5 Enchanting Small Towns in Germany
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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!
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
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
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
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!
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
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
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:
- Wool coat: During the colder months a beautiful wool coat is essential for style and practicality. You will fit in with the locals with this one.
- Comfortable boots: As expected, you’ll walk a lot, so opt for a comfortable but stylish boot that you’ve worn in. You can’t go wrong with a smart Chelsea boot, like these.
- Floaty dress: In the summer opt for a long floaty dress so you stay cool, and bring a light scarf so you are always prepared to enter religious sites and cover your shoulders.
- Sunscreen: Nothing spoils your trip (and your photos!) more than sunburn. Remember to prepare with a good, natural sunscreen and stay protected.
- Reusable water bottle: Remember to keep hydrated during your adventures; it can’t all be wine and coffee all the time! Bring a reusable water bottle so you can keep topped up.
- Umbrella: There is always a risk of rain! Pack a travel sized umbrella so you don’t get caught short
- Travel insurance: As with any trip, you should ALWAYS purchase travel insurance in case anything goes wrong. I’ve had my fair share of travel mishaps!
Quick Germany Tips
- HOTEL: I use this website for scoring amazing deals on accommodation worldwide. Find great hotels in Germany here.
- HOSTELWORLD: If you’re traveling on a budget, this is the best website to score cheap hostel deals.
- VACATION RENTAL: I use this site for finding the perfect vacation rental for an unforgettable getaway.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE: Never go on a trip without travel insurance! If you are a remote worker and/or traveling regularly, SafetyWing has an awesome monthly subscription for digital nomad insurance (I currently use SafetyWing).
- GUIDED TOURS & EXCURSIONS: Many of the tours I recommend are hosted with Viator, which also works with local tour operators. Search them all here.
- CHEAP FLIGHTS: Get great deals on flights using my favorite flight fare aggregator.
- TRAVEL GEAR: A collection of all of my must-have travel gear is listed here. The most important to remember are comfortable shoes and a scarf for visiting religious sites.
- CAR RENTAL: If you need to rent a car book your car rental in advance here for the best deals.
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!
Schwรคbisch Hall, tiny but super pretty.
Your photos are beautiful! I’m planning a trip to Germany but haven’t decided yet on what time of year I want to go. Rothenburg, Bamberg and Nuremberg are all on my list!
I noticed your pictures look very absent of people, which to me is appealing not having to deal with large crowds! Do you mind sharing what month your trip was during?
Thanks so much!
Don’t forget Rudesheim with it’s famous coffee drink, a must try!
I lived Wieisbaden…with the Taunus Mountain Range in the background and home of the famous Kurhaus Fasching Ball, the hot springs, plus the Rhine River and the spectactular castles along the river’s edge….I visited a few cities…some that come to mind are…Garmisch Partenkirchen, a ski resort in Bavaria, near the famous Zugspitze highest skiing mountain range, which is Germany’s highest mountain peak…and the fabulous Neuschwanstein Castle in also in Bavaria…then there is Oberammergau, where the Passion Play tours annually, and of course Munich and Vienna…all are a must if traveling Germany. Oh and Nuremberg, a quaint but beautiful city along with Heidelbergs and it’s show…the burning of it’s castle.
The Passion Play in Oberammergau is only put on every TEN years.
I looked through the Viking Tour website and it seems as if there’s some type of payment plan. I can’t find any direct answers, but do they accept payment installments up until the time of the trip?
Hi Abigail, we aren’t sure about that. It would be best to reach out to Viking directly – try calling or emailing.
Aww! They’re all so sweet. As a British person living in Germany, I’d say that Nuremburg is the best town on the list!
Another place to consider would be Trier. I’ve only been to Trier once. It’s the oldest town in Germany and even has a Roman Colosseum. I was most impressed!
Thank you! One of my dreams is to visit Germany and see the fairytale towns and castles. These will definitely be added to my list! Your pictures are beautiful!
I loved Nurnberg. Very pretty town. Full of German history. Tbe walk along the river is gorgeous.
Also have been to Bamberg and found that charming.
Another favourite that has been left out is Dresden. Very different to thd medieval towns and hosts great baroque architecture. .
I lived in Wertheim in the late 1970s. There used to be a US Army base at the top of a nearby town. It looks like you missed it, but up near the middle ages fountain at the head of the town (dedicated to the victims of the black death), there is a small restaurant where the owner display a license plate, bearing the US flag and “God Bless our Country”. This town is well known to Americans in times past.
We made it up to the castle in Wertheim, but yes, we must have missed the Army base! If we ever make it back to Wertheim, we’ll have to check it out. Maybe other readers will see your comment and make it over there! Thanks for your input. :)
It’s in Reinhardshof, at the top of the hill opposite the castle. I used to see the castle walking down the hill. Back then, there were no trees lining the road and there was an open view of the town and castle. If go there, continue to Vockenrot and visit Gasthof-Hotel Zum Ross. They have a great restaurant. I used to visit there often when I live there, and I see it is still there.
Great post on Germany. We spent three weeks last summer exploring the divergent sides of Germany. We snapped over 5k in photos. It is a Beautiful place to visit and should be on the top of anyone’s travel list.
Beautiful place germany, my frined vist next month. Urgently you should go to see it!
You forgot Esslingen am Neckar!
That wasn’t one of the stops on our Viking River Cruise. Will definitely look it up for next time though! :)
I recomment you Bad Wimpfen next to Heilbronn. Urgently you should go to see it!
Thanks for the tip! :)
I lived in Heilbronn. Loved it. Also, I suggest adding Heidelberg to the list. Not a little town but definitely a great place to visit. The castle is gorgeous. And if you can make it to the lighting of the castle it’s a never forget experience!
You should definitely add Meersburg in the area of Lake Constance to your list! It’s tiny but so worth the visit – plus there are many other, pretty amazing places in that region. Loved your photos by the way! :)
Thanks for the tip! We’ll have to check Meersburg out next time!
Try Gernsbach in the edge of the Black Forest, It’s very close to Baden Baden.
All these towns really do look like they are from a fairy tale! I love the colorful buildings and style of the architecture. Makes me want to visit and get lost exploring around these towns.
Eden | Mint Notion
And you should! Thanks for your comment :)
Awesome photos! I love learning about the smaller towns in Europe… I’d love to one day do a road trip or train journey between all these little towns and explore them for a few days at a time. Maybe I’ll have to add these German towns to my dream itinerary :)
Thanks! A day is enough time in each of these towns; a few days might be too many. But either way, they’re highly recommended. Definitely add them to your dream bucket list and you won’t regret it :)