Romantik Blog
The Romantic Road. No destination, just emotion.
If streets could talk, this one would whisper stories. Of knights and roses, of onion domes and plum cake, of baroque splendor and Bavarian down-to-earthness. With a length of around 460 km, the Romantic Road is a quiet, swinging thread through the heart of southern Germany. Those who travel along it not only travel from A to B, but from everyday life to the present moment. We take you on a romantic journey, very close to our Romantik® Hotels.
From Würzburg to Füssen. Or: From the wine glass to the fairytale castle.
Forget the travel guide. Really. Because the Romantic Road doesn't live on tick marks on your bucket list, but on moments that you can't plan: the smell of freshly baked cake in the village café, the crackling of pebbles underfoot in a medieval alleyway or the golden evening light that suddenly makes the half-timbered façade glow. So: start the engine, lace up your walking boots or get on your bike. And let yourself drift. Don't be in a hurry. No “you have to see it”. Just an open mind, a little time in your luggage. And a desire for the beautiful in-between. Nevertheless, here are a few stops that are not just worth seeing, but worth feeling:
Würzburg. Wine, World Heritage & Baroque.
Start your journey in style with a glass of Schwane Silvaner in the romantic courtyard of the Romantik® Hotel Zur Schwane in Volkach or the Romantik® Hotel Zehntkeller in Iphofen. These ensembles of pleasure, history and their own wineries are located just 25 kilometers from Würzburg. Here, the Romantic Road begins not with a road sign, but with a wink and a well-filled wine glass. And then: off to Würzburg, where baroque opulence meets student nonchalance. Between the Residenz and Ringpark, Mainbrücke and Marienberg, you stroll through a city that refuses to make up its mind: between high culture and wine festival, between UNESCO World Heritage Site and sundowner on the banks of the Main. And that's a good thing. Don't miss: the Würzburg Residence, which looks as if Versailles has opened a Franconian offshoot, the Old Main Bridge, where Franconian Silvaner meets the view of the Main for an aperitif, and of course the Marienberg Fortress, which towers high above and ensures that your hiking calves get a good workout.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Medieval magic you can touch.
A place straight out of a fairytale: half-timbered facades, cobbled alleyways, the romance of night watchmen. Rothenburg lives history and lets you slow down at the same time. Walking through the streets, you feel like you're in a fairy tale and ask yourself: is this real? Half-timbered houses are lined up like in a movie set, the Plönlein is a photo motif in real time. History awaits around every corner, from the Crime or Christmas Museum to the city wall, which you can walk all the way around. In the evening, the old town is transformed into a silent, glowing stage, perfect for a night watchman's tour. Spend the night? At the Romantik® Hotel Markusturm, a former customs house right in the middle of the action and directly on the Plönlein.
Dinkelsbühl & Nördlingen. Where you walk in a meteorite crater.
Dinkelsbühl may be Rothenburg's less famous sister, but it is at least as enchanting. Surrounded by a completely preserved town wall and historic towers, the town seems to have fallen out of time. The market square is baroque and St. George's is considered one of the most beautiful hall churches in Germany. Best explored with a scoop of ice cream in hand. Nördlingen is also a real insider tip: not only because you live inside a huge meteorite crater, but also because you can walk all the way around the old town on the town wall. Highlight: The “Daniel”, the church tower of St. George's Church, offers a panoramic view of the Ries. Just half an hour's drive away: the Romantik® Hotel Zum Klosterbräu, quiet, authentic, perfect for arriving and relaxing.
Augsburg. Roman heritage & Renaissance.
Mozart, Fugger, Renaissance, but also street art, student life and secluded parks. Augsburg is a lively mixture of history and the present. The city is not only the home of the Fuggers, but also combines Roman roots with Renaissance splendor, industrial history and an art scene. The Fuggerei, the oldest social housing estate in the world, is just as worth seeing as Augsburg Cathedral and the many canals that have earned the city the nickname “Little Venice”. If you feel like it, you can even follow in the footsteps of Bertolt Brecht. You can stay overnight in style at the Romantik® Hotel Zur Post, a former post office with plenty of atmosphere and hospitality. Perfect for a cultural stopover.
Landsberg am Lech. Pastel colors, river & freedom.
Brightly painted houses, the rushing Lech Falls, small bridges, boutiques and cozy squares. Landsberg is a really cozy gem. The old town with its baroque church, the town wall and the Schmalzturm tower is a wonderful place to explore on foot. Particularly beautiful: sitting by the river in the evening, a glass of wine in your hand and watching the sun disappear behind the rooftops. Afterwards, you can relax in the Romantik® Hotel Chalet am Kiental, with a view of the countryside and sophisticated cuisine, before setting off on the last stage of the Romantic Road.
Füssen & Neuschwanstein Castle. The magical finale.
