Welcome to Nuremburg – Bavaria’s second biggest city!
First mentioned in documents in 1050, the city rose to prominence in the Middle Ages and was designated a free imperial city, subject only to the Holy Roman Emperor himself. The city reached its cultural and economic heyday during the Renaissance, where artists such as Albrecht Dürer and intellectuals like Martin Behaim operated.
Nuremberg did not escape the religious conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries, and as a result the city suffered a decline. Its fortunes rose again in the 19th century when it became an industrial center – the first steam-powered railway in Germany connected Nuremberg with the nearby town of Fürth.
Sadly, Nuremberg gained infamy in the middle of the 20th century thanks to its association with the Nazis, who held huge propaganda events known as the Nuremberg rallies in the city. After the war, Nuremberg was chosen as the location of the trial of German officials for war crimes committed during World War II.
The city, which was largely destroyed in the Second World War, was quickly rebuilt and today serves as a major administrative and commercial center of Bavaria. Nevertheless, you can still find lots of traces of its past all around.
Keep reading to discover 12 of the best things to see in Nuremberg!
Table of Contents
1. Nuremberg Castle
Dominating the city’s skyline is Nuremberg Castle – also known as the Kaiserburg or Imperial Castle. Construction began in around 1000, making the castle older than the city itself.
Nuremberg Castle was a favorite of Holy Roman emperors, who usually stayed at the castle when they were in town and held Imperial Diets there. In 1356, Emperor Charles IV issued the Golden Bull, which declared that every new emperor would have to hold their first Diet in the city, marking Nuremberg’s importance within the empire.
Largely destroyed during World War II, the castle was restored to its historic appearance. Two parts of the castle, however, did survive intact – the Romanesque Imperial Chapel and the late 13th century Sinwell Tower.
Travel tip: While you need to pay to enter the castle, the courtyard and gardens are free to see. For those willing and able to do the climb, you’re rewarded with stunning views of the city, no matter your budget.
2. Albrecht Dürer House
If you’ve never heard of Albrecht Dürer before, you’ll definitely have heard of him after a visit to Nuremberg. His name is practically inescapable in the city.
The most famous citizen of Nuremberg ever, Albrecht Dürer was THE artist of the German Renaissance. Famous for his prints and engravings (the oft reproduced “Praying Hands” is one of his works), he also created watercolors, portraits, and books.
Today, Dürer’s house is a memorial to him and his life and times. Highlights include some of his original prints and a reproduction printing press.
Travel tip: An English language tour takes place every Saturday at 2:00pm, hosted by “Anges Dürer,” the artist’s wife. I happened to stumble on this tour during my visit and it was well worth it.
3. Nazi Documentation Center and Rally Grounds
Nuremberg is perhaps best-known in the English-speaking world due to its association with the Nazi Party. In the 1920s and 30s, before the outbreak of World War II, the Nazis held huge conventions now known as the Nuremberg Rallies, which took place on grounds that were specifically designed for this purpose.
The most famous is the 1934 rally, which was filmed by innovative filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl. The footage was into the film Triumph of the Will, widely considered one of the greatest propaganda films of all time.
In addition to the grounds, a permanent exhibition, the Nazi Documentation Center, looks at the causes and consequences of Nazi rule.
Travel tip: The grounds are accessible via public transportation. The tourist office also provides official guided tours.
4. Nuremberg Trial Courtroom
At the end of the Second World War, Nuremberg was chosen by the Allies as the place where surviving German officials would be tried for war crimes. The trial was the first of its kind and set the standard for international criminal trials.
The highest-ranking Nazi official tried at Nuremberg was Hermann Görring, Hitler’s right-hand man. He committed suicide before his death sentence could be carried out.
You can visit the courtroom on your own or as part of a tour. There’s also an audio guide available.
Travel tip: The courtroom is still active as a courtroom, so it may be closed during weekdays if there’s a trial going on. You’ll have a much better chance of getting inside if you visit on a weekend.
5. St. Lawrence Church
The medieval church of St. Lorenz (or St. Lawrence, in English) was built around the same time as the nearby St. Sebald Church. Once Catholic, St. Lawrence is now one of the most significant churches of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria.
