Handwerkerhof Nuremberg

Just inside the Königstor, next to the main station, the Handwerkerhof is a re-creation of a medieval craftsmen's quarter. It was built in the early 1970s on the ruins of the old town, using half-timbered buildings that evoke the guild streets of the past. Today it houses small shops and workshops where craftspeople sell traditional goods such as pewter, glassware, wooden toys, dolls, leather items, candles and, of course, gingerbread. There are also taverns serving local food and beer. It is a touristy spot, but it is an easy and pleasant place to browse, and some of the crafts are demonstrated at the stalls. It makes a good first stop for souvenirs, especially for visitors arriving by train.

The courtyard is arranged around cobbled lanes with a fountain and small squares. Stalls sell items that reflect the city's craft traditions, including tin soldiers, hand-painted ornaments, pewter mugs and cuckoo clocks, though you should look for makers and signs of quality rather than buying the cheapest goods.

Gingerbread bakers sell Lebkuchen in decorated tins, and in some shops you can watch glassblowing or other crafts. The taverns offer sausages, pretzels and beer, and the outdoor seating is popular in warm weather. Prices are higher than in local shops, but the quality is often good, and the setting is pleasant.

The Handwerkerhof is seasonal. It generally opens in spring and runs through the autumn until just before Christmas, with a closure in winter, so check the dates if you plan a winter trip. In the Christmas market period it is open and busy, with special offerings. Opening hours are shorter on Sundays and holidays. Entry to the courtyard is free, and you can wander freely without buying anything.

Use it as a gateway to the old town. From here, the main street leads to the Hauptmarkt in around ten minutes, and the town walls run along both sides of the gate, offering a nice walk. The Toy Museum and the Germanisches Nationalmuseum are both a short walk away, so you can shop and sightsee in the same morning.

For travellers who want authentic crafts, the better workshops in the old town streets offer more genuine goods, but the Handwerkerhof is a convenient, atmospheric one-stop alternative. It is easy for families and strollers, as the lanes are flat and the lanes are short, and it is a good wet-weather retreat when you can duck into shops.

A few shopping tips help. Ask whether an item is made on site or by a local craftsperson, and compare the price with shops elsewhere in the old town before committing to larger purchases. Gingerbread tins make a good gift because they last, and pewter or wood items are easy to pack.

If you are visiting in the Christmas season, buy early in the day when the stock is full and the lanes are calm. The courtyard also offers toilets and benches, which makes it a handy rest stop when you are exploring the area around the station.

Allow extra time if you plan to eat there, since tavern tables fill at lunch and in the evening. The courtyard is close to the station, so it works as a last stop before a train or as a first look at the city on arrival. Evening visits are atmospheric when the lanterns are lit, though many shops close earlier.