Wondering what to do in one day in Nuremberg? You have a day spare in your Germany itinerary, and Nuremberg has its name on it. You may be pondering how you can cover all the best places to visit in Nuremberg in a single day.
In this guide we help you plan your day in Nuremberg. We’ve devised an easy-to-follow one day Nuremberg itinerary concentrating on the Altstadt (Nuremberg old city), with a small Plan B including the Nazi sites in Nuremberg.
Why Visit Nuremberg
Nuremberg is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, with a wealth of medieval buildings including the Imperial Castle, several fine Gothic churches and hundreds of gorgeous half-timbered houses.
The Imperial Castle – or Kaiserburg – is one of the most famous landmarks in Germany, and one of the finest castles in the country.
Nuremberg also has several outstanding museums, from the Albrecht Dürer House, home of the great renaissance artist for almost twenty years, to one of the best toy museums in the world and an awesome railway museum.
Nuremberg was also the city chosen by the Nazi Party as the venue for their propaganda rallies, and the Rally Grounds are among the most substantial architectural remnants of their regime in Germany.
One Day In Nuremberg – Planning Tips
The main dilemma if you’re spending a day in Nuremberg is whether or not to stick to the Altstadt (Old Town Nuremberg) or try to fit in the Nuremberg Nazi sites as well.
Even if you’re using the useful Nuremberg Hop On Hop Off Bus you can count on spending four hours or more visiting the Nazi Party Rally Grounds and Memorium Nuremberg Trials. As most places have limited opening hours, this would take up half of your Nuremberg attractions visiting time. Every minute you spend at the Nazi sites means you have less time to see the many Nuremberg sights in the Altstadt.
This is why I’m including the Nazi sites in Nuremberg in our 2 days in Nuremberg itinerary rather than this Nuremberg 1 day itinerary. I think sticking to the Nuremberg Old Town (Altstadt) is a better option, as that’s where most of the historic Nuremberg sightseeing is concentrated.
Top Tip
As in most cities in Europe, Nuremberg museums are closed on Mondays for most of the year.
However, from July to September and during the Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market) they ARE open on Mondays.
Useful To Know
We’ve based this one day Nuremberg itinerary on you having a full day available – by this we mean from 8-9 am through to 8 pm. So if you’re visiting on a day trip to Nuremberg from Munich, for example, you still have ample time to return to base.
Nuremberg In One Day Itinerary
Morning – Old Town and Nuremberg Castle (Kaiserburg)
We begin in the Altstadt, the historic old town surrounded by the rebuilt Nuremberg city walls.
A great way of getting an overview of the old city is to join a guided walking tour, which will introduce you to the main sights – you can then return to the ones you wish to visit later in the day.
I suggest beginning at Nuremberg Imperial Castle, the Kaiserburg, one of the most famous landmarks in Germany. The imposing red brick Castle was one of the most important residences of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Imperial Diet (a meeting of royalty and nobles) was regularly held there.
The standard ticket gives you unguided access to the Double Chapel, Palas and Kaiserburg Museum. The Deep Well and Sinwell Tower can only be visited as part of the guided tour.
Time Needed To Visit Kaiserburg – 90 minutes to 2 hours
Top Tip
Don’t miss the Castle Garden (Burggarten), which is free to visit, on the north side of the Castle grounds.
When leaving the Castle, turn right and walk along Am Ölberg, one of the most beautiful streets in Nuremberg, which runs directly below the Castle ramparts. After about 150 metres, take the left fork, where you pass between some wonderful half-timbered houses and down some stairs to Tiergärtnertorplatz.
Noon – Lunch and the Albrecht Dürer House
There are several places to eat in and around Tiergärtnertorplatz, which is very touristy but the restaurants are pretty good, especially Wirtshaus Hütt’n, which serves regional (Franconian) dishes.
This is the busiest part of Nuremberg, especially at night when people sit around the square eating and drinking, or both.
