Nuremberg is the one big historic city within easy reach of Munich that most visitors never reach, and this guided day trip makes it simple. The tour starts at 10:30am at the operator's office on Dachauer Strasse in Munich, with the round-trip rail fare on a regional express train included, and lasts about eight and a half hours. In Nuremberg the guide leads a walk through the medieval old town, with about an hour at the Town Hall and around half an hour at the Kaiserburg, the imperial castle on the sandstone ridge above the city. You pass the Schoener Brunnen fountain and St Sebaldus Church without going in. The second half of the programme is about the city's Nazi past, with a visit to the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, reached by bus, where the party staged its vast rallies. The Documentation Centre there is not part of the tour. There is free time for lunch. The tour has 4.4 stars from nearly 590 reviews, and guides are consistently praised for their knowledge. The most common complaints are a rushed pace, little free time and a day that is dominated by travel, so go in knowing that it is a sampler of Nuremberg and not a deep visit.
How to plan your visit
Meet at the Radius Tours office at Dachauer Strasse 4 in Munich, near the main station, and arrive 20 minutes before the 10:30am departure. The tour returns to the same place at the end of the day. The rail fare is included, so you do not need to buy a ticket, and the group stays together for the journey. Pack water and a snack, and wear comfortable shoes, since the day involves a lot of walking on cobbles.
When to go
The trip runs year round. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking, while in December the Nuremberg Christmas market is a famous attraction, so check with the operator when you book how the programme is arranged. In summer, the open rally grounds can be hot, so bring sun protection. Several reviewers mention delays and crowding on the trains, so allow a margin for the evening.
Things to know
The tour is in English with a maximum of 25 travellers, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start. The Documentation Centre at the rally grounds and the interiors of the main buildings are not included, so if you want to go inside, plan to visit separately.
If you only have time for one history-focused outing from Munich and prefer a shorter one, the Dachau Memorial Site is a half-day, and the Third Reich walking tour in the city covers the Munich side of the same story. For scenery rather than history, the Neuschwanstein day trip is the classic alternative.
What to expect
The experience
A full-day guided trip by regional express train from Munich, with the Town Hall, the Kaiserburg and the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, and free time for lunch.
Best time
Spring and autumn for comfortable walking. Check Christmas market arrangements if you travel in December.
How long
About eight and a half hours.
Tips
Meet at Dachauer Strasse 4 at least 20 minutes before 10:30am. Bring water and a snack. The Documentation Centre is not included.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers who want to see Nuremberg without organising trains and tickets.
- Families
- Better for teenagers than for young children, as the day is long and the subject serious.
- Couples
- A full day out, though some find the pace rushed.
- Pair with
- The Third Reich walking tour or the NS Documentation Centre in Munich on another day.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
How long is the Nuremberg day trip from Munich?+
About eight and a half hours, starting at 10:30am from the operator's office on Dachauer Strasse.
Is the train ticket included?+
Yes. The round-trip rail fare on a regional express train is included.
What do we see?+
The Town Hall, the Kaiserburg and the Nazi Party Rally Grounds, with the Schoener Brunnen and St Sebaldus Church passed but not entered.
Is the Documentation Centre included?+
No. It is not part of the tour.
Is there free time?+
Yes, for lunch, though some reviewers would have liked more.
