Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Nuremberg, Germany

The capital of Franconia is a city that has witnessed significant historical events, spanning from the era of the Holy Roman Empire to the 20th century. The Altstadt (Old Town) remains enclosed by its historical walls and is overseen by the imposing Kaiserburg castle perched on a promontory to the north.

Nuremberg served as an unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire, and for centuries, the castle hosted official ceremonies. The name Nuremberg is also associated with the National Socialist regime through the Nuremberg Rallies, the infamous racist laws, and trials conducted post-war. The Nazi congress hall, located on the rally grounds, houses a profound museum dedicated to the era of the Nazi regime, while Courtroom 600 at the Palace of Justice was the site where notable figures, including Hermann Göring, were tried.

Now, let us delve into the most remarkable attractions in Nuremberg:

1. Kaiserburg

High upon the steep sandstone cliffs on the northern edge of Nuremberg’s Altstadt lies a castle that wielded significant influence during the time of the Holy Roman Empire.

Imperial courts convened at this site, and every newly elected emperor was mandated by decree to conduct their first Imperial Diet at Kaiserburg.

The castle keep, known as the circular Sinwell Tower, dates back to the 14th century and remains a highlight for visitors.

Guests can access an observation platform on the top floor that offers stunning panoramic views of the city.

Found sheltered among the half-timbered structures in the courtyard below is the Tiefer Brunnen (Deep Well), which reaches a depth of 50 meters into the sandstone.

The Palas, which served as the venue for the castle’s official functions, has undergone several renovations since the Middle Ages and features a museum that provides insights into Kaiserburg’s prominent role within the Holy Roman Empire.

2. Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds

Nuremberg held a pivotal role in the National Socialist regime due to its historical significance in the Holy Roman Empire and its central position within the German-speaking world.

Even prior to their ascension to power in 1933, the Nazis had designated Nuremberg as the site for their annual mass propaganda rallies.

During the 1930s, they commenced construction on a congress hall, part of an unfulfilled master plan for the city.

This hall, characterized by a contemporary metal-framed glass structure on its northern side, houses the exhibition titled “Fascination and Terror.” Visitors will be guided through the origins, realities, and consequences of the Nazi regime.

The exhibit provides additional context about the Nuremberg Rallies and the city’s architectural plans.

Contextual elements include eyewitness accounts, photographs, official documents, and digital graphics.

3. Nuremberg Trials Memorial

Located in Courtroom 600 at the Justizpalast, where high-ranking Nazis faced justice from 1945 to 1949, this courtroom remains active.

Visiting can be challenging during the week unless one arrives between sessions.

The optimal time to visit is Saturday, when the courtroom is out of session, allowing English speakers to engage in a profound audio tour of a historically significant room.

The upper level of the courthouse has been transformed into a museum dedicated to the Nuremberg Trials, detailing the defendants and their crimes while documenting the lasting influence of this process on international criminal law.

4. Germanisches Nationalmuseum

The Germanic National Museum serves as a cultural treasury for the German-speaking world, chronicling its past through over 25,000 exhibits.

The galleries reside within a complex that includes the Nuremberg Charterhouse, showcasing art dating back to the medieval era alongside decorative items, toys, armor, books, scientific instruments, attire, musical instruments, religious artifacts, ancient archaeology, and more.

It is advisable to plan ahead if you wish to explore this museum within a few hours or even a single day.

Notable art pieces include Albrecht Dürer’s portrait of his mother, Dürer’s rhinoceros, Lucas Cranach the Elder’s portrait of Martin Luther, and Rembrandt’s renowned Wide-Eyed Self-Portrait.

5. St. Sebaldus Church

From the northern perspective, one can discern that St. Sebaldus Church consists of two distinct architectural styles.

The western side, inclusive of the naves and towers, exhibits Romanesque and early Gothic design originating from the 13th century.

Conversely, the eastern segment, comprising the hall chancel, reflects Late Gothic style and was constructed roughly a century later.

Saint Sebald, dating back to the 8th century, is the patron saint of Nuremberg. Within the chancel, you may view his tomb, designed in the 1510s by Peter Vischer the Elder, featuring Early-Renaissance bronze figures depicting significant moments from his life.

This church is home to various artistic works, including the Tucher family epitaph, stained glass windows, and wooden sculptures by the Renaissance master Veit Stoss.

6. St. Lorenz Church

Like St. Sebaldus, this church, which commenced construction in the 13th century, later incorporated a hall chancel.

The eastern segment was constructed during the 15th century and exhibits the German Late Gothic style known as “Sondergotik.” St. Lorenz Church was among the first to embrace Lutheranism in 1525. Fortunately, it preserved its artwork from the era of iconoclasm, likely due to the support of its affluent patrons.

The church’s most significant pieces include Veit Stoss’ Renaissance depiction of the Angelic Salutation and a beautifully crafted tabernacle by the renowned sculptor Adam Kraft.

7. German National Railways Museum

Nuremberg was the site of Germany’s inaugural railway, the Bavarian Ludwigsbahn, which linked it to the nearby town of Fürth.

Consequently, it is fitting that the city hosts the national museum devoted to this subject.

This museum is also the oldest of its kind in the country, having opened as the Bavarian Railway Museum in 1899. Among its many fascinating exhibits are sections of King Ludwig II’s royal train, the Nordgau locomotive from 1853, and a 1930s DRG Class SVT 877 from the Hamburg-Berlin line, which was the fastest rail connection globally at the time.