In addition to its ornate façade and not-quite-matching towers, the church houses important works of art. The most important of these are the Angelic Salutation by leading German sculptor Veit Stoss and the wildly tall and ornate tabernacle by Adam Kraft, who carved his own likeness into the piece (he’s the guy at the base with the curly black beard).
6. City Walls
Nuremberg is unusual among larger European cities in that much of its medieval walls are still standing. About 3.5 km out of the original 5 km can be seen today.
First built in the 1000s and rebuilt or expanded over the years, the walls were an integral part of the city’s defense system. Towers guarded the five city gates that provided access in and out of the city; during World War II, these towers also served as bomb shelters.
Travel tip: Want to learn more about the role played by the walls in the city’s defense? I recommend taking this fantastic tour, which also allows you to go inside the walls themselves.
7. Germaniches Nationalmuseum
This impressive museum is dedicated to German culture and history. With some 1.3 million artifacts, it’s the largest cultural museum in the German-speaking world.
The museum’s treasures span from prehistoric to modern times and includes items from an ancient priest’s hat to works by Albrecht Dürer (of course) to musical instruments to scientific instruments.
The most important piece in the museum is the Erdapfel, the oldest existing globe, by Nuremberg cartographer Martin Behaim; it was completed before Christopher Colubus returned from the Americas. In 2023, the Erdapfel was inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World.
Travel tip: The toy collection is located in a different building than the main museum.
8. The Beautiful Fountain
In the northwest corner of the Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg’s main square, the Schöner Brunnen – the Beautiful Fountain – stands tall. Dating from the late 14th century, 40 colorfully painted figures are carved into the 19 m (62 ft) Gothic-style fountain.
Legend has it that turning the perfectly round brass ring three times will ensure your wish will come true.
Travel tip: A Nuremberg resident told me there’s a second ring which will bring you even more good luck if you turn it. I haven’t been able to find it, though!
9. Frauenkirche
Together St. Lawrence Church and St. Sebald Church, the Catholic Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) is one of Nuremberg’s most important churches. It was built in the mid-14th century on the site of an old synagogue.
The church’s most famous feature is the Männleinlaufen, a mechanical clock and one of the oldest of its kind sin Germany that still functions.
Travel tip: Watch the Männleinlaufen play each day at noon.
10. St. Sebald’s Church
Construction of St. Sebald’s Church began in 1215, making it the oldest of Nuremberg’s most important churches. Now a Lutheran church, it was formerly Catholic and named after St. Sebald, an 8th century hermit and patron saint of Nuremberg.
The church contains the shrine of St. Selbald, which survived undamaged after World War II. The shrine is considered the masterpiece of German Renaissance sculptor Peter Vischer the Elder and his sons.
11. Historicher Kutsbunker
When Allied bombs threatened to destroy some of Germany (and Europe’s) most important cultural artifacts during World War II, many of them were moved to a bunker beneath Nuremberg Castle for safekeeping, where they survived the war.
Among the treasures kept at the bunker were the Imperial Regalia of the Holy Roman Empire (now in Vienna) and the Altarpiece of Veit Stoss (returned to Krakow, Poland).
Travel tip: The bunker can only be visited as part of a guided tour. Since it’s underground, you may want to bring a sweater, even if you’re visiting during the warmer months, as the temperature underground is cool year-round.
12. Weissgerbergasse
Translating to “Tanner’s Lane,” Weissgerbergasse is Nuremberg’s largest collection of medieval half-timbered houses. Colorful and picturesque, they give a glimpse into how Nuremberg used to look in days of old.
Travel tip: Lots of bars make this a lively place to hang out in the evenings.
Bonus: Christmas Market
Nuremberg is famous throughout the world for its Christmas market, one of Germany’s oldest and largest. Open only during advent, some 200 stalls are set up in the Hauptmarkt, selling everything from handmade good to Nuremberg’s renowned gingerbread.
Travel tip: Try and make it for opening day, when the Christkind recites a prologue from a balcony on the Frauenkirche, marking the start of the market.
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