Nuremberg, steeped in history, culture, and architectural splendor, is the second largest city in Bavaria, Germany. From its medieval charm, beautiful parks, captivating landmarks, to interactive museums, Nuremberg offers a diverse array of attractions for both adults and kids, and makes an ideal destination for a memorable family vacation.

In this post, I will share my favorite photo spots during my 5-day trip with kids in Nuremberg this September.

Why Nuremberg

We were on our second trip to Germany since this summer, visiting my husband who had been working temporarily in the Frankfurt area since March this year. He had an intense schedule, leaving me no option but to travel with kids alone.

It was week 10 of our trip in Europe. While we enjoyed our travel in many beautiful European countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, Italy, we were overwhelmed by the heat wave and crowd everywhere.

We picked Nuremberg instead of the more popular Bavaria city, Munich, because we wanted to see less crowd (see our first visit to Bavaria in Lake Constance in July). Also, I’ve visited Germany several times over the past 20 years and have seen Berlin, Hamburg, Freiburg, Strasbourg, etc.

On top of the above, my destination choice is simple: it has to be picture worthy! So here we: Nuremberg.

Logistic Tip

Transportation

When traveling with my kids alone, I chose not to drive. We took an ICE train from Frankfurt and it was pretty straightforward.

Since we bought the tickets in the last minute, there wasn’t seat reservation option. We were told there were seats available in general, on first come first served basis. To avoid confusion, reserved seats were marked on the train. Sometimes you might need to change seat, if the train has several stops and seats could be reserved from later stops.

My kids and I each had a carry on suitcase and a backpack. We kept the suitcase within 8kg, which was the weight limit of carryon suitcases for many airlines in Europe. My kids had tons of fun pushing their own suitcases, so that made traveling alone with them a lot easier for me.

Hotel

My top choice with traveling with kids was always airbnb. I wasn’t able to find a good one due to the last minute planning. So I booked Novotel Nuernberg Centre Ville with my points. The hotel is within walking distance to Nuremberg Old Town and has a swimming pool. My 8 yo self taught himself swimming this summer and was very eager to swim whenever he could. The hotel was a great choice and we loved it.

1️⃣ Nuremberg Old Town (Altstadt)

Immerse yourself in the medieval charm of Nuremberg's Old Town. Wander through cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses, visit the Hauptmarkt (Main Market) with the beautiful Frauenkirche. The Old Town is not just a place; it's a journey back in time.

We walked around Nuremberg old town almost everyday. Although not as quiet as we thought to be, it was less crowded than other places we visited earlier (eg. Venice).

There were plenty of photo opportunities in the Nuremberg old town, no matter over the bridge, or across the square. You just need to find the right angle and moment.

2️⃣ Imperial Castle Nuremberg

For landscape photography enthusiasts, Imperial Castle of Nuremberg is a must-visit.

Dominating the city skyline, Nuremberg Castle is an iconic landmark with a history dating back to the Middle Ages.

Explore the imperial rooms, walk through the charming courtyard, and take in panoramic views of Nuremberg from the Sinwell Tower. The castle's rich history and breathtaking architecture make it an essential stop for any visitor.

3️⃣ Nuremberg Zoo

For a delightful day surrounded by nature, head to the Nuremberg Zoo. Home to a diverse array of animals, including polar bears, dolphins, and elephants, the zoo offers a unique blend of education and entertainment. The themed exhibits, like the Aqua Park, make it an engaging experience for visitors of all ages.

The zoo was at perfect size. Our 8 yo learned to use the map to locate the animals he would like to see. In fact, we followed the map and walked around the zoo at least twice, in order not to miss any animals.

Located within the Nuremberg Zoo, the Tiergarten Nürnberg Adventure Playground is a paradise for little explorers. With climbing structures, slides, and interactive elements, this playground offers endless entertainment. In fact, there were several playgrounds with different themes in different corners of the zoo. They were our kids’ favorite part of the zoo.

What we didn’t like though: there were no English maps or signs.

4️⃣ Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum)

Step into the enchanting world of toys at the Nuremberg Toy Museum. This museum showcases the history of toys, featuring antique dolls, model trains, and interactive exhibits. It's a delightful experience for both kids and adults.

5️⃣ Playmobil FunPark

For a day filled with imagination and play, head to the Playmobil FunPark. This amusement park offers a vast playground, themed play areas, and life-sized Playmobil figures. It's a fantastic place for children to let their creativity soar.

We took public transportation, mix of train and bus, to get there. It was a new experience. Our kids learned to navigate the train station, bus station and build a general sense of direction along the way.

Regardless of the hot weather, my kids enjoyed the park so much that we spent a whole day there until the park was closed.

6️⃣ DB Museum (German Railway Museum)

All aboard for a fascinating journey through the history of trains at the DB Museum. Kids can explore vintage locomotives, play with model trains, and even take a ride on a historic train during special events.

On a toy train ride, our 8 yo accidentally brought the train off track, creating a big shock to the museum staff. It took them quite some time to repair the train until the museum was closed. We stayed until the end while our 8 yo apologized profusely. We were thankful that the museum staff was able to bring things back to order, while assuring our 8 yo everything was all right.

7️⃣ Starbucks in Old Town

What? Starbucks? Of course, you don’t travel to see a Starbucks. In fact, I wasn’t even a coffee drinker before this trip. But we occasionally visited Starbucks for snacks.

We happened to step into the Starbucks in Nuremberg’s Old Town during the golden hour before sunset. The backlit environment with global map in the backdrop was a perfect theme for travel photographers. I even got a photo of myself from my 8 yo.

8️⃣ Sangam Indisches Restaurant

Our kids are picky eaters. While I consider myself a foodie, our travel food choices were often limited to pizzas and French fries, and desert, as our kids wouldn’t try much else.

I decided to jump out of their comfort zone this time. We tried a number of cuisines, including Thai and Indian, during our Nuremberg stay.

Surprisingly, our kids tried some new dishes. There were still a few dishes too spicy for them. But the fact they were willing to try was a pleasant surprise to me.

Among all the restaurants we’ve tried, my favorite was Sangam Indisches located in the Nuremberg old town. The restaurant offers an exquisite culinary journey with its authentic Indian cuisine, where the vibrant flavors and aromatic spices create a dining experience that transcends borders.

This might not be a best photo spot for everyone, but a truly memorable one for me.

Photo Tip

While traveling with kids, we often don’t take photos in the perfect light. Oftentimes, we have to deal with strong light in the outdoor environment, particularly in the summer, or dim light environment indoors, such as museums or restaurants.

Learning to use manual mode on your DSLR or mirrorless camera is only the first step. How to be quick to adjust your camera settings in any given environment requires not only judgment but also practice and experience.

Check out my free video training where I’ve shared fool-proof strategy to take travel photos for kids.

If you are into quality travel photos but don’t know what should be the perfect equipment, check out my 1-hour free video of mirrorless camera ultimate buying guide.

After spending 5 days in Nuremberg, I can comfortably say with its blend of history, culture, and family-friendly attractions, Nuremberg is a perfect destination for a memorable vacation for kids and families. Whether exploring zoos, museums, old towns or castles, the city provides a diverse range of activities that cater to the interests of everyone.

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