In a ranking of the top 10 German old towns, three Franconian cities are at the top.
Lots of half-timbered houses, small streets and exciting history.
Nuremberg - Home leave is nice.
There are numerous German cities with fantastic old town centres.
From winding half-timbered houses, idyllic city parks, rustic castles to small streams.
It's even nicer to know that three of the best old towns in Franconia are right on your doorstep.
The travel portal kurz-mal-weg.de has ranked the top 10 German old towns.
The three Franconian cities of Bamberg, Dinkelsbühl and Rothenburg ob der Tauber will be there.
The destinations for the next spring trip are secured.
10th place: Marburg
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The historic town hall is located on the Marburg market square.
© Imago/Jan Wehnert
Marburg's old town lies almost like a fairy tale on the river Lahn, with the landgrave's castle on a hill.
The beautiful winding streets with the half-timbered houses make the romantic flair perfect.
A walk through Kugelgasse and Weidenhäuser Straße with a detour to the Kaiser Wilhelm Tower is a must.
Another highlight is the Trojedamm on the banks of the Lahn.
The Elisabeth Church and the Kugelkirche are also worth a visit.
The historic town hall is one of the most important sights in the upper old town.
9th place: Dinkelsbühl
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Dinkelsbühl's half-timbered houses shine in bright colors.
© Imago
The medium-sized town of Dinkelsbühl is beautifully situated in the south-west of Franconia.
The half-timbered houses shine in bright colors and ensure a romantic old town centre.
Everything looks perfectly coordinated.
The Dinkelsbühlers are only allowed to build and renovate in accordance with strict building regulations.
The medieval atmosphere must be preserved.
The most beautiful sights are the Rothenburg Gate, the Bäuerlin Tower on the outskirts and the old town hall with the local history museum.
The wine market invites you to stroll through traditional restaurants, cafés and pubs.
From the tower of St. George's Church there is a fantastic view of the entire old town.
8th place: Trier
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The market place of Trier invites you to stroll.
© Imago/ imagebroker
The oldest city in Germany is Trier.
As a former Roman town, it is rich in history.
The Roman buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
The most famous landmark of the city is the "Porta Nigra".
Those interested in history can visit museums, old Roman thermal baths and the amphitheater.
One of the best known of the multitude of churches is the magnificent Konstantin Basilica in the heart of Trier.
A walk through the small streets with a coffee break on the Moselle is also wonderful.
7th place: Erfurt
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The Krämerbrücke is Erfurt's biggest landmark.
© Imago/ Zoonar
Erfurt's city center has been renovated and restored.
After Erfurt Cathedral, the half-timbered Krämerbrücke is the largest landmark in the old town.
The symbol of connection, the bridges, have given the city a legendary reputation.
Countless bridges span the small rivers such as the Gera, the Bergstrom and the Walkstrom.
The urban area around Augustinerstraße was therefore given the popular name "Little Venice".
Erfurt also has the nickname "erfordia turrita" - the towering Erfurt.
In the Angermuseum or Gildehaus, museum-goers can learn about the history of the city.
6th place: Meersburg
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Meersburg on Lake Constance attracts many tourists.
© Imago/ imagebroker
Many tourists are drawn to Lake Constance.
Especially to Meersburg.
The coastal town has an impressive old town with romantic streets and old houses.
The well-known Meersburg Castle is reminiscent of life in the Middle Ages.
From there you can admire a wonderful view over Lake Constance.
There are many nice cafes and restaurants in the old town for a stop.
5th place: Bamberg
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The old Bamberg town hall is one of the most beautiful sights.
© Imago/elxeneize
In Bamberg, 2,400 houses are under monument protection.
The city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.
The half-timbered houses are elaborately decorated.
The churches are pompous and the bridges are romantically winding.
The many restaurants serve local dishes and drinks.
Bamberg proudly carries the status of the beer city - the smoked beer is native here.
There are many small breweries in the region.
In the World Heritage Visitor Center, tourists can learn about the history of Bamberg.
The most beautiful sights are the Old Town Hall and the Bamberg Cathedral with the famous Bamberg Horseman.
The promenade along the Regnitz invites you to take a walk.
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4th place: Luebeck
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Lübeck's old town is located on the Elbe-Trave Canal.
© Imago/ Werner Dieterich
Lübeck is one of the best preserved old towns in Germany.
The Hanseatic city in the far north is located directly on the Baltic Sea.
The old town is characterized by red brick buildings.
A walk past old merchant houses, markets and small shops is recommended.
The more than 1600 different historical monuments reflect the cultural diversity and the architectural eras.
The five large town churches tell of the impressive history of the coastal town.
The town hall in brick Gothic is the flagship of the city.
The four city gates are also worth seeing.
The Holstentor in the west is the most important surviving city gate from the late Middle Ages in Germany.
3rd place: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
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The Plönlein is one of the most well-known historical places in Rothenburg.
© Imago/ MoJoLo
The old town of Rothenburg impresses with its real historical flair.
The market square already attracts tourists for a photo with the colorful half-timbered houses.
The Gothic Jakobskirche is a cultural highlight of the old town.
Between the small streets lies the gigantic double-winged town hall with a Renaissance façade with the Emperor's Hall and the observation tower.
The flagship is the Pönlein, the small square at the fountain - in front of a crooked half-timbered house and two towers of the old city wall.
On the left the Siebersturm, on the right the tower of the Kobolzeller Tor.
The old Rothenburg craftsman's house is worth a visit.
A must is also the Rothenburger Turmweg, which leads past the world-famous photo motif of Rothenburg, the Röderbogen and the Markusturm.
2nd place: Heidelberg
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The Karl Theodor Bridge is the most beautiful entrance to Heidelberg's old town.
© Imago/ A. Tamboly
The historic city of Heidelberg is world famous.
The Karl Theoder Bridge leads over the Neckar through the northern city gate, behind which begins one of the most beautiful old towns in Germany.
The medieval buildings, beautiful cafes and restaurants invite you to stroll.
There are several historical museums and the well-known old town theater.
The remains of the world-famous castle are enthroned on a hill on the Königsstuhl.
From there you have a wonderful view of the entire old town.
Also worth seeing are the Kronmarkt and the Heidelberg market square, with the Heiliggeistkirche in the center.
1st place: Quedlinburg
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From the collegiate church of St. Servatius there is a fantastic view of the old town.
© Imago/Peter Widmann
The city of Quedlinburg is one of the most important cities in the Harz Mountains.
The medieval old town tells of a history that is more than 1000 years old.
The colorful half-timbered houses are the first historical eye-catcher.
A cobblestone path leads up to the Collegiate Church of St. Servatius.
There, tourists can expect a fairytale view of Quedlinburg's old town.
The city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
In addition to the Stiftsberg, the castle, the Westendorf, the old town and the new town, the Münzenberg and St. Wiperti belong to the universal heritage of mankind.
The game should be taken with humor: Two cities from Bavaria are part of the "The ugliest cities in Germany" quartet from Riva Verlag.
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