Nuremberg, Germany: 5 Reasons to Visit

posted by Sharon Odegaard 39 Comments

Have you been to Nuremberg, Germany? We ended up making a late change to our itinerary on our last trip to Europe to include a stop in this enchanting town. I’m so glad we did! If you are touring Germany and not sure whether to visit Nuremberg, here are some reasons to go.

Nuremberg Is Lovely

Nuremberg Germany

Nuremberg features the half-timbered buildings found throughout Germany. The old town is still surrounded by the medieval wall that somehow survived intense bombing during WWII.

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Nuremberg GermanyOf course, a river runs through it.

Nuremberg Germany

Art in the form of murals and sculptures can be found as you stroll along.

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We learned that the city was about 90 percent destroyed during WWII. The controversial decision was made to rebuild in the original style of old Germany with the red roofs. Apparently some people still object, but I think the reconstructed buildings hold so much charm.

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Yes, It Has a Castle

Nuremberg Germany

The castle was built in sections from the year 1037 on. German kings traveled from castle to castle, having no permanent residence, so for centuries this castle housed royalty. Much of the castle fell victim to WWII bombs, but it has been rebuilt in the original style. Nuremberg Germany

The courtyard is a peaceful place of beauty.

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Some of the artwork survived and can be viewed in the museum. I love the pitchfork in front of the battle scene mural.

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Nuremberg GermanyYou can climb the tower, ascending the winding staircase. The views from the top are worth the effort.

Nuremberg GermanyNuremberg GermanyNuremberg GermanyHistory Comes Alive Here

Nuremberg holds hundreds of years of history. The most fascinating place for me is the Documentation Center and Rally Grounds. The building is what Adolf Hitler designed, and the rally grounds attached are where he spoke to thousands. The entire area is now a museum to document what took place here. The hope is that such a horror would never happen again.

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The Art Bunker is another fascinating WWII museum. It’s in a tunnel system under the castle that was built to make beer. The beer cellar here became a hiding place for art during the war. Hitler and just a few of his trusted men knew about it. Paintings, jewels, and other treasures remained hidden here until the end of the war. Some of it went back into place in Nuremberg and other items were sent by the Allies to different countries.

To tour the bunker, you buy tickets around the corner. The tour runs only once a day. Audio guides are usually given out, but all 6 of us on my tour spoke English, so the guide used her excellent English and told us so much about what took place down here.

Nuremberg GermanyNuremberg GermanyNuremberg GermanyNuremberg GermanyThe Train Museum Is Fun

We spent a rainy morning inside the German Railway Museum. Nuremberg is a rail hub with a bustling station today. This museum is built on old tracks and contains full-size retired train cars as well as displays on trains through the decades. It also offers a large model railroad demonstrated by the master engineer. Young and old will enjoy the romance of trains in this fine museum.

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You’ll Find Superb Lodging and Dining

Partly by lucky chance, I chose a hotel that turned out to be the oldest standing hotel in the walled old town, built in the 14th century. The outside may be historic, but the inside is modern and proved to be our favorite hotel of this trip. Hotel Elch is only a block from the wall and a couple of blocks from the castle. The rooms have a pleasant color scheme. And here I encountered my first towel warming rack, which is awesome. The buffet breakfast is luscious and all the hotel personnel were friendly. We even decided to use the hotel laundry service (another first for me) and sent an entire laundry bag out for 5 euro. When we got to our next hotel in Paris, I figured we could try the same thing. But there one shirt was 5 euro, so we went back to our bathroom sink method.

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Every meal in Nuremberg was delicious. One lunchtime we found the Goldenes Posthorn, built in 1498. The only vegetarian dish they served that day was macaroni and cheese, so I ordered it, with visions of boxed Kraft mac ‘n cheese. What I got was a pasta dish that melted in my mouth, just amazing.

Nuremberg Germany

Nuremberg GermanyI highly recommend a visit to Nuremberg. I think you’ll love it! Nuremberg Germany

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39 Comments

Photo(Geo)grapher at

What beautiful city. The great series of photos

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Tamar Strauss-Benjamin at

That architecture is amazing!

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Kelly Kardos at

What a beautiful post Sharon. I love anything history anymore and Europe NEVER disappoints. Loved seeing this city through your lens. Visiting from Tamar’s GRF.

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Carol at

Your posts are always wonderful but this one is special. Love the history and architecture.

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Ha at

I’ve been to Nuremburg a number of times, it really is a lovely and historic city!

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tomthebackroadstraveller at

…I don’t need more reasons!

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jesh StG at

Love these beautiful views of Nurnberg! Lived the first year of marriage in Berlin, so I got so see several sides. When I saw your title, I hoped you would touch on World War II and you did! It’s a mystery to me how some think the holocaust is fabricated – there is sooo much evidence in Europe!Wow, to rebuild a castle is quite a task! But they did a great job, keeping it in the same ambience. Thank you for sharing this historic city, Sharon, and a happy first year to us both:) A happy week to you!

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Fun60 at

It looks enchanting with so much to see.

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Photo cache at

The architecture is simply fantastic.

