HIDDEN GEMS OF GERMANY 🎄 Oldest Christmas Market in Europe Rothenburg ob der Tauber

HIDDEN GEMS OF GERMANY 🎄 Oldest Christmas Market in Europe Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a small town in Bavaria that looks almost the same as it did 400 years ago. Every December, the medieval center turns into a meeting place for locals and travelers from all over Europe. The market is held in the old town square, surrounded by half-timbered houses that date back to the 15th century. Wooden stalls sell handmade ornaments, gingerbread, candles, and local food — everything produced by small family workshops in the region. The town’s walls and towers remain almost fully preserved, creating a rare chance to see how a German Christmas market looked centuries ago. Instead of loud attractions or modern installations, the focus here is on light, craft, and tradition. For many visitors, this atmosphere shows the quieter side of Germany. It’s calm, detailed, and deeply human. That’s what makes Rothenburg Germany’s Christmas Wonderland. Why Rothenburg is Europe’s Fairytale Christmas Destination: Rothenburg ob der Tauber is often described as a fairytale town, but its story is real and well documented. Most of the old center was built between the 13th and 16th centuries, when the city was an important stop for merchants and craftsmen traveling across southern Germany. The layout of the streets has not changed since that time. Narrow alleys connect small squares, each designed for trade or markets. The houses were built by local carpenters, who used timber frames filled with clay and straw — a traditional method that gives Rothenburg its recognizable look. During the 19th century, the town was rediscovered by artists and writers from across Europe. Painters from England and France came here to capture what had already disappeared in their own countries: a complete medieval city that survived industrialization. Their work turned Rothenburg into one of the first cultural tourism destinations in Germany. Today, the same architecture draws visitors during the Christmas season. Unlike reconstructed towns, most of Rothenburg’s buildings are original. Walking through its streets, you can see how people still live and work inside structures that are over 400 years old. That quiet authenticity is what makes Rothenburg one of Europe’s true fairytale Christmas destinations. Oldest Christmas Market in Europe – The Heart of Rothenburg The Christmas market in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, known as the Reiterlesmarkt, has been documented since the late 15th century, making it one of the oldest in Europe. The name comes from the “Reiterle,” a legendary horseman who, according to medieval folklore, visited during winter bringing gifts and hope. The market takes place in the Marktplatz, the main town square, in front of the Gothic Town Hall. Around it stand buildings from different centuries — the Council Tavern from 1466, the Renaissance arcade, and the old clock tower that still rings every hour. This setting gives the market its unique historical backdrop. More than sixty wooden stalls fill the square and nearby streets. Each one represents local families, small bakeries, or artisans from the surrounding Franconian region. They sell everything from hand-carved nativity figures to textiles and ceramic mugs that change design every year. When you buy a drink at the market — mulled wine, hot chocolate, or punch — it’s always served in a real ceramic mug, never in plastic. You pay a small deposit, usually one or two euros, and later you can decide: return the mug and get your money back, or keep it as a souvenir. Every mug has the year and the market’s name printed on it. Many visitors take them home as part of their Christmas collection. Food has always been central to the Reiterlesmarkt. The most famous treat is the Schneeballen — a local pastry shaped like a snowball, made from shortcrust dough and covered in sugar or chocolate. Visitors can also try Franconian sausages grilled over open coals and served in fresh bread rolls. In the evening, the Town Hall balcony becomes a small stage for choirs and brass musicians from the region. Locals and visitors gather together, holding warm drinks and talking under the lights. The best way to explore Rothenburg ob der Tauber is on foot. The entire old town covers less than two square kilometers, and every street leads to a view worth stopping for. Among the small boutiques of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of the most visited is Teddyland — a shop entirely dedicated to teddy bears. Filming inside the shop is not allowed, so the footage you see here is limited. The shop opened in the early 1990s and now holds one of the largest teddy bear collections in Germany. Many of the bears come from the Steiff company, the German brand that created the first jointed teddy bear in 1902. The collection changes seasonally: in December, the displays turn into winter scenes with snow, sleds, and Christmas lights. Cobblestones here are uneven and old, polished by centuries of footsteps. Many were laid in the 1500s and have never been replaced. Most houses belong to families who have lived here for generations. Their ground floors are small shops — bakeries, toy stores, or guesthouses — while the upper floors remain private homes. The mix of daily life and tourism keeps the town active even outside the Christmas season. Where to Stay in Rothenburg – Cozy Hotels and Local Guesthouses: Rothenburg ob der Tauber is small, so most places to stay are within a short walk from the main square. There are no large hotel chains inside the old walls — only family-owned guesthouses, boutique hotels, and small inns that occupy historical buildings. Many of them have been running for generations. The oldest guesthouse, Gasthof Goldener Greifen, has been welcoming travellers since the 15th century. Rooms are restored with modern comfort but still keep the timber beams, uneven floors, and small windows typical of medieval houses. Average prices range from 80 to 150 euros per night depending on the season. During the Christmas market, rates rise quickly and rooms sell out weeks in advance. For a quieter experience, several small hotels and apartments are located along the Tauber valley, below the town walls. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk uphill to the center, and the view on the way back is one of the most beautiful in Rothenburg. Whether you choose a hotel in the main square or a guesthouse under the walls, what stands out is the same — personal service, homemade breakfast, and owners who often live in the same building. Staying overnight lets you see Rothenburg after the crowds leave, when the lights reflect on empty streets and the town feels completely different. At almost every corner stands a tower or gate. Rothenburg still has its full medieval wall, more than three kilometers long. Visitors can walk along the covered walkway that connects the towers and look down over red rooftops, narrow alleys, and the Tauber valley below. The most photographed street in town is Plönlein — a small triangular square where two streets divide beside a yellow timbered house. It became an unofficial symbol of medieval Germany after appearing in countless travel books and films. Away from the main paths, quieter areas show another side of the town. You can find small courtyards with wells, gardens, and wooden balconies filled with flowers, even in winter. Many residents still use traditional shutters instead of curtains, a habit kept from the past when glass was rare. Most of the buildings are half-timbered houses, built using a traditional method known as Fachwerk. The wooden frame supports the entire structure, while the gaps are filled with clay, straw, and lime plaster. This technique made construction faster and cheaper, which helped Rothenburg grow quickly during the Middle Ages. Over the centuries, parts of the town were damaged by fires and periods of conflict, but local builders always rebuilt in the same style, using the same proportions and materials. Even after modern restoration work, the houses kept their historical structure — only the interiors were adapted for daily living. One reason the town looks so well preserved today is its early protection. In 1908, local citizens created a preservation society that limited new construction within the old walls. Later, government regulations banned visible modern signs, cables, and advertising, which is why the streets look visually consistent. During the 1940s, several areas of Rothenburg were heavily damaged, especially near the southern wall. The historical center, however, remained mostly intact thanks to efforts to protect its cultural value. In the following years, residents restored the affected houses with original stones and timber carefully gathered from the remains. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is completely surrounded by medieval walls that stretch for more than three kilometers. They were first built in the 13th century and later reinforced during different periods as the town grew. In total, there are more than forty towers and gates. Each one served a practical purpose — controlling access, collecting tolls, or protecting trade goods stored in nearby warehouses. The towers vary in height and design, depending on when they were added. Some have pointed Gothic roofs, while others were rebuilt with Renaissance stone details. Visitors can walk along the covered wall walkway that connects most of the towers. It offers a clear view over the red rooftops of the old town and the Tauber valley below. The walkway is open all year, free of charge, and has small plaques that list the names of donors who helped fund its restoration. Right next to Rothenburg’s main square stands Geschenkehaus am Markt — one of the town’s oldest and best-known gift shops. Its name means “Gift House at the Market,” and for many visitors, it’s the first place to step into after exploring the Christmas stalls outside. The store has been a family business for several decades. The owners personally select each product and work directly with small regional workshops — many of them long-time partners from Bavaria and Thuringia. The assortment is far from tourist souvenirs. Shelves are filled with wooden figures, nutcrackers, handmade ornaments, glass balls, brass bells, traditional textiles, and even embroidered Christmas towels. Some of these pieces come from the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) region, the historical center of German Christmas craftsmanship. Every year, the owners completely redesign the shop windows. Themes change from classic nativity scenes to creative displays made entirely of ornaments. Locals often stop by before the market season just to see the new decorations — it’s become a quiet tradition in the town. Inside, small antique items are displayed among the new goods — old gingerbread molds, postcards from the