Tauber Valley Attractions

Sofronio Cobos

Updated: 26 May 2026 ·
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Highlights in the Tauber Valley: Half-Timbering, Castles, and Palaces

Highlights in the Tauber Valley: Half-Timbering, Castles, and Palaces

Between Creglingen and Freudenberg on the Main, the Panorama Trail runs along the northeastern corner of Baden-Württemberg. I will show you the highlights of the region, from castle ruins to beautiful towns with half-timbered houses. The route connects the cities of Weikersheim, Bad Mergentheim, Tauberbischofsheim, Creglingen, and Lauda-Königshofen with the "Charming Tauber Valley" and the northern part of the "Romantic Road."

You can tackle the route by bike or on foot in multiple stages. Or, like me, with a motorhome. Because in the Tauber Valley, you will find motorhome parking areas or campgrounds everywhere.

My Route Through the Tauber Valley

For this route, I traveled for 3 days with my motorhome (campervan), ideally, you should take 5 - 7 days and pack your bike. Unfortunately, the weather was not so good for me, so I opted out of biking. If you have less time, pick out your personal highlights.

  • Day 1: Creglingen - Laudenbach - Weikersheim - Wildpark Bad Mergentheim - Bad Mergentheim (overnight parking at the thermal spa)
  • Day 2: Bad Mergentheim - Lauda-Königshofen - Tauberbischofsheim (parking at the outdoor pool, free)
  • Day 3: Tauberbischofsheim - Castle Gamburg - Monastery Bronnbach - Wertheim (AZUR Camping directly on the Main)
  • Day 4: Wertheim (Continued journey to Freudenberg or return)

Download the route here as a .gpx file

Note: You can, of course, start in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Since I was in cooperation with Baden-Württemberg Tourism, the Franconian city is missing from this report. However, you will find all the information you need as a camper in the report for the attractions in Rothenburg.

Creglingen on the Tauber

Castle Tower Creglingen Tauber Valley
The Castle Tower in Creglingen also serves as a vacation home photo by viel-unterwegs.de
Mary Altar Tilman Riemenschneider in Herrgottskirche Creglingen
The Mary altar by Tilman Riemenschneider in the Herrgottskirche in Herrgottstal is world-famous. photo by viel-unterwegs.de
Lindleinturm Creglingen Tauber Valley
The Lindleinturm in Creglingen houses a museum (Tauber Valley) photo by viel-unterwegs.de

Have you heard of Creglingen? No? You should change that quickly because we start the road trip on the Romantic Road in the neighboring municipality of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Creglingen was allowed to fortify itself in the late medieval style after the model of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Three former defense and watchtowers (Lindleinturm, Castle Tower, and Faulturm) still stand from this time in the old town. Two of them can be rented today as vacation homes (contact information below).

Further highlights include the intricately carved Mary altar by Tilman Riemenschneider in the Herrgottskirche in Herrgottstal a few minutes outside town.

At the Romschlössle, you not only have the best view of the half-timbered houses, but you also find a fantastic rose garden.

In the Lindleinturm, there is a small but interesting museum.

If you're wondering how these residential houses ended up on a watchtower: In 1795, the owner of the Lindleinturm had a half-timbered house placed on a stone base. This made the tower livable. In this tower, there are two heated rooms, a kitchen, and a toilet. Since 1999, the original tower, furnished as a museum, has been open to everyone. Note: A maximum of 6 people can visit the tower at the same time. If you come in a larger group, you need to plan for some time. A visit without a guided tour is not possible.

Additionally, for those interested, there is the Thimble Museum (across from the Herrgottskirche) and the Jewish Museum in the old town, which was unfortunately closed on my visit day.

Tip: Do you know Schneeballen? Tourists mainly buy them in Rothenburg. But you can also purchase this delicacy at the bakery in Creglingen. Schneeballen are a regional traditional pastry, typically ball-shaped and dusted with powdered sugar.

