Explore Nuremberg, Germany – A Bavarian Treasure Chest Full of Surprises

Your brain functions as an incredible machine. And just like any machine, let's say a superfast, super smart computer, for example, your brain makes thousands of connections between various data.

That is why, when you smell the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon cookies, the memory of your grandma and grandpa smiling pops up in your head. Or, when someone mentions The Little Mermaid, you think of her long tail, and the idea of combing your hair with a fork seems utterly rational for a moment.

You have to admit; it is fantastic how fast our mind can create various associations! So, you hear the word - Germany, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?

Whatever it may be, whether it's a place, a person or an object, you will undoubtedly find it in the German city of Nuremberg. It is simply a collection of everything German and if you want to experience this culture there really isn’t a better place to visit.

So, before you pack your bags, take a look at our recommendations and impressions about Nuremberg. They will certainly help you to have a wonderful experience.

Let's start!

What Should You Know About Nuremberg, Germany?

Nuremberg is located in Bavaria, one of the sixteen states in Germany, and it is the second largest city (after Munich) in this state. With a population of over half a million people, it is always busy here. Pegnitz river and the Main Danube Canal run through it which gives you a chance to see beautiful architecture and bridges. Because it is a popular tourist destination, and because Germany really gives its best to nurture its culture and present it to people, Nuremberg hides many museums and tourist attractions.

What is interesting about the city is that it is surrounded with 5 km of walls and has five gates. If you want to enter the city, you will have to pass through at least one of them! So, back in the day, the town was heavily fortified, and the people of Nuremberg were able to defend it from intruders.

 

 

Generally, summer months are when most travelers visit Nuremberg, and winter is considered off-season (except for Christmas, of course). Whenever you decide to visit though, you will have plenty of options when it comes to sight-seeing, food, and fun.

You should also think about where are you going to stay during your time in Nuremberg. Don't get us wrong; there is no doubt you are going to spend most of your time exploring the city, but it is always nice to come back to comfortable beds and pleasant atmosphere.

We must admit that where we stayed at contributed to the overall experience very much, and we would like to recommend this hotel to you as well. If you interested in this, pay attention to this next part where we’re going to tell you all about The Excelsior Hotel Nürnberg Fürth.

Why Choose The Excelsior Hotel Nürnberg
Fürth as Your Accommodation?

What is great about this hotel is that it’s located right between Nuremberg and Fürth so that you can visit both cities. Whether you are in Nuremberg for business or pleasure, The Excelsior will be the right choice for you. It has many different business facilities. However, if that isn’t important for you, and you just want some peace, you can be sure you will find it here.

The most exciting and unique characteristic of this 4-star hotel is that it is shaped like a glass pyramid. The exterior of the hotel alone is something to admire, but after you enter it only gets better.

 

 

We enjoyed the most delicious meal the night we arrived and everything was presented so beautifully. Their breakfast was simply amazing which always makes for a good start to your day. The girls loved it because it has such a large selection to choose from.

After a long day of walking and sightseeing, it was so nice to come back to rest and relax at this beautiful hotel.  

Don't forget to check them out if you're coming to Nuremberg for your next visit.

Of course, once you have your accommodation figured out, we advise you to make a plan of what you’re going to visit and when. The number of possibilities Nuremberg offers might seem a bit overwhelming at first, so to avoid stressing out about where your next stop is going to be, it’s best to make a plan.

If you need any help with those plans, read on and find out what you can see and do in Nuremberg.

Top 14 Things to Visit and Do in Nuremberg

No matter the time of the year you choose for visiting Nuremberg, you will have plenty of things to do. Generally, you need about three days of active exploring cover the whole city, but you can also do it in two days if you choose to skip museums. However, if you decide to do so, you should be aware that you'll be missing out your best chance to learn about German culture.

Now, prepare yourself for a long list of choices.

Nuremberg Castle (Nürnberger Burg)

 

Germany is famous for its castles, and you really shouldn’t miss visiting this one, Get Your Guide Affiliate. It’s located in the north-west corner of the Old Town and is also a great point from which you can get the best view of the old town.

Make sure you visit the Sinwell Tower as well. It is located next to the castle and the so-called Deep Well (it really is 50 m deep). There are guided tours in different languages mainly German and English every day.

 

Churches

There are indeed a lot of churches to visit in Nurenberg, For example, St. Lorenz Gothic Church and St. Sebald Church, built between 13th and 15th century are a must see. When you visit churches, be mindful of the culture you are in and don't forget to ask whether taking pictures is allowed.

 

Rings for Good Luck (Nürnberg Schöner Brunnen)

This beautiful fountain is a part of a fascinating legend. Our girls, of course, tested it. It says that if you turn the golden ring three times and make a wish, the wish will come true. It also says that if you turn it.

Well, keep up with us to see if the legend proves to be true.

Underground Tunnels (Förderverein Nürnberger Felsengänge)

You can guess that these tunnels were made as secret passages. They were mentioned for the first time in an official document, back in 1380, but today they’re open to the public, and you can visit them by taking an English guided tour (Sundays at 11.30am). There were also vaulted cellars, Rock-Cut Beer Cellars and you can hear all about it in the tour.

