Rothenburg ob der Tauber Saints and Sinners Self Guided Tour

Rothenburg was too poor to modernize for 200 years — which is exactly why it's one of Europe's best-preserved medieval walled towns. This self-guided app-based walking tour of Rothenburg takes you through 18 stops and 900 years of history, entirely at your own pace. You'll hear the drinking legend that supposedly saved the town from destruction, see the fountain Disney copied, and find out how it was saved from total destruction during WWII. The route covers the landmarks on Market square, passing by St. Jakob's Church and the Medieval Crime Museum plus lesser-known spots most guided tours walk right past. Start anytime, pause for a glass of Franconian wine and take detours without holding anyone up. The tour works offline, so spotty signal in Rothenburg's narrow lanes won't slow you down. If you want to explore without being herded between stops, this was made for you. Over 20,000 travelers have used our self-guided tours and a full refund guarantee means there's zero risk in booking.

1. 1

   Stop 1

   20 min

   Stand where 17 rebel leaders were beheaded in a single afternoon and left for the town to see and hear about Rothenburg's most powerful citizen who died without ever getting a trial

2. 2

   Historisches Festspiel "Der Meistertrunk"

   10 min

   Watch a mechanical mayor enact a famous legend — and question whether it was true.

3. 3

   Georgsbrunnen

   10 min

   Spot the fountain Disney quietly copied.

4. 4

   Kathe Wohlfahrts Weihnachtsdorf

   10 min

   Do your windowshopping at a shop where Christmas never stopped.

5. 5

   Burggarten

   20 min

   Walk the grounds of a royal castle that an earthquake erased and an entire town scavenged for parts.

6. 6

   RothenburgMuseum

   Pass by

   Hear about the historic building, it’s current exhibits and uncover a peaceful garden

7. 7

   Stop 7

   Pass by

   Hear about a wooden altar so radical its creator refused to paint it and other treasures

8. 8

   Stop 8

   Pass by

   Count the seven virtues and seven deadly sins carved side by side, and hear why the architect mixed them together.

9. 9

   Medieval Crime and Justice Museum

   Pass by

   Learn about the iron mask custom-built for gossips and the barrel reserved for the town drunk.

10. 10

    Das Plonlein

    10 min

    Frame the photograph that Disney, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and two million visitors a year keep coming back for.

11. 11

    Stop 11

    15 min

    Read Rothenburg's growth rings in a watchtower stranded in the middle of town and check for storks nesting on top.

12. 12

    Stop 12

    Pass by

    Take a photo by a house that was rubble in 1945 and rebuilt nail by nail.

13. 13

    Rodertor

    15 min

    Walk the ramparts and read the names of strangers from around the world who paid to put them back together.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.