with our photos and up-to-date insider tips. Seeing where these things are in relation to each other makes it much easier to plan your overall itinerary, as well as each day of your trip. If you don’t yet have it, click here to get access.

Where to Stay in Rothenburg: Our Recommendation & Tips

• When it comes to finding the perfect place to stay in Rothenburg, you have a lot of options to choose from, since Rothenburg is a major tourist destination in Germany.
  
• For those seeking an authentic and traditional experience, Rothenburg ob der Tauber hotels inside the old city wall offer a unique opportunity to take in in the medieval charm of the town.
  
• These Old Town accommodations are often housed in historic buildings or charming half-timbered houses and have a mix of vintage touches with more modern amenities. We’ve always enjoyed staying in the charming Old Town so it’s easy to walk to everything.
  
• If you prefer to stay outside the old city wall, there are also plenty of options like smaller guesthouses and bed and breakfasts and you’re likely to find prices a little lower. You can still easily reach the main city center and Old town since the town is pretty small and very walkable.
  
• You could also have the convenience of being closer to the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Central Station if you stay outside of the Old Town. But do note that you won’t experience the same charm as in the Old Town.
  
• When planning your stay, you may also be considering other factors like where to park in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, especially if you’re road tripping and arriving by rental car. While parking within the town’s walls is limited, many hotels offer parking options nearby or provide information on convenient parking facilities within walking distance.
  
• There are also paid parking lots just outside the Old Town city wall that are just a short walk away. On our last overnight visit we parked our car in a large public lot and walked about 10 minutes through the Old Town to our hotel. Overnight parking was reasonably priced and it was easy enough to find our way to the hotel using google maps.
  
• A/C is not a given in Germany, especially in historic buildings or small hotels and guesthouses. We sometimes opt for a hotel with A/C but we’ve found that most of the time just leaving the windows open or requesting a fan cools the room comfortably enough (unless there’s an extreme heat wave).

Once you choose your Rothenburg ob der Tauber hotel, check out our Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Things to Do guide, which will help you plan your itinerary for visiting this beautiful historic town!

Where to Stay in Rothenburg: Comparison Guide

5 Top Rothenburg ob der Tauber Hotels

1. Excellent Location: Hotel Reichs-Küchenmeister

LOCATION: This hotel is located right around the corner from the Markplatz, the main market square of Old Town Rothenburg and where the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas market is held

PERFECT FOR: Those looking for a beautiful and comfortable hotel near all the landmarks or those visiting in December who’d like to be close to the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas market.

GUESTS SAY: “Wonderful room with a beautiful walk out balcony. Central location across from the cathedral and market square. Hotel restaurant served fantastic breakfast with American and Euorpean options and dinner was delicious as well.”

SUMMARY: Hotel Reichs-Küchenmeister is a 4-star hotel is located in the heart of the Old Town, just steps from main landmarks in Marktplatz like the Town Hall, St. James’s Church and the Christmas Market during the holidays.

The hotel features a mix of both modern and traditional individually-decorated rooms. They have a delicious restaurant serving Franconian cuisine and wines and an outdoor beer garden. We had a wonderful dinner here on a winter trip and plan to stay here on our next visit (it was booked out when we went to make reservations on a recent summer trip)!

→ Click here to check availability at Hotel Reichs-Küchenmeister

2. Where We Stayed: Pension Elke Rothenburg

LOCATION: Pension Elke is located right by the Markus Tower and a 2-minute walk away from the Old Town main square.

PERFECT FOR: Those who’d like to stay in a family-run guesthouse in a traditional half-timbered building in an ideal location in Old Town Rothenburg

OUR REVIEW: The location is excellent yet it was quiet at night so we slept well. It’s not a luxury stay but it was comfortable and had everything we needed. Plus, the breakfast buffet was included in the price of the room and was delicious. We loved the historic building and personality of the guesthouse.

Our room had one bed for 2 in the main room and another bed for 2 in a semi-private alcove. Furnishings were simple but comfortable and even though there was no A/C, we were comfortable enough with the windows open when we stayed there in August.

GUESTS SAY: “Very good traditional German guesthouse right in the centre of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, about 900 metres from the railway station. It is in one of those cute, old half-timbered houses. The owner was friendly and upgraded me to a double room. The room was basic but very clean. Breakfast was also good with varieties of bread, cheese, cold cuts, yoghurt, fruit and berries. As a bonus, there was a small general store downstairs, owned by the same family, and a very good kebab place next door.”

SUMMARY: Pension Elke is a small family-run guesthouse that’s located in a charming half-timbered building on a cobblestone street, just minutes away from the main square.

