I’ll be honest…the only reason why I visited Nuremberg was because it happened to be conveniently located on the driving route back to Munich from my tour of the Romantic Road in Bavaria. I didn’t know what to expect from my visit and had only really heard of the city because of the famous war trials that were held there after World War II. Surprisingly (for me, anyway) Nuremberg was one of my favorite stops from the trip. Once called “the most German of all German cities” and a host to several major Nazi rallies during the war , Nuremberg suffered major damage for it’s association with fascism/Nazi pride when it was bombed by ally forces after the war. Over the past several years, residents of the city have painstakingly restored the city to it’s former glory. Check out my tips below on how to spend a great few hours in Nuremberg (a historical and underrated city!).
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Hauptmarkt
Visit the Hauptmarkt (central square) and admire the surrounding architecture. Within the square is the Schoner Brunnen, a beautifully gilded tiered fountain that is worth a pretty picture (apparently, it was wrapped in a concrete shell during the war and came through unscathed). Hauptmarkt is a great place for people-watching and there are oftentimes food and craft stalls set-up throughout the square. The smell of grilled meat from the food vendors was too irresistible, so we ended up feasting on some sausages while exploring!
TIP: If you happen to be visiting Nuremberg during the winter time, make sure to check out the world-famous Nuremberg Christmas Market (located in Hauptmarkt). Unfortunately, we didn’t get to experience the market since we visited in September, however, I can only imagine how magical a winter visit to this city would be!
Nuremberg Castle
Explore the Nuremberg Imperial Castle, a group of medieval fortified buildings situated on a hill overlooking the entire city. There’s a fee to visit the tower (not worth it), but the castle exterior is beautiful, and the view from the castle walls is worth the uphill trek!
Pegnitz River
For an iconic photo of Nuremberg visit the Heilig Geist Spital, an old hospital that has now been converted to a popular restaurant. This beautiful building on the Pegnitz river divides the two halves of Old Town.
Love Island
Visit Liebeseniel (aka Love Island) and take in the romantic river views. As the name suggests, Liebeseniel is a popular place for couples to hang out…you’ve been warned!
Eat a German Pretzel
Did you know that Nuremberg is home to the pretzel? For an amazing afternoon snack, pick up a pretzel at Brezen Kolb (I recommend their classic pretzel with butter). It’s quite literally, the best pretzel I’ve ever had.
Visit Aldstadt
Take in the charm of the small pedestrian alleyways and half-timbered buildings in the Aldstadt (old town).
If you have more than a few hours, I hear it’s worth a visit to the old Nazi Party Rally Grounds. The site features an exhibition center which details how Adolf Hitler came to power, and you can observe the grounds where thousands of Nazi soldiers used to march. The site makes for a sobering but fascinating visit, and is a must-see for history buffs!
Want more information or need help planning a visit to Nuremberg? Leave me a comment below!
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Hi Jessie! I found your post as I’m planning a 6 hour stop over in Nuremberg (traveling by train from Berlin to Munich).
I would love your suggestions on what to do with that amount of time. Many thanks!
Hi Katy – thanks for reaching out! I think 6 hours is enough time to get a feel for the city. I would prioritize visiting the Hauptmarkt (central square in Nuremberg) as it’s very beautiful and there are some fun street vendors/food stalls in the area. From there, you can meander your way up the hill to see the Nuremberg Imperial Castle and get some great panoramic views! The restaurant Albrecht Dürer Stube is in that same area, and is supposed to offer some great traditional Nuremberg fare.
Hope this helps! Let me know how the trip goes!
I only know Nuremberg from the trials. I had no idea it was so adorable.
I had no idea that it was that cute either! It’s definitely worth a visit….I didn’t know pretzels could be that tasty. 🙂
Wow, it looks stunning! The first photo reminds me of Switzerland a little bit with the canal and old town. I haven’t been to this part of Germany but would love to visit, Germany has some amazing historic spots to explore!
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Hi Diana! I haven’t been to Switzerland but it’s on my list. Nuremberg is pretty cool, would definitely recommend a visit especially since it’s so close to some other cute German towns too! xoxo