5 Enchanting Small Towns in Germany

Curious about the best small towns in Germany to visit? I’ve got you covered!

Whether you want to roam medieval cobblestone streets and sip Reisling in the summer sunshine – or shop for souvenirs in snow-covered Christmas markets – a trip to explore the best small towns in Germany will be unforgettable!

From Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Bamberg to Miltenberg, Germany is home to some of the most enchanting, fairy-tale towns you could imagine!

In my personal experience, most of Germany’s best small towns lie along a riverside. On a two-week river cruise along the Danube, Main, and Rhine Rivers with Viking River Cruises, I was lucky enough to visit many of them!

Beautiful, medieval architecture in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

In this guide, I’ll share my top picks for the most magical small towns to visit in Germany. Each one is so well-preserved (or well-restored, after WWII), charming, and simply beautiful, that you can’t afford to miss a single one!

And to be honest, some of them probably fall in the “city” category, population-wise. But their splendid old towns and peaceful atmospheres mean that they have to make the list!

So without further ado, here are my top picks for the best small towns in Germany to visit!

Five Must-Visit Small Towns in Germany

Holding up two mugs of drinks at Rothenburg ob der Tauber - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
Lovely stems filled with flowers and buds
Cobblestone street and medieval houses in Rothenburg ob der Tauber - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
Bright colors of buildings along the street. Your vacation in Rothenburg ob der Tauber won't be complete without the sights of beautiful medieval houses.
An uphill walkway surrounded by old buildings in Rothenburg ob der Tauber - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
Old houses decorated with lovely flowering plants. The beautiful streets with medieval houses is one of the main sights and attractions in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Quiet street in Rothenburg ob der Tauber - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
Mauricio, blogger, sitting on a chair outside a house decorated with potted flowers. The old town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the best places to visit in Germany.

1. Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which occupies the region of Franconia, might be the most beautiful small town in all of Germany!

Visit Rothenburg ob der Tauber to walk the streets of a perfectly preserved medieval town, walk inside the town’s surrounding fortress, take in the bright colors of each old building, and drink fresh-pressed apple juice in the town’s main square.

Rothenburg is also the place to shop in Germany! Make sure to look around for Christmas ornaments and decorations, as well as hand-carved trinkets, beautiful cuckoo clocks, and unique souvenirs.

When it was time to return to the Viking ship, I almost couldn’t leave. Rothenburg is more than a fairy-tale town; it’s a dreamland. And it still blows my mind now, to know that it actually exists in real life.

You need to go, too.

What to Do in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

  • Go on this Rothenburg ob der Tauber Private Walking Tour
  • Soak up the incredibly beautiful atmosphere, admire all of the colorful half-timbered houses, and take lots of photos!
  • Shop for Christmas decorations in the year-round Christmas shops, like the German Christmas Museum
  • Walk along (and inside) the fortress walls
  • Savor an apple juice from one of the street stalls
  • See the city towers and gates, like Klingentor, or the Blade Gate
Medieval houses in Bamberg which is one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
View of the red roofs of buildings in Bamberg. Make sure to do your research on things you need to know before you visit Bamberg so you can make the most of your vacation.
The Regnitz River passing below a bridge with people walking over it. The town of Bamberg is considered one of the fairy tale towns in Germany.
Maddy and Mauricio sitting by the river in Bamberg, Germany
Quiet neighborhood lined with parked cars in Bamberg - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
A street in Bamberg with tall, medieval buildings on a sunny day. These beautiful streets are some of the top-rated attractions in Bamberg, Germany.
An old building built with wood and stone, with bicycles parked outside, in Bamberg - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
Medieval buildings by the river in Bamberg. Going on a river cruise is one of the best things to do in Bamberg, Germany.

2. Bamberg

The Bavarian town of Bamberg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its storied history, influential architectural style, and importance as the center of Enlightenment in southern Germany.

Luckily, Bamberg was left mostly untouched during World War II. This town usually flies under travelers’ radars, but Viking River Cruises changed that for me!

Bamberg may be a small town, but it’s full of life and character. Buildings dating anywhere between the 11th and 19th centuries line the city’s old town, while locals bustle along its cobblestone streets.

When you want to escape the crowds, though, the riverbanks allow for peaceful strolls and the most stunning views of boats floating by past jaw-dropping medieval architecture.

What to Do in Bamberg

  • Roam the medieval streets on this Bamberg Private Walking Tour
  • Embark on this Bamberg Countryside Breweries Beer, Hike, Food Experience
  • Try Bamberg’s original Schlenkerla Smokebeer; if you’re a beer drinker, you’ll love this dark, smoke-flavored brew
  • See the beautiful 13th-century Bamberg Cathedral
  • Tour the ornate 17th-century palace, Neue Residenz Bamberg (Neue Residenz), and meander through its rose garden
  • Snap a photo of the Altes Rathaus, an iconic building and museum located on an island in the middle of the Regnitz River
  • Stroll along the peaceful riverbanks
Holding up a pretzel while roaming around Regensburg - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
Maddy taking a sip of beer in a biergarten during daytime
Crowded street and buildings near the Clock Tower at Regensburg - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
Pretzels, sausages, and mugs of beer in one of the best biergartens in Regensburg
Beautiful cobblestone streets in Regensburg - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany

3. Regensburg

Visit Regensburg Altstadt (Old Town), and you’ll instantly feel as though you’ve gone back in time.

Regensburg is a must-visit fairy tale town in Germany for its many outdoor beer gardens, enormous Gothic cathedral, cobblestone streets, and old, brightly colored houses.

Regensburg is almost perfectly preserved, with buildings dating back hundreds of years. Its famous Old Stone Bridge, or Steinerne Brรผcke, which crosses the Danube River, has been standing since 1135!

