Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [311]
Cross the Karlsbrücke to enjoy a view of the Weinstadel (14), an old wine depot overlooking the river. Continue across the Henkersteg (Hangman’s Bridge) and wend your way south to Vordere Ledergasse, which leads west to the amazing Ehekarussell Brunnen (15; Click here), with its outrageous images of married life. Head east on Ludwigsplatz past the Peter-Henlein-Brunnen (16; Click here), with a statue of the first watchmaker, and proceed along Karolinenstrasse to reach the city’s oldest house, Nassauer Haus (17) at No 2, and the massive Lorenzkirche (18; Click here), a 15th-century tabernacle with a suspended carving of the Annunciation. The Tugendbrunnen (19; Click here), Fountain of the Seven Virtues, is on the north side of the church.
Continuing north up Königstrasse will return you to the Hauptmarkt, your starting point.
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Tours
English-language Old Town walking tours (adult/child under 14yr €9/free; 1pm May-Oct) are run by the tourist office, and include admission to the Kaiserburg. Tours leave from the Hauptmarkt branch (Click here) and take 2½ hours.
Other organised tours:
History for Everyone ( 307 360; www.geschichte-fuer-alle.de) Intriguing range of themed English-language tours by a nonprofit association. The ‘Albrecht Dürer’ and ‘Life in Medieval Nuremberg’ tours come highly recommended.
Nuremberg Tours ( 0176-8009 2402; www.nurembergtours.com; tours adult/concession €18/15; 11am Mon, Thu & Sat mid-Apr–mid-Oct, Thu & Sun mid-Oct–Dec) Four-hour walking and public transport tours taking in the city centre and the Reichsparteitagsgelände. Groups meet at the entrance to the Hauptbahnhof.
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Festivals & Events
From late November to Christmas Eve, the Hauptmarkt is taken over by the most famous Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas Market; www.christkindles markt.de) in Germany. Yuletide shoppers descend on the ‘Christmas City’ from all over Europe to seek out unique gifts at the scores of colourful timber trinket stalls that fill the square. The aroma of Lebkuchen (large, soft, spicy biscuits), mulled wine and roast sausages permeates the chilly air, while special festive events take place on the square and at other venues around town.
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NUREMBERG FOR KIDS
No city in Bavaria has more for kids to see and do than Nuremberg. In fact keeping the little ’uns entertained in the Franconian capital is child’s play.
Museums
Children & Young People’s Museum ( 600 0410; www.kindermuseum-nuernberg.de; Michael-Ende-Strasse 17; adult/family €5.80/17; 2-5.30pm Sat, 10am-5.30pm Sun, closed Jul & Aug) Educational exhibitions and lots of hands-on fun – just a pity it’s not open more often.
School Museum ( 530 2574; Äussere Sulzbacher Strasse; adult/child €5/2.50; 9am-5pm Tue-Fri, 10am-6pm Sat & Sun) Recreated classroom plus school-related exhibits from the 17th century to the Third Reich.
Deutsche Bahn Museum Feeds the kids’ obsession for choo-choos.
Play
Playground of the Senses ( 231 5445; www.erfahrungsfeld.nuernberg.de; Untere Talgasse 8; adult/child €5.60/3.20; 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 1-6pm Sat, 10am-6pm Sun) Some 80 hands-on ‘stations’ designed to educate children in the laws of nature, physics and the human body. Take the U2 or U3 to Wöhrder Wiese.
Toys
Playmobil ( 9666 1700; www.playmobil-funpark.de; Brandstätterstrasse 2-10, Zirndorf; admission per person from €2.50; 9am-7pm May-Sep, 9am-6pm Oct, 10am-6pm Nov-Apr) Playmobil theme park with life-size versions of the popular toys. Located 9km west of the city centre in Zirndorf – take the U3 to Gustav-Adolf-Strasse, then change to bus 113.
Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop ( 4090; www.bestofchristmas.com; Königstrasse 8) The Nuremberg branch of this year-round Christmas shop.
Spielzeugmuseum Some 1400 sq metres of Matchbox, Barbie, Playmobil and Lego, plus a great play area.
Germanisches Nationalmuseum Has a new toy section and holds special tours for children.