The capital of Franconia (and Bavaria’s second-largest city) is well worth a visit. At least, that’s what we think. And even though crispy sausages and delicious beer are naturally among the top attractions, the city has much more to offer. We know what you have to do and see for a memorable weekend in Nuremberg.
Medieval Culture – Nuremberg Castle
Nuremberg has a long and rich history – and nothing makes this clearer than the gigantic Castle, which towers over the city as a stone landmark visible from afar. In the late Middle Ages, the emperors often held imperial assemblies in Nuremberg and lived in the castle during this time.
The mighty walls are therefore almost a must-see, and the climb is surprisingly easy – perhaps 15 minutes from the Pegnitz river. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the city. And if you want to delve deeper into why Nuremberg was so important to the Roman-German emperors, take a look at the castle museum.
Kaiserburg Nuremberg, April to September 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., October to March 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Down Underground – a Guided Tour of the Nuremberg Rock Passages
Even a brief encounter with Nuremberg and Franconia in general reveals that beer is very popular here. And not just any beer. Like everywhere else in Franconia, people in Nuremberg also like to drink a light lager. But the city’s own red beer is just as popular.
The fact that the people of Nuremberg have always taken their beer supply seriously is demonstrated by the 25,000 square meters of rock passages that law-abiding citizens have carved into their mountain over the centuries. The reason for this was that the vast quantities of beer brewed in the city had to be stored somewhere. And at a constant, low temperature, if possible. If the thought of narrow underground passages doesn’t make you feel queasy, we recommend one of the many informative and entertaining guided tours.
Guided tour of the historic rock-cut cellars, approx. 60 minutes, €12 / €9 reduced
Mit Ecken und Kanten – Shopping Without a Guilty Conscience
In Germany (and not only there), too much that could still be used is thrown away. And we’re not just talking about food. In the fashion industry, too, products with minor flaws or slow-moving items are simply destroyed at some point. The Nuremberg boutique “Mit Ecken und Kanten” is working to change this.
This small, pretty shop sells all kinds of clothes and accessories that didn’t make it into regular stores due to minor flaws and are therefore classified as B-grade goods. Here, they can still find a new owner at reduced prices. Fast fashion is not welcome here; only sustainable brands with a future-proof concept make it onto the clothes rails. We think that’s great!
Mit Ecken und Kanten, Hans-Sachs-Gasse 9, Mon–Sat 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
A Journey of Taste – Nuremberg’s Culinary Highlights
There are too many local delicacies to pick just one. They are all worth trying when visiting Nuremberg. Here is a small overview: There are the Nuremberg grilled sausages, for example. These are traditionally served with sauerkraut or potato salad on a pewter plate. Another popular option is “Drei im Weckla,” three sausages in a roll to eat on the go – available on almost every corner in the old town and always delicious.
Then there is Nuremberg gingerbread, which is also suitable as a souvenir outside the Christmas season. We particularly liked it at the “Lebküchnerei Düll”. Tip: Damaged or unsuitable pieces are sold as “Lebkuchenbruch” (gingerbread crumbs), which taste just as good but are much cheaper. And finally, of course, there’s the beer. On warm days, there’s no better spot than the café “Der Wanderer” with its beer garden just below the castle, where half of Nuremberg seems to gather to enjoy the warm sun with a cool beer.
Lebküchnerei Düll, Bergstraße 23, Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat 7 a.m–1 p.m.
Der Wanderer, Beim Tiergärtnertor 2–6, check opening times online
Cheerful Prospects – the Perfect Place to Stay at “The Cloud One”
To really get to know a city like Nuremberg, you definitely need more than just a day’s visit. This means that the discerning city traveler needs somewhere to stay for the night. “The Cloud One” is located in the immediate vicinity of the main train station (basically, you can get off the train and go straight to bed), making it the ideal choice.
This modern and stylish hotel has everything you could want from accommodation for a city break: comfortable beds to rest your weary bones after a day of exploring; plenty of peace and quiet to process your impressions; an extensive breakfast buffet (with sausages, of course!) to recharge your batteries for the next sightseeing trip and, above all, an elegant and hip rooftop bar with excellent drinks – from delicious beers to the trendy espresso martini – a first-class atmosphere thanks to elegant lounge furniture and relaxed lighting, as well as a breathtaking view of the city. From the 14th floor, with the right lens, you can capture everything in one picture: the Imperial Castle, St. Lorenz Church, the blue sky and, below, a sea of brick-red Nuremberg roofs.
This, combined with excellent transport links and a location right next to the old town, makes the hotel an unbeatable base camp for a trip to Nuremberg.
The Cloud One Hotel Nuremberg, Bahnhofsplatz 1
Rooftop bar Sun–Thu 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Fri+Sat 11 a.m.–2 a.m.
Non-Stop Snapping – the City From its Most Beautiful Angles
Perhaps it’s an occupational hazard: we simply enjoyed walking around the city with our cameras. Nuremberg is a real beauty and certainly not short of photo opportunities. Whether it’s the picturesque half-timbered houses in the Weißgerbergasse, the imposing Castle with its towers reaching for the sky, the intricately crafted “Schöner Brunnen” (beautiful fountain) on the main market square, or the two-part Henkersteg bridge that crosses the Pegnitz river in the middle of the old town. It’s best not to put your camera down at all.
