There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. As ever, all opinions are my own.
As the second biggest city in Bavaria, Nuremberg is the ideal place to base yourself as you explore this dreamy region of Germany on day trips!
There are so many towns and cities near Nuremberg that you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing where to visit.
There’s only really enough to do in Nuremberg for one day. Two maximum. But if you’re visiting Nuremberg on a quick weekend break then you have the perfect opportunity for you to get out and visit the city’s surroundings!
Since Nuremberg is so well-located and well-connected, you definitely don’t need to hire a car to take a day trip. Wahoo! In fact, every single day trip on this list is easy to get to on the train. Nuremberg is the perfect base to embark on the top Bavaria day trips.
Table of Contents
A Note on How to Use Trains in Bavaria
You can get to all of these day trips straight from Nuremberg with Bavaria’s brilliant train system! You can check train times here. Although you’re able to buy a simple return, my best travel tip for Bavaria is to purchase the Bavaria Ticket!
This ticket allows you to go anywhere in Bavaria for just €26 for a single ticket. Up to 5 people can be added to a Bavaria ticket, and the more people you add the less it costs per person. It’s a great deal. You can find out more about here.
From fairytale towns to huge cities, here are the very best day trips to take from Nuremberg!
The Best Day Trips from Nuremberg
1. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber features highly on many Germany travel bucket lists. It looks like the Germany of your dreams, straight out of a fairytale!
If you’re looking for a charming mediaeval town, look no further than a day trip from Nuremberg to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
The best things to do here include walking around the old town walls (where you’ll get stunning views of the city), checking out the year-round Christmas Museum, and snapping photos at Plönlein, the town’s most Instagrammable area.
Many people recommend staying overnight in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, but I personally don’t think it’s necessary.
I visited on a one day trip from Nuremberg and stayed for around 5 hours. I felt like I covered all the highlights at a leisurely pace. This makes Rothenburg ob der Tauber, in my opinion, the best day trip from Nuremberg.
Getting there: From Nuremberg, the train journey takes just over an hour. To my alarm, I saw that the journey involves taking three trains, but it’s actually super straightforward.
The trains are reliable and they expect that most people making each train change are on their way to Rothenburg ob der Tauber so there’s enough time to change.
There are quite a few Rothenburgs in Germany, so make sure you book your train to Rothenburg ob der Tauber or you might end up in the wrong town!
2. Bamberg
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bamberg is the perfect mediaeval town alternative to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Perched upon the banks of the River Regnitz, you’ll struggle to walk more than a few steps without taking a photo of this gorgeous town. The most picturesque of all sites in Bamberg, though, is the Old Town Hall, which sits on its own island in the river.
Other top sites in Bamberg Old Town include the Bamberg Cathedral, visit the palace-like Neue Residenz, and stop by the gorgeous Bamberg Old Court.
As well as its old town, Bamberg is famous for its smoked beer. There are over 70 breweries in the county of Bamberg which brew over 400 types of beer.
The historic tavern called Schlenkerla is frequently voted as the best place to drink the Bamberg smoked beer and has won many awards!
Getting there: Getting to Bamberg from Nuremberg is straightforward, with the direct train taking just 40 minutes. This makes it one of the best places to visit near Nuremberg.
3. Munich
One of the most popular cities for tourists in Germany is Munich, and luckily for you it’s easy to visit on a day trip from Nuremberg!
The capital of Bavaria is famous world-over for Oktoberfest, which takes place in the city each September. Even if you’re visiting Munich outside of Oktoberfest, you’ll still be able to enjoy huge glasses of Bavarian beer, Oompah bands and traditional Bratwurst.
Although it’s better to visit Munich for a few days, if you only have a day trip available to you you can still cover most of the city’s highlights.
Start your day trip in Marienplatz, Munich’s 12th-century Main Square, where you’ll find many of the city’s most gorgeous monuments and buildings. Then, climb up St Peter’s Church Tower for epic views over the city.
You can fill the afternoon by exploring the Old Town, checking out the Residenz Palace and Hofgarten, and visiting a museum or two.
