Nuremberg is a city that surprised us at every turn; rich in medieval history, full of cultural treasures, and incredibly walkable.

From climbing castle towers and exploring WWII sites to discovering quirky museums and indulging in Franconian food, this guide covers everything we loved during our stay.

Overview

Nuremberg (or Nürnberg in German) is a city that blends medieval charm with a complex and thought-provoking history. Situated in the Franconian region of Bavaria, it played a key role during the Holy Roman Empire and later gained notoriety for its ties to the Nazi regime and the post-war trials.

Today, Nuremberg is a vibrant cultural hub with a well-preserved old town, stunning architecture, and a surprisingly modern edge. Our visit gave us a deep appreciation for the city’s layers of history, and we were also delighted by its cosy beer halls and walkable city centre.

Travel to and Around Nuremberg

Travelling to Nuremberg

Nuremberg is easily accessible from major German cities. We arrived by train from Budapest on an overnight sleeper train as part of our 2025 Interrail trip around Central Europe.

Nuremberg Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) is well-connected to regional and high-speed ICE services. Buses and long-distance coaches also serve Nuremberg from cities across Germany and neighbouring countries.

If you’re flying, Nuremberg Airport (NUE) is only around 20 minutes from the city centre via U-Bahn (subway). If you are looking for suitable flight options, make sure to check out the article below with top tips on how to find cheap flights.

Travelling Around Nuremberg

The historic centre is compact and walkable, so we explored most of it on foot. However, Nuremberg also has an efficient public transport network, including U-Bahn, trams, and buses, which can be handy for getting to outer districts or if you’re staying outside the Altstadt.

Almost all the attractions in this guide are in the old town, with the exception of the Documentation Centre.

We used a day travel card, which came as part of the Nuremberg City Card, to make getting around easier and cost-effective.

Alternatively, if you are in Nuremberg just for a day or are short on time, you can explore the city by using the Nuremberg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus.

Where to Stay in Nuremberg?

We’d recommend staying within or near the Old Town (Altstadt) to make the most of your time. This area is home to most of the main attractions, and it’s full of character.

Accommodation options range from charming boutique hotels in timber-framed buildings to modern apartments and well-priced guesthouses.

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, we would recommend booking your accommodation through an aggregator such as Booking.com or Trip.com to get the best rates. Use the widget below to find the best accommodation in Nuremberg for your specific dates.

We stayed near Frauentorgraben, which was within easy walking distance of both the train station and Hauptmarkt.

We chose hotel NH Collection Nürnberg City and would totally recommend it! The room was great, breakfast was very good and we enjoyed the spa area too!

Best Time to Visit Nuremberg

Spring and early autumn offer pleasant weather with fewer crowds, making it easier to explore comfortably. That said, winter in Nuremberg has a magical feel, particularly during the world-famous Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas market), which usually begins in late November.

Summer can be lively, but expect more tourists and higher prices. We visited in April and found it ideal for sightseeing.

Our Top Things to do in Nuremberg

We had the Nuremberg City Card which proved to be useful and cost effective and if you are planning to visit the attractions listed in this guide, then definitely consider buying the city card.

We would suggest you allocate 2 days for your trip however, it is possible to do the below in one day as we did.

Card payments are widely accepted, and we found that we didn’t need any cash. We used our 0% fee cards throughout this trip to make sure we always got the better rates. Read more here about managing your finances when travelling.

1. Explore the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg

Start with a walk up to the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg (Kaiserburg), which dominates the city skyline. The castle played an important role during the Holy Roman Empire and offers fantastic views over the Altstadt.

The Holy Roman Emperor at the time stayed here for almost a year, which made Nuremberg the official court of the Emperor; normally the emperor would change location quite frequently. This meant a lot of trade and investment flowed into the city as people came to the Emperor’s temporary court.

You can explore the museum, Sinwell Tower, and Deep Well for insights into medieval life. The museum was excellent, with plenty of exhibits and not too exhausting to explore.

We would suggest skipping the Deep Well. While there is an explanation by a local guide (included in the ticket), it feels more entertaining at first than truly informative. Ultimately, it’s just a well. The guide attempts to speak in English, but most of the explanation is in German.

We do, however, encourage you to climb the Sinwell Tower. From above, you get a great vantage point of the castle grounds and an impressive view of the old town. We took quite a few pictures and stood to admire the views for some time.

2. Discover Local History at Stadtmuseum im Fembo-Haus

Housed in a beautiful Renaissance building, the Stadtmuseum im Fembo-Haus covers Nuremberg’s urban development and daily life over the centuries. It provides a great overview of the city’s cultural heritage, and the rooms are wonderfully preserved.

Overall, it was a great insight into Franconian culture, including traditional dress and impressive room décor. They also host special exhibitions, one about portraits wasn’t for us, but another featured striking paintings of the Holy Roman Emperor’s visit to Nuremberg, which we highly recommend.

3. Step Inside the Historic St. Sebald Church

One of the oldest churches in the city, St. Sebald is named after Nuremberg’s patron saint. The Romanesque-Gothic church is both peaceful and grand, with beautiful stained-glass windows and the saint’s tomb near the altar.

