How to Spend ONE or TWO Days in Nuremberg, Germany: 1 or 2 Day Itinerary

Planning a short trip to Nuremberg? You’re in the right place!

Nuremberg is compact, walkable, and full of history, so one or two days is definitely enough time to get a really good feel for the city. In just one day, you can cover the big sights and learn about both its medieval past and Nazi history. With two days, you can add a more relaxed second day exploring more food spots and a few extra corners of the Old Town. 

It’s nice to have the second day, but don’t worry if you only have one! This itinerary is here to ensure you see the best of Nuremberg. We’ve planned it out to maximize your time in the city and ensure you don’t miss anything. 

Itinerary Overview

Nuremberg is a really easy city to explore in one or two days because it’s compact, walkable, and most of the main sights are in the Old Town. You definitely don’t need a rental car as you can walk between most places on this itinerary. In fact, Nuremberg is one of those cities that’s best enjoyed on foot! 

For anything further out, like the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, we recommend going with a tour. That way, you don’t need to worry about transport, and you’ll get much more context than you would by visiting alone.

Nuremberg also has a great public transport network, with buses, trains, trams, and the U-Bahn. If you’re planning to use it more than once in a day, grab a day pass, as this will usually work out cheaper! Uber is also available, which is handy late at night.

Day 1: Start with breakfast at Casa del Caffe, then discover Nuremberg’s medieval and Nazi history on a private walking tour. After lunch, visit the Imperial Castle, join an evening ghost walk, and finish with a traditional Franconian dinner and red beer.

Day 2: Wander down Weißgerbergasse Lane with a coffee, then taste your way around Nuremberg on a food tour. Spend the afternoon visiting the medieval dungeons, checking out a local museum, or relaxing in one of the city’s historic squares, before ending with dinner at a beer hall and a walk along the Pegnitz River.

Day 1

Breakfast – Casa del Caffe

Start your day at Casa del Caffe, a nice little café where you can grab coffee and breakfast before getting stuck into exploring Nuremberg.

It opens at 7 am, so it’s a handy option if you want an early start, although do note that it’s closed on Sundays. Your morning tour can meet you here, so I’d plan to arrive around 8 to 8:15 am, depending on how much time you want for breakfast before the tour begins. This gives you enough time to caffeinate, eat something, and then head out to explore the city!

Morning – Discover Nuremberg’s historic places on a private walking tour 

We think that this private walking tour is the best way to get your bearings in Nuremberg, especially if you only have one day here. It covers the city’s medieval history and its much darker Nazi history, so you get a much fuller picture than you would from just wandering around alone.

The standard tour can last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, but we recommend booking the 4-hour option if you can. This gives you enough time to see the Old Town highlights, like the city walls, Mauthalle, Hauptmarkt, St. Sebaldus Church, and the outside of the Imperial Castle, as well as some of the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds.

The tour is private, which is a big plus because you can tailor it to your interests. So if you want to spend more time on medieval Nuremberg, World War II history, or the rally grounds, just let your guide know.

It starts at 9 am, and your guide can meet you at a central location, including your hotel, the train station, or Casa del Caffe if you’ve arranged that in advance. It does tend to sell out, though, so we’d recommend taking advantage of the free cancellation policy and booking this tour ASAP!

Lunch – Bratwursthäusle

Nuremberg is famous for its sausages – in fact, they’re widely considered to be THE best type of German sausage. So naturally, you’ve got to try them while you’re here, and Bratwursthäusle is one of the best places to do it! It’s a cozy and traditional spot, but there’s also a nice outdoor patio where you can enjoy your lunch on a sunny day. 

Nuremberg sausages are small, so you can keep it light or order lots of them if you’re in the mood for a heartier meal! The sauerkraut here is really good, and they’ve got plenty of local beer to wash it down with.

Afternoon – Visit the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg 

After lunch, walk up to the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg. It’s one of the city’s most important sights, and since Nuremberg was once an important city within the Holy Roman Empire, the castle has a lot of historical significance. You probably made a quick stop by here on the morning tour, but you will want to come back to explore it in full!

You can explore the castle on a self-guided visit, which is ideal after a busy morning tour because you can go at your own pace. The audio guide is worth getting if you want more context, especially as not every sign is in English.

The combination ticket costs €10 and includes the palace with the double chapel, the Imperial Castle Museum, the Deep Well, and the Sinwell Tower. I’d allow around two hours here, especially if you want to climb the tower for the views over the Old Town.

Evening – Step into Nuremberg’s shadowy past on an evening ghost walk 

After visiting the castle, join this evening ghost walk to see a very different side of Nuremberg. I always think ghost tours are such a fun way to explore a city, especially somewhere as atmospheric as this!

