12 Cool Things To Do in Nuremberg (Beyond the Tourist Trail)

Nuremberg. The first things you’ll probably think of are the Nuremberg Rally, the Nuremberg Trials, and Nuremberg’s Christmas market. And sausages. But Nuremberg has way more going on than its history and bratwurst — and it’s worth doing both: the classic sights everyone should see, and the cooler, less touristy corners most visitors miss entirely. I spent a weekend checking out both sides of the city, and especially the Gostenhof neighborhood is really cool — as cool as Berlin, in spots.

Classic Nuremberg Sights (Yes, You Should See These Too)

Don’t skip the Old Town entirely for the sake of being “off the beaten path” — these are classics for a reason.

Kaiserburg (Nuremberg Castle)

The Imperial Castle sits on a rocky hilltop overlooking the whole city, dating back to at least 1050. Climb the Sinwell Tower for the best panoramic view in Nuremberg, and don’t skip the deep well tour inside the courtyard.

The Three Churches

Nuremberg’s Old Town is anchored by three major churches: St. Sebald (built 1215, the oldest in the city, rebuilt after WWII), St. Lorenz (Gothic facade, intricate vaulted interior), and the Frauenkirche on Hauptmarkt itself. You don’t need to go inside all three, but they’re worth a walk-by even if you’re just passing through.

Handwerkerhof and Fembo House

Handwerkerhof is a recreated medieval craftsman’s market right by the train station — touristy, sure, but genuinely one of the prettiest corners of the Old Town. The Fembo House nearby is the only historical building in the Old Town that survived WWII bombing intact, and it’s worth a look for the carved wooden furniture and ceiling paintings alone.

Hauptmarkt and the Beautiful Fountain

Nuremberg’s central market square has been the heart of local commerce for centuries. At the “Beautiful Fountain” (yes, that’s really its name), you can find two golden rings built into the fence — spin one three times and make a wish. One ring gets used mostly by tourists, the other mostly by locals; you’ll know which is which by the length of the line.

If you’d rather see it all with a guide, the Castle and Old Town Tour covers the castle, the churches, Hauptmarkt, and the Beautiful Fountain, and ends with a traditional Rotbier (red beer) tasting — a solid way to hit the highlights in about 3.5 hours.

What to Eat in Nuremberg

You can’t visit without trying the local specialties:

• Nürnberger Bratwurst — smaller than most German bratwurst, usually served “drei im Weckla” (three in a bread roll) as a quick street snack, or by the dozen with sauerkraut for a full meal.
• Elisenlebkuchen — Nuremberg’s famous gingerbread. It used to be a strictly Christmas treat, but you’ll find it in specialty shops year-round now.
• Brezen Kolb — a local pretzel chain with several Old Town locations. Plain, or stuffed with everything from brie to ham and pickles. The Äußerer Laufer Platz location has actual seating and coffee if you want to sit down.

Cool Cafés & Bars in Gostenhof

This is where Nuremberg gets genuinely interesting if you’ve already done the Old Town. Gostenhof is the city’s hipster neighborhood — think Berlin, just smaller.

Salon Regina

Salon Regina is hipster-central in Gostenhof, known locally for its Currywurst. It’s been a Nuremberg institution since 2004, and after 20 years under one owner, it changed hands in 2024 — new operators, a renovated interior (the old 50s wallpaper is gone, replaced with dark green and concrete), but the same currywurst tradition and neighborhood vibe.

Zeit & Raum

Zeit & Raum calls itself the “living room of the old town” — French-influenced menu, a fondue option, and a popular Sunday brunch (book ahead, it gets crowded). Worth knowing before you go: as of very recently, Zeit & Raum is merging with the neighboring Rote Bar into one combined venue after 24 years as separate businesses, so double-check the current setup before visiting.

Schanzenbräu Schankwirtschaft

Schanzenbräu’s Schankwirtschaft is a family-owned brewery with a rustic interior and a genuinely cozy beer garden — traditional Franconian food (bratwurst, schnitzel, Käsespätzle) alongside their own beer. Popular enough that they’ve since opened a second, smaller outpost in the city center too.

Cool Shopping in Gostenhof

Senfgelb

Senfgelb is handmade jewelry and pottery from owner Marina. Heads up: after a 2024 renovation, the shop no longer keeps regular walk-in hours — it currently runs on a Thursday click-and-collect basis, or by appointment. Check their site before making a special trip.

flex!

flex! was one of the first cool shops in Gostenhof — furniture, lamps, and accessories from the 30s through the 80s. Open Wednesday through Saturday; check their Facebook page for current stock highlights.

14,80

If you’re into vinyl, you’ll love 14,80 — over 10,000 records across every genre, plus a solid selection of hip lamps and vintage homeware if you want more than music.

Fachmarie

Fachmarie is the perfect shop if you’re looking for a gift but have no idea what to buy — mostly small-batch pieces from local artists renting shelf space.

Backyard Flea Markets

The backyard flea markets across Gostenhof are worth a wander if you love digging for bargains — yes, there’s plenty of junk, but the good finds make it worthwhile. Check the city’s event calendar for current dates.

Street Art

Finding good street art in Nuremberg takes some wandering — there’s no single mural district. Getting a little lost around Gostenhof is genuinely the best strategy.

Where to Stay

We stayed at Design Hotel Vosteen — a genuine step back into the 1950s. It’s tucked in a side street and not in Gostenhof, but it’s totally unique.

Check out our guide to Görlitz, another charming German town, for your next trip.