Nuremberg
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Aerial view of Nuremberg Old Town skyline

Things to do in  Nuremberg

A Bavarian beauty with medieval charm

History buffs flock to Bavaria’s second-largest city to learn about the Nuremberg Trials and tour the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds, but there’s so much more to Nuremberg than its poignant past. At its core, there’s an atmospheric Old Town that dazzles during the annual Christmas market—think cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, twinkling lights, gingerbread, and stalls selling the local specialty sausage Nürnberger Rostbratwurst. Other things to do in Nuremberg’s Old Town include seeing the Imperial Castle, a popular choice for walking tours, and Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer’s former home.

Top 8 attractions in Nuremberg

Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds

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A vast tract of untended land southeast of Nuremberg's medieval city center, the Nazi Party Rally Grounds were once the stage for some of Adolf Hitler's most infamous and dangerous speeches during the rise of the Third Reich. The nearby Documentation Center museum chronicles the terrors inflicted by the Nazi party during World War II.More

Imperial Castle of Nuremberg (Kaiserburg)

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Built in 1120, Imperial Castle of Nuremberg (Kaiserburg) was once a residence for kings of the Holy Roman Empire. Despite suffering damage over the years (especially during WWII), the castle has been carefully restored to showcase its original Gothic and Romanesque architecture.More

Schöner Brunnen

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The ornate Schöner Brunnen is a landmark fountain in the cobbled Market Square (Hauptmarkt) of Nuremberg’s medieval Altstadt (Old Town). Created by local stonemason Heinrich Beheimby, it is a highly decorative, three-tiered masterpiece of religious imagery, adorned with 40 gaily colored, sculpted figures representing characters from the Holy Roman Empire.At 62 feet (19 meters) high, the fountain has been restored several times over the centuries, and most of its original stone carvings are now preserved in the German National Museum (Germanisches Nationalmuseum). The wrought-iron fence that surrounds the Gothic fountain was designed by Paulus Kühn of Augsburg in 1587 and has a famous golden handle that must be twisted for good luck.The Market Square itself is lined with multi-gabled townhouses and the ornate façade of the Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), the site of a daily food market, as well as the famous Nuremberg Christmas Market (Christkindlesmarkt), which sees visitors pour in from all over Europe.More

Hauptmarkt

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Nuremberg’s Hauptmarkt is a bustling square in the center of the Old Town. Known for its market stalls selling fresh produce, crafts, and local goods, it’s also the setting of Nuremberg’s famous Christmas market. Notable landmarks include the Schönen Brunnen fountain and the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady).More

Albrecht Dürer's House

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Famous for his delicate and anatomically precise etchings, woodcuts and prints, Albrecht Dürer was a Northern Renaissance artist who lived all his life in Nuremberg between 1471 and 1528. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the city became one of Germany’s most successful commercial centers and also the focus of a great artistic flowering. Dürer was at the heart of this creative movement, visiting the great Renaissance cities of Italy, regularly attending courts of European royalty and revolutionizing printmaking. His iconic works include The Apocalypse, a number of self-portraits, books on the human anatomy and many sublime animal prints as well as friezes for civic halls in Nuremberg and altar pieces in Prague.The Albrecht Dürer's House is afachwerkhaus, a half-timbered townhouse with a steep wooden roof and of an architectural style seen all over Bavaria. This is where he lived for many years and has been restored to its original 16th-century state; a costumed guide in the guise of his wife takes English-speaking tours from room to room, explaining the mechanics of life in the Dürer household. Printmakers work in the top-floor studio and reproductions of Dürer’s art are on display throughout the museum.More

Nuremberg Old Town (Altstadt)

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The city of Nuremberg is one of the most walkable cities in Bavaria, and its second-largest. The old city (Altstadt), which was bombed flat during WWII, has since been completely restored to its original state. Unlike many other German cities rebuilt in the 1950s with ‘modern’ architecture, Nuremberg captured its original, quaint atmosphere during the rebuild — but with beautiful new buildings. Most of the city’s attractions are located in the compact Altstadt, which is located inside the city’s medieval walls.In the middle of the Altstadt is the central square (Hauptmarkt), home to the Frauenkirche: a 14th-century Gothic church. The Hauptmarkt also has a gorgeous gilded fountain with tiers of figures called the Schöner Brunnen. At noon every day, you can watch the church clock’s figures do a little dance. Be sure to touch the golden ring on the wrought-iron gate for good luck. The Altstadt is rich with restaurants of all calibers: from the humble Donair-kebab to the Michelin-starred, there’s something for every palate.More

St. Lorenz Lutheran Church

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With a lacy rose window and delicate religious statuary, the fancy Gothic façade of St. Lorenz Lutheran Church dominates Nuremberg’s Altstadt (Old Town) with its landmark copper-topped twin spires and began life as a Catholic church. When the Reformation came in the early 16th century, St. Lorenz soon became one of the most important Lutheran churches in Bavaria and also one of the very few with its rich hoard of treasures still intact.Construction began on the church in 1270 and lasted for more than two centuries; its interior is a mass of pale-gray marble with a net-vaulted ceiling and soaring columns, with three aisles liberally stacked with masterly artworks. Light floods in behind the choir through the delicate stained-glass windows and the pulpits gleam with gold and gilt, but of most note are the intricate sculpture of the Annunciation above the altar by 16th-century artist Veit Stoss, who also created the figure of Archangel Michael standing proud in the nave. The painted panels on the choir are the work of Michael Wolgemut, a printmaker whose most famous pupil was Albrecht Dürer.Badly damaged during WWII bombing raids by the Allies, the church was restored and re-consecrated in 1952. Midday organ and choir recitals are often held here and tours of the towers are available.More

