Tours

Tour of the Old Town (Altstadt)

The Altstadt, or Old Town, is the district favoured most by visitors. By 1945, the war had taken its toll with over 90% of the area having been reduced to rubble. By the 1950s, it had been painstakingly rebuilt with extra effort paid to a resurrection in harmony with its original character. Because the Old Town is compact and almost entirely pedestrianized, your feet are truly your best mode of transport. This tour of the core of the city (surrounded by a city wall) has been sectioned into two parts, in the hope of facilitating easy navigation. However, the river Pegnitz also serves to identify the Sebald Quarter and the Lorenz Quarter, each of which is named after its main parish churches.

The Sebalder District

Begin at the lookout point which is between the Castle's Sinnwell Tower and the Youth Hostel. From here, the Old Town stretches out in front and on a clear day, you can see for miles. The steps leading from the castle are met by the foot of the Burgstraße (the Castle Road), which leads directly to the Hauptmarkt (Main Market). Whilst walking down this hill, a beautiful house greets you on your right. Stop to take a look if you have time: this is the Fembohaus, home to the Museum, which was only recently re-opened. Carry on walking and you will soon see the Town Hall to your left, just before the market. The main attraction in the Town Hall is the medieval Mittelalterlichen, Lochgefängnisse ('Hole' prisons), where many a prisoner was tortured. They can be viewed as part of a guided tour.

A right turn at the foot of the Rock on which the castle stands will bring you to the heart of the castle district, via the Ölberg. The square at the end of this lane is the Tiergärtnertorplatz. This cobble-stoned arena is a favourite meeting-point, especially in the summer months and you can often spot lively goings on here, with the odd busker providing live music. The half-timbered house opposite the Gate in the city wall is the Albrecht Dürerhaus. A master painter and epitome of Renaissance Man type, Dürer once lived here with his wife Agnes. Next walk down the Bergstraße, a small winding street that is home to many an antique shop and the Wirtschaft Zum Sudhaus restaurant. This is an upmarket venue and Germany's former Chancellor wined and dined France's President Jaques Chirac here. At the end of the Bergstraße stands the city's original parish church, the Church of St. Seebald. Concerts are staged throughout the year, especially during the International Organ Week.

Heading away from the main entrance, about 150 metres out, you will spot a lane called the Weißgerbergasse. During medieval times, the area's picturesque half-timbered houses were inhabited by artisans. Walk to the end of the lane and you will see the river Pegnitz, spanned by the Kettensteg. To get to the Hauptmarkt, turn left and walk straight ahead.

Should you walked along the side of the church, you will find yourself opposite the Town Hall. A right turn brings you to the Hauptmarkt, featuring attractions such as Nuremberg's main Catholic Church, the Church of Our Lady. During Advent, the market is bursting at the seams with people from all over the globe. Why? Because of the world-famous Christkindlesmarkts.

The Lorenz District

Now walk away from the Hauptmarkt, pass the Church of Our Lady towards the river Pegnitz and cross the Museumsbrücke (Museum Bridge). If you look to the left you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Heilig Geist Spital, which is partly built over the river. Once a hospital, it today houses a restaurant known for its fine, regional cuisine. Once you have crossed the bridge, you can turn left and walk beside the river, leading to the Katharinenruine, the CineCitta and the Natural History Museum.

Further on lies a lively square, flanked by the Lorenzkirche, from which the district takes its name. This is the commercial focal point of the city. Right of the church's main entrance, the Tugendbrunnen stands next to a large tower-like 13th century house: the Nassauer Haus. This is the city's oldest private house. Fancy a spot of shopping? Head towards the Karolinenstraße or the Breite Gasse, Nuremberg's two main pedestrianised streets. Those keen to learn of Germany's history and culture, should turn left by the main entrance of the church and walk along the Pfannenschmiedgasse.

Eventually, a distinctive building known as the Mauthalle (former medieval Customs headquarters) will come into view, as will the Hallplatz. Walk across this square until you reach the Kornmarkt. This is the site of the Germanic National Museum. Even if museums are not your cup of tea, do take a good look at the architecture from the main foyer and stroll along the Straße der Menschenrechte (Path of Human Rights). The Kornmarkt leads onto the Schumacherstraße (the right side of the forked road) which in turn meets the Jakobsplatz. Here, two very different churches, the Protestant Church of St. Jakob and the Catholic St. Elisabeth stand opposite each other.

This is the end of our tour through the Old Town. There is plenty to see and if you get lost along the way, don't hesitate to ask one of the friendly and helpful locals. Once you've glanced down at the Old Town from the Castle, you'll gain a good idea of Nuremberg's layout. The area within the city walls really isn't that big and you can also use the two main parish churches' steeples as guiding points.

The Former Nazi Party Rally Grounds

To get to this area take Tram number 9 to Luitpoldhain, the last stop. There is also an interesting exhibition known as Fascination and Terror (Fazination und Gewalt) which serves to illustrate Nuremberg's connection with the Hitler era. Guided tours of the Former Nazi Party Rally Grounds run between April and November. Each tour lasts about 2 hours and is very informative. You should, however, note that most of these are in German and as such can be quite challenging to someone not fluent in the language.

If you want to be adventurous, then contact the Fliegerclub, an aviation club that organises aerial tours of Nuremberg and its surrounding regions. What better way to get an overview than from the air?