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 Riesling in the summer sunshine – or shop for souvenirs and drink Traditional German Glühwein in snow-covered Christmas markets – a trip to explore the best small towns in Germany will be unforgettable!
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! All the details: 4 countries, 15 days, and 14 guided tours.
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 the Viking River Cruises Grand European Tour, a two-week river cruise along the Danube, Main, and Rhine Rivers. 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!
Traveling to other parts of Europe and looking for small, charming towns? Consider the timeless Luxembourg City, the idyllic town of Bruges, Belgium, or take a day trip to Toledo from Madrid, Spain, for cobblestone streets and medieval history.
So without further ado, here are my top picks for the best small towns in Germany to visit!
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. The famous Old Stone Bridge, or Steinerne Brücke, which crosses the Danube River, has been standing since 1135!
In Regensburg, carts selling pretzels and bratwurst line the streets, charming cafés 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 before a Prague itinerary. (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 Christmas market, Christkindlesmarkt. There, you can indulge in gingerbread, German glühwein, 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 Fleischbrücke and Maxbrücke
- Stop by the stunning Gothic-style St. Lawrence Church
- Shop in the Handwerkerhof Nuremberg
- Browse the Nürnberger Hauptmarkt and see the Schöner 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
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!
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 (https://www.mintnotion.com)
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 :)