Getting there: The direct train from Nuremberg to Munich takes just over one hour.
4. Würzburg
The lovely town of Würzburg is a highlight of the Romantic Road, a road trip taking in some of the most drop-dead-gorgeous places in Germany. Arriving in this historic university city, you’ll soon realise what all of the hype is about.
Kick off your visit with a trip to the Würzburg Residence, the 18th-century palace of Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp Franz von Schönborn. This place is huge, so you’ll definitely have to set a limit to your time here, but it’s a fascinating place to visit.
Another highlight of Würzburg is the Marienburg Fortress, which has been standing over the city since the 13th century. It’s a 30-minute walk uphill through the town’s vineyards to get here but the views from the top are well worth it!
Getting there: The direct train to Würzburg from Nuremberg takes just 50 minutes, making it one of the best places to visit near Nuremberg.
5. Frankfurt
Known as Germany’s financial capital, Frankfurt is one of Germany’s main destinations for business tourists but isn’t so popular for regular tourists. For this reason, you’re able to see all of the highlights on a day trip from Nuremberg.
The main attraction of Frankfurt is the delightful Römerberg market square which is definitely the prettiest part of the city. Surrounded by colourful mediaeval buildings, you won’t be able to resist snapping a few photos.
If you’re a literature fan there’s also the Goethe House, where Germany’s answer to Shakespeare was born and lived until he was 16.
Nowadays, Goethe’s House is open to visitors and has been restored to look how it did when Goethe lived there. If you’re looking for more Goethe info, check out the Museum of German Romanticism next door.
Frankfurt is ideal if you love museums – you’ll be totally spoilt for choice!
You can take your pick from the Museum of World Cultures, the Museum of Ancient Sculptures, the Icon Museum, the German Architecture Museum, the German Film Museum and the Museum of Applied Art.
Getting there: direct trains to Frankfurt from Nuremberg take 2 hours.
6. Regensburg
Regensburg is one of Bavaria’s hidden gems, and is home to one of the best maintained mediaeval centres in the whole of Germany! In fact, Regensburg’s Old Town has so much historical importance that it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
So, it’s safe to say that the Old Town should be the first place on your Regensburg itinerary.
You could easily spend hours wandering its streets and checking out some of its 1,500 buildings, but since you’re only visiting on a day trip from Nuremberg there’s no time to waste!
Other key stops on your day trip to Regensburg should be the Old Stone Bridge, the St Peter Cathedral and the Old Town Hall.
Round off your trip by stepping through the Porta Praetoria, a gateway dating back to 179 AD that once lead to a Roman military camp.
Getting there: The fastest direct train to Regensburg from Nuremberg takes just 54 minutes, making this one of the quickest and easiest day trips to do from Nuremberg!
7. Coburg
If you’re interested in royal history and castles, Coburg is the day trip destination for you!
Not only is Coburg the birthplace of Prince Albert, who later went on to marry the British Queen Victoria, but the Coburg Castle (called Veste Coburg) is also one of the most well-preserved mediaeval castles in Germany.
To witness the classic fairytale German buildings of your Germany travel dreams, head to Coburg’s Old Town. Here, you’ll find gorgeous pastel-coloured buildings and cobbled streets that will have you reaching for your camera again and again.
Then, spend the afternoon exploring Veste Coburg and the Hofgarten (the gardens surrounding the castle). Coburg Castle is the most-visited attraction in Coburg, with parts of it dating back to the 13th century!
If the weather is on your side, hike up to the castle for some of the best views over Coburg!
If you did decide to hike up to the castle you’ll have definitely worked up an appetite by the time you return to the city. For authentic Franconian/Bavarian food, head to Gasthaus Goldenes Kreuz.
Getting there: Direct trains run between Nuremberg and Coburg, with the journey taking just 58 minutes.
8. Stuttgart
As the sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has plenty to keep you occupied during your day trip from Nuremberg. It’s the home to Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, so if you’re into your cars this is the place to be!