→ Click here to check availability at Pension Elke Rothenburg

3. Spacious Family Rooms: Romantik Hotel Markusturm

LOCATION: As the name suggests, Romantik Hotel Markusturm is located in the historic Markusturm tower beside the Old Town city wall

PERFECT FOR: Those traveling with children and looking for a hotel in Rothenburg with family rooms

GUESTS SAY: “We loved everything about this property. The staff was so friendly and helpful. We felt very welcome throughout our whole stay. We stayed in the family room and it was modern, spacious, clean and really comfortable. The location is exceptional. You are walking distance to anything you’d like to see.
Overall, we loved our stay here and would like to return in the summer. I would absolutely stay here again.”

SUMMARY: Romantik Hotel Markusturm offers a unique historic location. It’s set in the Markusturm, a medieval tower and toll house dating back to the 11th century. The rooms are tastefully decorated with antique touches but a modern feel. They also have double rooms and family rooms that can accommodate up to 4 people. Amenities include a delicious traditional restaurant on-site that serves a very good breakfast buffet.

→ Click here to check availability at Romantik Hotel Markusturm

4. In Front of Plönlein: Historik Hotel Goldener Hirsch Rothenburg

LOCATION: Historik Hotel Goldener Hirsch Rothenburg is located right in front of Plönlein, a famous area in the Old Town known for its charming half-timbered houses, a small fountain, and cobblestone streets

PERFECT FOR: Those who want a prime location by the most famous and picturesque area of Rothenburg

GUESTS SAY: “The location of the hotel is right by the Plönlein, a great tourist sight, and the hotel itself exceeded our expectations from the photos. Our rooms were spacious and nice, both with great views of the valley on the other side of town. The breakfast provided with the hotel was really amazing and had lots of different options.”

SUMMARY: In terms of location, you can’t beat Historik Hotel Goldener Hirsch. This hotel is right by the Plönlein, the world-famous landmark of Old Town Rothenburg. The rooms are spacious and well-equipped with all necessities and with amazing views of the town. There’s also private parking onsite and breakfast included in your reservation.

→ Click here to check availability at Historik Hotel Goldener Hirsch Rothenburg

5. Short Walk from Main Train Station: Hotel Gasthof Rödertor

LOCATION: This hotel is located within walking distance to the Rothenburg ob der Tauber Central Station. It’s outside the city walls and about a 10-minute walk to the center

PERFECT FOR: Those arriving to Rothenburg by train or planning to use the trains for day trips around the area

GUESTS SAY: “The hotel is located about a 10 minute walk from the train station, and is just outside the city walls (about 10 minutes walk to the main city centre). It was spotlessly clean and we were welcomed by the owner even though we’d arrived earlier than expected. Breakfast was generous and delicious, and the room was very comfortable.”

SUMMARY: Located near the main train station, Hotel Gasthof Rödertor offers cozy, traditional-style rooms with all the basic amenities. They serve a delicious breakfast daily plus there’s a restaurant on site with an outdoor beer garden.

→ Click here to check availability at Hotel Gasthof Rödertor

Rothenburg FAQ

Is it worth staying in Rothenburg?

Yes, it’s definitely worth staying in Rothenburg. While it may be more popular as a day trip from Nürnberg, Würzburg, Munich or other nearby cities, staying overnight lets you experience and appreciate the town in a different way.

For one, staying overnight enables you explore a less crowded Rothenburg in the morning and evening. At those times there are fewer people, which allows you to enjoy the town more and even get better photos, especially at popular sights like Plönlein or the Marktplatz.

Another reason to stay overnight is being able to take part in the fun Night Watchman Tour that begins at 8pm. It’s harder to catch this tour if you have to take the train back to your home base.

And most importantly, staying in a hotel for a night or two significantly contributes to preserving the historic essence of the city.

How many days do you need in Rothenburg?

You need at least 1 full day to see the main sights and enjoy the unique, historic atmosphere of the town. If you want to visit the museums, enjoy leisurely meals, and take your time, you should stay for 2 full days.

How many nights to stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber?

We recommend staying 2 nights so you’re guaranteed 1 full day in Rothenburg. But depending on your itinerary and how much you want to see and do, 1 night can also work fine.

What is the difference between Rothenburg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber?

They’re the same! Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the full name (which translates to Rothenburg above the Tauber) and Rothenburg is just the shortened version that’s used more informally. But the two are used interchangeably to refer to the same place.

Where to stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber?

The best places to stay in Rothenburg ob der Tauber are located in the Old Town. Most of the Rothenburg lodging is concentrated in this area so you’ll find lots of options in this zone while also being close to all the main landmarks of the town.

Where is Rothenburg, Germany?

Rothenburg is located in the Franconia region of Bavaria in the south of Germany. It’s also along the Romantic Road, a popular tourist route that passes through various medieval towns in southern Germany.

What is there to buy in Rothenburg, Germany?

Rothenburg is a great place to buy German Christmas ornaments and decorations, a “Schneeball” (fried dough balls dipped in powdered sugar that look like snowballs), and even medieval clothes and other items.