The museum’s first and second floors feature exhibits on bridge and tunnel construction, as well as 160 models dating back to 1882. At half-hour intervals, visitors can enjoy a ten-minute demonstration of an 80-square-meter model railway.

8. Albrecht Dürer’s House

Considered one of Germany’s most eminent painters, Albrecht Dürer resided and worked in this timber-framed townhouse in Nuremberg from 1509 until his passing in 1528. Dürer’s House stands as a unique historical artifact, as it remains the sole preserved example of a 15th-century artist’s residence in Europe.

The structure sustained some damage during the war but was meticulously restored, reopening in 1971 to commemorate Dürer’s 500th birthday.

This five-story house is one of the few remaining burgher residences from Nuremberg’s 15th-century golden era.

Each room is adorned with period furniture, alongside a rotating display of Dürer’s drawings.

A reconstructed studio reveals the printmaking techniques employed during his time.

9. Schöner Brunnen

A marvel of medieval Nuremberg, this Gothic fountain stands 19 meters tall at the edge of the main market square.

Commissioned between 1385 and 1396, it was designed by architect and stonemason Heinrich Beheim.

The fountain resembles a Gothic church spire and is adorned with forty polychrome figures on four tiers, symbolizing the cosmology of the Holy Roman Empire.

Statues at the base represent philosophy and the seven liberal arts, positioned beneath the four evangelists and the four church fathers.

Above these, the seven Holy Roman electors and the Nine Worthies, who represent idealized historical and legendary figures, are depicted.

At the pinnacle, Moses and the seven prophets are portrayed.

During the Second World War, the monument was encased in a concrete shell, miraculously emerging intact.

10. City Walls

Throughout the extensive history of Nuremberg’s fortifications, the city has only been captured once: In 1945 by American forces.

These formidable walls were initially constructed in the 1000s and took on their current streamlined form in the 1500s when they were adapted for cannons.

Approximately four kilometers of the Medieval walls remain intact, integrating the castle to the north and encompassing 67 defensive towers.

The parapet is mostly accessible to visitors, offering views overlooking the Altstadt, and features a timber-framed roof.

Accompanying the wall is the Stadtgraben, one of the longest surviving ditches in Europe, now landscaped into gardens open for exploration.

11. Nuremberg Toy Museum

Among the most remarkable structures in the Altstadt is the Renaissance Hallersches Haus.

This Burgher House, established in 1517, features a gabled facade and timber-framed gallery encompassing a courtyard.

The museum within highlights Nuremberg’s reputation as a traditional toy-manufacturing hub in Germany, opening on the 500th anniversary of Dürer in 1971. The first three floors host pre-war games and toys, including dolls, dollhouses, magic lanterns, wind-up figures, and an expansive model railway.

The top floor focuses on post-1945 toys, including Lego, Playmobil, and Barbie, along with an interactive “Kids on Top” area offering building sets, table football, and various other toys and games.

12. Nuremberg Zoo

Spanning 70 hectares, Nuremberg Zoo ranks among the largest in Europe, merging continual innovation in its enclosures.

The zoo is situated in a former sandstone quarry, a few kilometers east of the Altstadt.

Many original stone pits remain, serving as natural habitats for species including Siberian and Bengal tigers.

Additionally, extensive, landscaped environments host bison, giraffes, deer, and zebras in semi-freedom, along with substantial outdoor spaces for snow leopards and maned wolves.

Among the newer features is a bearded vulture enclosure with a 17-meter-high walkway, complemented by indoor exhibits showcasing poison dart frogs, caimans, and green tree pythons.

13. Stadtmuseum Fembohaus

Situated on Burgstraße, Fembohaus serves as a city museum within an exquisite five-story building dating back to the late 16th century.

The Fembohaus initially functioned as a family residence and map-printing workshop, now providing a gateway to the culture, customs, and trades that flourished in Nuremberg over the last 950 years.

Visitors can access a listening station featuring three centuries of music composed in the city, a gallery of notable artists and intellectuals, along with maps printed in the Fembohaus during the 17th century. The entire second floor is decorated in the style of the 1600s.

On the fourth floor, a remarkable hand-carved scale model illustrates how Nuremberg’s Altstadt would have appeared when this house was built.

14. Nürnberger Felsengänge

Over centuries, the residents of Nuremberg excavated the sandstone bedrock in the northern part of the Altstadt, resulting in a complex network of passageways, cellars, and water conduits.

This expansive system covers approximately 20,000 square meters, predominantly linked to the city’s beer brewing industry.

During the Middle Ages, over 40 breweries operated in the city, each boasting its own cellar hewn from the sandstone.

As production increased, these cellars expanded and interconnected. Today, tours are available throughout the day in German and once weekly on Sundays in English, concluding with a tasting of the renowned Rotbier.

15. Nürnberger Bratwurst

The local sausage, Nürnberger Bratwurst, is protected under European Union legislation, permitting its production solely within Nuremberg.

Since 1567, these sausages have been crafted in the city, and those accustomed to larger German sausages may be surprised by their smaller size. Typically measuring about eight centimeters long, one may expect to receive up to six in a serving.

The flavor profile is distinct from other German sausages, as they are seasoned with fresh marjoram.

Nürnberger Rostbratwurst is grilled over beech wood and is traditionally served with sauerkraut, potato salad, horseradish, and complemented by a generous serving of Rotbier or one of the several hundred other Franconian beers.