August 19, 2025, 3:26 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

The district town of Miltenberg is located at the southern edge of the so-called “Mainviereck,” between Aschaffenburg, Wertheim, and Obernburg. The town combines the typical features of a historic market town with the region’s natural surroundings: It is surrounded by vineyards, lies directly on the Main River, and borders the forests of Spessart and Odenwald.

The Most Beautiful Places in the Market Town of Miltenberg

Marketplace with “Schnatterloch”

Among the best-known sights in Miltenberg is the old marketplace, also known as “Schnatterloch.” Here, charming half-timbered houses line up, including the Miltenberg Town Hall. Many of the buildings on the marketplace date back to the 16th and early 17th centuries. Additionally, according to the Tourism Association Spessart-Mainland e.V., numerous half-timbered houses from the post-Thirty Years’ War period have been preserved. The former “Schnatterloch,” which gave the square its name, was located at the former city boundary and referred to a hole in the tower through which rainwater flowed into the Main River. Today, in addition to the historic buildings, the marketplace also features wine taverns, inns, and small shops.

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Mildenburg

If you want to continue exploring after strolling through the old marketplace, you can venture up to Mildenburg. It takes about 15 minutes to reach it via narrow alleys and steep stairs. Once at the top, you are rewarded with a wide view over Miltenberg, which can be especially enjoyed from the various rest areas around the castle. Since 2011, the complex has also been accessible as a museum: In addition to works from the 17th to 19th centuries, contemporary art is also on display.

Gasthaus “Zum Riesen”

Another piece of Miltenberg’s city history is the Gasthaus “Zum Riesen.” First mentioned in documents in the mid-12th century, the inn itself claims to be “Germany’s oldest princely inn.” Not without reason: Prominent guests such as Charles IV and King Ludwig the Bavarian have stayed here. The inn is still in operation today, offering Franconian dishes and accommodations. From the outside, the inn, with its classic Franconian half-timbered construction, also serves as an authentic photo backdrop.

Stadtpfarrkirche St. Jakobus

Visible from afar and an integral part of Miltenberg’s cityscape is the Catholic Stadtpfarrkirche St. Jakobus. With its distinctive towers, it is also considered a landmark of the city. Not only is the building impressive from the outside, but inside, you’ll find numerous elements from various eras, including Gothic, Baroque, and Classicist features. Just about a 5-minute walk away is the Main Riverbank, offering a great view of the city’s panorama from a slightly different perspective.

Main-Radweg

If you want to combine your city trip with some exercise, plan a bike tour on the Main-Radweg. The route follows the river from its source in the Fichtelgebirge, through Kulmbach, Bamberg, Würzburg, and Aschaffenburg, to its confluence with the Rhine in Mainz–a total of about 600 kilometers. A stop in Miltenberg can easily be included. For a shorter ride, start directly here and cycle the approximately 30 kilometers to Wertheim. The path mostly runs flat along the Main, lined with vineyards and forests, perfect for breaks and small detours.

Travel to Miltenberg

Miltenberg is easily accessible by car. The journey is via the A3 or A81 highways, depending on the direction, through the Wertheim or Großostheim exits, and then continues on federal and state roads into the Main Valley. Traveling by train is also straightforward. Regional trains run regularly between Aschaffenburg and Miltenberg, and there are connections to Darmstadt and Heilbronn.

Note: In an earlier version of the article, it was incorrectly stated that the Gasthaus Zum Riesen is located directly on the marketplace. We have corrected the error.