9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Guided Walking Tour
Discover Nuremberg’s medieval walled Old City on this 2-hour private guided walking tour. Stroll through the Old Town, passing historic churches, art treasures, wells, and fountains as you make your way to the Imperial Castle. Explore the castle’s outer courtyards with your guide before returning to the Main Market Square.
Old Town Hall
See the most iconic building in Bamberg, precariously perched on an island in the river.
According to legend, it was built on an artificial island because the bishop of Bamberg would not grant the citizens any land for its construction. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the Old Town, particularly due to its wonderful frescoes that depict the story of how the building came to be built on the island.
Mid-Day/Afternoon: Alststadt & Castle
With its abundance of half-timbered homes, Gothic churches, and a dramatic castle, Nuremberg was once an ideal representative of Germany’s architectural inheritance. While most of its Old Town was destroyed in World War II, much of it was rebuilt to reflect this pre-war appearance. The beauty and vibrancy of the historic city can still be easily imagined as you shop on the Market Square or explore the narrow lanes of the Old Town, which are lined by brightly painted and steeply gabled half-timbered burgher houses. The impressive castle overlooking the city is also a must see when visiting the Sebalder Altstadt.
Market Square
Shop for something tasty and check out Nuremberg's greatest architectural gems on the Market Square.
The Market Square, or Hauptmarkt, is the ideal point to start exploring the Sebald Old Town. Its two most notable features, the magnificent Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) and Schöner Brunnen were built in the 14th century. For many visitors, the colorful fountain is the most memorable site in Nuremberg, with its forty statues depicting figures from the Bible, mythology, and German history. The city’s famous Christmas Market is launched from the Frauenkirche’s balcony each year, and the clock on its gable performs a daily show at noon, as a procession of noblemen pays homage to the seated Emperor Charles IV. The interior of the church is also worth a visit, with its collection of altars and artwork taken from nearby monasteries. The square is also an open-air market for vendors of produce, meats, baked goods, & gifts.
Historic Beer Cellars (Felsangänge)
Take a guided tour within the labyrinthine underground rock passages where Nuremberg's burghers stored their beer.
Another highlight of the Old Town are the chilly beer cellars below it. Bring a sweater or jacket, as the temperature averages about 46° F / 8° C. Carved through sandstone bedrock, the cellars form an interconnected maze that served as storage for ripening beer. During World War II they also provided a refuge from Allied bombing raids and saved thousands of lives with their good ventilation.
Albrecht Dürer House Visitor
Tour the well-preserved Gothic home of the famed Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer.
The former residence of the artist is interesting on several levels. The well-preserved interiors host a museum illustrate how a well-off family in the Renaissance lived, and explains how Dürer worked from his home. It does not hold any of his original paintings, nor of his woodcut prints. However, it illustrates the influence Dürer had in making art accessible to the masses through his revolutionary use of woodcuts in the then new era of the printing press. Very worthwhile.
Weißgerbergasse
Take a stroll down Nuremberg’s most charming street.
Beautifully painted half-timbered houses line the street, each with some interesting architectural detail to discover. Most of the houses are filled with restaurants, shops, galleries, and pubs, so you will certainly find a reason to linger.
Imperial Castle
Make the gentle climb up to this 11th-century castle to enjoy a beautiful view of Nuremberg's old town.
The castle is open for tours and is one of Nuremberg's top attractions. The castle’s history stretches back to the early Middle Ages when it began as a simple wooden fort on the hilltop. It grew increasingly more intricate and impressive over the centuries. While it was officially a castle of the Holy Roman Emperor, it was controlled by local noblemen known as Burgraves, creating a never-ending source of conflict with the independent-minded city just below the castle. The city finally gained control of the castle from the Emperor in 1422, shortly after having burned much of it down. The castle still remained an imperial castle, however, and would host the Emperors during their frequent visits to the city.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Lorenz Old Town
The Old Town to the south of the Pegnitz River is known as the Lorenz Old Town, after the magnificent medieval Church of St. Lorenz. Like the Sebald Old Town to the north, it was also rebuilt after being nearly completely destroyed in Allied air raids in January 1945. While it doesn’t have quite the old world charm found on the other side of the river, it makes up for this with liveliness and activity. This is the true heart of the city for locals, as it is filled with shopping, restaurants, pubs, and other attractions.