early 1900s, and vintage wooden toys. Filming inside Geschenkehaus am Markt is not allowed, so you’ll see only short exterior footage. The Story of Reiterlesmarkt – A 500-Year Christmas Tradition: The Reiterlesmarkt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of the oldest continuously held Christmas markets in Germany. The first written mention appears in the 15th century, and many of its customs have changed very little since that time. The market takes its name from the Reiterle, a legendary winter rider from local folklore. In medieval times, people believed that a ghostly horseman appeared in the cold season, carrying the souls of the departed. Over the centuries, the image of the rider transformed from something frightening into a friendly symbol of goodwill and generosity. Today, a local actor still opens the market each year dressed as the Reiterle. He arrives on horseback in the main square, greeting visitors and marking the start of the Christmas season. This ceremony links the modern festival to the town’s oldest traditions. The Reiterlesmarkt was originally a place for local farmers and craftsmen to sell goods before winter — candles, clothing, dried fruit, honey, and wooden tools. With time, it turned into a social gathering that signaled the beginning of Advent. Families from nearby villages came to exchange gifts, listen to music, and share food together. Modern visitors can still find many of those early traditions. Hand-carved toys, beeswax candles, and regional baked goods are sold alongside decorations and seasonal drinks. Every December, residents decorate the town square and surrounding streets by hand. The work is done by volunteers and shop owners, not by outside contractors. This shared effort keeps the atmosphere consistent year after year. Traditional German Christmas Food – Sausages, Sweets & Spices: Food is at the center of every German Christmas market, and Rothenburg’s Reiterlesmarkt is no exception. Each wooden stall is run by local families who prepare traditional recipes passed down for generations. The most popular item is the Rothenburger Bratwurst — a thin, lightly spiced sausage grilled over open coals and served in a crusty bread roll. Locals eat it with mustard or sauerkraut, and most stalls use meat from small regional farms. Its flavor is simpler than in other parts of Germany, more about smoke and freshness than heavy seasoning. Another specialty is the Schneeballen, or “snowball.” It’s a round pastry made from shortcrust dough, deep-fried until crisp, and covered in sugar, cinnamon, or chocolate. The dessert was created in Rothenburg centuries ago and was originally served only at weddings. Now it’s the town’s most famous treat, found in every bakery. You’ll also find roasted almonds, candied apples, and gingerbread hearts decorated with short messages written in icing. These are made in Nuremberg, about an hour away, and brought here every December. Hot drinks are another essential part of the experience. Instead of soft drinks or disposable cups, visitors here enjoy traditional warm beverages prepared with fruit juice and winter spices like cinnamon, orange peel, and clove. They’re served steaming hot in ceramic mugs that you can keep as a souvenir or return for a small refund. Each year, the mugs have a new color and design with the year and market name printed on them — a small detail that has become part of Rothenburg’s Christmas tradition. Thank you for walking with me through Rothenburg ob der Tauber — one of Germany’s most authentic Christmas towns. I hope this walk helped you see a quieter side of the season! If you enjoyed this video, make sure to subscribe — there are many more hidden places waiting to be explored across Europe. I stayed overnight here, and it was one of the most atmospheric evenings of the whole trip. If you’d like to know the name of the hotel, let me know in the comments — I’ll share it there. And tell me which destination you’d like to see next: another Christmas market, a medieval town, or maybe a hidden village that tourists never reach. Your suggestions often decide where I go next! See you soon in the next Hidden Gem!

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany is a town that seems made for Christmas.
It’s one of the most beautiful Christmas places in the world. Every December, this small Bavarian town becomes Europe’s oldest Christmas market – a place that still celebrates the season the way it began centuries ago.
The Oldest Christmas Market in Europe turns the town square into a warm circle of lights, music, and handmade gifts. Locals decorate every window with care, and visitors walk slowly through the stone streets.
This Germany Walking Tour shows the heart of the city – the tower, the walls, the small shops, and the food that made these markets famous.
German Christmas markets serve the BEST food in Europe! From warm sausages and roasted chestnuts to gingerbread and mulled wine, everything tastes like home.
Rothenburg is often called the most charming town in Germany. It feels calm, bright, and deeply festive – a fairytale Christmas that carries the true spirit of Christmas in every detail.
It’s a magical Christmas holiday destination, perfect for those who love history, light, and quiet joy.
These are the real Christmas hidden gems!

📍 Location: Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria, Germany
📅 Filming date: Christmas season 2025
⛅ Weather: 2°C / 36°F

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