Nuremberg Walking Tour: Medieval Old Town & Nazi Grounds

Medieval fortifications, a 15th-century marketplace, and the grounds where history turned dark

A private walking tour of Nuremberg with a guide who speaks English or German, covering the medieval Old Town with its Imperial Castle and Gothic churches, the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, or the courthouse where war-crime trials took place—you choose which areas to explore and how deep to go, with hotel pickup included. The two-hour option focuses on one area; three hours lets you combine two; four hours gives you all three or a deeper dive into two.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Nuremberg's Old Town and History

• Visit medieval fortifications
• Explore traditional craftsman's market
• See 15th century customs house brewery
• Walk through Main Market Square
• View the Beautiful Fountain
• Visit the Old Town Hall
• See Saint Sebald Church
• Visit Albrecht Dürer's House
• Tour Imperial Castle courtyards
• Explore Nazi Party Rally Grounds
• See Congress Hall of Nazi Party
• Visit Luitpold Arena
• Walk city fairgrounds of Nuremberg rallies
• Relax in public recreation area

The Experience

Nuremberg's Old Town sits inside some of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Europe, and the walking tour moves through them on foot. You'll stand in the Main Market Square, which has anchored the city since the 1300s and now hosts the world-famous Christmas Markets. The Beautiful Fountain rises nearby—a golden Gothic tower with the wishing ring of Nuremberg. From there, the guide takes you past the Old Town Hall (rebuilt after World War II), the 15th-century customs house that now holds one of the city's breweries, and Albrecht Dürer's original house, where the Renaissance artist lived and worked. The Imperial Castle courtyards, with foundations reaching back to at least 1050, sit at the edge of the Old Town; St. Sebald Church, the city's oldest, anchors another corner.

If you choose to include the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, the tour shifts to a different Nuremberg. The Congress Hall of the Nazi Party and Luitpold Arena stand as some of the largest Third Reich buildings left in the world. The guide walks you through how Germany confronts this past today, moving through the grounds where the infamous Nuremberg Rallies took place—the same fairgrounds featured in propaganda films like "Triumph of the Will." A third option takes you to the courthouse where the famous Nuremberg war-crime trials happened, a site with its own weight in the city's history.

The guide is live and speaks English or German, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. You decide before booking which areas matter most to you—the medieval sights, the Third Reich sites, the courthouse, or a combination—and the itinerary bends to fit. A two-hour tour normally covers one area; three hours lets you see two; four hours gives you an overview of all three or a more thorough look at two of them. The route is entirely on foot through city streets and historical grounds, and the guide can adjust the pace and stops based on what interests you most.

What’s included

• Private guide speaking English or German.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• flexible itinerary tailored to your interests—choose to focus on the medieval Old Town with the Imperial Castle and Gothic churches, the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, the war-crimes courthouse, or a mix of all three depending on your tour length.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Nuremberg City of Empires Tours

Is this one for you?Book the four-hour option if you want to see all three major areas—the medieval fortifications, the Third Reich sites, and the courthouse—without rushing any of them. The three-hour tour works if two areas matter most to you. The two-hour option suits a single deep dive into whichever chapter of Nuremberg's history draws you most.

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Top questions

What's inside the Imperial Castle that I'd see on this tour?

The Imperial Castle courtyards are the main draw—you'll walk through the courtyards themselves, which have foundations dating back to at least the year 1050. The tour doesn't include entry to interior museums or exhibits; it focuses on the courtyards and their place in Nuremberg's medieval history.

Can I see both the Old Town and the Nazi Rally Grounds in one tour?

Yes, but it depends on which option you book. The two-hour tour covers one area only. The three-hour option lets you visit two of the three main areas (Old Town, Rally Grounds, or courthouse). The four-hour option gives you an overview of all three areas or a deeper look at two of them.

Does the tour include entry to churches or museums?

The tour is a walking tour with a guide, so you see the exteriors and learn about sites like St. Sebald Church and Albrecht Dürer's House from the street. Interior entry fees are not included; the guide shows you the buildings and their history from outside.

What does the Main Market Square actually look like today?

The Main Market Square has been the city center since the 1300s and hosts the world-famous Christmas Markets as well as seasonal markets and events throughout the year. You'll see the marketplace itself, the surrounding Old Town Hall, and the Beautiful Fountain with its golden Gothic tower—it's the heart of the medieval Old Town and still very much in use.

Is hotel pickup included, and how does that work?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price. The guide will meet you at your hotel and return you there at the end, so you don't need to arrange separate transport to the starting point.

What's the difference between seeing the Rally Grounds and visiting the courthouse?

The Rally Grounds are outdoor fairgrounds and public recreation areas where the Nazis held massive rallies; the Congress Hall and Luitpold Arena are among the largest Third Reich buildings still standing. The courthouse is where the famous Nuremberg war-crime trials took place after World War II. Both are historical sites, but they represent different chapters of the city's past.