29 Apr Discovering Nuremberg: A Historic Gem of Bavaria’s
Nuremberg- another Bavarian city that looks straight out of a fairytale, and in my opinion is a must-visit city when you come to Bavaria!
After spending a few days with a friend in Munich, I decided to do a mini solo trip and came to Nuremberg. I felt safe whilst in the city and only spent 2 days there. I think that is more than enough time to explore the main attractions.
This city is lovely, with enchanting roads, beautiful buildings and bridges, a great food market and is rich in history.
How to Get to Nuremberg
You can fly directly into the city. From London, the flight takes less than 2 hours, and you can find great deals if you don’t travel during the high season. I always use google flights to check and compare prices.
If you are already in Germany, for instance in Munich like I was you could take the train or the bus. The train is much faster, but the bus is considerably cheaper and doesn’t take long. I travelled by bus and the whole journey took about 2 hours.
I always use Omio to book all my tickets, whether train tickets or bus tickets. Omio compares the prices and shows all the different times and prices for buses, trains and flights.
Getting around in the city
It’s very easy to get around the city; you simply take the U-Bahn, the German metro/ underground train, or take the bus to travel around the city.
I only took the U-Bahn to go from the bus station to my hostel and back to the airport. The rest of the time I explored the city on foot because most of the attractions are not far from each other.
Things to do and see in Nuremberg
1. Walking Tour
As always, I start my trips by looking for walking tours, I think these types of tours are the best way to see the city and get more insight and learn the history of the town.
These tours are also great because they are free, you have no obligation to pay, however, I think it is nice to give something at the end particularly because most of the tour guides do an amazing job by providing a great experience and excellent explanations of the history of the city and sometimes, they even give us vouchers and discount codes for certain attractions.
2. Explore the Hauptmarket
Located right in the city centre, this market is full of red and white stalls with fresh fruit and vegetables, beautiful flowers and delicious bread treats, etc. The Markets run from Monday to Saturday.
In addition, the market square is also the starting point of the walking tour.
3. Rub The Schöner Brunnen
Also located in the square market is the city’s famous fountain- Schöner Brunnen- which translates to The Beautiful fountain. Legend tells that if you spin the golden ring three times on the grille you will have luck and your wish will come true.
4. The Church of Our Lady
Situated in the market square too, is a gothic masterpiece built in the 14th century with a clock mechanism activated at noon and recalls the proclamation of the golden Bull.
5. See the world's oldest surviving Globe
During the walking tour, the guide mentioned that the oldest globe on earth is in Nuremberg.
The globe is known as the Erdapfel which means “Earth apple”, it was made between 1491 and 1492 by Martin Behaim. You can see the globe and other artefacts by visiting the Germanisches National Museum.
6. Check the Museums
Here is a list of a few museums:
7. Weissgerbergasse
After my walking tour, I decided to get wonderfully lost in the city. I stumbled across beautiful places such as the Weißgerbergasse- The perfect place to get a picture perfect.
It is a magical place with beautiful houses. You will find cafes, bars and boutiques here too.
8. The way of the Human Rights
Is a monumental sculpture designed by the Israeli artist Dani Karavan as an extension of the Germanisches National Museum. There are 27 pillars of 8meters in height and each one of them is engraved with a short excerpt of one of the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This outdoor monument, according to the Nuremberg Human Rights Office, is “both an accusation of the crimes of the National Socialists and a reminder that human rights are still massively violated in many countries of the world.”
9. Visit the Documentation Center Nazy Party Rally Grounds
This area was used as a rally ground for the National Socialists – Nazis from 1933 to 1938. It is now a museum that depicts the history of the Nazi party rallies and it has a permanent exhibition called Fascination and terror.
10. Memorium Nuremberg Trials
This was the location where the Nazi perpetrators answered for their crimes. Before the international Military tribunal, The Nuremberg trials were held between 1945 and 1949 and greatly impacted humanity. This is where justice was served. The courtroom is still a working courtroom however you can still visit the Nuremberg Trials which is a site of information and documentation.
11. Walk along the City Walls
The walls are the medieval defensive mechanism built to protect the city from enemies. The walls are 5km long and surround the city of Nuremberg. The construction of the walls started in the 12th Century and was terminated in the 16th century.
12. Admire Weinstadel
Whilst crossing the Chain Bridge (Kettensteg), I admired the Weinstadel building.
Weinstadel means wine cellar, the building is one of the prettiest buildings that I saw in Nuremberg. Weinstade had numerous uses: it was first used as a house for lepers who were only allowed in the city at Easter, then was used as a wine cellar and nowadays the tower to the side is used as student accommodation.
To capture a perfect picture, stand on the bridge you will have a great view of the Weinstadel.
13. Climb the Nuremberg Castle & see the view
Nuremberg Castle is the symbol of the city, and it is a complex of medieval fortified buildings on a sandstone ring in the middle of the historical centre of Nuremberg, and it represented the power and importance of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation and the outstanding role of the imperial city of Nuremberg.
Whilst at the Castle you can check the courtyard, the Castle Chapel, and the Imperial Castle Museum. Also, you can appreciate the panoramic view of the city from the top of the castle.
14. Tiergartnertor Platz
After all that walking and exploring the city, there is nothing better than sitting down for a lovely meal or a drink at the Tiergartnertor Platz.
This square has many cafes and restaurants and it’s the perfect place to relax. Look for the bizarre rabbit statue created by Jürgen Goertz.
15. Craftsman's Courtyard (Handwerkehof)
Handwerkerhof is a picturesque location inside the old town. This place is so beautiful and is just like a Bavarian village looks like.
It is situated close to the Nuremberg Central Station (Hauptbahnhof), and is full of half-timbered houses that are in fact shops selling handcraft souvenirs, wooden toys and ceramics. You will also find rustic restaurants here.
16. Visit Saint Lawrence Church (Lorenzkirch)
Lorenzkirche is a gothic church that dates to 1250 and is one of the three most important churches in Nuremberg. More than 12,000 pipes and 165 registers make church services and organ concerts. This church has one of the largest church organs in the world!
17. Visit Albrecht Dürer House
Albrecht Dürer was one of Germany’s most famous artist, his house is now a museum and offers an insight into the life of the 16th-century German Renaissance artist, his art and life during this Medieval times.
18. Saint Sebald Church
Sebald Church is the second of the three main churches in Nuremberg, this is the oldest church and it was built in 1215 but destroyed during WWII and reconstructed and reconsecrated in 1957.
19. Tour the Rock-Cut Cellars (Historische Felsengänge)
Underneath Nuremberg is a maze of cellars that date back to the XIV century. This is mainly because a law was passed that whoever wanted to sell beer was obliged to have his cellar for fermentation and storage.
The cellars were also used as bunkers to keep the citizens and treasures safe from raids and bombings during World War II.
Part of the cellars is still used today by the Hausbrauerei Altstadthof for fermenting beer. You can do a tour and try all the different types of beer including the Nuremberg red beer.
These are some of the things to do in Nuremberg, Germany!
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