We then suggest visiting the Albrecht Dürer House, home and workplace of one of Europe’s foremost artists from the late Middle Ages. Dürer was one of the giants of late medieval European art – this is someone who wasn’t merely a contemporary of Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, he was in contact with them. He was renowned for his woodcut prints, and some of his best-knkown paintings are his Self Portrait at 28 (in the Louvre, Paris), and the much-reproduced Praying Hands in the Albertina in Vienna.
Afternoon – Altstadt Nuremberg Walk
This walk takes you past several Nuremberg attractions and landmarks, and along some of its most beautiful streets. Beginning at the Albrecht Dürer House, you can either walk inside the walls along Neutormauer, or outside the walls to the Hallertor, a ten-minute stroll along Neutorgraben.
The following locations are covered in the guided walking tour if you prefer to join a group and gain more insight along the way. At Hallertor, walk to Maxplatz where after 100 metres you come to Weissgerbergasse, the most picturesque street in Nuremberg. It’s full of beautifully restored half-timbered houses with cafes, bars, restaurants and shops.
Returning to Maxplatz, continue along the right-hand side of the street until you see the red and white half-timbered building on your right. Cross the road and head towards the Weinstadel, a medieval wine storehouse which is the largest half-timbered building in Germany. It now serves as a student dormitory.
Walk along the Maxbrücke, the stone bridge over the river Pegnitz, for one of the most famous Nuremberg sights, the two-part Henkersteg bridge (Hangman’s Bridge or Executioner’s Bridge). It’s one of the symbols of Nuremberg linking the north and south banks of the Pegnitz via a small river island which has tow of the quirkier small museums in Nuremberg, the Executioner’s Museum and the Bratwurst Museum, a homage to Nuremberg’s renowned sausage dish.
The view from the other side of the Maxbrücke is pretty special too, looking towards the Schlayerturm tower and Kettensteg footbridge.
Return to Maxplatz, turning right onto Weintraubengasse, where you continue for 50 metres before turning left onto Karlstrasse. Opposite the excellent Toy Museum, turn right onto Schustergasse. After 100 metres you reach the stunning Sebalduskirche, the finest of the churches in Nuremberg Altstadt.
You have the option of visiting the Nuremberg Toy Museum or continuing to the rest of Nuremberg Old Town. I will say that the Toy Museum in Nuremberg is the best I’ve ever visited – the city has a tradition of toymaking going back 600 years. You’d need a minimum of one hour there.
Late Afternoon – Hauptmarkt, Frauenkirche and Schöner Brunnen
After visiting the Sebalduskirche – which has the shrine of St Sebaldus, patron saint of Nuremberg – we continue the short distance to the Hauptmarkt, the main square in Nuremberg and venue of the Christkindlesmarkt, one of the most famous Christmas markets in Germany. The square regularly hosts markets throughout the year as well, so you may well see stalls around the square.
The Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) is another fine Gothic Nuremberg church, built in a style reminiscent of regions to the north along the Baltic coast of Germany and Poland. It was built on the site of a destroyed synagogue by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who also built the Charles Bridge in Prague.
Take a look at the exceptional carvings in the doorway and the Männleinlaufen figures in the early 16th century mechanical clock on the church façade. The clock figures – the Holy Roman Emperor and seven Electors – do their daily procession at noon.
At the opposite end of the square, the Schoner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain) is a gorgeous ornate structure from the 14th century. It’s like a small church spire, with around 40 painted figures, which include the four Evangelists, the seven Electors of the Holy Roman Empire and seven Prophets.
Early Evening – Nuremberg Viewpoints and the Lorenzkirche
It’s a short walk from the Hauptmarkt to the Museumsbrucke with one of the most iconic views of Nuremberg, the medieval Heiligen Geist Spital (Holy Ghost Hospital) reflected in the waters of the Pegnitz.
There is another much lass obvious Nuremberg viewpoint hidden away seven floors up on the seventh storey of the Adlerparkhaus (car park) which you can access via either Kaiserstrasse or Adlerstrasse. It’s a great view over the red rooftops of the city to the Sebalduskirche and Kaiserburg, a Nuremberg must see.
