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Overlooking the city of Nuremberg, high on a sandstone outcrop, is one of the most important medieval fortresses in all of Germany, and a favorite crash pad for Holy Roman Emperors! Visiting Nuremberg Castle makes for an amazing day filled with almost a thousand years of history. It has undergone an impressive post-WWII restoration, and I was absolutely blown away at how many things there are to see and do in this amazing castle complex!
A Brief History of Nuremberg Castle 🏰
Why is Nuremberg Castle important?
Nuremberg Castle isn’t just a fortress—it was the seat of emperors and a strong symbol of medieval power, playing a crucial role in the governance of the Holy Roman Empire. The castle was never breached in its working life, and although it suffered extensive damage in World War II, it maintains its integrity as one of the best representations of a German medieval castle.
Who built Nuremberg Castle?
The first fortress located on this strategic site was the brain child Emporer Henry III in the mid-11th century. From the 1100s to the 1500s it served as a part-time imperial residence for Emperors and their entourages as they passed through the neighborhood.
Which emperors lived in Nuremberg Castle?
No emperor permanently resided at Nuremberg Castle, but the castle was a very important stop as they traveled between the key cities that allowed them to govern their huge empire.
Emperors who were known for staying at Nuremberg Castle began with Conrad III who reigned from 1138 to 1152; Frederick I Barbarossa (1155-1190); Frederick II (1220-1250); Charles IV (1346-1378); Sigismund (1410-1437); Frederick III (1440-1493); Maximillian I (1493-1519) and Charles V (1519-1556). Pretty impressive!
After the reign of Charles V, Nuremberg Castle became less important, as emperors began to centralize their power in Vienna and Prague.
What happened to Nuremberg Castle during WWII?
Nuremberg was a huge Nazi stronghold during World War II. Well-attended Nazi rallies were held at the rally grounds there, and Hitler had a strong administrative presence. As a result, Nuremberg became a major target for Allied bombing, and unfortunately the castle fell under heavy bombardment by the British Royal Air Force, and was almost entirely destroyed.
Restoration and what you will experience today
After the war, the original parts of the structure that remained were carefully salvaged. The rest was meticulously reconstructed with a commitment to preserving its medieval appearance. They did an amazing job! And there are still parts of the original to be seen including floors and even painted walls.
Visiting Nuremberg Castle: Your Complete Guide 📒
Planning a trip to Nuremberg? If you are, chances are that visiting Nuremberg Castle is going to be on your must-see list. Here’s all the information you need to know to plan your visit!
📍 Location: The castle can be found in the northwest section of Nuremberg’s Old Town. Here’s its exact location. You can purchase entrance tickets at the far end of the courtyard, past the café.
⏰ Opening Hours:
- April–September: 9 AM – 6 PM
- October–March: 10 AM – 4 PM
- Closed on: December 24th and 31st
💰 Entry Fee:
- Castle + Museum + Tower: €7.00
- Reduced (students, seniors): €6.00
- Family Ticket: €15.00
🐶 Dog-Friendly?
Dogs are allowed in the castle courtyard only, and must be on a leash.
✈️ How to Get There
- 🚆 By Train: The Nuremberg Hauptbahnhof (main train station) is right in the center of Nuremberg, and you can search here to find the best connection from your location.
- 🚗 By Car: Nuremberg Old Town is pretty much a pedestrian zone, but you can find parking fairly near Nuremberg Castle.
- 🚶 By Foot: It’s a not-too-steep scenic 10-minute walk up the road to the castle from the Old Town, and a 25 minute walk from the main train station.
Top Things to See While Visiting Nuremberg Castle
🔹 Imperial Palace (main attraction)
The palace itself is incredible. Despite the huge amount that is restored, you can still see original floors, and even some rooms with the original polychrome paint on walls and ceilings that has survived for centuries. And the views from the palace into the courtyard allow you to transport yourself back in time to imagine Emperors and royal court members doing just the same.
🔹 Deep Well (more interesting than it sounds!)
As you walk through the courtyard to go to the ticket office, you’ll see two towers, the shorter of which protects the historic 14th-century ‘deep well’ (165 feet, 50 meters) which provided the water supply for the castle during sieges.
Looking at a well may sound like watching paint dry, but trust me – don’t miss it! You’ll have to go in to the well house with a guide, and tours last about 15 minutes. You’ll hear the fascinating story of the deep well, and get two cool demonstrations of how deep this deep well actually is. One involves a pitcher of water, and the other a candle-lit chandelier.
