Romantic Road in Germany: A Bavaria love affair by Campervan

Würzburg has been called the ‘Pearl of the Romantic Road’. And on the Romantic Road in Germany that takes you past jewel after bewitching Bavarian jewel, that’s no small claim. But Würzburg effortlessly lives up to the hype. 

Between hills carpeted with vineyards, in the heart of Germany’s wine-growing region, the city is best known as home of the Würzburg Residence. A stunning and extravagant palace — think French château meets German Baroque brilliance — with the most magical, and most manicured, gardens you’ll ever see. 

On arriving, head first to the palace for a baptism by fire — fires of the passionately romantic kind, of course — into what is to come on this road trip. Explore chapels, gardens, and stately halls, all gilt, gold, and crystal. 

Find yourself seduced by the otherworldly splendour of this intriguing building. And once you’ve had your fix of fairy tales, head to a bar to sample some of the wine for which this city is also famous. 

If Würzburg felt like an amorous idyll, Rothenberg, your next road trip stop, amps it up further. One of the best-preserved Medieval cities in Germany, here you’ll step back in time to the Bavarian Middle Ages. 

Half-timbered red-roofed houses and cobbled streets are set between majestic churches, striking city walls, ancient ramparts, and a Baroque castle. It’s like the set of a fairytale blockbuster — in fact, the village from Disney’s Pinocchio was based on Rothenburg. 

Drive your campervan through the green wonderland of the Taubertal valley to reach your next Romantic Road destination in Germany.

Wandering around the town doesn’t take long — but the endless photo ops might. For breathtaking views, climb to the top of the historic Town Hall. And when night falls and most of the tourists leave, patrol the city walls with the night watchman, looking over this ancient picture-perfect town twinkling in the darkness. Rothenburg makes being romantic easy. 

A little over 60 km further on this Romantic Road in Germany, the next town to charm you is Nördlingen. 

Arrive in another medieval marvel, this time with preserved city walls that encircle its almost perfectly round old town. At its heart is the mighty Gothic wonder that is St. George’s Church — whose tower offers panoramas across town. Less visited than Rothenburg, here you won’t have to jostle other visitors to get those winning couple shots. 

Oh, and incidentally, Nördlingen sits in the middle of a giant crater created 15 million years ago by an asteroid, an extraterrestrial visit that just adds to its magic.

Soak up the quaint but captivating old-world atmosphere. Pay a visit to the Rathaus, or town hall, with its gorgeous gables and half-timbered walls. 

Climb the Kirchturm Daniel for views across the ochre-tinted roofs and beyond. Like with Rothenburg, Hollywood has made good use of Nordlingen, which was a backdrop in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory — so look out for Oompa Loompas. 

Augsburg is Bavaria’s oldest city, founded before the Romans arrived. Admittedly, it’s not the most romantic of all the towns on this road trip from Frankfurt to Munich. But it has a rich and fascinating history — and stoking the intellect can fuel the flames of passion, right? 

Plus you’ll still have the pleasure of visiting luxurious palatial homes, stumbling upon Baroque fountains, and visiting Gothic churches — if you haven’t had enough yet.

Visit the Rathaus, six stories of history and culture. Then there’s the Perlachturm, a 1000-year-old watch tower. From the top, you’ll spy the Alps further along the Romantic Road in Germany.

For your fix of historic beauty, head to the Schaezlerpalais, a Rococo-style mansion and art museum. Relax in a cafe on the Maximilianstrasse and soak up the atmosphere. Wander the historic centre with its townhouses and majestic boulevards.

And, to end, we think a candlelit dinner among the vaulted ceilings of a traditional restaurant sounds like a great idea.

Hohenschwangau. Not quite the last stop on the Romantic Road in Germany. But it does feel like Bavaria’s final flourish.

Hohenschwangau is prized above all for Neuschwanstein, the fairytale castle to rival all others. Its spires, turrets, towers, and balconies, dramatic and whimsical by turns, have inspired artists from Walt Disney to Wagner, and is exactly where princesses might sleep for hundreds of years. Perched amid a panorama of lakes, fields, and the Bavarian Alps, this is the world’s most iconic storybook castle.

Expect to come across fairies, queens, princes, and perhaps even a witch or two, as you enter the village. You’ll be desperate to head straight to Neuschwanstein, already under its spell. But hang on until sun sets and crowds disperse — this is when the castle is at its most magical.

Until then, there is also the other castle, Hohenschwangau itself, which deserves some of the spotlights shone on its more famous sibling.

The end of your romantic road trip is the region’s capital, Munich, a city best known for its raucous beer festival, Oktoberfest, but a compelling destination all year round. Here rich tradition meets contemporary art and BMW museums meet Lederhosen-sporting locals.

With its elegant royal palaces, Christmas markets in winter, fairy-light strewn gardens in summer, and, of course, its beer, Munich is a city where each and every component kindles romance.

Wander streets made for holding hands. Visit one of the many galleries in Kunstareal. Climb the 86 steps to the top of the Frauenkirche for superb views. Enjoy people watching in the English Garden. Explore the hip and bohemian Schwabing.

Finally, peruse the culinary treats at Viktualienmarkt, the famous food market. Then cleanse the palate with an enormous tankard of beer in one of the many thrumming beer halls. And experience Gemütlichkeit — a combination of cosiness, well-being, and relaxation — a feeling surely best experienced as one half of a couple.