Is Nuremberg worth visiting?

Absolutely! The answer to most questions is usually “it depends” but for once there is no reason to equivocate. Nuremberg is definitely worth a visit.

Still, if you are planning a trip to Germany and have limited time you have to make some choices and if you only have three or four days for the entire country, Munich, Hamburg, and Berlin (but not Frankfurt) are probably more important. But if you have a bit more time or if you are just touring Southern Germany, Nuremberg should be near the top of the list.

Dating back to Nuremberg was one of the most important cities in Western Europe in the Middle Ages and you can still see many remnants (many reconstructed after WWII) of this long history. Of course for many, Nuremberg is more synonymous with the of World War II and that . But Nuremberg is probably most famous for its historic Christmas Markets (one of the biggest in Europe) and its many food specialties. As the capital of Franconia it is in a fierce with Munich.

How long do you need for Nuremberg?

Good news for anyone on a tight schedule – you can see most highlights of Nuremberg in one day and get a good impression of this city. Of course, two days would be even better and you should be able to hit most of the sights in that time.

However, Nuremberg makes an excellent base for day trips due to its central location in Northern Bavaria and great public transport connections. You could easily spend 5 to 7 days in town, seeing the sights and taking excursions to Würzburg, Coburg, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Rothenburg, or even Munich.

When is the best time to visit Nuremberg?

Like most big cities, Nuremberg is good for a visit any time of the year. But also similar to other destinations in Central Europe, late spring to early fall (i.e. late April to early October) offers the best chance for sunny skies and sunshine (and let’s face it – any city looks nicer in good weather).

In addition, Nuremberg is of course an excellent choice for a visit in the weeks before Christmas when the famous Nuremberg Christmas Market takes place. However, if you are visiting during that time be prepared for large crowds and inflated hotel prices.

What makes Nuremberg worth visiting?

Nuremberg has a unique vibe, more Protestant and trade oriented than the Catholic Munich. But there are also a number of sights you should not miss.

Nuremberg’s Imperial Castle

Perched on a hill above the castle, the Kaiserburg is Nuremberg’s landmark and a must-see during your visit. You may be a bit out of breath after climbing up the steep street but the views over town will make up for this!

Definitely take the time to do one of the tours of Nuremberg Castle. And don’t miss out on an additional highlight – the gardens. Especially the is well worth a visit!

Explore the City Center

Now, on first look Nuremberg’s old town is not as pretty as some other city centers. While there are beautiful churches and half-timbered houses, you will also see plenty of down-right ugly buildings constructed in the fifties and sixties.

However, I like to look at these urban eyesores as a badge of resilience and courage. During World War II Nuremberg was one of the most bombarded cities in Europe. Even today, unexploded bombs are regularly found when new building sites are excavated! And if you look at photos of Nuremberg after the war you will be stunned by the utter destination. The entire city was nothing but a pile of rubble.

Looking at the bustling city now, Nuremberg is truly an example for rising from the ashes and redemption. So while the war has left definite scars, the city has progressed so much better than anyone might have thought back then.

And you can find many, many beautiful corners in Nuremberg. Walk through beautiful lanes like Weissgerbergasse with their timbered houses, cross the Pegnitz River on one of the old bridges, marvel at the daily carillon of the Frauenkirche, and see the beautiful fountains on Nuremberg’s Hauptmarkt (Main Market Square).

Learn more about Nuremberg’s Role during WWII

Nuremberg was one of the capital’s of the Nazi party in the time leading up to the war and you can visit the nazi party rally grounds. In addition, Nuremberg gained infamy as the location of the famous Nuremberg Trials, when German war criminals were sentenced for their crimes.

This sad part of Germany’s history should never be forgotten so we can all learn for the future what not to do and the devestation hate and racism can cause. I urge you to visit some of the monuments like concentration camps and Nuremberg’s Documentation Center for a better understanding. This should be part of any Germany itinerary.

However, I do hope to one day make some money with this blog and I can’t feel right making money of this horrendous part of Bavaria’s history. So I will not post about any Third Reich sights/activities in detail but only mention them as an option.

Visit one of Europe’s best zoos

The Nuremberg Zoo is widely considered one of the best zoos in Germany or even Europe. Over acres it has more than different kind of animals. What makes the Nuremberg Zoo worth a visit though is that it is set within a very distinctive landscape.

You can easily spend an entire day here but to walk through you will need at least half a day. You can ride a small train and the petting zoo and large playground are especially popular.

Tour Nuremberg’s Museums

Nuremberg has several very good museums that can easily fill part of your day. The most important of these are the Toy Museum, Transportation Museum, Germanische Nationalmuseum, and Neue Museum.

Don’t miss out on Nuremberg’s seasonal Events

During the course of the year, a number of seasonal events take place in Nuremberg that you should not miss. The most important of these is of course in December, when Nuremberg hosts one of the oldest and most famous christmas markets in Germany. But there are more festivals that are worth a visit: Three times a year a big fair (similar to the Oktoberfest in Munich) take place in the city.

Discover Nuremberg’s wonderful Food

Many cities have a special food that they are known for. Nuremberg doesn’t just have one but several and they are all delicious.

The first typical Nuremberg food is Lebkuchen or ginger bread. Going back to , the Lebkuchen are . You can buy them of course at the Nuremberg Christmas Market but no worries- during the rest of the year.

The second Nuremberg delicacy you should not miss are the distinctive sausages called Nürnbergerle. This sausages are about the size of a pinky and you won’t want to eat just one of them. You can either eat them on the go – “Drei in a Weckla” or “Three sausages in a roll” are sold at food stalls all over town. An inexpensive, filling, and delicious snack. Or decide to make a meal of it at one of the traditional Sausage Restaurants where you will usually get 6 or 12 sausages at a time, either with Sauerkraut, Potato Salad, or bread.

Ideal Base for further trips

Nuremberg has the ideal location for exploring Northern Bavaria. Nuremberg’s main train station may not be pretty but it is functional and one of the best connected. From here you can reach Coburg, Rothenburg, Würzburg, Bayreuth, Augsburg, Bamberg, and even Munich in less than 2 hours.

Conclusion

As you can see, Nuremberg is definitely worth a visit on any trip to Germany. Whether you just spend one day in town to see the old town or whether you have a week to explore the surrounding area – you won’t regret visiting this city.