A trip to Nördlingen can be part of the plan to get to know the entire Romantic Road in Germany, the best known tourist route in the country, or even a weekend or holiday day trip.
In this guide we include tips on what to do, accommodation, tourist attractions, restaurants and other information for your best visit to Nördlingen. In particular the Wall and its Towers that surround the 25 km crater where the city is located.
We write about 8 of the best attractions on the Romantic Road in Germany with up-to-date tips, be sure to check it out.
Where is the city of Nördlingen in Germany
Nördlingen or, in its Portuguese form, Norlinga is a city in Bavaria, located in the middle of the Ries basin, a gigantic crater resulting from the impact of a meteorite millions of years.
Nördlingen is 262 km from Frankfurt (approx. 2h50min). I haven’t taken the train to the city yet, but you can search for an option on the Deutsch Bahn. Taking the capital of the country as a reference, it is 518 km from Berlin and even though it is far away, it is possible to go by car (approx. 5h30min), in relation to other cities, it is 114 km from Stuttgart and 144 km from Munich.
As you can see, we are getting closer to the city of Munich, which becomes the best option in terms of origin and stay for your visit.
How to go to Nördlingen in Germany
The best way to travel in Germany is very much up to you. We alternated a lot between using the country’s excellent railway network and also taking advantage of the no less excellent German roads and highways (who has never heard of the Autobahns with no speed limit, right?).
Find the best deals and options for flights and airport transfers to your hotel.
If you want to go by train from Munich, the journey takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Read our Best travel tips for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
Romantic Road in Germany (Romantische Straße)
The German Romantic Route is the name given to a travel itinerary in southern Germany that crosses the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. It passes through 460 kilometers and 29 cities, starting in Würzburg to Füssen (where the famous Neuschwanstein Castle) linking various historic attractions and picturesque castles.
Nördlingen is part of the suggested itinerary and we have a complete and well-detailed travel guide with tips on how to get to know Germany’s Romantic Road, be sure to check it out.
Suggestions for activities and tours in the city of Nördlingen and other destinations on the German Romantic Road:
Where to stay in Nördlingen in Germany – Hotel, hostel and Bed & Breakfast
Although it is not very common to choose the city of Nördlingen as a base to visit the Romantic Route (it is much more common for example stay in Munich and take a day trip back), there are some good options to stay.
The best rated hotels in Nördlingen that you can review to choose where to stay are:
- NH Klösterle Nördlingen
- Beim Klösterle 1, 86720 Nördlingen
- 8.1 – Very good out of 1,545 ratings
- Guest reviews: The facilities are beautiful, the room is a good size, comfortable bed, location is very good, attentive staff, impeccable cleanliness.
- Cafe-Hotel Altreuter
- 11 Marktplatz, 86720 Nördlingen
- 8.0 – Very good out of 619 ratings
- Guest reviews: Location in the historic center, next to the church. The hotel also has a delicious pastry shop, where breakfast is served.
- JUFA Hotel Nördlingen
- Bleichgraben 3a, 86720 Nördlingen
- 8.3 – Very good out of 786 ratings
- Guest reviews: The location of the hotel is excellent, close to one of the entrances to the historic city. It has ample parking, a large breakfast room, a bar and an internal garden.
- Arthotel ANA Flair
- Bürgermeister-Reiger-Str. 14, 86720
- 7.5 – Good out of 1,058 ratings
- Guest reviews: Location very close to tourist attractions (5 minutes on foot). Wonderful breakfast, very clean room, good beds and showers and very helpful staff.
- ibis Styles Noerdlingen
- Maria-Penn-Strasse 5, 86720 Nördlingen
- 8.0 – Very good out of 424 ratings
- Guest reviews: Very good breakfast, good location to visit the historic center, free parking. Dog friendly, helpful and friendly staff.
An alternative is to see nearby accommodation options, be sure to check the Booking.com page for other options.
Things to do in Nördlingen in Germany
Nördlingen, first mentioned in a document in 898 AD, was an independent imperial city in the Holy Roman Empire from the time it was elevated to city status by King Friedrich II until it was incorporated into Bavaria in 1802.
Due to its location at the crossroads of two major trade routes (Frankfurt, Würzburg-Augsburg and Nuremberg-Ulm), Nördlingen was an important trading center from the Middle Ages to the early modern period.
The loss of economic importance and stagnation caused by the devastation of the Thirty Years’ War and the change in trade routes contributed to the extensive preservation of the medieval townscape and ultimately made Nördlingen a destination for cultural tourism.
Fun fact, Nördlingen is, along with Rothenburg ob der Tauber, the only two cities in Germany that still have a complete wall surrounding the city.
Top tourist attractions
The medieval old town of Nördlingen has been a popular tourist destination since the late 19th century. Tourism and gastronomy are one of the most important economic pillars for the city.
In addition to the old town, the geologically unique crater of Ries has also become a magnet for tourists. To make the natural geological heritage more accessible to the public than before, the Ries Geopark was designated.
The main sights that can be included in your Nördlingen travel itinerary are:
- Historische Stadtmauer (Historic Wall of Nördlingen)
- Nördlingen’s main attraction, the wall built in 1327, is completely preserved, with its five turreted gates, eleven additional towers and two bulwarks, which were part of its defense system. It is an unmissable experience, being possible to walk along its entire length of 2.6 km.
- FUN FACT: The city gates are named after places outside the city. The cities of Baldingen, Löpsingen, Deiningen and Reimlingen gave their names to four gates. Only the fifth, the Berger Tor, is not named after a place but after a mountain, the Friedhofsberg.
- The Wall Museum is on the six floors of the Löpsinger gate tower and documents the history of the city wall. You can see a pewter model of the Battle of Nördlingen and a model of the entire old town.
