Nuremberg holidays

How to reach Nuremberg

• Flight time: Flights to Nuremberg from London and other major UK airports take between 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours.

• Transfer time: Nuremberg’s Albrecht Dürer Airport is on the northern edge of the city and is linked to the Hauptbahnhof by U-Bahn line #2; journey time is 12 minutes. Alternatively, taxis take about 20 minutes to reach the city centre.

• Price: A one-way ticket on the U-Bahn line costs approximately €3, with a taxi costing around €20–25.

Best time to visit Nuremberg

With year-round and seasonal attractions, deciding when to take your trip will depend on whether you have a specific experience in mind. The weather may influence you too!

• March to May: Spring brings milder temperatures of around 10°C to 18°C, though do expect plenty of rain, so bring a jacket. You’ll enjoy around 6–7 hours of sunshine a day.

• June to August: The best time for Nuremberg holidays: temperatures hover between 20°C and 25°C, occasionally reaching 30°C, and you’ll experience 8–9 hours of sunshine a day. Downpours are not uncommon, expect about 70–90mm of rain per month.

• September to November: Cooler but still a very pleasant climate, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C. This is the best time to explore Nuremberg’s many cultural assets, but do expect the city's museums to be busy.

• December to February: Nuremberg’s festive season is one of the country's most enjoyable, thanks in part to its legendary Christmas market. Temperatures can drop to 0°C or lower, and snow is likely, so pack warm clothes. Expect around 4–5 hours of sunshine a day.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: German is the official language, but English is widely spoken throughout the city.

• Local habits and customs: When tipping in a café, round your bill up to the next €0.50 or €1 and give the total directly to the waiter; at restaurants, you should leave around 10 percent of the bill. When you are in a group, you should wait until everybody has their drink and only start drinking after clinking glasses. When clinking glasses, it is essential to look into each other's eyes.

• Health and safety: Nuremberg presents no more danger than any other city, but do keep an eye on your belongings, especially on public transport. In the event of an emergency, phone T112 for an ambulance (Krankenwagen).

• Currency: Germany uses the Euro (€), with credit and debit cards accepted in most places.

• Getting around: Nuremberg’s public transport system includes trams, U-Bahn and buses. Single tickets cost €3, a one-day TagesTicket €9, and a strip of four single tickets €12.20.

• Electricity and plug types: Germany uses a 230-volt system with Type C and Type F plugs. UK travellers will need a standard European plug adaptor.

• Time zone: Nuremberg operates on Central European Time (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers can visit Germany visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Best things to do in Nuremberg

Franconia’s greatest city is a reminder of the triumphs and tragedies of German history, set against a splendid medieval backdrop; unsurprisingly, the museums are compelling.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Sinwell Tower: Located within the castle grounds, your ticket is also valid for an ascent of the circular Sinwellturm, worth the climb for the most panoramic of all views of the city.

• River Pegnitz: The banks of the River Pegnitz are among the most tranquil spots in the city; head for the Maxbrücke bridge, which offers lovely views of another of Nuremberg’s great medieval set-pieces: the vast, half-timbered Weinstadel.

The best districts

• Hauptmarkt: For all its gory origins, Hauptmarkt remains the focus of the Altstadt. Most of the buildings fringing the square are postwar, but reconstruction from wartime damage was tactful and a few key monuments survive.

• Gostenhof: This trendy neighbourhood, often compared to Berlin’s Kreuzberg, is packed cheek-by-jowl with indie cafés, art galleries and cool shops.

Museums

• Albrecht Dürer’s House: The 15th-century half-timbered house that was the home of the artist from 1509 until his death in 1528; visit a mock-up of his studio on the second floor, complete with copper plates and tools used for copperplate engraving.

• Germanisches Nationalmuseum: This giant among Nuremberg’s museums - and the largest museum of its kind in Germany - stars medieval collections and fine art, a hangar-like room full of historic musical instruments, and entirely reconstructed farmhouse interiors.

Parks and gardens

• Hesperidengärten: These Baroque-style gardens in the St. Johannis district are something of a hidden gem; ornate fountains, sculptures and some beautifully maintained greenery.

Historical monuments

• Sebalduskirche: Unusually large and magnificent for a mere parish church, its style is transitional between Romanesque and Gothic, and the interior has a rich array of artistic treasures.

• Altes Rathaus: Few buildings surpass the splendid Renaissance Altes Rathaus, built between 1616 and 1622 by Jakob Wolff the Younger in the style of an Italian palazzo.

• Nürnberger Felsengänge: Take a tour through this warren of passageways and chambers hollowed out of the castle hill and used since the Middle Ages to store beer.

