Bavaria’s second-largest city, Nuremberg is steeped in history and populated with charming medieval structures. A walk through its Old Town will introduce you to most of the city’s iconic sights – its historic landmarks, picturesque bridges spanning the river and the sandstone city walls that still stand tall. You can admire the architecture of the imposing St. Lawrence Church and walk up to the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg for panoramic views of the city. The main market square is dominated by the brick facade of the Church of Our Lady and the ornate Schöner Brunnen (meaning ‘beautiful fountain'), fashioned like a Gothic spire.
Nuremberg is best known for two things – the role it played during the Second World War and for being home to one of the world’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets. Brush up on your history at the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, an educational museum where you can learn about Nazi Germany and the Nuremberg Trials. Football fans can check out Max-Morlock-Stadion, the home ground of 1. FC Nuremberg. The city comes alive in December, lit up by Christmas lights and decorated with festive cheer. A visit to the Christmas markets is a must during this time of year, where you can browse the wooden stalls topped with candy-cane roofs for handcrafted ornaments and sweet treats. It’s also the best spot to sample some of the city’s specialities, such as bratwurst and holiday favourites ‘lebkuchen’ (gingerbread) and ‘glühwein’ (mulled wine).