Germany's Romantic Road will take you on a journey through 250 miles in Bavaria. You can experience the old-world charm and romance as you wind your way from one adorable, fairy tale village to another. Follow the Romantic Road as it leads to picture-perfect Main River Valley, the Franconian wine region, and Alpine peaks.
There are plenty of bus and small group tours, and you will have a little time to yourself on them. But if you want to explore thoroughly, you need to drive yourself. Driving the Romantic Road in 2-3 days is certainly possible, but you will miss out on the best part of the trip...the romance. Take your time and roam, because Germany's Romantic Road calls for meandering! Therefore, I am revealing my Guide to 7 Perfect Days on Germany's Romantic Road.
Quick Tips for the Romantic Road:
1. Rent a nice car (BMW, Audi, Mercedes, etc.); you will want a vehicle that can keep up on the Autobahn.
2. There are a lot of intimate burghs and roads, so try to avoid traveling during the busiest time: summer.
3. Roam with purpose. You will want to book hotels before you arrive. For the most part, these are very tiny towns, and they have limited hotel availability.
Frankfurt Day 1:
Fly into Frankfurt (technically it's not part of the Romantic Road), but it is home to the closest major airport. Frankfurt is the financial capital of Germany, but that doesn't mean you can't have a romantic time. Bike along the Main River, visit Romer Square, or stroll around the picturesque downtown area.
Wurzburg to Rothenburg Day 2
Drive from Frankfurt to Wurzburg. In the heart of the Franken wine region lies Wurzburg. Only 80 miles away, leaving you plenty of time to explore this hidden gem. Spend your day exploring the lovely vineyards and gourmet restaurants. If you love architecture, you won't want to miss the Residence Palace.
Before heading to the next stop, tour the Am Stein vineyard so that you can have lunch at Reisers am Stein. Located at the vineyard and owned by a culinary star, Bernhard Reiser, Reisers is THE place to go for a tasty meal. If you prefer to dine in the center of town, Alte Mainmuhle is the place to go. After spending the day wandering through Wurzburg, drive to the next stop Rothenburg ob der Tauber (about 40 min drive).
Rothenburg ob der Tauber Day 3 and 4:
Rothenburg (as the locals call it) is the best-preserved medieval town in all of Germany, and it's worth a little extra time to explore it. The half-timbered houses, winding alleys, and adorable markets combine to make it the perfect setting for romance. Rothenburg is a great place to wander without any real itinerary. Tour with the Night Watchman, who is on patrol in the illuminated city center at night. Led by a local, you will learn the history of this adorable, little town.
Dinkelsbuhl to Augsburg Day 5:
The drive from Rothenburg to Augsburg is 2 hours, so make a pit stop at delightful Dinkelsbuhl. This charming little city dates back to the 8th century. It's a village that is quintessentially German. It also is less touristy than other towns on the Romantic Road. You will be able to meander through downtown without worrying about the selfie-obsessed crowds. Dinkelsbuhl is famous for its breweries, and you need to check out Weib's Brauhaus. A female brewmaster presides over the copper vats at Weib's, so you know the beer is good!
After enjoying several hours in Dinkelsbuhl, time to head for the larges city on the Romantic Road, Augsburg. In Augsburg, you will discover the legacy that the Roman Empire left on Germany. Wander 2000-year-old streets once roamed by the wealthy traders during the Renaissance. Baroque townhouses, lovely boulevards, and romantic restaurants line the avenues. Don't miss Ausburg's Fuggerei, the world's oldest welfare housing. Fuggerei is a walled enclave within the city itself, making it a town in another town.
Fussen Day 6:
Head on to Fussen, which is a 75-minute drive from Augsburg. The journey to Fussen is among the prettiest on the Romantic Road. Fussen sits in a picturesque valley at the foot of the Bavarian Alps. Its location makes it a perfect stop for anyone itching for a little adventure: swimming in lovely lakes, hiking, biking, and mountain climbing are all nearby. Make the pilgrimage to Hohenschwangau (right outside of Fussen) so that you can see 2 of the most beautiful castles in the world: Schloss Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. The first isn't as well known as the second (Neuschwanstein was the inspiration for Cinderella's Castle at Disney Land), but both are worth a visit. The views from each are astounding.
Munich Day 7:
You will end your romantic trip on the Romantic Road in Munich. It's an hour outside of Fussen. One day isn't enough to experience Munich; it deserves a vacation of its own (I recommend going during Oktoberfest). Stroll through the city center, stopping whenever something catches your fancy.
Soak up the history and natural beauty on Germany's Romantic Road. It is the perfect vacation for anyone that loves: wine, beer, food, and old-world charm.
Many of the stops featured in this blog also feature in 13 Adorable and Romantic Towns in Germany. Why We Love Munich for Romance will answer all your questions about Munich (which admittedly didn't get a lot of love in the blog)
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