Nuremberg (Nürnberg), is the second biggest city in Germany’s Bavaria region, after Munich. Approximately 500.000 people are living in the city however it is a place that many tourists visit especially during Christmas time. So, the city center and old town are very crowded even in cold winter days.
Nuremberg has one of the best and most famous Christmas markets of Europe. Therefore, the best time to travel to this city is December. However, the city itself is also very beautiful with Bavaria style colourful houses and it will be nice to visit any time in the year. The old town of Nuremberg established in the two sides of river Pegnitz. South of the river is called Lorenzer Altstadt, and north of the river is called Sebalder Altstadt. Both two sides are renovated successfully after World War II. It is really nice to have a walk in the colourful streets of the city.
Adolf Hitler was also a fan of this city. During World War II. many meetings and his party congresses were done in Nuremberg. Documentation center is also in this city. Furthermore, International Trials had done in Nuremberg after the war. Therefore the city has a very important role in World War II and there are many places to learn more details about the history of war. However, we were in Nuremberg just do a pleasant city tour and to hang around Christmas markets, we did not involve this part to our trip.
Reaching out the city from Airport is very easy with U2 metro line. It takes only 15 minutes. After that, you won’t need anything for transportation. It is easy to tour the old town and important structures of the city just by walking. So, let’s visit the historical places of Nuremberg together with the accompany of Christmas spirit… 🙂
1. Nuremberg Lorenzer Altstadt
Lorenzer Altstadt is the southern part of old town. It is better to start the city tour from here. There are fewer things to see in this side so you can cover it fast. After completing the north tour, you may return here to have rest and drink something in the lovely cafes. We had tried our best to find an old-school German beer house but we couldn’t. So we just spend time in Irısh pubs. Please let us know and note down in the comment section, if you have a suggestion for a more authentic bar.
Most of the hotels are located in Lorenzer Altstadt. Also, the big train terminal is here. Therefore most probably, you will choose a hotel from this side. We stayed in Park Inn by Radisson Nuremberg. It was a nice hotel but just a bit far away from the center by walking. You may prefer a closer hotel to the center of old town. Especially if it is winter time, you will be happy to reach your warm hotel room easily, after the walking tour.
2. Lorenz Kirche
St. Lorenz Church is built in 13. century by the order of Roma- German emperor Charles IV. Just like the many historic structures in the city, this church was also damaged very badly after World War II. However, renovations are made and today it stands as a magnificent building. Entrance fee is 2 euros.
Kirche means church in German. Actually, this church also gave the name of the region as Lorenzer Altstadt. Our first stop on the city tour was this church and I can say that it was a really good start. Especially if the rain starts, the best way to keep continuing your trip is to make a tour of a church like this.
3. National Museum
National Museum is open every day between 10 am. and 6 pm. The entrance fee is 8 euros. In this museum, you may have detailed information about German culture, history and art. Since it is an indoor activity and I prefer outdoor activities, we just get some info about the museum and keep walking. If you have a special interest you can visit inside.
4. Nuremberg Bahnofsplatz
Bahnofsplatz is the main train station of Nuremberg. Even if you don’t need to use the train, it is nice to visit the old termianl building. We bought tickets for the romantic route’s famous village Rothenburg ob Der Tauber. I really admire the train line system in Germany. It is really easy to reach every single one of small villages with a train.
In the machines of the train station, there are many language options so it is very easy to create your route and buy your ticket. If you have more than 2 days in Nuremberg, I strongly recommend you to do day trips to the close villages. During our Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber trip, we had a delay in our first train and it was a really big surprise for a train in Germany. However, because of this delay, we had a chance to see an additional small village called Ansbach. I really like how tidy and well-kept this kind of villages are. Also even in this small village, there was a cute Christmas market.
If you want to learn more about Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber, you may visit my blog post about this amazingly romantic village.
