Family trip along the Romantic Road

Travelling the Romantic Road by car with the whole family is an incredible experience, because this region is very cozy, with small medieval towns, castles and historical centers, with small streets and cute houses. The roads are beautiful and the distances between the towns are relatively short.

The itinerary for this trip lasts on average 5 days, although the Romantic Road can also be explored at a slower pace, over more days. The trip starts in Frankfurt , ends in Munich and goes via Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Füssen. It is possible to do the tour using your preferred mode of transport, you can travel by bus, train or plane. There are several options for the itinerary.

Frankfurt - Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Activities in Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a city that is easy to get to know on foot . The main attractions are close to each other, which makes the tour faster and more objective for those who are short on time.

A central point of the city is the Hauptwache area . In fact, this area can be called the heart of the city. That's why I recommend starting your day trip to Frankfurt here.

The old town is home to many of Frankfurt's most important sights, including the Römer with its famous town hall and many other well-preserved historic buildings.

If you leave Frankfurt and drive to Rothenburg, the route is relatively easy to find with the GPS. The journey usually takes less than 2 hours. On the way there you can visit the Toppel Haus , an upside down house that will delight children.

Activities in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg is still surrounded by an impressive city wall , which is one of the city's biggest attractions. It was built in the 13th century and is of course a reconstruction of the old wall, as the city was unfortunately not spared during the Second World War.

Several wall towers provide access to the wall and you can walk around Rothenburg completely on its 4 km long walls. Be sure to walk along the walls and see the city in a different way, at least for a part of it. By the way, you can play with your children to imagine what it was like to walk along these paths in the Middle Ages. It's great fun for the whole family.

In the Middle Ages, the main square of a town or village was the center of activity: the market square, like in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Today, the huge inner courtyard is lined with cafés and shops and also houses the imposing town hall.

Further south of the market square, you and your family can visit the so-called Plönlein , which is considered one of the most photogenic places in all of Germany.

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Rothenburg - Füssen (Neuschwanstein Castle)

When you drive to the next destination, the tip is to choose back roads that lead through small towns and villages on the Romantic Road . This route can also be done by bike . It is a beautiful path.

Activities in Füssen

Füssen, like most Bavarian towns, has a charming little old town . Cobblestone streets with small houses and shops that look like they came straight out of a fairytale. Many of them have opened charming restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. And at the end of the day, everything is made even more beautiful by the street lighting.

Hohes Schloss: This castle is located right in the historic center of Füssen, so you can change the tour and visit it on foot. The Hohes Schloss is located on a hill right on the banks of the Lech and was built in 1291 by Duke Ludwig.

Neuschwanstein Castle: Everyone who visits Füssen is looking for the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. It is one of the most famous postcard images in Germany and one of the most visited castles in Europe.

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The castle dates back to the megalomaniac dreams of King Ludwig II, who died before he could complete his masterpiece. The name is a reference to the Swan Knight from Richard Wagner's opera Lohengrin. But the castle became even more famous because it served as inspiration for Walt Disney's Cinderella Castle .

Hohenschwangau Castle: The castle is another major tourist attraction in Füssen, but much quieter than its famous neighbor, Neuschwanstein Castle. It stands on a hilltop in the small village of Hohenschwangau , 4 kilometers from the center of Füssen. Usually, the visit to Hohenschwangau Castle is combined with that of Neuschwanstein Castle, as both castles are practically next to each other and the ticket for the visit is cheaper.

Füssen - Munich

You leave the city of castles and drive to the last city of the trip: Munich. The journey takes an average of 2 hours, but you and your family can enjoy the beautiful Bavarian landscape along the way.

Activities in Munich

Munich is famous for its great city parks (English Garden and Olympiaberg). Speaking of parks, the city is perfect for a bike ride with the whole family. It is flat and full of green corners. Two other big attractions of Munich are Bavarian gastronomy (in restaurants, bars and markets such as the delicious Viktualienmarkt) and the culture of beer gardens.

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If you get caught in a rain shower in the city, you can't miss the museums . From art to technology, there is even a museum for motor enthusiasts, as Munich is the headquarters of BMW. It's fun and educational for the whole family.

Don't forget to check the calendar of festivals and events in Munich. Many dates such as the Oktoberfest (second half of September), the Christmas markets and the Spring Festival ensure that hotels are fully booked and their prices increase significantly.

A trip along the Romantic Road can be an incredible attraction for the whole family . Don't forget to plan your trip, get to know everything the destinations have to offer and enjoy every moment.