 

Pretty Street (Weissgerbergasse)

The name of the street says it all. It is one of those tourist sights which you will come across while exploring the city. However, we would like to point out that all the streets in Nuremberg deserve to be named pretty streets, not just this one.

Albrecht Durer's House (Albrecht-Dürer-Haus)

Albrecht Durer was a famous painter, and his house is definitely worth visiting. We had a great time and what was extremely interesting is that we had a chance to see how a butterfly can be printed onto a paper by using a machine, special paper, and an engraving plate.

 

Bridge and Hospital (Heilig-Geist-Spital)

It was built between 1332 and 1339 by a wealthy practitioner. According to the legend they built it on a river so the illness would flow away. It is still a very picturesque place, and you should definitely visit it because it looks so peaceful.

 

Way of Human Rights (Straße der Menschenrechte)

These sculptures were revealed in 1993. It consists of pillars, and each one has a human right written on it. What is especially interesting is that each one is written in a different language and there is a list of languages written on a board so you would know which one is which. Keep in mind, they are written in German. We were confused for a bit because we couldn’t figure out what one language was.

Nazi Party Rallying Grounds (Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände)

You will notice that there are a lot of museums and memorials dedicated to the Second World War or revolving around that theme. This is also one of them. To prove their power, the Nazis organized annual party rallies and planned to build enormous buildings here. Only a few of them were built. Start exploring from the Documentation Center (a museum) and leave at least two hours for this activity.

The German Museum (Germanisches Nationalmuseum)

It is one of the most prominent museums with over 1.3 million objects and 25000 of them on display. Make sure to leave a couple of hours for this museum if you choose to visit it.

Nuremberg Trial Museum

One important historical event took place in Nuremberg after WW2, and that is the prosecution of many people involved in the awful war crimes. If you are interested in this topic, make sure to go there well-rested and prepared to absorb as much information as you can, and there is a lot. Because of the theme and such quantity of information, this museum might be a little intense for small children. Tickets are €6 for adults and €1.50 for kids if you do not own 2-Day Nuremberg Cards (for more info, keep reading).

The Nuremberg Transport Museum

Here, you can see how train transportation developed, as well as means of communication. Even if you are not interested in this give it a shot. The museum is very interactive, and you’ll have so much fun. Our girls sure did! They loved how you could walk through all the different trains and see the different class levels for the Royalty rigth down to 3rd class with no doors or windows. If you go with your family, there is a ticket for €12. If you pay separately, adult tickets are €6, while kids (age 6 to 17) pay €3.

 

The Toy Museum

This museum will give you a chance to see how toys developed over the years. Naturally, it’s interesting for kids, and the girls were thrilled, with all different selection of toys. From creepy dolls to their dad's favorite He-Man toys he used to play with growing up. 

If you have young kids, you may be interested in a more kid-friendly tour of Nuremberg.  In this case, check out the Planetarium, PLAYMOBIL FunPark (resembles the Legoland), Dinosaur Museum, or take them to experience the Middle Ages. What is guaranteed to be fun for both you and your kids, is the Nuremberg Zoo, so if you have time, don't forget to visit it.

The Cinema

If you are a movie enthusiast like we are, make sure to visit one of the largest cinemas in Germany. It is housed in a modern building located within the old town, which is a bit unusual. It features 23 screens and a wide range of movies to choose from. They organize open-air nights in the summer on a beautiful terrace, from which you can get one of the best views of the town.

Pro Tips For Travellers

As always, here are all the best pieces of advice you can get about visiting Nuremberg in one place.

• • Some necessary information is that the language of the country is German, but they speak English as well. The local currency is the euro, and you can pay with cards as well. Since Germany is in the EU Schengen, make sure you check visa requirements.

• • You’re probably waiting to hear all about that 2-Day Nuremberg Card we mentioned above. Well, if you want to save some money in Nuremberg, you can do that by getting this special pass, which allows you to visit more than 40 museums in Nuremberg and Furth for the price you pay. Not only that but you can also use public transportation for free during these two days. If you want to book your pass now click here.

• • As for the transportation here, you really don’t need a rental car. If you have the 2-Day Nuremberg Card the public transportation is free for you, but even if you don’t, you can get everywhere on foot, and we actually recommend it. There’s no better way to explore this city.

• German food is very unique, and you can’t say you’ve been to Germany if you haven’t tried their famous sausage. The Currywurst and Schaufele should also be on your ‘to eat’ list. Make sure to add Sauerkraut to everything. Nuremberg has one of the best breweries, so treat yourself to a German beer. If something pops right into one’s mind when someone says Germany, it is beer and sausages. If you are looking for a grocery store, we recommend Karstadt Groceries.

So, we came to the end of this trip as well. If you are eager of adventure and active holidays, put Nuremberg on your list. It is an excellent place to start exploring Germany and their culture since it really represents it well.

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