German National Museum (Germanisches Nationalmuseum)

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Founded in 1852, the home of the German National Museum has extended over the years as the collection has increased; it was originally housed in a 14th-century former monastery, to which a Neo-Gothic extension was added in the 1900s. Extensive bomb damage in World War II led to architect Sep Ruf designing glass-and-brick replacements for demolished galleries in the 1960s and the last addition was the glass entrance foyer, which is approached via thought-provoking sculptures in the Avenue of Human Rights by Jewish artist Dani Karavan.Today the multi-story museum contains some 1.3 million artifacts showcasing Germanic culture and art, all on show in light, airy galleries and divided into 23 collections encompassing – among others – prehistory, prints and drawings, textiles, decorative arts, musical instruments and 20th-century art.Thanks to the museum’s immense size, some cherry picking is vital, so the highlights of the chronological exhibitions include a handsome display of Baroque porcelain, the fabulously over-the-top decoration in the wood-paneled Aachen Room and a cluster of wacky work by Joseph Beuys. Also worth catching are the Stone Age tools, the scary-looking 18th-century dolls and ancient suits of armor in the Weapons Room – and don’t miss the circumcision clamps or tools for staffing sausages.More

Trip ideas

Top activities in Nuremberg

Nuremberg World War 2 Tour

Nuremberg World War 2 Tour

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USD81.55
City tour of Nuremberg

City tour of Nuremberg

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USD19.03
Former Nazi Rally Ground And Courtroom 600 Tour
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Former Nazi Rally Ground And Courtroom 600 Tour

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USD80.91
USD87.00  USD6.09 savings
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All about Nuremberg

When to visit

The most popular time to come to Nuremberg is late November through mid-December, when the historic Christmas market (Christkindlesmarkt) transforms the city into a winter wonderland. If you’d prefer to avoid cold weather, then May through September are good months to visit. In June, music fans gather for Rock Im Park—one of the biggest rock festivals in Germany. For folk traditions, plays, jousting, and jazz, check out the Old Town Festival (Altstadtfest) in September.

Getting around

The compact city of Nuremberg is ideal to explore on foot, especially as many of its key landmarks are within walking distance of each other in the Old Town. There are also great public transportation options available, including trams, buses, the U-Bahn (subway), and the S-Bahn (suburban trains). Tickets can be bought from vending machines at stations or from bus and tram drivers.

Traveler tips

For a perfect people-watching spot to break up your sightseeing, the Tiergärtnertorplatz—close to the Imperial Castle—is a great place to relax and have a coffee. If you’re wondering where hipsters gather in Nuremberg, then get out of the city center and head for the Gostenhof district, known by locals as GoHo. Here, you can find vintage stores, galleries, street art murals, cute cafés, and quirky independent shops selling handmade goods.

People Also Ask

What is Nuremberg best known for?

Nuremberg is best known for being the setting of the Nazi Party Rallies and the Nuremberg Trials. Beyond World War II history, Nuremberg is visited for its beautiful Old Town and well-preserved medieval architecture, as exemplified by the Imperial Castle. It’s also home to one of Germany’s best Christmas markets.

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Is there anything to see in Nuremberg?

Yes, there’s lots to see in Nuremberg. Fans of historic buildings can visit the Imperial Castle. Shoppers won’t want to miss the Hauptmarkt and the GoHo neighborhood. Art lovers can visit painter Albrecht Dürer’s former home, and World War II history buffs can tour the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds.

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How many days in Nuremberg is enough?

Two days is enough time to leisurely see a short list of Nuremberg’s top landmarks. On day one, check off Old Town highlights on foot, such as St. Lorenz Church, the Frauekirche, and the Imperial Castle. Then, spend a day visiting World War II sites and the German National Museum.

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Is Nuremberg a walkable city?

Yes, Nuremberg is a walkable city for visitors, especially as a lot of its top landmarks are located in and around the Old Town (Altstadt), which has cobblestone streets and pedestrianized areas. The main train station also is located about a 15-minute walk from the center of the Old Town.

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How do I spend a day in Nuremberg?

With one day, head straight to the Old Town to see the city’s well-preserved medieval buildings. Key sights to visit include the Hauptmarkt, St. Lorenz Church, Weissgerbergasse, the Schöner Brunnen fountain, and the Imperial Castle. Then, finish the day with a visit to the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds.

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Is Nuremberg a day trip from Munich?

Yes, Nuremberg is a day trip option from Munich. The fastest way to get between cities is by train, and the journey time usually takes just over 1 hour. The trains operate regularly throughout the day, with roughly 50 trains departing Munich’s main station each day to get to Nuremberg.

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Nuremberg information

Number of Attractions

8

Number of Tours

90

Number of Reviews

1,976

Currency

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