Esslingen am Neckar is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in southern Germany, sitting just east of Stuttgart along the Neckar river. Founded in 777, it somehow escaped the worst of the wartime bombing that flattened much of the region, and its half-timbered old town feels remarkably intact.
The streets around the Marktplatz are lined with colourful timber-frame houses, many dating to the 14th and 15th centuries. The Altes Rathaus, with its Renaissance facade and astronomical clock, dominates the square, flanked by the Stadtkirche St Dionys and the Frauenkirche. Above the town, Burg Esslingen and its vineyards offer views across the Neckar valley. Esslingen is also known for its sparkling wine — Kessler, Germany's oldest Sekt producer, has been based here since 1826. The town's medieval Christmas market, set among the old buildings, is considered one of the finest in Baden-Württemberg.