More Tips for Creglingen:

  • Here you can download a free city map with all the attractions
  • Entry to Herrgottskirche: 3.50 euros, opening hours daily except Mondays from 11 AM - 4:30 PM, Herrgottskirche website
  • Unusual overnight stay in one of the two defense towers: bookable at Tauberlodge.
  • You can find a parking spot for your car or motorhome directly by the Castle Tower (Kieselallee).
  • Campsite: Camping Romantic Road, about 4 km outside by Münstersee. I continued on the same day.

Stopover: Castle Laudenbach

Castle Laudenbach near Weikersheim
Castle Laudenbach near Weikersheim photo by viel-unterwegs.de

On the way to Weikersheim, you should choose the route through Laudenbach. Because here you will find Castle Laudenbach, which, like the defensive towers, was also built from a half-timbered house on a stone base. Unfortunately, the castle was closed due to COVID during my visit.

Weikersheim

City Church in Weikersheim (Tauber Valley)
City Church in Weikersheim (Tauber Valley) photo by viel-unterwegs.de
Archway in the Old Town of Weikersheim
The archway into the old town, Weikersheim photo by viel-unterwegs.de

Weikersheim is referred to as "Franconian Versailles" or "Pearl on the Romantic Wine Route," primarily because of the beautiful Weikersheim Castle with orangerie and castle garden, which adjoins the historically influenced town center at the marketplace. Here you will find the Tauberland village museum, the market fountain, the city church, and impressive half-timbered houses.

The town museum at Gänsturm gives you insights into the history of the residence town. The dome ("onion-shaped") of the tower, which was partially destroyed by shells in World War II, offers a wonderful view over the old town to the vineyards and into the Charming Tauber Valley. The Gothic city gate tower was rebuilt in 2003 through the efforts of the residents.

I really liked the narrow streets in Weikersheim. Especially when you come from the parking lot and go through the narrow archway and suddenly stand in the midst of the old town with half-timbered houses. Wonderful!

Take your time to explore Weikersheim Castle with its castle garden all the way to the orangerie. It is considered the most beautiful of the castles in Hohenlohe.

Attractions in Weikersheim:

  • Weikersheim Castle
  • Historic Old Town with Old Town Hall and City Church
  • Town Museum at Gänsturm
  • Karlsberg
  • Planet Path

More Information for Weikersheim:

  • Opening hours and tickets for Weikersheim Castle, entry: 5 euros
  • Information about the Tauberland village museum on the website, entry: 3 euros for adults
  • Parking: "Heiliges Wöhr" offers free parking for cars; the "Tauberwiesen" parking lot has free parking for motorhomes.
  • Food & Drink: Die Bastion, great beer garden and good food. Klosterscheuer: A Besenwirtschaft, which is typical for our wine region. Definitely worth trying.

Bad Mergentheim

Berwart Staircase in the Residence Palace Bad Mergentheim.
Berwart Staircase in the Residence Palace Bad Mergentheim. photo by viel-unterwegs.de

Bad Mergentheim is one of the largest spa and wellness resorts in Baden-Württemberg. The spa town with healing springs and the main seat of the Teutonic Order is the next stop on my road trip through the Tauber Valley. The highlight in Bad Mergentheim is the residence palace with the Teutonic Order Museum. You can spend quite a while here reading up on the history of the Teutonic Order.

Particularly noteworthy is the Berwart staircase, an absolute eye-catcher that almost gave me a stiff neck.

Right at the entrance, you should pay attention to a red cross on the ground at the staircase. Stand on it and look up! The spiral staircase by Blasius Berwart with an open spindle dates back to 1574. It is still regarded as a masterpiece of German stone masonry.

If you're lucky, the palace church on the grounds is open. If not- as was the case during my visit - you can peek into the church from the museum. The sight almost knocked me over. My jaw literally dropped. The beautifully painted ceiling of the palace church reminded me so much of the Sistine Chapel in Rome - wow! When suddenly the organist began to practice inside, I got goosebumps.

