Planning a trip to Nuremberg? Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or longer, this city offers a perfect blend of culture, history, and family-friendly attractions. Known for its medieval charm and rich history, Nuremberg is a treasure trove of landmarks at every turn. One of the highlights for families is the Nuremberg Zoo, complete with a dolphinarium that’s sure to captivate younger visitors.
If you’re visiting in winter, the Nuremberg Christmas Market (Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt) is an absolute must-see. As one of Europe’s most famous holiday markets, it offers a magical atmosphere and traditional German treats. Nuremberg also boasts a variety of museums and galleries where you can explore both local and international art and history. Whether you’re interested in historical sites or festive experiences, Nuremberg has something for everyone!
How Many Days Should You Spend in Nuremberg?
Nuremberg is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway, whether you’re traveling as a couple or with family. To fully experience all the city has to offer, we recommend staying for 1-2 nights. This allows you enough time to explore the top attractions and soak in Nuremberg’s rich history and vibrant atmosphere.
Best Hotels in Nuremberg
For the best experience, it’s ideal to stay in the heart of the city. One of the top hotels in Nuremberg is Hotel Pomander Nürnberg, offering a great location and excellent amenities. If you’re looking for more budget-friendly options close to the city center, consider Five Reasons Hostel & Hotel for a comfortable and affordable stay.
17 Best Things to Do and See in Nuremberg
Nuremberg has more to offer than you might expect. Beyond its charming historic center and fascinating museums, including the home of Albrecht Dürer, you’ll also find a fantastic zoo, a dolphinarium, and a thriving brewery culture. Even if you’re not a beer enthusiast, a visit to the underground cellars where beer was once brewed is a must. Let’s dive into the top sights and experiences Nuremberg has to offer!
Kaiserburg Imperial Castle
The Imperial Kaiserburg Castle, also known as Nuremberg Castle, is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a must-see attraction. As one of the most significant medieval imperial residences, it’s an essential stop on any visit to Nuremberg.
Albrecht Durer House
At the Albrecht Dürer House, you can explore the life and work of one of Nuremberg’s most renowned Renaissance artists. This museum offers a detailed look at Dürer’s artistic legacy, providing insight into his masterpieces and creative process.
Castle Well
The castle well at Nuremberg Castle is an impressive feat of medieval engineering. With a depth of over 50 meters, it showcases the remarkable skills of the builders from that era. This hidden gem within the castle grounds is a must-see for history enthusiasts.
Toy Museum in Nuremberg
The Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum), also known as the Lydia Bayer Museum, was founded in 1971 and is renowned as one of the most famous toy museums in the world. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the cultural history of toys, from ancient times to the present.
Housed in a historic building dating back to 1517, once owned by the patrician Wilhelm Haller family, the structure suffered significant damage during World War II but was later restored.
At the heart of the museum’s collection are approximately 12,000 toys, meticulously gathered over decades by Lydia and Paul Bayer. The Bayers began collecting these toys in the early 1920s, at a time when toys were not yet recognized for their historical and cultural significance. Over the years, the museum has expanded and gained international acclaim, with the exhibition space growing to 1,400 square meters following renovations in 1998.
National Museum Germanisches Nationalmuseum
The Germanisches Nationalmuseum houses an extensive collection dedicated to German culture and history and is regarded as one of the most important museums of its kind in Germany.
Stadtmuseum Fembohaus
The Stadtmuseum Fembohaus is the largest surviving merchant’s house from the Middle Ages in Nuremberg and now serves as the city’s museum. If you’re looking for things to do in Nuremberg on a rainy day or enjoy learning about the history of the places you visit, this is the perfect spot to explore.
Autumn Felsengänge Tours with Beer Tasting
The Felsengänge underground corridors unveil a hidden, mysterious side of Nuremberg. This vast network of tunnels and cellars, carved into the sandstone bedrock, originally served as storage for the city’s breweries. However, during wartime, they took on a completely different role. Today, you can experience a beer tasting right in these historic cellars where local beer was once brewed and stored.
For those interested, tours of the cellars can be easily booked through GetYourGuide.
Kongresshalle
The Kongresshalle in Nuremberg is the largest surviving example of Nazi monumental architecture and is now a protected cultural monument. Designed by local architects Ludwig and Franz Ruff, it was originally intended to serve as a 50,000-seat congress center for the NSDAP (Nazi Party).
The building stands 39 meters tall, though it was originally planned to reach 70 meters, and spans a diameter of 250 meters. Constructed primarily from burnt brick with a granite-paneled facade, its design—especially the exterior—was inspired by Rome’s Colosseum. The foundation stone was laid in 1935, but the structure was never completed and remains roofless to this day.
Lochgefängnisse
If you’re intrigued by the darker side of history, don’t miss the Lochgefängnisse, the old prison cells located beneath the historic town hall. These eerie chambers offer a chilling glimpse into the legal practices of the past.
Church of St. Sebalda – Sebalduskirche
Sebalduskirche, or the Church of St. Sebald, is Nuremberg’s oldest church, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, Saint Sebald. Located on Albrecht-Dürer-Platz, it is a significant cultural monument in the Old Town on the right bank. Founded in 1230/40, this historic church remains an important center of spiritual life in the city.
Church of Our Lady
The Frauenkirche, or Church of Our Lady, is a prominent landmark situated on Hauptmarkt Square, right in the heart of Nuremberg.
Lorenzkirche
Lorenzkirche, or the Church of St. Lawrence, is the largest religious monument in Nuremberg and a key landmark on the left bank of the Old Town. This stunning Evangelical Lutheran church is not only an architectural masterpiece but also serves as the heart of the Protestant community in Bavaria.