- Kirchturm Daniel (Tower Daniel)
- Another landmark of Nördlingen is the approximately 90 meter high St-Georgs-Kirche (St. George’s Church) tower, which was built between 1427 and 1505 and is called “Daniel” . Being the tallest tower, with more than 200 steps, it is possible to have a view of the entire city, including its wall.
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- St. Georg Dom (Cathedral of Saint George)
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- In addition to climbing the Daniel tower, take the opportunity to visit the Cathedral of São Jorge. Typical late Gothic construction, with beautiful stained glass windows and a wonderful set of organs.
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- St. Georg Dom (Cathedral of Saint George)
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- Rathaus am Marktplatz (City Hall on the Market Square)
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- Built in 1307, the house called “Steihaus zu Nördlingen” in the city center was owned by the Counts of Oettingen. But from 1382 until today, it has been continuously used as the town hall. Its main attraction is the flight of stairs made of Suevit stone, built by Wolfgang Walberger in 1618.
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- The town hall is located on Marktplatz, the city’s central market square, where you can also see other buildings and architectural beauties of Nördlingen.
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- Rathaus am Marktplatz (City Hall on the Market Square)
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- RiesKraterMuseum (Ries Crater Museum)
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- The Ries Crater Museum offers a lot of interesting visual material about the geological development of the area and a simulation of the impact of Ries around 15 million years ago, when the Nördlinger Ries was formed. In addition, you can see real moon rocks, which the city of Nördlingen received as a permanent loan from NASA.
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- CURIOSITY: In 1970, the astronauts of the Apollo 14 mission trained in Ries, as the rocks in the Ries quarries resemble the rocks on the lunar surface. It contains minerals that are formed only under the extreme pressure and temperature conditions that occur during meteorite impacts.
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- Go to the official website for information on times and ticket prices.
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- RiesKraterMuseum (Ries Crater Museum)
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- Altstadt (Historic city)
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- Like virtually all cities on Germany’s Romantic Road, the historic city of Nördlingen has several attractions for those who don’t mind walking through its alleys. Take a map of the city at the Tourist Information Center and look for some of its most beautiful and old houses, such as Klösterle (which from a Franciscan church became a grain warehouse and is now a restaurant), Brot und Tanzhaus (House of bread and dancing built in 1444) and others.
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- Altstadt (Historic city)
The watchman’s cry in “Daniel” Tower
“So, G’sell, so!” is the watchman’s call from “Daniel”, the tower of the Gothic church of St. George, every night.
The towers of Nördlingen have always been of great importance for the defense of the city. Guards had to watch day and night and ensure the safety of residents from fire and enemies.
And to ensure that all the guards were at their posts, at dusk, the watchmen of the “Daniel” Tower would shout to the gatekeepers and city guards “So, G’sell, so!” .
The origin of this cry is when in 1440 a woman wanted to buy a bottle of beer for her husband at night. When then at Löpsinger Tor, she observed a runaway sow rubbing her buttocks against a gate. She soon discovered that it wasn’t securely locked and indignantly shouted “So, G’sell, so!” at the guards.
These confessed to having been bribed by the Count of Oettinger to leave the gate ajar at night so that he could conquer the city with an armed band.
This is how a sow saved Nördlingen. In fact, no one really knows if this was so, but it is true that in 1440 two gatekeepers were executed for treason.
Even today, the watchmen on duty make this call every half hour, from 10 pm to midnight, from the “Daniel” tower room.
Tips for a 1-day itinerary in Nördlingen in Germany
Our suggestion in Nördlingen is to divide your itinerary into two parts:
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- Arrive in the city and take the complete tour of the almost 3 kilometers of its circular wall.
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- Get off at the Löpsinger gate and visit the Wall Museum.
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- Walk then to Marktplatz.
Take a break for lunch
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- After lunch stroll through the Altstadt, visiting the main houses and buildings of Nördlingen.
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- End the day by climbing the more than 200 steps of Daniel Tower and enjoy one last glimpse of the city.
And after that you continue your journey to the next city on the German Romantic Road.
Where to eat in Nördlingen in Germany – Tips for bars and restaurants
If you’re traveling in Germany, I believe you should look for restaurants specializing in the country’s traditional cuisine or even a Biergarten for a German beer.
In Nördlingen, there are the options:
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- Wengers-Brettl
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- Loepsinger Str. 27, 86720
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- Reviews: Located in an old building in Nordlingen, it serves typical German cuisine in a very cozy space. Attentive and friendly service, tasty dishes and very good beers.
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- Wengers-Brettl
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- Kleibls
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- Hallgasse 15, 86720 Nordlingen
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- Comments: Large, well-made dishes. Good food. Good price. Great reception. Speak English. In Germany all restaurants close early.
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- Kleibls
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- Stuck
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- Henkergasse 1, 86720
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- Comments: You eat a lot and you eat very well! Abundant food, good food and everything with great care and whim! Service note 10.
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- Stuck
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- Eichendorfstuble
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- Eichendorffplatz 6, 86720 Nordlingen
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- Reviews: Best host, food and cheap. Great vibes. Would love to go back. Very friendly hosts. Very friendly service staff.
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- Eichendorfstuble
Watch a video with images of Nördlingen in Germany
Video description: We visited in October 2012 and spent a whole afternoon in this charming city on the Romantic Road (Romantische Straße) of Germany, located in the region of Bavaria.
Are you traveling to Germany?
Specifically about international travel by plane to Frankfurt Airport, we have the best post:
Where to stay near Frankfurt Airport Germany – FRA, Frankfurt/Main
Search for the best place to stay near Frankfurt Airport, including hotel and hostel at different prices.
For planning a trip to Germany, we have some publications that can help a lot:
*Photos from TripAdvisor, official website of Nördlingen and Wikipedia.