Nuremberg has several regular free tours that depart from the heart of the old city, most in English and Spanish, and some in German. Some focus on the historic center and the Kaiser's Fortress, while others add the city's 20th-century chapter. The model is the same in all of them: participation is free of charge in advance, and at the end, each participant decides for themselves how much to leave for the guide.

Nuremberg is one of the most walkable cities in Europe. The old town is surrounded by medieval walls, has a small diameter, and almost everything of interest is within a fifteen-minute walk. A good local guide takes this short distance and turns it into a series of stories: an imperial merchant city, a center of art and printing, almost total destruction in World War II, and a meticulous reconstruction that returned the red roofs to their original place.

Tours in this format are especially suitable for the first day in the city. After them, it's easy to understand how the city is built, where the river passes, where the climb to the fortress begins, and where it's worth returning to on your own in the afternoon.

Why take a walking tour of Nuremberg?

Nuremberg's old town was built with pedestrians in mind, making it one of the German cities best explored with a guide rather than from the seat of a bus. The medieval city wall still surrounds almost the entire center, with round towers and gates like the Königstor, and the distance between the southern and northern ends is easily covered by a leisurely walk.

What do you see on the way?

The natural tour route begins at the main market square, the Auftmarkt, opposite the Frauenkirche church and the carved Schöner Brunnen fountain. From there, you ascend towards the Zewaldus Church and the old town hall, and climb the sandstone ridge to the emperor's fortress - the Kaiserburg - from which you can see a panorama of tiled roofs. On the way, you pass the house of Albrecht Dürer, the painter who turned Nuremberg into a European art center, and past Weissberggasse, the tanners' alley whose half-timbered houses survived the bombings and are therefore not reconstructions.

The river and the southern part

The Paganitz River cuts through the city, providing the most beautiful pictures: the covered Neckarsulm Bridge, the Renaissance Meat Bridge, and the historic hospital building that sits right above the water. On the south bank stands the Gothic Lorenz Church, and south of the Old Town are the 20th-century heritage sites to which many guidebooks devote an entire chapter.

Areas and starting points of the tours

Most city tours depart from one of three meeting areas within the walls, all of which are a short walk from the central train station.

• Central Market Square - The beating heart of the old city, opposite the Gothic church and fountain. Every winter the city's large and famous Christmas market takes place here, and the rest of the year it is a square of vegetable and flower stalls.
• Surroundings of Lorenz Church - The southern half of the Old City, a lively commercial area with pedestrian streets, close to the bridges over the Paganitz and the Craftsmen's Yard next to the city gate.
• The Upper Quarter and the Citadel - The slope that leads to the Kaiserburg, with steep alleys, half-timbered houses, the fortress gardens and the best viewpoints in the city.

Tours that extend into the 20th century deal with two locations outside the walls: the Palace of Justice where the Nuremberg Trials took place, and the Nazi Party demonstration grounds in the southeast of the city. Both areas are far from the city center and accessible by public transportation, so some tours are content with explaining this history from within the old city itself.

Important tips before you go out

Before leaving

• Reserve a spot in advance at Gorowalk. Even when there is no fee, pre-registration reserves your spot in the group and lets the guide know how many people are coming - especially important during the summer months and Christmas market season, when the city fills up.
• Check the tour language on the tour page itself. Most city tours are conducted in English and Spanish, and some are also in German. There are no tours in Hebrew, so a basic level of English is definitely sufficient.
• Arrive at the meeting point a few minutes ahead of time. The guides are usually waiting with an umbrella or an identifying sign, and in busy squares it takes a moment to locate them.

In the field

• Comfortable shoes are not a recommendation but a requirement. The cobblestones in the Old City are unforgiving, and the climb to the citadel involves a slope and steps.
• The weather in Franconia is variable. In the winter months it is cold and damp and sometimes snows, in the summer it is pleasant but there are sudden rains - layers and a light jacket that fits in your bag solves this.
• The currency is Euro. It is customary to leave a tip in cash at the end of the tour, directly to the guide. There is no fixed rate and the amount is up to you to decide based on the enjoyment, length of the tour, and the value you received - just stock up on small bills and coins in advance, because not every guide has a digital payment method.

Around the tour

• The main train station is adjacent to the city wall, and the subway, tram and suburban train network covers all areas outside the center, including the airport. A day pass is worthwhile if you plan to go out to 20th-century sites.
• It is customary to behave with restraint at Nazi-era heritage sites. These are sites of commemoration and learning, not photography sites.
• In Germany, shops are closed on Sundays. It's worth planning your shopping and souvenir shopping for another day, and using Sunday for sightseeing and museums.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the free tours in Nuremberg really free?

Registration and participation do not require any upfront payment, and there is no fixed price. The guides live off the tip left for them at the end of the tour, and each participant decides for themselves the amount according to their satisfaction. This is the model on which the entire format is built.

Do I need to book in advance?

Highly recommended. Booking in advance through GoWalk is free, but it guarantees you a place in the group and allows the guide to prepare. During the summer months and Christmas market season, groups fill up quickly.

In what languages are the tours held?

Most city tours are held in English and Spanish, and some are also in German. There are no tours in Hebrew, so it is worth checking the language on the tour page before booking and choosing a date that suits you.

How much is it customary to leave for the guide?

There is no rate and no price list. The general rule is to leave an amount that reflects the enjoyment and length of the tour, in cash and euros, directly to the guide at the end. If the tour was particularly good, a tip is the main way to say so.

Are the tours suitable for children?

Tours of the Old City are suitable for school-age children who are able to walk for two hours on cobblestones, especially tours in small groups. Tours that deal with 20th century history include difficult content, and should be considered according to the children's age and sensitivity.

What do we do if it rains?

The tours also go out in the rain, which is part of life in Franconia. A small umbrella, waterproof jacket, and closed shoes solve most of the problem, and part of the route anyway runs through sheltered alleys and inner courtyards.