The Lorenzkirche (St Lawrence’s Church) is further up the hill, the Gothic twin spires another of the most prominent Nuremberg landmarks. The church is quite austere inside, and regularly hosts evening concerts.
Evening and Dinner
Some readers will want to try bratwurst (small herb-flavoured pork saussges) in the city where it was first made, and the place to do so is on the southern edge of the Altstadt. Zum Gulden Stern (At The Golden Star) has been serving them since 1419. They are cooked over a beech wood fire, so this is the real thing. You can order between 6 and 12 sausages, depending on your appetite.
Alternatively you can dine on more Franconian classics and sample the famous Nuremberg red beer at the Hausbrauerei Altstadthof, just down the hill from the Kaiserburg.
And then, dear reader, your one day in Nuremberg is done.
Nuremberg One Day Itinerary Summary
Morning – 0900 to 1200
Make your way to the Old Town (Altstadt) in Nuremberg.
Possible guided walk.
Otherwise get to the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle) for opening time at 0930.
Noon – 1200 to 1400
Albrecht Durer House (optional) then lunch
Afternoon – 1400 to 1500
Walk along city walls, then to picturesque Weissgerbergasse, Hangman’s Bridge and St Sebaldus Church
Afternoon – 1500 to 1730
Toy Museum (optional)
Hauptmarkt, Frauenkirche and Schoner Brunnen Fountain
Heiligen Geist Spital view and car park view over the city
Lorenzkirche
Evening – 1800 onwards
Dinner
Nuremberg One Day Itinerary – Plan B
I don’t recommend this itinerary, but if you want to see some of old Nuremberg and the Nazi sites in the city, your best bet is to take this walking tour which covers both the Altstadt and Nazi Rally Grounds.
This would leave you sufficient time to visit the Kaiserburg (as described 0900 above), the walk along the walls (1400), one or two of the churches and the views over the city.
More Than 1 Day In Nuremberg – Other Things To Do In Nuremberg
If you have more than 24 hours in Nuremberg, I suggest visiting the Nazi Party Rally Grounds and the Documentation Centre on the edge of the complex. Nuremberg Altstadt has an almost fairytale quality, but for around twenty years its name was inextricably linked with the Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler.
The Nazi Rally Grounds could not contrast more with Nuremberg old town, with vast monolithic structures overlooking the site of rallies which glorified an openly racist, and later genocidal regime.
There are also several excellent museums in Nuremberg. My son and I thoroughly enjoyed the Deutsche Bahn Railway Museum on our first visit to the city, and there’s also a large play area for kids which he enjoyed.
History lovers should head for the Fembo House Museum, which looks at the city’s history in the splendid setting of a late Renaissance (16th century) merchant’s house with later Baroque and Rococo decoration.
You can also visit the Medieval Dungeons below Nuremberg City Hall or the Historic Art Bunker where the city’s art treasures were stored while the city was bombed in the later stages of World War Two.
If you’re visiting Nuremberg with kids, we heartily recommend the Toy Museum (unless you’ve already made time for it) or the Playmobil Fun Park, a short train and bus ride from Nuremberg and a great few hours out for the family.
Day Trips From Nuremberg
You could also head a little off the beaten path to Cadolzburg, a small medieval town with a fine Castle 20 km (13 miles) west of Nuremberg.
Bamberg is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, best known for its Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) in the river and its early medieval Cathedral (1 hour by train).
Coburg is a beautiful historic town north of Bamberg, with one of the largest castles in Germany, Veste Coburg, on a hill overlooking the town. It’s also the birthplace of Price Albert, Consort to Queen Victoria of Great Britain (2 hours by train)
Rothenburg ob der Tauber isGermany for many visitors, a picturesque town with well-preserved city walls, towers, and cobblestone streets (2 hours by train).
Regensburg is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Germany, with a stunning twin-spired Gothic cathedral (1 hour by train).
Munich is the capital of Bavaria, known for its beer gardens, museums, and architecture (1-1.5 hours by train).
Where Is Nuremberg
Nuremberg is in the Franconia region of southern Germany, in the northern part of Bavaria.
We’ve included a map of Germany below showing you where it is in the country, and also in relation to several other cities. Below we also list the distances and length of train journeys from these cities.