5. Königstrasse
Königstrasse is the main shopping street of Nuremberg. Besides many shops, there are Christmas market stands between the middle of November and the end of December. The street starts from train station Bahnofsplatz and ends at one of the most beautiful bridges of the city Museumbrücke. The street is lively 7/24 but in Christmas time it is extra crowded and you will see many tourists from all over the world.
6. Museumbrücke
Museumbrücke is the main bridge that connects the two sides of old town, Lorenzer altstadt and the Sebalder altstadt. There is a very nice view over the river and also Holly Spirit Hospital is magnificent. Lots of people takes picture of the river,bridge and the hospital together. In social media, you will see from the same pose below for many times 🙂 This road will bring you to the Hauptmarkt, where the biggest Christmas market locates in Nuremberg.
Lorenzer altstad yani şehrin güney tarafından ayrılıp, sebalder altstadt yani kuzey tarafına geçerken tüm ihtişamıyla Kutsal Ruh Hastanesi ve nehir manzarasıyla poz verebileceğiniz, şehirde fotoğraf çekmek için en çok tercih edilen noktalardan biri Museumbrücke. Bu köprü sizi Königstrasse caddesinden, büyük noel pazarının kurulduğu Hauptmarkt’a bağlayacak keyfili bir yol ?
7. Heilig Geist Spital
Heilig Geist Spital, Holly Spirit Hospital in English was built between 1332-1339 by a rich man Konrad Gross for the elderly people. You may visit inside or spend some time in the cafe of the hospital. If you don’t have enough time, just take a picture of the ancient building. Having a photo with this building is like the proof of your Nurmeberg trip. 🙂
8. Hauptmarkt
Hauptmarkt is the main square of old town. Moreover, many of the important structures like “Schönner Brünnen and Frauen Kirche” are in this square. December is the best time of the Hauptmarkt because of the famous Christmas market. There is also a tiny stage that you can enjoy small concerts and shows in the evenings. The atmosphere is so nice that we just hang around in here for many hours despite the cold. Just buy a hot dog and a cup of mulled wine:)
If you like, you can lose yourself in the Christmas decoration shops. There are endless options. I haven’t seen anything like this in the other countries. If you are lucky and it is not raining then you will want to stay here for a long time…
In the other Christmas markets of Europe, I used to visit each one of them once. However in Nuremberg, Hauptmarkt Christmas market is so nice both in the morning and in the evening. So, we have gone there many times during our 3 day trip. Another nice thing about the market is that there is no entrance fee.
Now, I understand the fame of Nuremberg’s Christmas spirit. There was a logical reason why hotels were so crowded in the middle of December. I’m glad we also discovered that city and the Christmas market.
9. Frauen Kirche (Church of Our Lady)
Frauen Kirche (Church of Our Lady) in the most known church of Nuremberg. Originally there was a Jewish synagogue in this place but it was collapsed in 1349, during Jewish massacre. Then, this church was built during the time of Charles IV. I suggest you visit and see the inside of this church. Entrance fee is 3.5 euros but I can give you a small tip. If you don’t want to pay and if it is crowded you may just skip the ticket desk and go sit somewhere inside. Actually, the fee is like donation and they don’t control it so strictly.
Frauen Kirche is also the place where the opening ceremony of Christmas market is done since 1948. The opening is done from the balcony of the church. You can go to that balcony, enjoy the bird’s eye view and take some photos of the Hauptmarkt.
10. Schöner Brünnen (Beautiful Fountain)
Schöner Brünnen (Beautiful Fountain) is a 19 meter high fountain with colorful architecture. There are 40 figures on it and they represent the life philosophy of Roma-German Empire. Except from its architecture, the important thing about the fountain is the small golden ring hanged in front of it. There is a belief that if you touch and turn this ring it will bring good like to you. Many tourist just wait in the que to do this and take photo. Although I don’t have that kind of superstitious believes, yet I did this and have taken a photo with the ring and the fountain.
