Rothenburg ob der Tauber Shopping and Districts

(Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bavaria, Germany)

Perhaps surprisingly for a small town in Germany's medieval heartland, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of Bavaria's fun shopping destinations overall. Many shops, of course, aim at the tourist market, with everything from tat and Christmas tree decorations to teddy bears, (the largest selection in Germany), carved cuckoo clocks, Hummel porcelain figurines, beer steins, music boxes and dolls.

Shopping for antiques in Rothenburg ob der Tauber is always enjoyable, as in any heritage town, with small galleries to be found in the narrow streets of the Old Quarter. Bavaria has been famous for its wood carvings for hundreds of years, and older examples can be sourced here. Antique German dolls are popular, but are also very pricey if in good condition with original clothing and hair, and excellent fakes do exist.

When to Shop and Where

For more serious shopping, Rothenburg ob der Tauber boasts a modern mall close by the Old Town and the rail station, crammed with small shops and boutiques selling good quality fashion, jewellery and suchlike.

The Obere Schmiedgasse forms the main shopping thoroughfare, while scattered around the cobbled streets are deli-style food shops, with every variety of German sausage and other delights, perfect for an impromptu picnic in the town's park.

Bakeries are everywhere as well, and chocolate is a very popular ingredient in many German desserts and pastries.

Craft shops can also be found in the Old Town, and a weekly market takes place every Saturday in the main square, with local handicrafts and antiques for sale, as well as fresh produce. Local ceramics are always a good buy, as are leather products.