Wertheim is located where the Main River meets the Tauber River in southwestern Germany. The town’s roots date back to the 7th century.
The town is unique in that it does feel as if you’ve stepped into a fairytale. It actually does flood and the residents are totally prepared for it. The town’s streets were raised to help mitigate the flooding. You’ll see windows at ground level that look a bit off. This is why. And, the residents step into action to help each other during the floods, which our guide said happens every few years.
1. Burg Wertheim (the Castle)
Perched on a hillside, the Wertheim Castle is about a 15-minute walk uphill from the village.
It’s pretty much just ruins, however, the views are spectacular and there is a restaurant and beer garden. We didn’t go up because the restaurant wasn’t open.
Our guide said that the umbrellas (which are in view from the Village) are open when the restaurant is open. If you see them closed, that’s your signal that the place is closed.
This is the landmark attraction in Wertheim so if you don’t go, take a better picture than I did.
2. The Pointed Tower of Wertheim (Spitzer Turm)
The short answer is that this used to be the prison for drunkards and “quarrelsome wenches” (really). It is now a place where you can go wine tasting with a view.
3. Shop the Boutiques
Each boutique in the town is a little bit different from the next with hand-curated kitchenwares, clothes, gifts, food and other fun items to browse.
I read that there is a designer outlet center nearby called Wertheim Village that runs a free shuttle from town. We didn’t have time to see it. There’s also an alfi factory outlet that I would have loved to have stepped into.
4. Eat the Best Pretzel
Wertheim’s best pretzel awaits at Fritz Frischmuth bakery, which has been operated by the same family for 13 generations. There are even a few tables at which you can rest your weary legs (with a pretzel, of course).
Our guide arranged for us to sample some Christmas stollen. This, I believe, is the baker, and he was hilarious.
5. Visit the Wertheim Glass Museum
Exhibits at the Wertheim Glass Museum range from “luxury glass of ancient times” to “industrial glass”, alternating special exhibitions, regular glass-blowing demonstrations and a Christmas exhibition in the Advent period.
(In anticipation of our stop in Wertheim, Uniworld organized a glassblower to come on board to do a demonstration on the ship! It was very cool.)
If you are short on time, definitely stop by the museum gift shop. I bought a number of Christmas ornaments (including many of these clip-on birds) at very reasonable pricing.