Miltenberg

Miltenberg sits in a bend of the Main between wooded sandstone hills, with one long main street of timber-framed houses running below the castle. The Gasthaus zum Riesen claims continuous operation as an inn since 1411 and describes itself as the oldest princely inn in Germany, with a documented list of guests including emperors. The Schnatterloch, a gap in the houses framing a view up to the castle, is the town's standard image. A Roman fort stood here on the Limes frontier, and a stone marked with an inscription, the Toutonenstein, was found nearby. Sandstone quarried locally was shipped down the Main for centuries.

What you actually see

• The Gasthaus zum Riesen - an inn trading since 1411.
• The Schnatterloch - a framed gap in the houses looking up to the castle.
• The timber main street - a continuous run of framed facades.
• The Roman traces - Limes frontier remains and stones in the museum.

When to go

April to October; the town is on a river cruise route and busiest at midday. Christmas markets run in December. The castle keeps limited winter hours.

Honest expectations

The town is essentially one street, walked in an hour. Cruise groups arrive in blocks. The castle climb is steep.

Nearby

Aschaffenburg lies downriver; the Odenwald rises south.