A stone castle ruin above the town, half-timbered houses on the market square and museums with a range of themes give Wertheim a distinct cultural character. There are also routes for cycling, walking and exploring by water. This makes it easy to plan a stay around your own interests, with time for individual attractions or a mix of different themes.
The castle, old town and architectural history
Wertheim Castle is a stone castle ruin built in the 12th century on a spur above Wertheim, between the valleys of the Main and Tauber rivers. Guided tours cover the ruin’s past and present; check what is on offer before your trip.
The Spitze Turm, at the confluence of the Tauber and Main, offers views over the historic old town from its 141 steps. Visiting arrangements for the tower may change, so it is worth checking the latest information in advance. In the heart of the old town, the historic market square is surrounded by richly decorated, listed half-timbered houses. Some date from the 16th century and are well preserved.
Other points of cultural and historical interest in Wertheim include the Jewish cemetery and the Protestant Collegiate Church of St. Mary. The cemetery was established in 1406, used until the 20th century, and is the oldest surviving Jewish cemetery in Baden-Württemberg. St. Mary’s is a three-aisled Late Gothic basilica dating from the 14th century.
Museums with a range of themes
The Wertheim Glass Museum traces the history and uses of glass from antiquity to today’s glass industry in Wertheim. Interactive exhibits such as the bottle imp, love barometer, mirror maze and flea microscope add to the experience; visitors can also watch the museum glassblower at work. As visitor activities depend on operating conditions, check the latest information before your visit.
The Wertheim County Museum offers a different focus, showcasing folk art treasures from more than 900 years of the county’s history. The Schlösschen Museum in the Court Garden is a ten-minute walk from the historic old town. Built in 1777 as the summer residence of Count Friedrich Ludwig of Löwenstein-Wertheim-Virneburg, the building was later remodelled in the neoclassical style. It is surrounded by an English landscape garden and has housed a museum with changing exhibitions and private art collections since 2006.
Routes and activities
The Main-Tauber-Franconian Cycling Eight passes through Wertheim. The Taubertal Panorama Trail runs from Bronnbach via Wertheim to Freudenberg. A section of the Way of St. James also runs through the Tauber Valley, with stamp stations in Wertheim. If you are planning a specific stage, check the relevant route details in advance.
The Tauber Valley Railway runs between Wertheim and Crailsheim. Check the timetable and the conditions for taking a bicycle on board before travelling. Individual canoe trips can be organised on the Main and Tauber rivers from Lohr am Main via Wertheim to Aschaffenburg; ask the provider about availability before your trip.
Guided tours and local food and drink
Groups can book bespoke guided tours of Wertheim, focused on a subject of their choice, such as the castle or museums. Check availability and the programme in advance. In Wertheim, the Route of Delights is the hub of a network of food and drink businesses along the Main and Tauber rivers. On the corresponding city tour, you can visit selected food and drink stops and sample local specialities.
A wine and food tour begins with a regional white wine at the Spitze Turm; Tauber Valley red wine is sampled at the castle or another appealing location in the old town. Tour content and booking details may change, so check them while planning. Wertheim offers a range of ways to explore: architectural history and museums, cycling and pilgrimage routes, and guided experiences featuring regional wine and specialities.
More destinations
Discover more destinations: Mondfeld, Ahorn, Freudenberg Am Main, Igersheim, Neubrunn, Reicholzheim, Kreuzwertheim, Niederstetten.
Back to the main travel overview: Main-Tauber District.