Königstraße and Karolinenstraße
Bratwurst and Pretzels and Gingerbread, oh my! And plenty of shopping and coffee drinking too!
Two large pedestrian streets intersect in front of the Lorenzkirche; the Karolinenstraße (Emperor Charles’ Street) and the Königstraße (King’s Street). Lined by shopping and sidewalk cafes, these are Nuremberg’s best spots for people watching. It's also the perfect place to score some of Nuremberg's delicious gingerbread (Lebkuchen). Legend says gingerbread was first created for a local baker’s daughter 600 years ago. You will never want to go back to store-bought gingerbread. Lovers of bratwurst will also be in paradise on Karolinenstraße, as every few steps a different stand is grilling up bratwurst. Nuremberg’s style of making bratwurst is so unique that the EU bestowed upon it the special designation of "Protected Geographical Indication" (similar to how only sparkling wine from Champagne can be called champagne). There’s even a Nuremberg Sausage Protection Society to guard the quality of the city’s fabled wurst. Soft, salty pretzels are another wonder of Nuremberg that you'll find here. It’s not just the pretzel, but what goes in it. Pretzel sandwiches are slathered in butter, mustard, cream cheese, etc., and filled with salami, salmon, and other treats.
Handwerkerhof
Shop for hand-made artisan crafts in a market with a medieval atmosphere.
In the courtyard of the Frauentor, which is the main gate tower on the south side of the Old Town just across from the main rail station, you will discover an enchanting cluster of shops and restaurants known as the Handwerkerhof (Craftsman Courtyard). While a bit pricey, it offers a great selection of handmade artisanal goods, such as porcelain, wooden toys, clothing, artwork, and other goods, as well as traditional restaurants. Even if you don’t feel like buying anything, it is still worth checking out the village-like medieval atmosphere.
German National Museum
Get lost for hours in the largest museum of German art and culture.
The collection includes items dating as far back as three millennia ago and is especially rich in items from the medieval and Renaissance eras. A highlight is the Behaim globe, which was created in 1491, and so naturally is missing the New World. There is an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and other artwork stretching into modern times, as well as applied arts, such as toys, which help to show how people once lived. A visit is a must for lovers of art and history.
Pegnitz River
Linger on Nuremberg's bridges to discover the city at its most delightful.
The Pegnitz River isn’t a wide expanse or a rushing torrent, but rather a petite river crowded with buildings on either side of its banks, and crisscrossed by a succession of charming small bridges. If you want to know Nuremberg intimately, make a point to walk its bridges. At the western edge of the Old Town, you’ll find the Kettensteg, or Chain Bridge, a narrow pedestrian bridge dating back to 1824. The Henkersteg, or Hangman’s Bridge, crosses a pleasant little island once site to flea markets. This covered bridge is probably city’s most charming, yet hides a sinister history, as the town executioner's residence was built onto the bridge. From the wide Museumsbrücke you can take in the view of the medieval Holy Ghost Hospital, resting on arched foundations that rise above the river waters. Beyond the eastern end of the Old Town, you’ll find a lovely forested park where the Pegnitz breaks into a network of small and clear waterways.
Church of St. Lorenz
Step inside one of the most beautiful and important Lutheran churches in all of Germany.
Constructed around 1400, the church is exceptional for a Protestant church due to the wealth of beautiful sculptures, altars, and other art within the church. Cities and states that became Protestant during the Reformation usually stripped their churches of many of their medieval treasures. The burghers of Nuremberg, however, insisted that they remain as a symbol of civic pride. During World War II everything that was removable was hidden in beer cellars beneath the city, and thus they survived even though the church itself was severely damaged. Included amongst the art are several works by Veit Stoß, one of the Renaissance Germany’s greatest sculptors and a sometime resident of Nuremberg. Be sure to check out his so-called “Angel’s Greeting”, a candelabrum showing the Virgin Mary and Archangel Gabriel, suspended in the middle of the church. You can also find several examples of outstanding stained glass work.
Marriage Carousel fountain
Honeymooners may want to skip this controversial fountain.
The Karolinenstraße (Charles Street) is enlivened by statuary and fountains, including the Marriage Carousel fountain (Ehekarussell). Erected in 1984, it shows the artist’s less than rosy picture of marriage. The fountain is located at the end of the Karolinenstraße, just below the 13th century White Tower, which once served as a gateway into the city.