And don’t forget to check out the little display case inside, filled with all kinds of things that have been retrieved from the well over the years!
🔹Sinwell Tower (best views)
The second of the two towers you’ll see in the courtyard is the Sinwell (round) tower. This former observation and defensive tower doesn’t require a guide so you can enter and climb it at any time during your visit. It does have about 120 narrow stairs, so if you have mobility issues, it may not be for you. But if you can, you should. You’ll get an incredible 360-degree panoramic view of Nuremberg with its old rooftops and monuments clearly visible.
The upper areas house an exhibition about the tower, the destruction and reconstruction of the castle and surroundings after WWII, and photos mounted by the windows so you can compare ‘then and now’ views of the city.
🔹 Kaiserburg Museum (medieval artifacts)
The Kaiserburg Museum is located within the main palace, and encompasses several floors.
Here you’ll find all kinds of interesting medieval artifacts from glassware, to scientific instruments, to suits of armour and weaponry. The museum does a great job of allowing you to explore medieval life in the Holy Roman Empire, and the historical importance of Nuremberg. My favorite item was one of the original medieval doors which you can see right before you exit.
You’ll see replicas of imperial regalia, armor, weapons, globes and scientific instruments, and original castle artifacts including a huge oak door from the 1600s. You’ll also find some original floors, and even some polychrome painting on walls and ceilings which has survived.
🔹 Maria Sibylla Merian Garden
This incredible little walled garden is like something out of a novel. It is named after the famous artist and naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian who lived and worked in the city of Nuremberg from 1668-1682. She lived in a house right next to the castle and she used this small garden for her plant and insect studies.
Opening Hours of the Maria Sibylla Merian Garden:
April to September: Sundays + Mondays 2 pm-6 pm
October: Sundays + Mondays 2 pm-4 pm
November to March: closed
🔹 Nuremberg Castle Gardens
The gardens are a newer addition to the castle and not part of the original medieval fortifications. After the castle was no longer used for defensive purposes and beautiful Renaissance and Baroque landscaping became popular, the gardens were added.
They occupy the space outside the castle walls that used to be the moat! Today they offer beautiful views and a less crowded peaceful spot within the castle complex. There are stone terraces, pathways, hedges, and flowers, and it’s a nice spot for some beautiful photos, and great views of Nuremberg.
The gardens are outside the castle, and free to enter.
🔶 Secret Passages and Tunnels! (separate tour that meets down the hill)
This tour, which actually takes you inside the walls of the castle, is not included with your regular ticket purchase for visiting Nuremberg Castle. You will need to purchase tickets separately.
A guide will escort you into the secret passages (casements) inside the castle walls! Here you’ll see tunnels, and chambers, and places where medieval weapons were stored. You’ll also get some castle history and learn about construction methods that made the castle safe from cannon balls.
Tours of the secret passages and tunnels are available in English and German.
📍 Meeting Point: In front of the entrance of the Historischer Kunstbunker, Obere Schmiedgasse 52. Click here for a map of the meeting location.
⏰ Duration: About one hour
💰 Entry Fee: €11 per person
✅ RESERVE your Secret Passages and Tunnels tickets now! (tours tend to sell out)
📷 Best Photography Spots at Nuremberg Castle
📍 Sinwell Tower Viewpoint
📍 Castle Walls at Sunset
📍 Palace views from the Courtyard
🛎️ Can You Stay at Nuremberg Castle?
Sadly, unless you’re the Holy Roman Emperor out surveying your empire, you’re out of luck. But there are many fantastic places to stay in Nuremberg that are right in the heart of everything you’ll want to see, and near the castle!
Boutique Hotel Elch (Charm!)
My personal favorite is the historic Hotel Elch which is only an 8 minute walk through the heart of the scenic Old Town from the castle. It’s loaded with charm, comfortable, clean, has a great breakfast, and the hospitality is top notch. You can read my full review of Hotel Elch if you want all the details!
Hampton by Hilton (Convenience to train, and points!)
If you are bringing bags and want to crash right near the train station, I’d recommend the Hampton Inn. At first I was worried it might be too noisy, but that wasn’t the case. It was a great deal, clean, conveniently located and you can earn those Hilton points! It’s also got several room options (although the pullout sofa bed option wasn’t super comfortable), a fitness center, a bar that serves drinks and light snacks, private parking, and a full breakfast buffet.