Munich to Nuremberg – 149 km / 93 miles – average 1 hour 8 minutes
Berlin to Nuremberg – 378 km / 235 miles – average 3 hours 55 minutes
Frankfurt to Nuremberg – 189 km / 117 miles – average 2 hours 19 minutes
Regensburg to Nuremberg – 90 km / 55 miles – between 55 minutes and 2 hours
Prague to Nuremberg – 255 km / 158 miles – average 4 hours 36 minutes with one change of train
How To Get To Nuremberg
Nuremberg Airport (Flughafen Nurnberg)is only 5 km (3 miles north of the city centre, and only 12 minutes away from Nuremberg main train station (Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof, often written Nürnberg Hbf on timetables) on the local S2 train.
Nuremberg Airport is a medium-sized airport (not dissimilar to Bristol in the UK) and has flights to and from destinations all over Europe. Airlines that fly there include British Airways, Ryanair, Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, KLM, Air France, Wizz Air and Vueling.
If you’re flying into Germany long haul, the closest major airport is Munich, with Frankfurt an hour further away.
We travelled to Nuremberg by train from our home in Prague, and later from the Rhine Valley via Frankfurt. If you fly into Munich or Frankfurt you can easily get a connecting train to Nuremberg. Nuremberg is accessible from anywhere in Germany and, indeed, neighbouring countries.
It is also on several long-distance Flixbus routes.
How To Get Around Nuremberg
Nuremberg is well-served by public transport, with underground trains (U-Bahn), overground trains (S-Bahn), trams and buses connecting all parts of the city – except for one small ‘blind spot’ which I cover in more detail below.
If you’re staying in Nuremberg Altstadt you may not use public transport at all. I walked everywhere within the Altstadt, only using the trams to get to the Nazi Rally grounds and back.
The VGN local transport website has information on ticket options and prices. A single ride costs €2.85, and an adult day ticket €8.50.
Top tip
Getting around the hilliest part of Nuremberg Altstadt needs to be done on foot. The U-Bahn (underground train) service only covers the flat southern part of the Old Town, and the buses – especially the 36 – cover further north, past the Hauptmarkt (main square) and Rathaus (Town Hall).
The steepest part of the Altstadt is around the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle), and you either have to walk this or be driven. The number 4 tram (change at Plärrer) takes you closest, stopping at Tiergärtnertor, which is a short walk from Tiergärtnertorplatz, the most beautiful square in Nuremberg.
Useful To Know
If you travel to Nuremberg using the €49 Deutschland Ticket, bear in mind that all local transport in Nuremberg is included in your ticket.
Best Time To Visit Nuremberg
We visited Nuremberg in summer, which turned out to be a good option as we had warm sunny weather most days, including for our day trip from Nuremberg with our son to the nearby Playmobil Fun Park.
I think it’s fair to call Nuremberg a year-round destination. During the winter, the Christkindlesmarkt makes Nuremberg one of the best Christmas cities in Europe, and it runs from late November until just before Christmas.
Nuremberg is full of magical old-world charm, and the magic doesn’t wear off even in the long grey winter. If anything, the cold suits it, the half-timbered houses and grand pink stone buildings providing cosy refuge.
On balance, spring and autumn may be the best times to spend a day in Nuremberg, I’d be happy to visit Nuremberg at any time of year.
How Many Days In Nuremberg Ideally?
Three days would be ample. This would give you enough time to explore more of the Nuremberg museums, and allow you half a day to see the Nazi Rally Grounds and Nuremberg Trials courtroom.
One Day In Nuremberg – Final Thoughts
Nuremberg is one of the best cities to visit in Germany, and if you have the chance to spend a day there, grab it.
We were very impressed with Nuremberg, and are planning a few days back there, looking to explore more of the surrounding area as well.
David Angel is a Welsh, photographer, writer and historian who has been travelling and photographing Europe for over 30 years. His work is regularly featured in worldwide media including the BBC, Condé Nast Traveller, the Guardian, the Times and the Sunday Times.
Source link