11. Nuremberg Rathaus (City Hall)
I always liked the city hall buildings of Germany. Nuremberg Rathaus is also charming. It is located just near to the Haputmarkt and opposite of Sebaldus Church. You don’t meed to look for this building, you will see it immediately when you start your walk to the Castle. I did’t try to enter this one and continued my route. If you saw inside please let us know how it is…
12. Sebaldus Kirche
Sebaldus Chruch was originally built as a Roman basilica in the 1920s. As many of the structeres, it was ruined and renovated after Worl War II. St. Sebaldus grave is also inside this church. Sebaldus Church has an important historical and architectural role in Nuremberg. This church also gave its name to the region as Sebalder Altstadt (Sebalder Oldtown). Don’t skip to visit beautiful Sebaldus Kirche.
13. Fembo Haus
Fembo Haus (House) is an important museum of the city. You will see it on the left corner, while you are on the way to the castle. It is a museum that you can get detailed information about the history of the city. You will also find many pictures of Nuremberg. It is a building that you will recognize immediately because its style is a bit different from the Bavarian style.
14. Kaiserburg
It is very easy to reach Nuremberg Castle “Kaiserburg” by walking. It takes only 5 minutes from the Hauptmarkt. The castle has different parts and to be able to visit some of the parts you need to buy a ticket. Palas/ Museum is 5.5 euros, Fountain is 3 euros. If you would like to buy both of the tickets the price is 7 euros. I think it was enough to see the garden, viewpoint and to hang around between the stone walls of the castle. If you have more time you can buy tickets and visite the indoor areas also.
15. Albrecht Dürer Haus
Famous painter Albrecht Dürer has a very important role in Nuremberg’s history. Therefore they gave the name of the successful painter not only to the airport but also many of the places in town. His house in Nuremberg that he lived between 1509-1528 is now like a museum. His stuff and the reflection of the life at that time is shown. Also, some of his paintings are exhibited inside. The entrance fee is 6euros.
16. Weissgerbergasse
It is a lovely colorful street that you can see many of Bavarian-style houses just next to each other. This street is a nice photoshootişng point also. Weissgerbergasse will connect you to one of the bridges on the river Pegnitz. You may pass to the Lorenzer part or you may continue walking on the riverside.
17. Maxbrücke
Brücke means Bridge in German. Just like all the bridges on the river Pegnitz,, this one also has a very nice view. It is better you pass through all of the bridges. Each one has a unique view.
18. Fleischbrücke
Another lovely bridge that you should take a photo. Especially during sunsets in summer I heard that those bridges are much more romantic.
19. Adlerparkhaus
It is basically a car park area. However, at the roof of this parking area, there is a very nice panoramic city view. If you just climb up the 7th floor you may take nice pictures of Nuremberg. Not so many people know it. It is a piece of bonus advice from me 🙂 By the way, if you are travelling by your car, you can leave your car in this park which is just in the middle of old town.
20. Lebkuchen Schmidt
Nuremberg is famous for its cinnamon cookies. Their special name is Lebkuchen. You may find those delicious cookies in many places but I suggest “Lebkuchen Schmidt”. They sell cookies in Nuremberg boxes, that you can buy as a gift to yourself or your friends. Each type of box has different flavours. They will give you a menu when you enter the shop. So, you can choose according to your taste.
The shop has also a webpage and you can order online also from this link . Bon Appetit!
To sum up, Nuremberg is a German city that must be discovered. 2 days will enough to cover important structures and places. I may say that I liked here more than Berlin. The reason is that Nuremberg is renovated very well even the small houses, whereas Berlin has only iconic structures renovated. The houses are not as authentic as much as Nuremberg. I have visited both cities in the winter time and also when I compare the Christmas markets maybe Berlin has big and much more Christmas market options, Nuremberg’s market was so cute and I really liked it.
If you are interested in Christmas markets or the other cities like Berlin, you may read my Visit Berlin Post.
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