Explore Germany’s Romantic Road by Campervan

Falling for Germany’s medieval towns

Are you ready for an adventure along one of Germany's most picturesque routes? The Romantic Road offers charming towns, beautiful scenery and a taste of Bavarian culture that’s perfect for exploring in a campervan. This guide will help you navigate the highlights of three must-see destinations offering medieval attractions, Bavarian cuisine and interesting walks, as well as the best spots to park your home on wheels.

When I decided to tour the Romantic Road route in my campervan, I approached it differently than the typical advice I found online (which typically suggests driving the entire route in one week and stopping at each town). While the drive is beautiful in some areas, many of the villages along the route are quite small and don't offer the amenities necessary for comfortable road-tripping or motor-homing.

With this in mind, I opted for a 'slow travel' approach. I chose three destinations along the route that provide enough amenities and attractions to immerse myself in for an extended period.

Each of these towns has its unique charm and a variety of activities, allowing you to park for several days and explore.

Würzburg 🏰

This guide is ideal if you want to embrace a slower approach to travel and stay in destinations that offer more for longer visits. It's also helpful if you don’t have much time to explore the Romantic Road and want to know which three destinations are the best to visit. (Disclaimer 😉: The 'best three' is just my opinion based on my visits and experiences!)

The Destinations

Travelling from north to south:

Würzburg: Known for its Baroque architecture, vibrant wine culture and student population with great nightlife.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber: An enchanting medieval town with cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses.
Dinkelsbühl: A relaxed town featuring charming town walls, colourful facades, and a delightful café culture.

Know before you go

Parking: Each town has designated campervan parking areas that don't require pre-booking, so it's fine to just turn up - just bear in mind the time of year.
Be prepared: In Germany, including Bavaria, shops and supermarkets are closed on Sundays. Also remember to bring plenty of cash, as it's still the preferred payment method in this country and credit/debit cards are not accepted in some places.
Vegan or Vege? Outside of major cities, German restaurants can be limited when it comes to non-meat and dairy options. For traditional restaurants it's advisable to call ahead or check the menus online, as vegan options do exist but may require some searching.

The traditional dessert Kaiserschmarrn (a light sweet pancake) - sadly not plant-based! 🍃

Best Time to Visit

Spring and autumn offer mild weather and fewer tourists
Summer is a popular time to visit so expect crowds - and it can get very hot!
The winter brings the charm of Christmas markets, Glühwein, and festive lights!

Würzburg

City views from the Marienburg Fortress - take time to walk through it's surrounding vineyards 🍇

This large picturesque city, located at the starting point of the Romantic Road route, is renowned for its stunning architecture.

A central point for tourists is the Old Main Bridge, adorned with statues of saints. This is an excellent starting point for exploring the city's other attractions which are located around the main centre.
From here, you can view the Marienberg Fortress, which perches on a hill overlooking the city. This striking medieval stronghold offers panoramic views of Würzburg and the surrounding vineyards. The steep climb to the top is well worth it!

The striking Marienberg Fortress - well worth the steep climb 🏰

The Würzburg Residence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see attraction. It features exquisite Baroque architecture and impressive gardens, which were the highlights of my Würzburg visit. You could easily spend a whole day exploring the building and its expansive gardens!

Take time to explore the buildings and beautiful gardens of the UNESCO Würzburg Residence

Do you love a good hike? If so, this route takes you from the centre of the city to the impressive Käppele (chapel), where you can enjoy stunning views over the city. From there, you can venture into the surrounding countryside, exploring the Annaschlucht (Anna Gorge) before returning to the centre along the River Main.

Places to Eat and Drink

Here are my recommendations:

For traditional Franconian cuisine, visit Backöfele, where you can savour local dishes such as Schäufele, a baked pork shoulder served with a crispy, diamond-shaped cut rind, served with potato dumplings and sauerkraut.

For meat lovers - feast on delicious Schäufele dish at Backöfele 😋

For an excellent and indulgent breakfast, try out Café Marlene with its modern yet cosy decor. Their avocado toast is delicious!
Uni Cafe, just a short walk from the Würzburg Residence, is perfect for a pit stop, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner options alongside local beers.

'Sampling' the local beer at Uni Cafe 🍺

Wohnzimmer Bar is a buzzing place for food, drinks, cocktails and live football. It’s popular with students for its good prices and daily specials but is also welcoming to guests of all ages! I had a fun evening here (and felt the hangover the next day!).

Hangover breakfast at Wohnzimmer Bar 😅

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Tip: Make sure to try the locally produced wines, especially the Silvaner, known for its crisp flavour.

Tips for Camper Vans

Finding campervan parking in the city centre is easy—there's no need to park on the outskirts and take public transport.

There's a designated parking area for campervans at Wohnmobilstellplatz an der Friedensbrücke which provides all the usual motorhome services and easy access to the city centre.
For boondocking, I'd recommend this spot along the River Main. When I visited, there was plenty of space for large campervans or motorhomes and it was peaceful in the evening. Just be sure to park further down the river, away from the smaller carpark which tends to be busier. Payment is with coins or the EasyPark app.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: 'Wild camping' is not permitted in Germany; however, sleeping in your motorhome overnight on the side of the road or in a car park is tolerated. Just remember not to exhibit any signs of camping, such as putting out your awning, tables, or chairs! Always take your trash with you and respect the area. I followed this approach and didn’t experience any issues while boondocking in Germany.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Discover this view of the town from the medieval wall walks

Less than an hour's drive south of Würzburg lies the absolutely magical Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in Germany, this picturesque medieval destination is a must-see.

Imagine stepping into a living fairytale: cobblestone streets, colourful half-timbered houses, and medieval walls that echo stories from centuries past. This town blew me away with its beauty!