a view of a city from the top of a building

Nuremberg

Nuremberg is a Franconian city with a medieval old town below the Kaiserburg, a 20th-century history tied to Nazi rallies and postwar trials, and a Christmas market in December.

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Nuremberg is the second-largest city in Bavaria, in Franconia in southern Germany. The medieval old town sits below the Kaiserburg, the imperial castle on a sandstone hill, and its streets hold half-timbered houses, churches and courtyards. Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire spent time here. The city built its wealth on trade and craft, and it is known for toys, gingerbread and printing.

The city also has a 20th-century history that shapes many visits. The Nazi Party held its rallies on grounds southeast of the center, and the Palace of Justice hosted the postwar trials, including those in Courtroom 600. Plan one full day for the old town and castle and a second day for the historical sites. Spring and early autumn are the easiest months for walking. The Christmas market runs in the old town from late November through December.

Nuremberg in five

Take the ICE from Munich, about 1 hourFast trains link Nuremberg with Munich in roughly an hour, so it works as a day trip or a night on a Bavaria rail loop. Regional trains run on to Bamberg, Würzburg and Regensburg.Is a Eurail Pass worth it?
Walk up to the Kaiserburg earlyThe imperial castle sits at the top of the old town and gives the best roof view. Opening hours change by season, so check the Bavarian palace administration's site the week you go.
Plan half a day for the Rally GroundsThe Documentation Center in the unfinished Congress Hall explains the Nazi party rallies. It lies southeast of the center, and trams run there from the old town.
Check the calendar for Courtroom 600The room where the postwar trials were held is part of a museum in the Palace of Justice, and it is open to visitors only on days when no trial is in session. Look at the museum's calendar first.
Book Christkindlesmarkt rooms earlyThe market usually opens the Friday before the first Advent Sunday and ends on Christmas Eve. Confirm dates on the city's official page and book months ahead.Christmas markets

Things to do in Nuremberg

See all attractions in Nuremberg

Museum · NurembergMuseums Nuremberg - Albrecht Dürer House

an old building with a sign in front of it

Museum · NurembergGerman Railway Museum NurembergBooking ahead is recommended, though tickets can also be bought at the counter, and cards are accepted.

Castle · NurembergImperial Castle of NurembergGo early in the day to avoid the crowds, or buy tickets online in advance.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to NurembergPut the places you like in Nuremberg on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Nuremberg (NUE); U2 subway to the main station in about 12–15 min
Getting there: ICE from Munich about 1 hour; Frankfurt about 2 hours; Berlin 4–5 hours
Getting around: Walking in the old town; U-Bahn and trams to the Rally Grounds
Best base: Old town for a first visit; near the station for early trains
Time needed: 1 day for the old town; 2 with the Rally Grounds

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain14 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low-1°Cold, quiet
FebruaryRain12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low0°Cold, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh10°Low1°Cool, thaw
AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low4°Spring, mild
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Warm, green
JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh24°Low13°Warm, long days
JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh25°Low14°Hot, busy
AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh25°Low15°Hot, busy
SeptemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Mild, clear
OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Fall color
NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh8°Low3°Gray, damp
DecemberRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh5°Low0°Christmas market

Average daily high and low in Nuremberg, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Nuremberg

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 5°
Humidity: 59%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Nuremberg

09:46 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today9°2°0%Monday: Rain. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue7°2°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed9°2°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu8°1°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri9°0°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat8°-1°11%Saturday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 11%.
Sun8°0°16%Sunday: Fog. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 16%.

Updated 05:58 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Nuremberg

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Every year

Jul–AugBachwoche AnsbachRothenburg ob der Tauber, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Nuremberg

ICE to NurembergMunich in about an hourRead the guide

Old town and Rally Grounds toursGuided walks on the 20th centuryCompare tours

eSIM for BavariaTram tickets and the DB app on arrivalRead the guide

Cover for December tripsCancellation and delay coverRead the guide

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Rules for Nuremberg, checked

The Schengen 90/180-day rule lets non-EU visitors stay 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area, including Germany. Count your days before a long trip.Source
Under the EU Entry/Exit System, non-EU visitors have their passport details and fingerprints recorded at the German border. Check the current status on the official EU travel site.Source
Dial 112 for fire or an ambulance and 110 for police in Germany. Save both numbers in your phone before you arrive.
Most shops close on Sundays. Many bottles and cans carry a deposit (Pfand), refunded at a return machine or shop.

Plan around Nuremberg

Bamberg travel guide

A UNESCO old town 40-60 minutes by train

Read the guide Würzburg travel guide

Palace, bridge and wine, about 1 hour away

Read the guide Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The walled town on the Romantic Road

Read the guide Christmas markets

How the big German markets work

Read the guide All of Germany

Regions, trains, entry rules and money for Germany

Read the guide Is a Eurail Pass worth it?

When single tickets beat a pass in Germany

Read the guide

Nuremberg FAQ

How many days do you need in Nuremberg?

One full day covers the castle, the old town and a sausage lunch. Add a second day for the Documentation Center and Courtroom 600. A third only makes sense if you want Bamberg or Würzburg from here.

Is Nuremberg worth visiting?

Yes, especially for history. The old town was rebuilt after wartime destruction, so it reads as reconstruction in places, but the castle, the churches and the Nazi-era sites give the city real weight.

Is the Nuremberg Christmas market worth it?

It is one of the best known in Germany and very busy on weekends. Go on a weekday afternoon, eat at the stalls and keep a plan B for rain. Smaller markets in Bamberg or Würzburg are calmer.

Can you do Nuremberg as a day trip from Munich?

Yes. The ICE takes about an hour each way, which leaves a full day. You will miss the Rally Grounds if you also want the castle and a long lunch, so pick one focus.

Nuremberg or Rothenburg: which should I choose?

Choose Nuremberg for a city with museums and heavy history, Rothenburg for a small walled town and photos. Rothenburg needs a change at Steinach, so it takes longer to reach than its distance suggests.