My wife and I will be traveling to Bavaria next month. We will be staying 3 nights in Rothenburg ab Tauber, 3 nights in Munich and 3 nights in Fussen. Stops in Rothenburg and Fussen include Sundays and in Rothenburg the Monday is a National holiday. My understanding is that although museums, castles and many restaurants will be open, most, if not all, shops and other attractions will be closed throughout the region. Any suggestions as to what we can do during this time period. We enjoy the outdoors, so if the weather is nice, I'm sure there are lots of nice hikes/walks. We also like visiting gardens, castles and other historical sites but any other suggestions would be appreciated. For example, is it still worth visiting Nuremberg and/or Bamberg on a Sunday/holiday?
Posted by
Paradise
7107 posts
Yes to your question. Can't imagine 3 nights in tiny Rothenburg myself.
It's actually only retail that's closed on Sundays. But your Rothenburg trinket shops should still be open.
If you like walking outdoors and local history, have a look at the Franconian Freilandmuseum. I don't remember reading even a single word from Rick about it, sadly enough. Genuine 4-500-year-old buildings from Franconia's past, moved and preserved to a single location for your enjoyment. Restaurants with traditional Franconian food and atmosphere on site. An onsite brewery as well. Lovely place. So is Bad Windsheim, the town where it's located, which btw is much closer for Rothenburg's tourists than Bamberg or Nuremberg. The hourly trains that will get you there start leaving Rothenburg at 7 am on Sundays.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8123 posts
A Sunday afternoon, if the weather is nice, would best be spent in a beer garden, especially if there is a crowd and some music.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks to those who replied thus far. Actually I'm aware there's the annual Meitertrunk Festival (Master Draught Festival) during Pentecostal weekend in Rothenburg while we're there. So, I'm really focused on the Monday National Holiday while staying in Rothenburg and the next Sunday in Fussen. And we will have a car.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5648 posts
In Fussen, you can go to the Zugspitze, if you have a great weather day.
Last time in Rothenburg, I was there for three nights, and it was wonderful, just being there. There's nice walks outside the Castle Gardens, along the Tauber River, with covered bridges. (Of course, it's up and down that hill!)
Have a great trip!
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1396 posts
From Rothenburg you can drive north along the Tauber River to Wertheim am Main. There are wineries and nice cities and historic places to visit. Würzburg is not far from Wertheim am Main. Not far from Rothenburg is the Keltische Oppidum Finsterlohr-Burgstall. Not a lot to see, but it is worth a stop and walk.
http://www.kelten-creglingen-finsterlohr.de/Das-Oppidum/
Bamberg can be quirky for parking. I use Park and Ride Heinrichsdamm. The parking ticket Plus includes the bus fare into the city center.
Posted by
Greeley, co, usa
2603 posts
I was in Rothenburg one year on a national holiday. I don’t remember it being different than any other day.
Posted by
Last Frontier aka Alaska 🏔️
3575 posts
We just got back and had 2 nights In Nuremburg and 2 nights in Rothenburg odt. In Rothenburg cross your fingers for good weather and escape the walls and walk along the Tauber river. The surrounding countryside is bucolic!
We were in Munich over Easter and spent the day at the BMW museum and Olympic park. We did not notice a difference being a holiday.
Posted by
13 posts
Sounds odd, but we spent Easter at Dachau because it was open. Lots of other people did as well.