Romantic Road Self-Drive: Würzburg to Füssen
Head south from the wine towns on the Main River, past medieval walled towns, to castles at the foot of the Alps
Following the classic Romantic Road from north to south, each day's drive is short. Spend a full day in Rothenburg, and stay one night in Nördlingen to see the old town built inside a meteor crater. Neuschwanstein Castle is saved for the final day, which suits first-time German road-trippers. Some small towns along the route are skipped in favor of a slower pace. This is usually a one-way rental. You can also return the car in Füssen and take the train back to Munich.
May–Oct brings long days and plenty of festivals. The interior of Neuschwanstein Castle requires advance online booking.
Day by day
Day 1 · Würzburg Residence and Old Main Bridge
Würzburg（Würzburg Residence、Würzburg Court Garden、Würzburg Cathedral、Old Main Bridge）
Walk the old town. From the Würzburg Residence to the Old Main Bridge takes about 15 minutes. Start after arriving by train or car.
Stay: Würzburg Old Town
Day 2 · Fortress, Tauber Valley and Rothenburg
Würzburg（Marienberg Fortress、Weikersheim Palace） → Rothenburg ob der Tauber（Night Watchman's Tour）
Drive from Würzburg via Weikersheim to Rothenburg, about 100 km, or about 2 hours including stops.
Park in the lot outside the city walls. The Night Watchman tour starts in the evening, and times are posted locally.
Stay: Marktplatz Old Town
Day 3 · Rothenburg Walls and Old Town Day
Rothenburg ob der Tauber（Marktplatz & Town Hall Tower、St. Jakob's Church (Holy Blood Altar)、Medieval Crime and Justice Museum、Plönlein、Rothenburg Town Wall Walk & Röder Gate）
Walk all day inside and outside the city walls. The old town is small, so you don't need a car.
Stay: Marktplatz Old Town
Day 4 · Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen
Augsburg（Dinkelsbühl、Nördlingen）
Drive from Rothenburg via Dinkelsbühl to Nördlingen, about 85 km, roughly 2 hours of driving.
In Nördlingen, walk the full loop of the city wall, then climb Daniel Tower to see the crater landscape.
Stay: Nördlingen
Day 5 · Harburg Castle to Augsburg
Harburg Castle → Augsburg（Fuggerei、Augsburg Town Hall & Golden Hall、Maximilianstraße）
Drive from Nördlingen via Harburg Castle to Augsburg, about 85 km, roughly 1.5 hours of driving.
Stay: Old Town and Maximilianstrasse
Day 6 · Landsberg am Lech, Wieskirche and Schwangau
Landsberg am Lech → Neuschwanstein & Füssen（Wieskirche、Füssen Old Town）
Drive from Augsburg via Landsberg and Wieskirche to Schwangau, about 135 km, or about 2.5 hours including stops.
Stay: Schwangau and Hohenschwangau Village
Day 7 · Neuschwanstein Castle and Departure
Neuschwanstein & Füssen（Hohenschwangau Castle、Marienbrücke、Neuschwanstein Castle）
Walk or take a shuttle to the castle area. The climb takes about 30–40 minutes. After your visit, take the train from Füssen back to Munich, about 2 hours.
Marienbrücke may close in winter or when icy. The Pöllat Gorge trail is currently closed.