What You Need to Know for Your Visit:

  • Opening hours: April to October, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Tickets: Adults 7 euros
  • More info on the official website

Other places you should visit include the historic marketplace with magnificent houses and half-timbered buildings as well as the twins' houses at the marketplace from the year 1780. If you leave the marketplace via Mühlwehrstraße, you will find more half-timbered houses.

For relaxation, the spa and palace park is quite lovely. Particularly, the Japanese pavilions and bridges have made a fan out of me (I love Japan).

Wildpark Bad Mergentheim

A bit outside the city, you will find the wildlife park, which is particularly impressive with Europe's largest wolf pack, 2 brown bears, vultures, and more than 70 species of wild animals. Not only children will be wide-eyed here. I could have lingered for hours in front of the three Arctic foxes.

Note: Check the website for feeding times. I happened to be near the bears around 9:45 in the morning when suddenly apples flew across the enclosure and then 15 minutes later at the wolves, when the pack got their feed. This way, I was able to see all the wolves.

Info About the Wildlife Park:

  • Buy tickets on the website in advance (due to COVID, no sales on-site)
  • Prices: Adults: 12.50 euros, Children (3 to 14 years): 9 euros
  • Opening hours can be checked here (vary in summer and winter)
  • *️ Quite cool: Overnight stay in the wolf wagon with a view of the wolf pack (check the link for more overnight options)

In Bad Weather: Solymar Therme

If you're extremely unlucky with the weather, there's the Solymar Therme in Bad Mergentheim. This way, you can easily bridge bad weather. The bathing and wellness park is also ideal for the whole family.

More Information and Tips:

  • Motorhome parking at Solymar Therme (7.90 euros/day; electricity for a fee, waste disposal), at the wildlife park parking lot it is tolerated, there are always a few motorhomes parked here.
  • Overnight: See overnight options in the wildlife park above
  • Food and Drink: La Flamme (Flammkuchen), Café in the left twin house, Café Europa at the marketplace

Lauda-Königshofen

The small Tauber-Franconian wine town, divided into 12 districts, is a carnival stronghold surrounded by vineyards. You can explore Lauda-Königshofen in half a day. Highlights include the half-timbered houses, wine taverns, the Upper Gate from 1496, and remnants of the city wall. You will also find an image of what Lauda-Königshofen once looked like on the facade of a Greek restaurant. For carnival-goers, the Narrenbrunnen is also worth seeing.

Note: At the entrance to the town, there is a parking lot/camper parking area that I used. However, I advise against overnight stays here. The location by the road promises no peace at night.

Tauberbischofsheim

Also in Tauberbischofsheim, you will find a beautiful historic old town with half-timbered houses. Explore the small streets around the marketplace, visit the Kurmainz Castle with the Tauber-Franconian Landscape Museum, and discover the Madonna from Tauberbischofsheim by Tilman Riemenschneider at the fountain in Schlossplatz.

You can climb the town's landmark (the 35 m high tower) via 119 steps and then stroll in the nearby pedestrian zone.

In the marketplace, you will find particularly historic buildings such as the Old Post (1602), Stern Apotheke (1670), Franck-Haus, Rincker-Haus (1678), Mackert-Haus (1744), and the Rehe-Hof (1702). Listen to the carillon at the neo-Gothic town hall.

If the Olympic flag is flying on the tower, a note: Tauberbischofsheim is a federal and state training center and an Olympic support center for fencing. Also, IOC President Thomas Bach grew up in Tauberbischofsheim.

In the district of Distelhausen, you can visit the Distelhäuser Brewery and book a tour. In the brewery with a beer garden, you can eat excellently. We even brewed our own beer there once with a former employer. Quite cool!

Theoretically, you can park for free at the brewery according to the Landvergnügen parking guide. However, since the parking spots for motorhomes are too short and also on a slope, I advise against it.