Other than that, it feels quite simple, but still worth a short visit.

4. Watch the Noon Clock Show at Frauenkirche

Located on Hauptmarkt, the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) is a striking Gothic church known for its ornate façade and mechanical clock, the Männleinlaufen. At noon, the clock springs to life with a procession of figures representing the Holy Roman Emperor and prince-electors.

5. Experience the Buzz of Hauptmarkt

The city’s main square, Hauptmarkt, hosts daily market stalls and seasonal festivals. It’s a bustling spot that brings together locals and tourists. In winter, it’s transformed into the Christkindlesmarkt, one of the most famous Christmas markets in Germany.

When we went, it was set up as an Easter Market; however, it was (funnily enough) closed during the Easter weekend.

6. Make a Wish at Schöner Brunnen

Adjacent to the Hauptmarkt is the Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain). This ornate 14th-century fountain is a Gothic masterpiece. Don’t forget to spin the golden ring on the fence for good luck!

7. Relive Your Childhood at the Toy Museum

Nuremberg has a long history in toy-making, and the Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum) is a fascinating visit for all ages. From traditional wooden toys to early Barbie dolls and model trains, it’s a nostalgic experience.

We were debating whether to visit or not but Hristina insisted we pay a visit. We did not regret it.

This is a must if you visit Nuremberg with children as there are lots of activities for the little ones.

8. Marvel at the Architecture of St. Lorenz

St. Lorenz is another of Nuremberg’s important churches, notable for its towering façade and rose window. Inside, you’ll find intricate carvings, Gothic arches, and religious artworks.

9. Dig into German Culture at Germanisches Nationalmuseum

This is the largest museum of cultural history in the German-speaking world. The Germanisches Nationalmuseum covers everything from prehistoric tools to modern art. We particularly enjoyed the medieval armour and altarpieces.

That said, the museum is large—but don’t be intimidated. At a leisurely pace, you might be done in less than 45 minutes.

You could skip this if time is short; we didn’t find it particularly impressive but visited because it was included in the Nuremberg Card.

10. Reflect on Justice at Memorium Nuremberg Trials

Visiting the Memorium Nuremberg Trials was one of the most thought-provoking parts of our trip. Located in the Palace of Justice, Courtroom 600 (where the trials took place) is open to the public, and the museum provides detailed context in a 15-minute projection about the post-WWII trials and their legacy.

In addition to the projection, there are many exhibits with information and audio guide to learn more about the Nuremberg Trials.

11. Understand the Past at the Documentation Centre

For those interested in WWII history, the Documentation Centre is an essential visit. It examines the causes, context, and consequences of the Nazi regime. The museum is housed in a striking, unfinished structure originally intended as a Nazi congress hall.

When we visited, the rally grounds were under repair, so we couldn’t fully explore the area. As it’s also the furthest site from the others, we suggest skipping it and reading about it online instead.

12. Wander the Charming Weißgerbergasse

Take a walk along Weißgerbergasse, one of the prettiest streets in the Old Town. It’s lined with colourful, half-timbered houses and is perfect for a relaxed stroll or photos. There are also a few cosy cafés and galleries worth ducking into.

We spotted a medieval tavern and hoped to stop for a drink, but unfortunately, it was fully booked (or so they said). Maybe next time! It did look authentic with candlesticks instead of electric lights—we’re curious how the beers would’ve been served.

Our Top Restaurants in Nuremberg

1. Try a local German Pub at Wirtshaus Hütt’n

A proper Franconian pub with hearty local dishes. Wirtshaus Hütt’n serves classics like Nuremberg sausages, sauerkraut, and potato dumplings. Hristina had the local sausages on a bed of sauerkraut, and I had the pork shoulder roast with crackling.

The sausages were okay, but not too different from any English or American sausage we had in the past. In the Franconian region, they tend to serve pork shoulder on the bone rather than pork joint or knuckle.

For dessert, we had fried apple rings in batter and a homemade cheesecake strudel. They were good, not great but overall, a good way to finish a good lunch.

On another note, we loved the rustic setting and friendly service.

2. Enjoy a Comfy Dinner at Tucher-Bräu am Opernhaus

Located near the opera house, Tucher-Bräu is a great place to sample traditional Nuremberg beer alongside German staples like schnitzel and pork knuckle.

We recommend booking ahead, as it gets busy. We had the local amber (red) beer with sausages to start. The sausages were nicely spiced and delicious.

Hristina had the pork shoulder, which was well-roasted with a crispy crackling (albeit small). I had the pork schnitzel, which was crisp and dry—real comfort food.

They also have a beer garden, but as it was just 5°C, we gave it a miss. Overall, a great place with excellent local food—definitely worth checking out.

Final Thoughts

Nuremberg surprised us with how much there is to do beyond its well-known historical legacy. It’s a city that invites you to walk its cobbled streets, dive into its layered history, and savour the hearty local cuisine. Whether you’re here for a couple of days or just passing through Bavaria, it’s a city well worth getting to know.

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