Of course, Nuremberg has a lot of serious history to unpack, but this tour focuses more on spooky legends, sinister characters, and eerie stories from the city’s past. You’ll pass landmarks like Hauptmarkt, Nuremberg City Hall, Kaiserburg Castle, Albrecht Dürer House, and Hangman’s Bridge, but with a much darker storytelling angle than you’d get during a normal daytime walk.

The group tour usually runs at 5 pm, which works well after the castle, as the meeting point is only about a 7-minute walk away. There’s also a 7:45 pm private option if you’d rather make it more personal, in which case you can just swap dinner around and eat beforehand.

Either way, this is a fun evening activity that adds something a little different to your first day. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, obviously, but the storytelling makes it feel entertaining rather than too heavy. It’s also highly rated – you can read the glowing reviews here!

Dinner – Wirtshaus Hütt’n

For dinner, head to Wirtshaus Hütt’n, a traditional Franconian restaurant close to Hausbrauerei Altstadthof. This is a great place to try Schäuferle, one of the most classic dishes in Nuremberg and the wider Franconia region. It’s a hearty roast pork dish, usually served with crispy skin, rich gravy, and dumplings, so come hungry!

Today involves a lot of walking, so this cozy spot is ideal for dinner tonight. With its wooden and red brick interior, it feels quintessentially German, and the staff are very friendly and welcoming. What’s not to love?

Night – Grab a beer at Hausbrauerei Altstadthof 

Since Wirtshaus Hütt’n is right next door to Hausbrauerei Altstadthof, it would feel rude not to stop by for a beer after dinner!

Nuremberg is known for its traditional red beer. It’s a darker, maltier beer style that has been brewed in the city for centuries, and what better way to end your day of exploring than with a beloved local specialty?

The brewery itself is a fun spot, too, with a traditional wooden interior as well as an outdoor courtyard for the warmer months. Prost! 

Day 2

Morning – Wander through Weißgerbergasse Lane 

Start your second day with a wander down Weißgerbergasse Lane, one of the prettiest streets in Nuremberg. It’s lined with colorful half-timbered houses, cafés, and little shops, so it’s a lovely place for a morning stroll!

I recommend starting at BERGBRAND Kaffeebar and grabbing a coffee, then working your way down the street from there. Just don’t go too big on breakfast, because there’s a hearty food tour coming up at 10:45 am!

Most shops won’t open until around 9 am, so there’s no need to arrive super early. Aim for a gentle start, grab your coffee, take some photos, and enjoy one of the most charming corners of the Old Town before heading over to meet your food tour.

Mid-day – Taste your way around Nuremberg

After your morning on Weißgerbergasse Lane, walk over to St. Lorenz Church to meet your guide for this Nuremberg food tour. It’s about a 12-minute walk, and the tour runs from 10:45 am to 2:15 pm, so this will be your lunch today!

I love food tours because they’re never just about eating. They tell you so much about the local culture, history, and day-to-day life, and this one is a great way to experience Nuremberg beyond the main sights!

Nuremberg’s food culture is really distinctive, too. The Franconia region has its own unique food culture, with regional dishes and flavors that are quite different from what you’ll find elsewhere in Germany. This tour is a real celebration of what makes Franconian food so special, and you’ll get to try beloved local specialties like Nuremberg sausages, Schäufele, local beer, and Lebkuchen. Lebkuchen is Nuremberg’s famous gingerbread, so it would feel wrong to leave the city without trying it!

The tour includes a full meal spread across several stops, which makes it a great-value lunch option. You’ll also explore Mitte, the southern part of the Old Town, which is ideal because most of Day 1 focuses on the northern side.

Having a local guide makes a big difference, too, because they can explain what you’re eating, why it matters, and where locals actually like to go. We didn’t just leave full, we left with a much better feel for the city as a whole!

Afternoon – Your choice! 

After your food tour, the afternoon is yours to do what you’d like! You can spend some time wandering through Nuremberg on foot, revisit any spots you loved earlier in the trip, or use this time to add one more museum or historic site before dinner.

Here are a few good options:

• Visit Mittelalterliche Lochgefängnisse: These medieval dungeons are one of the most interesting historic sites in Nuremberg. If you haven’t visited them yet, this is a great time to go, as English guided tours usually run at 3:15, 4:15, and 5:15 pm, which works really well after the food tour.

• Visit another local museum: If you’ve already seen the dungeons and want another museum option, check out the German Railway Museum or the Germanisches Nationalmuseum. The railway museum is great if you’re interested in trains and transport history, while the Germanisches Nationalmuseum is better if you want art, culture, and German history.

