2 Nights in Nuremberg, Germany

Nuremberg: An Instant Favorite

I visited Nuremberg nearly 20 years ago during the 2006 World Cup. I don’t remember much from that trip as a kid, and I was hoping this might spark some memories. Some places have an uncanny way of making you feel something. Whatever it was - decent sleep, returning to a place I visited as a kid, resolving some issues with my relocation - right away Nuremberg felt different.

You can literally walk and drive right through the old castle gates and walls. First order of business? Wander. I went to the castle overlook. Solid views, easy to get to, and just one of those spots that reminds you why you travel in the first place.

I settled in at a medieval themed restaurant called Im Keller for dinner under a set of poleaxes on the wall, yikes—sheep’s cheese with bread, marinated beef with potato dumplings, and of course, a couple of Kellerbiers straight from the barrel. It’s oddly refreshing when a waiter just knows what beer you should get and doesn’t overcomplicate it. Some table-side live music started up around 9:15—mostly American stuff because they know their audience. But it was still great for the atmosphere and experience. 

After wandering my way back towards the hotel, I stopped at Hotel Drei Raben for more music - a DJ and saxophone duo for a sidewalk party. Sometimes, things just click and everything seems to fit into place. Whatever it was, Nuremberg gave me a jolt of energy, and I loved it immediately.

Saturday: Castles, Fresh Cuts, and My Favorite Street Performer Ever

I was up early—7:45—and out by 8:30 to hit Nuremberg Castle. Pro tip: get there right when it opens at 9AM. By 10, the tours start rolling in, and it’s a zoo. I had the place mostly to myself for a while, took my time reading through the history, and soaked it in. You could get through it in 45 minutes if you’re just breezing by, but I spent about 90 minutes there. 

I decided to get a haircut. Normally, I cut my own hair and I haven’t had someone else cut my hair in 8 years. This guy did a great job and even gave me a straight razor shave. 

Next up was the Documentation Center at the Nazi Party Rally Grounds. Definitely heavy stuff, but worth seeing. You can get through it in about an hour if you’re reading most of the exhibits, pending giant tour groups crowding the sections. 

Later, I headed back to the main square near the castle tunnel. It started pouring, but I didn’t mind—I grabbed a couple beers and sat listening to a street musician for an hour. It's helpful that open container is allowed here. That moment was honestly one of my favorites. So simple and serendipitous. 

At one point, I tried to grab a beer from a vending machine - yes, they have beer vending machines, but it wasn’t working. Some random guy stepped in to help—said he "knew the owners" and brought me a few doors down to a bar where "they know me." Classic, trying to get tourists to buy him drinks. He suggested a beer, I took his advice, and ended up with a full liter that I drank at the bar. They have a deposit on glasses and takeaway containers that you can return for anywhere from 2-5 euros. 

I ended up chatting with the bartender for a bit—she was Italian, moved to Germany for better pay (double, actually), and goes on one vacation a year. Last month was Albania. She speaks Italian, German, Spanish, English, a bit of Arabic, and some French. It was nice to get a different perspective from people living in the EU and where they want to live and why. 

Sunday: Wrapping It Up

Sunday was slow—short walk, coffee and a croissant at a local cafe, then packed up and checked out. Killed a bit of time before heading to the bus station, grabbed a dürüm döner wrap, and waited for my bus.

One last weird observation: more people in Germany say “Ciao” than in Spain, which seems weird. Maybe they just thought I was Spanish?.

Nuremberg was a win. I’d come back in a heartbeat—great beer, good energy, and a city that just clicks right away. It was much better than Stuttgart in my opinion, but it probably helped that I had a bit of a plan going into it instead of winging it like I did in Stuttgart. If your schedule is tight and you only have 2 nights, have a look at my itinerary. I had plenty of time for random, unplanned activities, and I felt like I was able to see a lot.

Nuremberg 2-Day Itinerary

Friday Evening: Arrive & Explore

• ~6:00–7:30 PM:
  • Check into hotel.
  • Take an evening stroll around the Old Town.
  • Visit Hauptmarkt (Main Market Square) to see the Schöner Brunnen (Trier’s Fountain) lit up.
  • Optional: Dinner nearby (e.g., Bratwurst Röslein).

Saturday: Full Day of Activities

• 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Nuremberg Castle (Kaiserburg)
  • Explore the castle grounds, tower, and museum.
  • Enjoy panoramic views of the city.
• 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Albrecht Dürer’s House & Tanner’s Lane (Weißgerbergasse)
  • Quick visit to Albrecht Dürer’s House.
  • Stroll through Tanner’s Lane with its half-timbered houses.
• 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch Break
• 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM: City Walls & Towers Walk
  • Walk along the city walls.
  • Visit Handwerkerhof (Craftsmen’s Courtyard) at Königstor.
  • Pass/see towers like Spittlertor or Frauentor.
• 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM: Lorenzkirche (St. Lawrence Church)
  • Visit the impressive Gothic church.
• 3:15 PM – 5:15 PM: Optional Museum Stop
  • Choose from:
    • Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds (15 min tram ride).
    • Germanisches Nationalmuseum (5–7 min walk).
    • Toy Museum (close by).
• Evening:
  • Dinner and drinks in the Old Town.

Sunday Morning: Leisurely Wrap-Up

• 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM:
  • Revisit a favorite spot or enjoy a relaxed breakfast and final stroll.
• 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM:
  • Return to the hotel to collect belongings and prepare to depart.