More Information for Tauberbischofsheim

  • Kurmainz Castle: Entry for adults: 3 euros, free for children up to 10 years. Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 2 PM - 4:30 PM; Sunday, holidays: 10 AM - 12 PM and 2 PM - 4:30 PM. You can only access the tower as part of a guided tour.
  • Free motorhome parking at the Frankenbad outdoor pool
  • Food and Drink: Distelhäuser Brewery, TauBar Burger & More

Stopover: Burg Gamburg

Thanks to tips from you dear readers, I discovered Burg Gamburg. It is located above the Tauber in the small village of Gamburg. The official name is Burg and Burgpark Gamburg. The buildings are privately owned, so they can only be explored during opening hours or with prior registration.

  • Visit information on the website
  • Open every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday from 2 PM to 6:30 PM (April to the first weekend in November)
  • Coffee and cake are served at the Burgcafé

Stopover: Monastery Bronnbach

Before you continue on to Wertheim, you should make another stop at Monastery Bronnbach. The monastery, with its monastery church from the year 1161 and its Romanesque-Gothic cloister and exceptional Joseph's Hall, is definitely worth the pause. I found the monastery super beautiful and can absolutely recommend this stop!

  • Visit information on the website
  • Tickets: Adults 5 euros, with a tour 8 euros
  • At the monastery, you can also spend the night and participate in wine tours. Information about this is also available on the website.

Wertheim

Castle Ruins and Old Town Wertheim Tauber Valley
View of the castle ruins and old town of Wertheim in the Tauber Valley photo by viel-unterwegs.de

To conclude the road trip, the highlight awaits at the end: the medieval town of Wertheim with the castle that impressively rises above the old town between the Main and Tauber. It is no wonder that Wertheim Castle is the most popular excursion destination between the Odenwald and Spessart.

The stone castle is one of the largest and oldest castles in Baden-Württemberg. Take the short but steep ascent to the top. For 2 euros, you can visit the castle ruins and climb the 25 m high keep. The view from above is fantastic.

My tip: Go up in the evening, as you can visit the ruins until sunset. Afterwards, you should stop by the castle's beer garden. With a great view, we had a delicious meal here.

Other attractions include the old town, which you can best explore on foot without a specific plan. It is not large, and it's impossible to get lost. Visit the Kilianskapelle (closed during my current visit due to restoration work), the Spitze Turm, the Hofgartenschlösschen, and the County Museum in the old town hall.

Be sure to look for the Blue House, an absolute rarity among half-timbered houses.

At the marketplace, you should seek the house number 6. One of the oldest, narrowest, and most beautiful half-timbered houses in Wertheim and all of Franconia.

More Information for Wertheim

  • In our region, Wertheim is especially known for outlet shopping at Wertheim Village.
  • You can visit Wertheim Castle until sunset. At the entrance, there is a machine where you simply insert 2 euros and then enter through a turnstile.
  • Check the website for information and hours regarding the County Museum
  • Overnight: AZUR Camping outside a bit. Those without a motorhome can stay in great wine barrels, a nature lodge (brand new), or a bike lodge directly on the banks of the Main. A wonderful place that I highly recommend.

More Information

This region is characterized by the approximately 100 km long cycle path along the Tauber. Information about the "Charming Tauber Valley" cycle path can be found on the official tourism website. Accommodations along the bike tour should be booked well in advance (I was advised).

As a travel guide, I can recommend "Do you know the Tauber Valley?: From Rothenburg to Wertheim." Many more excursion tips can be found in the travel guide "Best of Charming Tauber Valley."

Are You Interested in the Main-Tauber District and the Charming Tauber Valley?

Do you have any questions or further tips? Then leave a comment at the end of the article. I would be happy if you liked the article.

Note: This article was created as part of a paid partnership with Baden-Württemberg Tourism. My views are, as always, my own.

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