This medieval Bavarian town has preserved its 16th-century walls, Gothic St. George's Church, and traditional half-timbered houses. Local festivals bring authentic German culture to life.
In Bavaria's Dinkelsbühl, you can walk through 13th-century gates, climb medieval towers, and explore streets lined with yellow, red, and blue half-timbered houses. The 200-foot tower of St. George's Minster rises above the town's skyline, while the Deutsche Haus displays intricate wooden carvings of Jupiter, Saturn, and other celestial deities. Each July, the town comes alive during the Kinderzeche festival, where local children dress in 17th-century costumes to tell the story of their town's past.
Walking the Medieval Walls
A 3-kilometer path runs alongside Dinkelsbühl's medieval fortifications, passing sixteen towers and four gates marking the north, south, east, and west entrances to the old town. The north entrance, Rothenberger Gate, has a stepped gable, an outer defensive structure, and ornate bay windows. You can walk the entire circuit in about an hour, starting from any gate between sunrise and sunset.
Inside St. George's Minster
The late Gothic St. George's Minster (1448-1499) dominates the town center. Inside, you'll find six medieval altars dating from 1440 to 1590, with painted panels showing biblical stories and saints adorned in gold leaf. Look up to see the stone-ribbed vaulting creating star patterns across the ceiling. Climb 222 steps to the tower's viewing platform (open 10 AM-4 PM) for views across medieval rooftops to the surrounding countryside.
Exploring the Wine Market
In the Weinmarkt district, 17th-century merchant houses and guild halls line the cobblestone streets. Look for the Deutsche Haus, where wooden carvings of planets, Roman gods, and zodiac signs cover the facade. Many buildings maintain their original features, including traditional wooden window boxes filled with seasonal flowers. Most shops in this area open 9 AM-6 PM weekdays and until 2 PM Saturdays.
Annual Kinderzeche Festival
Mid-July brings the ten-day Kinderzeche festival, commemorating events from 1632. Local schoolchildren act out historical scenes depicting negotiations between townspeople and Swedish troops. Each day starts with a 10 AM parade through the old town, followed by afternoon concerts. Food stalls sell regional Franconian dishes like Pressack (head cheese) alongside local wines.
Getting Around Dinkelsbühl
Buses connect to Dinkelsbühl's terminal near Rothenberger Gate from Crailsheim station (22km away) hourly and from Ansbach (42km) every two hours. From Munich, drive northwest on the A8 and A7 highways for approximately two hours. Three parking lots sit outside the town walls. You can walk between all main sites within 10 minutes.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The House of History occupies the 14th-century town hall, displaying medieval weapons, wool trading tools, and original town documents from 1351. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 AM-5 PM. At Museum 3 Dimension, you can experiment with holograms and optical illusions. The Castle of the Teutonic Order runs daily guided tours at 2 PM, where you can see the rococo chapel and learn about medieval military orders that protected the town.