Hauptmarkt
The Hauptmarkt, or main square, is one of the most iconic spots in Nuremberg. It’s best known for hosting the famous Christkindlesmarkt Christmas market, as well as farmers’ markets throughout the year. In the square, you’ll also find the stunning Schöner Brunnen, a beautiful Gothic fountain that’s a must-see.
Weißgerbergasse: Nuremberg’s Most Photogenic Street You Must Visit
Weißgerbergasse, also known as the “white tannery market,” is one of Nuremberg’s most picturesque streets. This charming cobblestone lane is lined with vibrant, traditional half-timbered houses that once belonged to tanners.
Today, it draws many visitors, captivated by its colorful buildings and unique, enchanting atmosphere. Walking through this historic street offers a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the old town’s timeless charm.
Brewery Culture in Nuremberg: Top Places to Enjoy a Beer
When visiting Nuremberg, you can’t miss the city’s rich brewing culture, deeply rooted in its history. With over 700 years of brewing tradition, the legacy of local breweries is evident everywhere, making it an essential part of the Nuremberg experience.
Noteworthy Breweries in Nuremberg
- Zum Gulden Stern – Recognized as the oldest brewery in Nuremberg, offering a true taste of history.
- Hausbrauerei Altstadthof – Specializes in beer brewed using traditional methods and time-honored recipes.
- Löwenbräu – A brewery that blends modern brewing trends with Nuremberg’s rich brewing heritage.
If you like history and beer, we recommend a guided tour of the underground with beer tasting. Tickets are very easy to buy through GetYourGuide.
If you’re a fan of both history and beer, we highly recommend a guided tour of Nuremberg’s underground cellars, complete with a beer tasting experience. Tickets are easily available through GetYourGuide.
Top Things to Do in Nuremberg with Kids
Nuremberg is a fantastic city for family adventures, offering fun for kids of all ages. The Nuremberg Zoo and its dolphinarium are always a hit with visitors. You can also explore the Nuremberg Transport Museum, one of the largest in Europe, featuring interactive exhibits and model trains. For those who love a bit of adventure, Playmobil FunPark is perfect, with its outdoor play areas and themed worlds that provide hours of fun for both kids and adults alike.
Nuremberg Zoo
Nuremberg Zoo is nestled within a sprawling park, featuring stunning red sandstone rock formations, centuries-old trees, and serene wetlands. The zoo is home to a wide variety of animals, including chamois, lions, otters, penguins, sea lions, dolphins, tigers, and polar bears.
One of the zoo’s main highlights is the dolphinarium, complete with an outdoor dolphin lagoon—the first of its kind in Germany, which opened in 2011.
For younger visitors, the zoo offers Bionicum Ideenreich Natur, an interactive exhibit centered around the fascinating field of bionics. Children can explore the wonders of nature and animals through hands-on experiments and engaging activities.
Dolphinarium Nuremberg
The Dolphinarium is a highlight of the Nuremberg Zoo, offering a lagoon designed to mimic the dolphins’ natural habitat, complete with rain and other weather conditions. It also features a manatee house, designed to resemble a true jungle environment, where manatees and other jungle creatures live.
Visitors can watch dolphins showcase their skills during public feeding and training sessions, making it an exciting and educational experience for all ages.
Nuremberg Transport Museum (Verkehrsmuseum Nürnberg)
The Nuremberg Transport Museum (Verkehrsmuseum Nürnberg) is one of the oldest technical history museums in Europe and an excellent destination for families with children interested in the history of transport and technology. The museum is divided into two main sections: the DB Museum (Deutsche Bahn) and the Museum of Communications (Museum für Kommunikation), offering a captivating exploration of the history of railways and communication systems.
The museum showcases a variety of historic railway vehicles, including parts of King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s royal train, the original 1829 carbon carriage—Europe’s oldest surviving railway vehicle—and Germany’s oldest steam locomotive, still in its original condition. Visitors can also explore interactive exhibits such as pavements, crossings, signals, and switches that can be operated, along with sound and light-equipped models and simulators.
One of the main highlights is the model railway, which spans 80 square meters and illustrates typical railway operations. Every hour during museum hours, a ten-minute demonstration explains key aspects of railway function, making it both educational and entertaining.
Playmobil FunPark in Nuremberg
Playmobil FunPark in Nuremberg, covering over 90,000 square meters (equivalent to more than ten football fields), is a fantastic destination for children aged four to nine.
The park features a variety of themed worlds, balancing tracks, and active play zones where kids can run, jump, and climb to their hearts’ content. Children can board a pirate ship in the middle of a pirate sea, explore the twists and turns of a knight’s castle, or enjoy a bull ride in a Wild West town.
Tickets can be purchased in advance through GetYourGuide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do in Nuremberg with children?
For families with children, a visit to Nuremberg Zoo is ideal, as it offers a variety of fauna, including a dolphinarium. Other options include the Nuremberg Transport Museum or the Playmobil FunPark.
What to do in Nuremberg when it rains?
Visit the Transport Museum, the Albrecht Dürer Museum or take a guided tour of the cellar with a beer tasting. The Germanisches Nationalmuseum is also interesting.
Where to go in Nuremberg?
Visit historical sights such as the Kaiserburg Imperial Castle, explore the underground passages of the Felsengänge or head to the Nuremberg Zoo.
What is typical of Nuremberg?
Nuremberg is famous for its rich history, medieval architecture, Nuremberg Courts and Christmas markets.
What to buy in Nuremberg?
You can buy traditional Nuremberg sausages, lebkuchen (Nuremberg gingerbread) or local handicrafts.
Where to go in Nuremberg with children?
The Nuremberg Zoo, Playmobil FunPark and the Transport Museum are ideal places for family outings with children.