A magical end to the Romantic Road: when the Alpine panorama opens up in front of you and the silhouette of Neuschwanstein Castle rises out of the morning mist, you know: the journey was worth it. A castle straight out of a composer's dream. Somewhere between Wagner and Walt Disney. But please: Don't just take pictures. Feel it. Hohenschwangau Castle is located right next to the famous fairytale castle in Schwangau and is often less crowded. Füssen has a pretty old town with monasteries, the Lech promenade and a musical heritage. Where to stay? The best place is the Romantik® Alpenhotel Waxenstein in Grainau, just 25 km away, very close to the impressive Zugspitze with a small wellness area and views of the Alps.
Romantic Road hiking route
Long-distance cycle route
Who is the Romantic Road designed for?
For you, if you......
- want to take a break from your cell phone in everyday life....
- are looking for authentic places....
- prefer strolling through old towns to shopping malls....
- love the feeling of being at home while traveling.
Our tip: Romance meets Romance®
In our dreamy Romantik® Hotels along or near the route, you are not just a guest. You become a traveler in the best sense of the word. Old walls, modern wellness areas, regional cuisine with heart. Whether in a historic city hotel with its own vineyard or .Here, romance does not stay on the street. It moves in with you.
Germany
Romantik Hotel
Chalet am Kiental
Discover Romantik® hotels nearby on the map
FAQ Frequently asked questions & answers
The Romantic Road is one of Germany's most famous holiday routes. It stretches for around 460 km from Würzburg in Franconia to Füssen in the Allgäu region, passing through fairytale towns, medieval villages, and stunning landscapes.
It begins in Würzburg (Franconia) and ends in Füssen (Allgäu) near the Austrian border, with the famous Neuschwanstein Castle as the crowning finale.
Yes, it's wonderful to drive through by car, ideal for a road trip with plenty of time, spontaneous stops, and lots of enjoyment.
That depends entirely on your mode of transportation and your own travel pace:
By car:
It takes about 6–8 hours to drive through the entire route. However, if you want to take your time and discover the most beautiful places, you should plan on 5 to 7 days. Perfect for a leisurely road trip with stops for culture, cuisine, and short walks.
By bike:
The Romantic Road cycle route is approximately 460 km long, well signposted, and varied. For experienced cyclists, the route takes about 7–10 days, depending on the length of the stages (50–70 km per day) and the length of stay at the highlights.
On foot/hiking:
The Romantic Road hiking route is also around 500 km long. For ambitious hikers, a distance of 20–25 km per day is realistic – this means that the entire route takes around 3–4 weeks. Of course, you can also choose individual stages, e.g. around Rothenburg, Füssen, or Dinkelsbühl.
Tip: If you want to take it easy, combine sections with public transportation or stay overnight in our Romantik® Hotels along the route.
Highlights include Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, Nördlingen, Augsburg, Wertheim, Bad Mergentheim, and Landsberg am Lech. Each stop has its own unique charm.
Yes, in addition to Romantik® Hotels, there are also small romantic castles, historic inns, and modern wellness hotels.
Yes, there are official cycling and hiking trails along the route. The Romantic Road long-distance cycle route is signposted and offers beautiful scenery. You can find the routes further up in this article.
May to October is ideal: blooming meadows, wine festivals, warm evenings. In winter, Christmas markets and snow-covered towns enchant visitors with their festive splendor.
Definitely: Franconian wines, Allgäu cheese, Swabian Maultaschen, game dishes, Schäufele, or Bavarian delicacies. The route is a culinary road trip in itself.
No, many travelers discover the Romantic Road in stages, e.g., a long weekend in Franconia, another trip to the Allgäu.
Yes. Castles, palaces, adventure parks, nature, and ice cream: the route is varied and child-friendly. It is also ideal for relaxed family trips without the stress of flying.
Yes, wine festivals, medieval markets, open-air theater, classical concerts, and romantic city tours await you everywhere. Be sure to check the dates in advance.
Partly yes. Many places are easily accessible by train or bus, but for complete flexibility, a car or e-bike is ideal.
The Tauber and Lech river valleys, the meadows of the Allgäu region, and the foothills of the Alps are beautiful to behold.
Yes, there are several books, maps, and even an official app that provides GPS routes, tips, and insider advice. Many hotels along the route also offer their own guides. You can find additional routes or stages of the trail on Outdooractive.
The Romantic Road is a real treasure trove for culture and nature lovers. Here are some of the most beautiful highlights along the route:
- Würzburg: Residence (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Baroque old town, Main promenade
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Medieval picture-book town, city walls, Christmas museum
- Dinkelsbühl: One of Germany's most beautiful old towns with intact city walls
- Nördlingen: Walk along the completely accessible city walls, crater museum in Ries
- Augsburg: Roman roots, Fuggerei, Renaissance buildings, Puppenkiste theater
- Landsberg am Lech: Colorful facades, Lechwehr weir, historic old town
- Schwangau: Neuschwanstein Castle & Hohenschwangau Castle – fairytale royal castles
- Füssen: Alpine backdrop, Lechfall, St. Mang's Abbey, romantic end to the route
And in between: enchanted half-timbered villages, romantic river valleys, castle ruins, and cozy wine villages.
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