Things to do in  Nuremberg

Spanning the northern part of Bavaria, the Franconia region of Germany is best known for its picturesque medieval towns and large number of breweries. Locals refer to themselves as Franconians rather than Bavarian and the region has maintained its own culture, cuisine, and dialect. With vineyard dotted countryside, idyllic riverside towns, and plenty of hilltop castles, the region is undeniably scenic.

A vast tract of untended land southeast of Nuremberg's medieval city center, the Nazi Party Rally Grounds were once the stage for some of Adolf Hitler's most infamous and dangerous speeches during the rise of the Third Reich. The nearby Documentation Center museum chronicles the terrors inflicted by the Nazi party during World War II.

Built in 1120, Imperial Castle of Nuremberg (Kaiserburg) was once a residence for kings of the Holy Roman Empire. Despite suffering damage over the years (especially during WWII), the castle has been carefully restored to showcase its original Gothic and Romanesque architecture.

Nuremberg’s Hauptmarkt is a bustling square in the center of the Old Town. Known for its market stalls selling fresh produce, crafts, and local goods, it’s also the setting of Nuremberg’s famous Christmas market. Notable landmarks include the Schönen Brunnen fountain and the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady).

One of Germany’s most famous Renaissance artists, Albrecht Dürer lived in Nuremberg from 1471 to 1528. He created paintings, prints, etchings, and woodcuts, and now his idyllic half-timbered home is a museum. During a visit, it’s possible to see reproductions of Dürer’s work, and a workshop that showcases historical printing techniques.

St. Lorenz Church is a Gothic Lutheran building in Nuremberg’s Old Town that dates back to the 13th century. Despite being bombed during World War II, its rare artwork was protected, and its structure was restored. Travelers come here to see medieval altars and one of the world’s largest three-part pipe organs.

Schöner Brunnen—“beautiful fountain” in German—refers to a decorative fountain in Nuremberg’s main market square that dates back to the 14th century. The Gothic masterpiece is highly photogenic, with religious imagery and stone figures from the Holy Roman Empire. It also has a ring that people turn to for good luck.

Nuremberg’s picturesque Old Town (“Altstadt”), located inside the city’s medieval walls, has been lovingly restored after being bombed during World War II. This walkable historical heart is home to picturesque half-timbered houses, a bustling square (Hauptmarkt), the Frauenkirche, Nuremberg Castle, and the Schöner Brunnen fountain.

The German National Museum dates back to 1852 when it was founded to showcase the art, history, and culture of German-speaking areas from prehistoric times to today. It is home to more than 1 million objects, with around 25,000 exhibited at any time. These items range from Stone Age tools to jewelry, armor, and artwork by notable German painters.

The Nuremberg Palace of Justice is a historic landmark that’s famous for being the setting of the Nuremberg Trials, where Nazi war criminals were prosecuted after World War II. Courtroom 600, where these trials took place, was a working courtroom until 2020, and you can visit this room, watch media installations, and see the Nuremberg Trials Memorial on the top floor.

The DB Museum (German Railway Museum) in Nuremberg draws in train enthusiasts and history buffs alike. As one of the oldest railway museums in the world, it takes visitors on a journey through the evolution of rail transport. Visitors can see Germany’s oldest surviving passenger coach, a vintage train platform, and interactive exhibits such as train simulators and model railways, too.