BONUS: Both are dog-friendly! 🐾
Best Time for Visiting Nuremberg Castle
Spring & Summer: Best weather, longer opening hours, best for morning visits
Autumn: Fewer crowds, beautiful foliage, cozy tavern weather
Winter: Visiting Nuremberg Castle during the world-famous Nuremberg Christmas Market is a dream! 🎄
🚨 Tip: Buy skip-the-line tickets during peak season
FAQs About Nuremberg Castle
How much time do you need for visiting Nuremberg Castle?
Of course this is totally subjective, but I’d say figure 2-2.5 hours at the castle complex to get a good visit including the museum, the Sinwell Tower and the Deep Well.
Can you go inside Nuremberg Castle?
Yes, you can enter the museum which is in the castle, but some areas of the castle are not open to the public.
What if I have mobility issues?
Check out the official website of the castle which has a great page explaining accessibility to all areas of the castle complex.
Does Nuremberg Castle have guided tours?
There are no organized guided tours of the castle itself, but you can either roam free and read the signage which is mostly in German and English, or you can purchase an audio guide with your ticket, which is available for €2 in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian or Czech.
Best restaurants near Nuremberg Castle?
🍰 The Castle Bakery (Bäckerei) – on site
If you’re feeling a little hungry after all your castle exploration, definitely stop in at the Castle Bakery which is right in the courtyard. As a matter of fact, I dare you to just look at the pasty cases and not get a slice of cake! And yes, they’re as good as they look! During Christmas, they even sell castle-themed gingerbread/lebkuchen.
🍖 Wirtshaus Hütt’n – Bergstraße 20, 90403 Nürnberg
5 minute walk from the castle – Reservations recommended
We found this charming place thanks to a tip from a local antique dealer. We asked where the best place to eat was, and he didn’t even hesitate with his recommendation. He also told us to get the Schaufele. We didn’t even know what that was at the time, but we do now! Think of fall-of-the-bone pork shoulder with crispy skin like a fried pork rind. Add some dumplings and gravy, and heaven awaits!
While you’re waiting for your table, you can order a glass of “Smoky George,” a local smoked beer, or a shot of their high-octane schnaps!
🐾 Dogs are allowed in the bar area, which also has a few tables.
They are closed on Tuesdays.
🍛 Augustiner Zur Schranke – Beim Tiergärtnertor 3, 90403 Nürnberg
4 minute walk from the castle – Reservations recommended
If you’re into historic buildings and scrumptious hearty tavern fare, I highly recommend this one. The history of the establishment is printed on the menu and dates back to the xxxxx century! Damage from WWII was extensive, but amazingly the skeleton of timbers was intact and the new place was built with the old bones!
They also have lovely outdoor eating in the summer, and are located right in the middle of one of the most scenic spots in all of Nuremberg’s Old Town.
They are open daily from 11:00 am – 11:00 pm.
🍺 Finya’s Tavern
10 minute walk from the castle – Reservations recommended
This place is absolutely a one-of-a-kind experience you will never forget. It’s as close as you will ever get to a full-on medieval tavern experience. Long benches of dark wood, stews and soups, huge steins of beer, genuine medieval surroundings (not kitschy stuff), and actual lanterns and candle light.
We’ve eaten here multiple times and always have a blast. The food is amazing, the staff is friendly, and we always end up meeting interesting people. They are open for dinner only.
They open at 5pm, and are closed on Sunday and Monday.
🍜 Engelhardt’s Bio Restaurant – Irrerstraße 9, 90403 Nürnberg
This may sound crazy, but if you’ve had your fill of German food and you’ve got a Thai food craving, have I got the place for you! I’m picky about my Thai food, and this place delivered! I raved to the waitress and she said that the chef is from Thailand so everything is authentic, and not “Germanized.”
The food is locally organically sourced as well, and absolutely delicious, with many vegetarian options! They open at 5pm, and are closed Sundays, Mondays, and holidays.
So, is Nuremberg Castle Worth Visiting?
✅ Yes! If you’re like me and you love medieval history and architecture, photo ops galore, secret gardens and passageways, and a nice piece of cake and a coffee, visiting Nuremberg Castle is a must-do. There is so much to see and do in Nuremberg, but visiting Nuremberg Castle should be on the top of your list!
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