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Jim, Sydney, Australia at

What an awesome place this is.

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Kristy Life-n-reflection at

OMGoodness how charming!!

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ladyfi at

Wow – stunning shots.

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Alycia C at

I bet seeing all that really made history come alive. I can just imagine what certain things would have been like in WWII by seeing your photos. Your photos are just beautiful! Thanks for sharing

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Bryna | Dotted Line Travels at

Nuremberg looks amazing. I haven’t been to Germany yet, but I’ve always wanted to visit. And if I’d do I’d love to visit. So much important history, and beautiful architecture.

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Oakland Daily Photo at

Love the wall art you found strolling the riverside. Spectacular. Thanks for contributing to this week’s Monday Mural.

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Lolo at

Nuremberg is a great city! It’s our destination of choice for date night every now and then! And I’ve always said that Street Art was popular in Bavaria before Street Art was a trend haha #CityTripping

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Urska - Slovenian Girl Abroad at

You convinced me – I would love to visit Nürenberg. Great reasons to visit and gorgeous photos. #CityTripping

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Tanja (the Red phone box travels) at

I hear it’s got an excellent Christmas market too:) #farawayfiles

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Kat at

It looks like it was a struggle to fit everything into 5 reasons to visit! I love those buildings, they remind me of medieval times (which is probably not correct but that’s my brain for you!) and I’m a total history buff so Nuremberg looks like it’d be right up my alley. Thanks for sharing! #farawayfiles

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Cathy (MummyTravels) at

I haven’t been but it always looks so gorgeous – and your photos are wonderful. I can imagine wandering the streets for hours just snapping away. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping

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Kate Eccles at

It’s such a beautiful place, love your photos 🙂 #citytripping

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Buckeroomama at

I absolutely enjoyed our trip to Germany… such a beautiful place. Hopefully we’ll get to visit again and check out Nuremberg next time. Lovely photos!

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Ruth at

I like the details in your post. Nuremberg is popular (with a reason) and visitors tend to highlight the beautiful houses. I am glad you gave us another view into the city. My desire to visit increases because of that. I am visiting Germany soon but, sadly, will not be stopping in here (will need to plan another trip). #FarawayFiles

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Erin Gustafson | Oregon Girl Around the World at

Very thorough post and welcome to the #FarawayFiles Community Sharon, we’re happy to have you! I would be very interested to see the Kunstbunker, have read about the hoarding of art during the war. Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin

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Addie Gray at

Love this post! I remember visiting Nürnberg on my first trip to Germany a few years ago and I absolutely loved it. Climbing the castle tower is a definite must – the views are fantastic and I loved all of the graffiti on the walls. I also visited the Documentation Center and Rally Grounds, and remember feeling very solemn the entire time there. Definitely an important thing to visit, and I thought it was very well put together as well. #FarawayFiles

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Ava Meena at

I love this! I lived in a small town near Nuremberg for a year. FYI, you can get discounted entrance to the train museum if you have an active DB ticket (I don’t remember the exact rules/requirements, but it’s a good deal and worth looking into). #FarawayFiles

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bettyl - NZ at

These are some ancient buildings with a lot of character. So lovely to see.

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Katy Clarke at

Wonderful photos and insight Sharon. As a student of European history of course I knew the role Nuremburg played in Germany’s history but I did not realise how pretty it is. My husband would love the train museum. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles

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Elizabeth (Wander Mum) at

I’m already keen to visit Nuremberg but even more so after reading your post. The Art bunker sounds really interesting #citytripping

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kelleyn rothaermel at

Never been there, but it is on my list of places to see!

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Lisa at

Gaaaahhhhh! I do think you had the trip of a lifetime Sharon. You went to some incredible places, and I like that they were not all the usual places. This post makes me miss Germany so much, I feel like I visited a little piece of home reading it. Your blog always makes me so happy.

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Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles) at

I’ve not visited Nuremberg yet and had no idea it was such a pretty place. The history is fascinating too. Thanks so much for sharing this great post and pictures with us on #farawayfiles

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City Tripping #65 - Wander Mum at

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City Tripping #65 - mummytravels at

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Jonny (Daisy the bus) at

Oddly enough, we haven’t been to Nuremburg yet. It’s a place which is almost always on our to-do list and yet we seem to bypass it. We’ll be passing it again on our way to Vienna later this year so maybe we can stop to rectify this omission and soak up the sights and culture that you have brilliantly captured in your post. Thanks! #FarawayFiles

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Corinne at

Sharon, Nuremberg is a wonderful city. It’s about an hour from where we are currently living, and we go there to see an English movie and have dinner…a night out.

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Lolo at

Nuremberg is one of our favorite towns and we often go there for date night as it’s only an hour away from us! You managed a lot! Already read your other post, so I read this one for this week’s #TheWeeklyPostcard!

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Leah at

Nuremberg has been on my list for a long time! I would love to visit the Art Bunker and explore as much WWII history as possible. I had no idea that parts of Nuremberg Castle were built in 1037. I love that the castle has been largely rebuilt in its original style. It’s a must-see for me!

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