Day trips in the area

• Bamberg: Lost-in-time beauty and a distinctive beer culture make Bamberg - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a Franconian must-see.

• The walled towns of the Romantic Road: Take a trip back in time to the magical medieval towns of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen; a long day but well worth it.

Activities for families in Nuremberg

Although heavily weighed down with history, there are some superb museums and attractions to keep the little ones entertained.

• Aquariums and zoos: An unusually beautiful place, lushly wooded and dotted with small lakes, the zoo has over 300 species, from lions and zebras to polar bears; its lakes provide a home for sea lions, penguins and otters, and there’s also a dolphin lagoon.

• Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum): Nuremberg was long a renowned toy-making centre, and this fun museum greets visitors with an array of wooden toys before progressing to tin toys, dolls and dolls’ houses and a model railway; Lego and Barbie feature too.

• Adventure Parks: Located just outside Nuremberg, Playmobil FunPark does exactly what it says on the tin. From the Knight’s Castle to Mermaid Kingdom, it’s a riot of fun.

Free things to do in Nuremberg

Travelling on a budget? Don’t worry - Nuremberg has plenty of free activities that let you explore the city without breaking the bank.

• Markets: Nuremberg’s most famous annual event is the Christkindlesmarkt, perhaps the world’s most famous Christmas market, which animates the Hauptmarkt from the beginning of December until Christmas Eve, with 180 wooden stalls selling everything from Lebkuchen to Christmas decorations and traditional wooden toys.

• Events: The city has a bewildering array of festivals throughout the year, such as September’s Altstadtfest, two weeks stuffed full of folklore, musical and theatrical events (many free), though nothing quite tops its highlight, the traditional fisherman's joust on the River Pegnitz.

• Nuremberg Castle grounds: While there’s a fee to enter the castle itself, go explore the castle’s outer walls, courtyards and gardens for free - a great way to soak up the history without spending a cent.

Nature and outdoor activities in Nuremberg

The city and its surrounding areas offer a variety of activities - from gentle walks to more adventurous pursuits - that make the most of the beautiful Franconian countryside.

• Cycling: Nuremberg offers fantastic cycling opportunities. The city itself has dedicated lanes and plenty of places to rent bikes, but for a longer outing, the 5-Seidla-Steig trail takes you on a scenic route through fabulous countryside dotted with small towns and breweries; pack the panier and away you go.

• River Walks: The picturesque Pegnitz River runs through the heart of Nuremberg, offering scenic strolls. The riverside paths are ideal for a morning jog or a leisurely walk, with plenty of benches and green spaces to stop, enjoy the view and maybe even partake in a picnic.

• Hiking: Popular nearby trails include the stiff hike up to Moritzberg, culminating in fantastic views, and the Schwarzachklamm Gorge, where you can walk along snaking paths and enjoy the peaceful sound of the river.

Local dishes in Nuremberg

One of the great delights of holidays to Nuremberg is discovering Franconian cuisine, and while meat (especially sausages) and fish dominate, there’s much else that will entice.

Some typical dishes

• Nürnberger Bratwurst: Slim, char-grilled Nürnberger Bratwürste are Nuremberg’s savoury speciality, and though the little sausages are served in quite fancy restaurants, they’re never more delicious than when eaten hot from a street stall ‘Drei im Weckla’ – three in a bun.

• Fränkische Schäufele: A Franconian speciality – roasted pork shoulder with crispy crackling, served with gravy and a side of dumplings.

Meat dishes

• Schweinshaxe: A huge crispy knuckle which could have graced a medieval banqueting table, usually served with potato dumplings or sauerkraut.

• Wiener Schnitzel: Originating from Austria, this breaded and fried veal or pork cutlet is served with potato salad and a wedge of lemon.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Forelle (trout): Franconian trout, grilled or smoked with a side of potatoes or salad - and a glass of white of course.

Street food

• Bratwurst: The common or garden sausage, served countrywide. Varies by region but usually made of finely minced pork and marjoram.

• Brezen (Pretzels): A staple of the streets, these pretzels - covered in salt crystals - are far superior to their American counterparts.

Sweets and desserts

• Lebkuchen: Nuremberg is famous for its gingerbread, exemplified in these delicious spiced biscuits, which taste best when dipped in thick chocolate.

• Kirschenmännla: A Franconian cherry cake consisting of freshly picked cherries and a light sponge - splendid with a dollop of cream.

Local drinks

• Franconian beer: The region has a long beer-making tradition, but of the local brews, try Kellerbier, a naturally cloudy lager, or Rotbier, a red ale that’s specific to Nuremberg.

• Glühwein: Warm up with a glass of Glühwein, a spiced mulled wine that’s particularly popular at the city’s famous Christmas market.