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Author: Barry Pickard
Nuremberg, Germany is a city that is brimming with history, culture, and attractions that are sure to appeal to travellers. Located in the heart of Bavaria, Nuremberg is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, as well as its sites connected with the Nazi party. In addition to its historical and cultural attractions, Nuremberg is also a great place to experience traditional German cuisine, with a variety of restaurants and beer gardens serving up hearty dishes and local beers.
If you're planning a trip to Nuremberg, be sure to check out our list of the top eleven Nuremberg attractions to make the most of your visit. From exploring the city's rich history to savouring its delicious food and drink, there's something for everyone in Nuremberg.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting Nuremberg appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the exciting attractions of Nuremberg, or indeed, a general tour around Bavaria.
It is difficult to create a list of the best Nuremberg attractions. and is sure to be a little controversial with some, but here are our top eleven.
11. St. Sebald's Church
St. Sebald's Church is Nuremberg's oldest city parish church and was built around 1215 as a three-aisled Late Romanesque pillared basilica with two choirs. As early as 1309 the original side aisles were widened and altered in the Gothic style. Destroyed during World War II like the rest of the city, St. Sebald was reconstructed in 1957 and reconsecrated.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: Make sure to check out the reliquary shrine (ca. 1397) in the tomb cast in bronze by Peter Vischer, in the interior of the church. The bones of Nuremberg patron saint Sebaldus are presumed to rest in the silver embossed “casket”.
10. Zeppelinfeld
The Zeppelinfeld consists of a large grandstand with a width of 360 metres (390 yards) and a smaller stand. It was one of Albert Speer's first works for the Nazi party and was based upon the Pergamon Altar. The grandstand is famous as the building that had the swastika blown from atop it in 1945, after Germany's fall in World War II. The name "Zeppelinfeld" or "Zeppelinwiese" refers to the fact that in August 1909 Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin landed with one of his airships (LZ6) in this location.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: The Zeppelinfeld is within walking distance of both the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds and also the Hall of Honour, so you can easily visit all three attractions together.
9. New Museum - Nuremberg State Museum of Art and Design
The New Museum with its curved glass façade has received many awards for its striking modern architecture and is a venue for contemporary art and design. The art collection contains painting, sculpture and photography from 1945 to the present. Its main focus includes Eastern European artists, international works of geometric abstraction and concrete art.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: Look out for the museum’s stunning spiral staircase. It is a work of art in itself.
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8. Albrecht Dürer's House
The Dürer House Museum gives visitors insight into the life and art of Nuremberg's most famous painter and printmaker, who was celebrated throughout Europe during his lifetime. Albrecht Dürer lived and worked in this house for almost 20 years. A look at his living area, kitchen and artist's workshop gives a glimpse of life in Nuremberg's past, as it was a proud and wealthy Free Imperial City in the 16th century. The Dürer House is the only existing home of an artist from the 15th century in northern Europe today.
Read on to find out which attraction tops the list.
7. Hall of Honour
The Hall of Honour - "Ehrenhalle" - was built by the City of Nuremberg according to a plan of German architect Fritz Mayer. It was inaugurated in 1930, before the Hitler era during the Weimar Republic. It is an arcaded hall with an adjacent cobbled stone terrace with two rows of pedestals for fire bowls. All fourteen pylons remain virtually intact and have not been ignited since the final Nazi party rally in September 1938. Originally the hall was to be a memorial site for the 9,855 soldiers from Nuremberg who had fallen in World War I. During the Third Reich the Nazis also used the as a commemoration for the 16 dead of the Beer Hall Putsch on 9 November 1923 in Munich.
6. Memorium Nuremberg Trials
In the criminal court of the Nuremberg Palace of Justice world history was written: On November 20, 1945, the trial against the "main war criminals" began in the criminal court, "Courtroom 600". 21 leading representatives of the National Socialist regime were made to answer for their crimes against peace and humanity. In October 1946, 11 months later, the sentences were pronounced. From 1946 to 1949 twelve Subsequent Proceedings were held before American military tribunals.
More than 60 years after the trials a permanent exhibition has been opened at the original site to provide relevant information on the background, proceedings, and consequences: Explanations are given on the role of the defendants in the National Socialist power structure and the crimes they were accused of.
5. The Future Museum
The Future Museum is an excellent science museum, perfect for both adults and children alike. The permanent exhibit covers 2,900 m2 of space, focusing on five thematic areas. These begin with an individual's personal environment in "Work and Daily Life" and "Mind and Body". A broader perspective is opened with the themes "System City" and "System Earth". The final thematic area explores the dream of mankind to travel through "Time and Space". A library, a "Future Workshop" and two hands-on laboratories - "Voyager" and "Discovery"- round out the presentation.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: There's an opportunity to take a very personal virtual reality trip into the city of Nuremberg in 2050.
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4. Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds
The Documentation Center Nazi Party Rallying Grounds is a museum in the north wing of the unfinished remains of the Congress Hall of the former Nazi party rallies. Its permanent exhibition "Fascination and Terror" is concerned with the causes, connections, and consequences of Nazi Germany.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: Make sure to walk into the centre grounds of the Congress Hall in order to truly appreciate the scale of this massive brick-built edifice.
3. Imperial Castle of Nuremberg
The Imperial Castle atop the rocky promontory above Nuremberg was one of the most important fortified imperial palaces of the Old Holy Roman Empire. The castle and the city served as the location for numerous imperial assemblies. From 1356 on the "Golden Bull" of Emperor Charles IV provided that every newly elected future ruler must hold his first imperial Diet in Nuremberg. Moreover, from 1424 the imperial regalia were safely kept in Nuremberg. Nuremberg was a very popular residence for the rulers in the age of the itinerant kingships and up until the 30 Years' War it was the central location of the empire.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: The castle gives what is arguably the best view of the city.
Have you guessed yet which attraction tops the list?
2. Germanisches Nationalmuseum
The Germanisches Nationalmuseum was founded in 1852 and is one of the largest museums of cultural history in the German-speaking world. The museum offers ever new discoveries starting with the Pre- and Protohistory section and ranging all the way to the present. Particular highlights include works of Albrecht Dürer, Veit Stoß and Rembrandt, the earliest surviving terrestrial globe, and the first pocket watch in the world.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: The museum also boasts the largest collection of historical musical instruments in Europe and is a must see.
1. Deutsche Bahn Railroad Museum
The Deutsche Bahn Railroad Museum opened its doors in 1882 and is now the world's oldest railway museum, covering a total space of 6,800 m². Some 40 rail legends are on show in two halls. These include the oldest surviving passenger coach in Germany, a replica of the country's first steam locomotive, the "Adler", and a model of the ICE 4, the next generation of high-speed train.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: The museum is an excellent idea for a family visit. In the KIBALA, a railway paradise created especially for children, the younger visitors can experiment and play. The train simulator and the miniature railway that shunts the kids around the entire exhibition grounds are always popular.
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Restaurant Suggestions
After visiting all these interesting and informative attractions, you are sure to work up an appetite. The Deutsche Bahn Railroad Museum has its own excellent little restaurant and bar called Tinto and is a perfect place to catch lunch or refreshments after visiting the exhibits.
We also ate at two traditional Bavarian restaurants, Alte Küch'n & Im Keller and at Bratwurst Röslein, with both being near St. Sebald’s Church.
Where to Stay in Nuremberg
Because we had a hire car and were exploring areas around Nuremberg, not just the city itself, we chose to stay at the Acora Fürth Living the City modern apartment hotel in the suburb of Fürth. The room was excellent and set up perfectly as a home away from home, with the hotel also have laundry facilities, which was exactly what we needed, since we were only travelling with hand luggage and were limited to what we packed.
However, if you are looking for a hotel in the centre of Nuremberg, within walking distance of the many of the attractions mentioned above, then there is a good choice. The Park Plaza Nuremberg offers a luxurious stay, while the Premier Inn Nürnberg City Opernhaus and the IntercityHotel Nürnberg offer a more economical way of seeing the city.
Conclusion
Nuremberg is a city that should not be missed. With its unique blend of history and culture, there is always something new to discover. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a taste of traditional German culture, Nuremberg has something for everyone. So be sure to add it to your itinerary on your next visit to Germany.
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If you would like more information on Bavaria, please view the Tailor-Made Itineraries posts below:
Comment below and let us know what your favourite attraction in Nuremberg is.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting Nuremberg appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the exciting attractions of Nuremberg, or indeed, a general tour around Bavaria.
Join me next time on my adventures when I discover the beautiful city of Bamberg. Tailor-Made Itineraries posts every two weeks, and you can subscribe to the latest blog and newsletter here. Until then, happy reading and safe travels.
Barry
Contact Me: tailoritineraries@gmail.com
Tailor-Made Itineraries creates one-of-a-kind bespoke self-guided travel itineraries for adventurous and curious travellers.
These self-guided tours deliver a personalised and exciting holiday experience that takes the effort out of trip planning.
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