• Take a break in one of the city’s squares: Nuremberg has some lovely historic squares, and by this point in the itinerary, there’s absolutely no shame in sitting down with a coffee or beer and just enjoying the city for a bit – in fact, I think that’s a great use of your time! Tiergärtnertorplatz, Hauptmarkt, and Albrecht-Dürer-Platz are all good options.

Dinner – Tucher Cellar Nuremberg

For dinner, head to Tucher Cellar Nuremberg, a traditional beer hall where you can finish the day with hearty food and a local beer. This is a great option after a flexible afternoon because you don’t need to make a reservation – you can just turn up and enjoy the atmosphere! This place feels very local and casual, which I think is ideal for your final meal in Nuremberg.

As you’d expect, this place has lots of filling German classics on the menu, including Nuremberg sausages and mashed potatoes, schnitzel, pork knuckle, and baked ham. They even offer vegan bratwurst! The drinks menu is extensive, too, and if you’ve had enough beer by now, you can always order wine or an Aperol Spritz. 

Evening – Take a walk along the Pegnitz River

Finish your last night in Nuremberg with a walk along the Pegnitz River. It’s such a nice way to see the city from a different angle, especially after dinner when the Old Town starts to feel a bit quieter.

In summer, sunset is pretty late, usually around 9 to 9:30 pm, so you can still catch the last bit of light as you walk. The river views are really pretty, and it’s a lovely low-effort way to end the trip without trying to cram in one more big activity.

If it’s not too late, stop by Eiscafé Sirena for an ice cream along the way. It usually stays open until around 8 or 9 pm, so it’s worth checking if you fancy one last sweet treat before calling it a night.

Where to Stay in Nuremberg

Altstadt South is the best area to stay in Nuremberg for easy access to the city’s top attractions. You’ll be within walking distance of historic landmarks, great restaurants, and the main train station, making it a convenient base for exploring. Just be sure to book early if you’re visiting during peak season, as hotels in this central location tend to fill up quickly.

Here are three excellent Altstadt South hotels for every budget!

Hotel VICTORIA Nürnberg – $$$

Our favorite luxury pick for Altstadt South is Hotel VICTORIA Nürnberg. This charmingly historic 4-star hotel is nestled right in the heart of the historic Old Town, and it’s actually been hosting guests since 1896 (so cool!).  Even though the building is well over 125 years old, the rooms are modern and comfortable. You’re also just 100 meters from the main train station, which is just so convenient!

Pricewise, you can expect prices to start around €82 per night and climb to €450+ per night, depending on the season, which is excellent value for such a gorgeous, centrally-located building. Check availability and book your stay at Hotel VICTORIA here!

Melter Hotel & Apartments – $$

Another excellent hotel in the area is the Melter Hotel & Apartments. Like many hotels in Nuremberg, the Melter is set inside a beautifully restored listed building, so you get a nice mix of historic character on the outside with modern, stylish interiors on the inside. 

What we really love about this hotel is that many rooms come with fully equipped kitchenettes, which is super handy to have on a city break! You’ll also have access to a small fitness area, plus the excellent Monkī ramen restaurant right downstairs.

In terms of pricing, you can expect rates for this hotel to typically start around €100 and climb to €160+ per night during peak seasons. See the latest room rates and book your stay here!

Avenue Hotel – $

If you’re looking for something a bit more budget-friendly in Altstadt South, we recommend the Avenue Hotel, located on Josephsplatz. We love this hotel because it’s within easy walking distance of major attractions like the Kaiserburg (Imperial Castle) and St. Lorenz Church. However, it’s still tucked away from some of the busiest, more tourist-heavy streets. 

The Avenue is also known for its generous continental breakfast buffet, which is always appreciated before a full day of sightseeing! You can expect rates for this hotel to range from €85 to €275+ per night, depending on the season. Browse current prices and secure your stay on your preferred dates here!

For even more great options, check out all the hotels listed for Nuremberg here!

Thanks for reading!

We hope this 1 or 2-day Nuremberg itinerary helps you make the most of your time in one of Germany’s most fascinating cities! From exploring the medieval Old Town and Imperial Castle to learning about the city’s WWII history, tasting famous Nuremberg sausages and gingerbread, and strolling along the Pegnitz River, these are the experiences that made us fall in love with Nuremberg.

Before you head off, be sure to check out our other Germany travel guides for more itinerary ideas, favorite tours, restaurant recommendations, and helpful planning tips. We’ve also got plenty more travel guides waiting for you below!

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