What to do in Röttingen in Germany - Romantic Road Travel Guide

In this guide we have included tips on what to do, accommodation, tourist attractions, restaurant and other information for your best visit in Röttingen in Bavaria, state of Germany.

A travel itinerary to Röttingen can be part of planning to discover the entire German Romantic Route, the country’s best-known tourist itinerary, or even a weekend or holiday short trip.

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.

Table of Contents

Where is the city of Röttingen in Germany

Röttingen is a city in Germany, in the district of Würzburg, in the state of Bavaria.

Röttingen is 143 km from Frankfurt (approx. 1h45min). 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 516 km from Berlin and even though it is far away, it is possible to go by car (approx. 5h27min), in relation to other cities, it is 132 km from Stuttgart and 258 km from Munich.

How to go to Röttingen 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 roads (who has never heard of Autobahns with no speed limit, right?).

If you want to go by train from Munich, the journey takes approximately 4 hour and 30 minutes.

Read our Best travel tips for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

Germany’s Romantic Route

The German Romantic Route is the name given to a travel itinerary in southern Germany that crosses the states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in >. 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.

Röttingen 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 Tauberbischofsheim and other destinations on the German Romantic Road:

Where to stay in Röttingen in Germany – Hotel, hostel and Bed & Breakfast

Although it is not very common to choose the city of Röttingen as a base to visit the Romantic Road (it is much more common, for example, to stay in Frankfurt and take a -return), especially since Booking.com only has one accommodation available:

Jakobsturm Ferien im Turm
- Marktplatz 1, 97285
- 9.4 – Fantastic out of 31 ratings
- Comment: 4-storey apartment overlooking the city centre. Beautiful hosting experience.

There are many other accommodation options in hotels, hostels and inns, be sure to check them out at Booking.com.

Things to do in Röttingen in Germany

The Germanic tribe of the “Ruoter” (Ruotingen = Röttingen) probably first settled in this place at the end of the 5th century. The oldest city documents date from 1103, and the city privilege was given in 1275.

The city of Röttingen dates back to 1275, but it has an ancient history, being probably the first place where the Germanic tribe of the “Ruoter” (Ruotingen = Röttingen) settled.

The city survived the various wars in the region and, after several nobles who had the city as property. And in 1919, Röttingen became an autonomous city.

Proclamation of the city of Röttingen as the first European city

In the post-war years, a young man (the son of the innkeeper Elmar Düll) worked as an interpreter in Strasbourg. He returned to his hometown of Röttingen and spread the “European idea” among young people. They were excited about the great ideas of the European community and the objectives of the European Union became clear in the discussion nights. In their idealism, the young men approached the city’s priests and its then mayor, Georg Biebelmann, with this idea. At a city council meeting, it was unanimously decided to campaign for the European idea in a large and obvious demonstration.

On August 30, 1953, the city of Röttingen was proclaimed “European City”!

The entire population, especially young people, guests from near and far, newspaper reporters and the Munich radio station were present at the large Marktplatz, decorated with flags and garlands. Professor Dr. Paul Kuehner conveyed congratulations from the state association of the Union Europe in Bavaria, a Frenchman spoke for the Western European states and a Romanian for the Eastern European states. All speeches expressed the need to banish tyranny, poverty and war, and that this goal could only be achieved through a united Europe.

The mayor was presented with the document of proclamation, which has held a place of honor in the city hall since that memorable day. It contains in clear words the tasks and objectives of a common Europe and the recognition of the open-mindedness of the citizens of Röttingen; to help create this great common home: “EUROPA”.

The European flag has flown over the town hall since August 30, 1953, a milestone in the history of the city of Röttingen.

Top tourist attractions

The main attraction of Röttingen is the Sonnenuhrenweg, which will be detailed below, a trail that serves both to see curious clocks, as well as to know more about the city.

Tourists are also attracted by the Weinfest, the Wine Festival, which takes place annually around Pentecost. Organized by the city’s Wine Association, the festival offers culinary specialties and an entertainment program, such as music, children’s activities, dance performances and walks through vineyards. In addition to highlighting the Wine Museum from the city. Check it out on official city website the specific dates, times and news.

And just like every small city on the Romantic Road in Germany, Altstadt, the historic center of Röttingen has several interesting points to visit:

Rathaus – Röttingen’s Baroque-style town hall building on the city’s central square, Marktplatz. A simple but very beautiful building, with details that are worth admiring, especially the sundial in front of it.

Rathaus - The Röttingen town hall building

St. Georgs Kapelle – The chapel in honor of Saint George is located next to a small cemetery in the old town. Small and simple, but very beautiful.
Pfarrkirche St. Kilian – Parish Church of Saint Kilian, patron saint of the city and diocese of Würzburg, is richly decorated. First mentioned in the early 12th century, it has been rebuilt and expanded several times.
Stadtmauer – The almost completely preserved city wall still has 7 medieval defense towers out of the 14 original towers from the 14th/15th centuries: mill tower, old and new Hundheimer gate tower, swineherd tower, Jakobsturm , snail tower and Rippacher tower (mill tower, old and new pig tower of the Hundheimer pigs, Jakob tower and Rippacher tower).

Burg Brattenstein – Brattenstein Castle was first mentioned in 1230 and has gone through different owners and even purposes (e.g. it was used as a transit camp for refugees, a garment factory produced in the castle until it partially collapsed in 1971). Today it is owned by the city of Röttingen.

You can read more about city on the official website (in German).

Sonnenuhrenweg, the sundials path

The Sonnenuhrenweg is about 2 km long and passes many beautiful half-timbered houses and more than 20 ornate clocks, all different and very creative. From some in the spherical shape, like a floor sundial or in the well-known stick shape… the creativity in the construction of the clocks is impressive.

Some of the clocks are getting a little old, but the sundial path in Röttingen is still worth a visit.

The Sundial Trail is a great opportunity to get to know the city of Röttingen. You can download and view the walk map at official website (in German).

1 day itinerary tip in Röttingen in Germany

Our suggestion for a tour of Röttingen is to really make the day trip shorter.

Strolling through its historic center is beautiful, especially along the clock trail, but it doesn’t take long. The tip is to take advantage of the Weinfest, the Wine Festival, to learn more about the quality of the region’s drink.

Tips for a 1-day itinerary in Röttingen in Germany

Where to eat in Röttingen in Germany – Tips of 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 Röttingen, there are two options: