How to Visit the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg
Imperial Castle of Nuremberg (Kaiserburg Nurnberg) is a must-see attraction in Nuremberg, Germany. Our guide includes information on what to expect, the tickets, how to get there, where to stay, when to go, and much more.
Built around the 11th century, the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg was one of the most important German fortresses during the Middle Ages.
Today, it is one of the most visited places in the city, and you'll find it on every list of the best things to do in Nuremberg.
After hearing praise for this attraction, we were excited to see and experience it first-hand.
And after spending a couple of hours at the Kaiserburg Nurnberg (that's its German name), we can only say it is well-organized, easy to visit, and offers a great experience for all types of travelers.
So here's everything you need to know about the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg before you go.
Visiting the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg
As we stopped in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum and several other places in Altstadt on our way there, it took us way longer to reach the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg than we originally planned.
So when we finally reached the ticket counter, we were glad they even let us in. Well, it was a bit less dramatic, but it definitely felt hectic.
Luckily, we still had enough time to tour the Palace, join the quick guided tour at the Deep Well, and even climb the Sinwell Tower.
Useful Tips
Photography is allowed at the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg.
Dogs are only allowed in the courtyard and must be kept on the leash at all times.
The medieval castle is relatively wheelchair friendly, though some areas can be accessed by stairs only.
History
The first records of the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg are from 1050 CE.
The castle was built on a strategic crossroad and was used by Salian and Hohenstaufen kings and emperors.
Even Imperial Diets were held here before moving to Regensburg after the Thirty Years' War.
It was nice for us Czechs to find a connection to Emperor Charles IV and his decree, known as the Golden Bull of 1356.
After the Roman Holy Empire ceased to exist in 1806, King Ludwig I took an interest in the castle and restored it.
Obviously, there is so much more to the history, so make sure to explore the castle thoroughly to find out more.
One of the most interesting facts we learned about the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg on our visit was that the Allies heavily bombed the whole complex during the end of WW2.
The castle was beautifully restored, and we couldn't tell that about 80% of the structures were severely damaged or completely destroyed.
Another place with a similar scale of destruction that comes to our mind is Wurzburg Residence, which we happened to visit a few days later.
It is well documented in the photos in the museum.
The comparison between the old photos depicting the castle's destruction and now was staggering.
The tower offers additional pictures of how badly the city center was damaged during the raids.
So what is there to see and do in Nuremberg Castle? Let’s find out!
Palace
The self-guided Palace tour is well laid out, and the one-way system allowed us to easily navigate through the featured rooms.
Nuremberg was one of the most important and powerful cities in the Holy Roman Empire during its heyday, and the informative displays allowed us to learn more about it.
The information includes how Nuremberg became the temporary imperial capital (the Holy Roman Empire didn't have a set capital city, and the rulers were always on the move), about the Royal Court, how the city looked like in the medieval ages, and much more.
The Knights' Hall and the double chapel were among the most interesting rooms in the castle.
The final section was a two-story Imperial Castle Museum focused on castle history, weapons, and armor, which was interesting as well.
We didn't get the audio guide as we were pressed for time.
But if you have time and want to learn as much about the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg as possible, the audio guide is worth getting.
Not all displays were translated into English, so we missed some information.
Castle Courtyard
After finishing our Palace tour, we returned to the central courtyard. It's relatively small and compact and, beside the Palace entrance, provides access to Deep Well, Sinwell Tower, and Maria Sibylla Merian Garden.
The courtyard has several buildings featuring traditional Bavarian architecture and, albeit small, is quite photogenic.
Maria Sibylla Merian Garden
This small garden was opened when we were there (it seems that's not always the rule as it's sometimes closed).
Apart from a few blooming flowers and a lovely viewing platform, there's not much else to see and do.
So we headed back to the courtyard and the meeting point for the Deep Well tour.
Deep Well (Tiefer Brunne)
There was some bad communication between the guides, and as a result, our tour to the Deep Well started about 10-15 minutes later.
That was not ideal, as we were already behind schedule, and it looked like we wouldn't have enough time for the tower.
Thankfully, the guide improvised a bit, and we could make it.
The Deep Well tour was brief yet informative and included a quick demonstration of how deep the well really is.
It was also bilingual, which was not a problem, as it was really short.
As the name suggests, Deep Well is fairly deep: 47 meters in this case. Coincidently, we visited Karlstejn a few weeks earlier, which has a 78-meter deep well.
The main difference was that here we got a brief explanation from a guide, with a short but fascinating little show (we won't spoil it), how deep those 47 meters really are.
By the way, additional water was brought from the city during higher-demand events, such as imperial visits or court sessions. Our next stop was the Sinwell Tower.
Sinwell Tower (Sinwellturm)
The guide dismissed us and some other visitors a few minutes early so we could still make it to the top of the Sinwell Tower before closing.
This is not Munich's Frauenkirche with an elevator, so be prepared for more than 100 steps you need to tackle to reach the tower's highest point.
The word Sinwell is from Middle High German (a form of German spoken in the High Middle Ages), meaning 'round'.
Yes, it's basically a round tower, and thanks to its height, it dominates the whole complex.
It was built during the 13th century (and extended in 1560), and its primary purpose was observation and defense.
They used ashlar masonry to construct this tower, a technique used a lot by Incas that we could observe at Machu Picchu a few years back.
As we were behind schedule, getting to the top was just a matter of a couple of minutes. Sinwell Tower offers 360-degree views of Nuremberg, and we are pretty sure it's one of the best viewpoints in the city.
Where to Go Next
Thanks to the great weather and uphill location, the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg reminded us of our walks to Prague Castle.
Sure, this castle complex is much smaller and definitely less famous. There is no St. Vitus Cathedral.
However, the constant flow of tourists and locals climbing the hill, even after closing time, to see the sunset over the city felt almost identical.
With people heading to the castle area just to enjoy the last sun rays of the day, followed by the sky turning into an artist's palette, the moment really felt like we were back home in Prague.
If you arrive at the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg early in the day and are looking for some additional top-rated attractions in Nuremberg, you're spoilt for choice.
Obviously, you can spend several hours wandering around the old town, admiring the traditional architecture, bridges over the Pegnitz River, medieval churches, the walls, and much more.
We also recommend visiting Memorium Nuremberg Trials and Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds to explore this dark chapter in Europe's history.
Opening Hours
Imperial Castle of Nuremberg is open from 9 AM to 6 PM between 29 March to 3 October and from 10 AM to 4 PM between 4 October to 28 March.
The castle is closed on some public holidays. The last admission is about 60 minutes before closing.
Entrance Fee
The entry fee to the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg, which includes the Palace, Deep Well, and Sinwell Tower, was €9 per adult, which seemed to us as a very fair price for what we got.
They also offer a cheaper separate ticket to the Palace and the Deep Well/Sinwell Tower combo ticket.
The Maria Sibylla Merian Garden (Maria Sibylla Merian Garten), which has a lovely viewpoint, is free to enter.
If you're pressed for time or travel around Germany on a budget, note that you can enjoy the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg's exteriors, the main courtyard, and some of the viewpoints for free.
We've already mentioned that the castle is perched atop a hill, making it a great sunset/sunrise photo spot.
So, it's a great addition to your itinerary, even if you don't plan on going inside.
How Much Time Do I Need
We spent under two hours at the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg, but that was mostly because we reached the castle quite late in the day.
Our visit included a self-guided tour of the Royal Castle Palace (Palas mit Doppelkapelle and Kaiserburg-Museum), a guided tour of Deep Well (Tiefer Brunnen), and a climb to the top of Sinwell Tower (Sinwellturm).
All things considered, it felt a bit too hectic for our taste, and we wished we could spend more time there.
Even though this is highly individual, we believe two to three hours sound about right for the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg.
When to Go
We happened to visit the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg in April and couldn't ask for better weather.
It was one of those beautiful spring days with warm temperatures that allowed visitors to enjoy a beautiful sunset from the castle walls.
That said, the castle is basically a museum (the tower and the well are technically indoors as well), so it matters only a little when you visit.
Obviously, the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg is most beautiful from June to September, with July and August being the peak season.
Early spring and late autumn offer a more relaxing experience as things slow down, but you need to be prepared for colder and shorter days.
That's not a problem when visiting the castle, but the visit to the city itself could be potentially not as pleasant as you would expect.
Imperial Castle of Nuremberg remains open throughout winter, the ideal season for those who want to escape the crowds.
What to Pack
The Imperial Castle of Nuremberg interior was relatively warm, at least compared to some other Czech castles, such as Hluboka or Orlik, which we visited a month before this road trip.
So just make sure to have comfortable shoes and wear clothing according to the current weather.
How to Get There
There are several ways to get to the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg, including by tram, subway, bus, car, bike, or on foot, which is our favorite way to get there.
On Foot
The Imperial Castle of Nuremberg is located within the historical core of Nuremberg, so it's easily reachable on foot.
We stayed in one of the hotels on Frauentorgraben, which is on the other side of the old town, and the walk from there took about 20 minutes.
Obviously, it took us much longer to reach the castle as we made several detours, for instance, to the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, but you get the gist.
You can obviously get to the castle on a bike or e-scooter if that's your thing.
Car
If arriving at the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg by car, note that the castle has no designated parking area.
This means you must leave your vehicle at one of the public garages scattered around the town.
The Imperial Castle of Nuremberg is about two hours from Munich or Augsburg, 75 minutes from Regensburg, and 60 minutes from Bamberg.
Parking
Parkhaus Hauptmarkt, Augustinerhof, or Adlerpark are popular parking garages within a short walk (no more than 10 minutes) from the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg.
Parkhaus Maxtorhof is a good alternative for those who don't want to drive within the walled area.
Rent a Car
We use Rentalcars.com, a reliable rental website that helps you compare prices, find the best car rental deals, and make reservations for your next trip.
Public Transport
If you're staying somewhere on the outskirts or just don't feel like walking, the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg can also be reached by public transport.
Tiergartnertorplatz is a tram stop about 400 meters west of the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg.
Technically, it's just below the castle, but the entrance is on the other side of the complex.
The nearest bus stop is Burgstraße, about 300 meters south of the castle entrance.
All the U-Bahn stations (Nurember's subway), such as Lorenzkirche, Rathenauplatz, and Friedrich-Ebert-Platz, are a bit further but still within a comfortable 10-minute walk from the castle.
Where to Stay
Several great hotels are within a short walk from the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg.
Nuremberg's Old Town is compact and walkable, so you don't really need to stay right next to the castle, though this location has several advantages.
Most of the top-rated attractions are just behind the corner, plus this area has several great pubs, cafes, and restaurants.
So here are a few tips on popular hotels within walking distance from the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg.
Budget | Sorat Hotel Saxx Nurnberg - Situated just 5 minutes from the castle, Sorat Hotel Saxx is a popular place to stay in the old town area. This modern hotel offers air-conditioned rooms, a great breakfast, and paid private parking.
Mid-range | Karl August - This beautiful hotel with a modern design boasts an excellent location (under 500 meters from the castle), excellent service, superb food, a spa, a gym, an indoor pool, and much more. Without any doubt, Karl August is one of the best hotels near the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg.
Hostel | Jugendherberge Nurnberg - Jugendherberge Nurnberg is a popular hostel with private rooms and dormitories housed in the building that was once part of the castle complex. If you're looking for an affordable room and plan to stay as close to the castle as possible, this is the place to go.
Staying Safe
The Imperial Castle of Nuremberg is located in the historical part of the city and is generally considered very safe to visit.
Some of the castle areas, mainly the viewpoints, get really crowded during peak season.
We felt very safe there, but using common sense is still advised.
Whenever you're in a crowded area, tuck in your wallet and phone, as pickpockets often target these places.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Imperial Castle of Nuremberg Worth Visiting?
The Imperial Castle of Nuremberg was one of our favorite castles that we visited during our Bavaria road trip.
Even though you can explore the castle courtyard for free, the combination of self-guided and guided tours was the highlight of our visit.
The Palace, together with the Deep Well and Sinwell Tower, make a well-rounded experience that's worth the effort and time.
We believe the entry fee is well worth the money, even for budget-conscious travelers like ourselves.
And if you are traveling with kids, this is one of the castles they may actually like.
So, all things considered, we believe the Imperial Castle of Nuremberg is definitely worth seeing.
If you want to see more Bavarian castles, we can recommend Veste Coburg, Neuschwanstein Castle, or Linderhof Palace.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
