Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany (Christmas Market)

We took a day trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber to check out their annual Christmas Market with a great group of friends of ours today!

Considered Germany's most charming and best preserved medieval city, "The Gem of the Middle Ages", this walled town is popular tourist destination.

Welcome to the 

Rothenburg Christmas Market

There is a city in Germany where Christmas can be experienced all year long - Rothenburg ob der Tauber on the Romantic Road in Bavaria. Rothenburg is also home to one of the most romantic Christmas markets in Germany.

Known for its medieval setting, Rothenburg is a walled city that has been left largely untouched for hundreds of years. Some complain of the Disney-like feel of the city, whose unspoiled beauty fills the city’s cobblestone streets with visitors during the holidays.

Visiting Rothenburg ob der Tauber is like stepping into a time warp. The town boasts some of the most impressive medieval architecture in Europe, and citizens fight tooth and nail to keep developers outside of the city walls.

Its medieval stage is home to the annual “Reiterlesmarkt,” the Rothenburg Christmas Market named after a local Teutonic legend, which began during pre-Christian times as the story of a horrid rider who carried the souls of the dead. As Christianity swept through Europe, the figure developed from a wild man into a loving, gentle man who gave gifts to all people on earth.

While Christmas decorations can be bought all year long in Rothenburg, the Christmas holidays are a special time to view the city and the market in its illuminated splendour.

A local specialty that shouldn’t be missed is the "Schneeball" or snow ball, made from strips of sweet dough fried and covered with powdered sugar or chocolate. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is also home to the German Christmas Museum.

To complement this winter fairytale, a varied programe of entertainment runs until the new year. Also, don’t miss a visit to the all-year-round Christmas Museum. 

Driving to Rothenburg was easy but you are not allowed to drive in the actual city so you have to park at one of the car parks outside the walls and walk to the market square. The parking lot we found was huge and hardly anyone was parked there (we got there a little before lunchtime) and parking for the day was only 5 EUR per car.  From there is was only a 10 minute walk into downtown.

As we were passing this cafe an elderly German woman called out to the children...then lowered a bucket full of candy down to them from her window!  They thought this was the coolest thing ever!  She really did make their day...

So sweet!

Along with all the quaint little cafes and restaurants we also passed a ton of shops and stores!  We didn't stop in many of them (our goal was food and gluhwein) but it was nice to window shop on the way in...

Puppen & Speilzegmuseum (Doll and Toy Museum),
the biggest private collection of it's kind in Germany

Kathe Wohlfart Christmas Village & Christmas Museum

For lunch we ate a nearby hotel restaurant that had amazing schnitzel! Although there were tons of food vendors at the Christmas Market, we didn't want the kids to have to try and stand to eat outside in the cold.  It worked out perfectly though because we were the only one's in the restaurant so we had the place to ourselves!

After lunch we headed to the main market square to check out the Riterlesmarkt (Christmas Market) and get some yummy dessert and gluhwein.  We were even in time for a local singing group to serenade the square with Christmas music!

Enjoying lollipops and listening to the music!

The famous "schneeball" made from strips of sweet fried dough
 and covered with powdered sugar or chocolate...it sounds delicious!

...however, it was not :(

We had so much fun at the market and in Rothenburg!  There were a lot of things we weren't able to hit this trip but we would love to come back and check out...the Kriminalmuseum, Town Walls, St. Jakobskirche, etc.  We actually walked by the Criminal Museum on our way out but we missed the last admittance so we couldn't go in...

"Look, Mom!  It's another mouth of truth..."

"And I still have my finger!"

There is also a Night Watchman Tour you can go on that takes you on an interactive tour of the town and it's walls.  The English group meets in the main square at 8pm, no reservations required!  I would definitely recommend this as a family day-trip, not only for the Christmas Market but for the village itself!  It was a great day making some unforgettable memories!