Attractions Nearby Nuremberg, Day Trips and Excursions

(Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany)

Nuremberg is thought by many to be the ideal base for exploration of the area's surrounding attractions, being particularly close to many medieval towns and bustling cities. Within reach of Nuremberg and a popular short break, rather than an actual day trip, the cultural attractions at Frankfurt should not be overlooked and include a wealth of museums.

The holiday region of Franconian Switzerland is also close to Nuremberg and the main attractions here include Castle Road, a scenic route and major thoroughfare, which stretches across this part of the country and passes spectacular scenery along the way. Also nearby are a number of prominent cities, which include Erlangen, Fürth, Munich and Stuttgart. The main attractions close to Nuremberg are detailed below.

Frankfurt Am Main

One of Germany's most famous cities, Frankfurt is around three hours away, standing approximately 217 km / 135 miles north-west of Nuremberg. Frankfurt has a population of more than 650,000 people and is centred around the Main River, which splits the northern region of the city and features numerous pleasure boats. An important financial centre, Frankfurt is full of tourist attractions, such as the Main Tower, the central square of Römerberg, the Frankfurter Dom, the city zoo and the many museums, which are clustered along the river's southern bank.

Erlangen

A city of over 100,000 inhabitants, Erlangen lies just over 21 km / 13 miles north of Nuremberg, where the River Regnitz and its prominent tributary meet. With a major university featuring around 25,000 students, further attractions include the historic architecture around Old Town Erlangen and the yearly Bergkirchweih beer festival, which attracts more than one million people each year, being spread over 12 days.

Munich

Munich is a major city and whilst it's not located down the road, it can be reached in just over two hours, lying around 168 km / 105 miles south of Nuremberg. With a population of around 1.2 million and many truly world-class attractions, Munich is a must-see city and has become a popular excursion for Nuremberg tourists. Whilst here, be sure to visit the historic Old Town quarter (Altstadt), the former royal palace of Residenz and its many theatres and museums, the major shopping district around Neuhauser Strasse, and the many traditional eateries around the Platzl quarter.

Feucht

Whilst Feucht may only be a relatively small town, with a population of just 15,000 people, it is only 19 km / 12 miles from Nuremberg and can be reached in less than 30 minutes. Feucht features a number of attractions, of which the Hermann Oberth Space Travel Museum stands out as the best. The rockets and astronomical exhibits at the museum are particularly interesting and appeal to all ages.

Stuttgart

Situated 211 km / 131 miles south-west of Nuremberg, Stuttgart is home to around 600,000 residents and a wealth of parks, green areas and forested hills. Stuttgart is perhaps most famous for its Mercedes Benz factory, while other attractions include more than 500 vineyards, the beautiful Schlossplatz and its numerous fountains, the walking trails and zoo within the Royal Gardens (Rosensteinpark), and one of the premier planetariums in the whole of Germany.

Fürth

Often considered a suburb of Nuremberg, the city of Fürth is a mere 8 km / 5 miles west of Nuremberg and features around 115,000 inhabitants. Much of Fürth remained intact following the Second World War and therefore, many of the best attractions are based in the Old Town area and include plenty of historic 17th- and 18th-century buildings. The main museums in Fürth include the Jewish Museum, the Fürth Radio Museum, the Town Museum (Stadtmuseum) and also the Kunst Galerie, a modern art gallery with various exhibitions, situated on the Königsplatz.

Herzogenaurach

The Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach can be found around 24 km / 15 miles north-west of Nuremberg and within the Erlangen-Höchstadt district. Home to a population of approximately 25,000 locals, much of Herzogenaurach's prosperity has been gained through its sporting industry, with both Puma and Adidas playing an important part of the economy.

Ansbach

Around 60 km / 37 miles south-west of nearby Nuremberg, Ansbach is an appealing baroque-style town and capital of the Middle Franconia region. With an impressive old quarter and plenty of historical buildings, the Margrave's Palace is amongst the main attractions, dating back to the latter part of the 18th century and boasting almost 30 grand staterooms and an outstanding banqueting hall. Whilst in the town, also look out for the Margrave Museum, the Kaspar Hauser Monument and the two 15th-century churches.