In Regensburg, carts selling pretzels and bratwurst line the streets, charming cafรฉs sit on every street corner, and each alleyway is as quaint and picturesque as the last.

Personally, I’ve visited Regensburg twice! If you’re on a road trip, it’s the perfect stop on your way to Prague. (Click here to find the best car rental deals in Europe!) Though, it’s also an easy day trip from Munich.

What to Do in Regensburg

  • Marvel at the Old Stone Bridge
  • Pop into St. Peter’s Cathedral, one of the most impressive cathedrals in Bavaria
  • Walk along the riverside promenade, Donauuferweg, and admire views of the Altstadt across the Danube River
  • Eat traditional fare and enjoy a beer or two at a beer garden; Spitalgarten and Alte Linde are good choices!
Cobblestone street surrounded by old houses in Nuremberg
Beautiful wooden houses in Nuremberg - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
Quiet street and old houses - a must-see sight when you visit Nuremberg
Tall, historical buildings in Nuremberg - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
Bratwursts, loaf bread, and beer in a biergarten at Nuremberg - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
The Hangman's Bridge in Nuremberg
Lovely pink flowers by the Henkersteg Bridge in Nuremberg - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany

4. Nuremberg

Nuremberg is most famous for the Nuremberg Trials that occurred after World War II, but its history goes back much further.

Situated along the Pegnitz River, Nuremberg has been an important trading hub since the Middle Ages.

You can feel the city’s old-world heritage everywhere around you, from the Imperial Castle to the old city walls and bridges.

But beyond Nuremberg’s riveting history, lies a beautiful fairy-tale-like city center. The canals, biergartens, quiet alleyways, and the main square’s farmer’s market are good places to start.

And if you’re lucky enough to visit during Christmastime, Nuremberg plays host to Germany’s most famous and sprawling Christmas market, Christkindlesmarkt. There, you can indulge in gingerbread, glรผhwein, bratwurst, roasted almonds, and everything else Christmas!

What to Do in Nuremberg

  • Go on this Nuremberg Old Town and Nazi Party Rally Grounds Walking Tour
  • Visit the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg
  • Walk along the peaceful Pegnitz River, crossing beautiful centuries-old bridges, such as the Fleischbrรผcke and Maxbrรผcke
  • Stop by the stunning Gothic-style St. Lawrence Church
  • Shop in the Handwerkerhof Nuremberg
  • Browse the Nรผrnberger Hauptmarkt and see the Schรถner Brunnen, an iconic Gothic landmark
  • In the wintertime, visit the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
Quiet street surrounded with colorful medieval houses in Wertheim - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
Tall, medieval buildings in Wertheim, Germany
Tiny medieval building in Wertheim - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
Medieval buildings in Wertheim painted in yellow with brown lines. The town of Wertheim is one of the best places to visit in Germany.
River under a bridge connecting two neighboring areas of Wertheim - one of the fairy tale towns in Germany
Cute, colorful houses in Wertheim

5. Wertheim

The charming town of Wertheim is situated at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers, and is home to a population of just over 24,000 people.

Of these five fairy tale towns in Germany, Wertheim is the least touristy. As we explored the town, the only foreigners we spotted there were ourselves!

Between the Wertheim Castle, the beautiful medieval buildings, the Glass Museum, and the peaceful river views, there’s no way you won’t love Wertheim. So add it to your list!

What to Do in Wertheim

  • Explore the ruins of Wertheim Castle
  • Stop into the glass museum: Glasmuseum Wertheim
  • Visit the 12th-century monastery, Kloster Bronnbach
  • Simply roam the beautiful streets
Medieval houses with windows decorated with potted flowering plants and bushes

Five Must-Visit Fairy Tale Towns in Germany

I visited these five fairy tale towns in Germany while on a Grand European Tour with Viking River Cruises. Over 15 days, I cruised through Hungary, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, stopping in the most incredible villages and cities. And I had the time of my life!

If you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, we can’t recommend this cruise itinerary enough. It’ll be a life-changing experience that you’ll never forget!

All the details: 4 countries, 15 days, and 14 guided tours. For more information, click here!

What to Pack for Germany

Remember that the season of your visit to Germany will help determine what you need to pack!

Of course, summer is warmer, and you can dress as you would in this part of Europe. But as expected the winter is very cold. Always bring a beautiful coat in winter!

Here are a few top tips on what to wear in Germany:

Quick Germany Tips

Have you visited any of these fairy tale towns in Germany? Which is your favorite? If not, have you added any to your Germany bucket list?

Maddy’s Avenue embarked on the Grand European Tour as guests of Viking River Cruises, but as always, all opinions are our own!

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30 Comments

  1. Hey Hello,
    Your view of Germany is very interesting. I foget sometimes how beautiful it could be :).
    But, one thing I have to say: Yes, beer is great in Germany and they drink it all over the country (exept of me;)) But: there are 16 states in Germany and the big beer and Sauerkraut with sausages are a tradition of one/two of them – Bavaria and Franken. The other states have there own meals and alkoholic drinks also traditions.
    If you visit the Mosel (a river) there ist all full of wine and so romantic. The food is higher cuisine and the towns are very old. In Hessia, the middle of Germany, they drink cidre and at the springtime Grรผne SoรŸe, which means green sauce and made with fresh herbs and milkproducts. It’s eaten cold with potatos. There lived once Goethe and the Brother’s Grimm and in few towns you could see it.
    And this about TWO other states in Germany. It’s beautiful, totally different and multicutural here. Please, take a look behind the one litre-beer-glas of bavaria if you come back to Germany ????

  2. Thank you for this post! We’re researching places to visit in Germany on our upcoming trip and we were looking for some fairy-tale cities to add to the itinerary. This is just what we needed!

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