Obviously, if you’re into cars, the Mercedes-Benz Museum will be a must-visit. However, for those of us who just use cars as a way to get from A to B, there are plenty of other fun things to see in Stuttgart.
Book lovers will delight at the Stadtbibliothek, one of the most gorgeous libraries you’ll ever step foot in. Another top tourist attraction in the city is the Schlossplatz, a relaxed area to hang out outside the baroque-style Neues Schloss (New Castle).
The castle is now sadly used as a government building, but it’s still cool to check out from the outside as it was formerly the residence of some of Germany’s kings.
Getting there: Direct trains between Nuremberg and Stuttgart take around 2 hours and 10 minutes, making this one of the longest day trips from Nuremberg.
9. Augsburg
Augsburg is the oldest city in Bavaria, and one of the oldest cities in Germany. It’s also a stop along the famous tourist route, the Romantic Road.
If you don’t have time to complete the whole route, visiting Augsburg on a day trip from Nuremberg is a great way to get a taste of what the rest of the route is like.
After visiting the 11th-century Augsburg Cathedral, head over to the Rathausplatz, a photogenic town square where you’ll find the Augsburg town hall.
Your next stop should be the 70-metre tall Perlachturm, which you’re able to climb for magnificent views over the city.
Once you’ve got your bearings in Augsburg it’s time to head to the Fuggerei, the world’s oldest social housing project.
Established in 1516, these pretty buildings have not changed much in the 500+ years that they have been running.
Rent for the residents is set at less than €1 per year!
The museum inside the complex gives an excellent introduction to the history of the project.
Getting there: The direct train from Nuremberg to Augsburg takes 1 hour and 20 minutes.
10. Wolfstein Castle
Germany is world-famous for its castles, so this list of day trips from Nuremberg wouldn’t be complete without one! This is Wolfstein Castle, also called Burgruine Wolfstein, and it was built in the 12th century.
It was used by German kings and nobility until it was badly damaged in the War of Succession of Landshut in the 16th century. Thankfully, a series of renovations in the 1990s means that Wolfstein is looking fabulous nowadays.
This is the perfect day out from Nuremberg if you’d prefer to explore nature, rather than another town or city.
The castle is open year-round for visitors, and every Sunday in summer it even has guided tours, where you can explore parts of the castle usually closed-off to visitors.
Getting there: Take a train or S-Bahn from Nuremberg to Neumarkt (Oberpfalz), and then a bus to Schafhof. From there, it’s around a 20-minute walk to the castle. The total journey should take around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
11. Donauwörth
Donauwörth is one of the hidden gems on the Romantic Road, so if you’re all about getting off the beaten path, this is the Nuremberg day trip for you!
There aren’t a million tourist attractions here, so your time is best spent enjoying the few attractions there are and just ~vibing~. It’s a great place to have a relaxed day away from the city.
Start your visit with the Käthe Kruse Puppet Museum, one of the most unusual museums in the area. It’s dedicated to famous dollmaker Käthe Kruse, with the museum telling the tale of her life and exhibiting many of the dolls she made.
Another highlight of Donauwörth is the bright pink “Haus der Stadtgeschichte”, the perfect backdrop for a photo or two. Inside, this is a museum all about the history of Donauwörth and the surrounding region.
A great idea would be to combine a day trip to Donauwörth with a trip to another nearby town, Ulm, to make the most of your journey.
Getting there: The direct train from Nuremberg to Donauwörth takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.
12. Ulm
The charming town of Ulm is one of Germany’s many hidden gems for international tourists – but I’m letting the secret out!
The most famous attraction here is undoubtedly the Ulm Minster, which has the tallest church spire in the world, at 162 metres. This is also the second-largest Gothic church in Germany (after the Cologne Cathedral, of course).
You didn’t come all the way to Ulm just to see a church, though. Other unmissable attractions here include the postcard-perfect Old Fisherman’s and Tanners’ Quarters, the Market Square, and the Ulm Old Town Walls.
If you’d prefer something a little quirkier, the Museum of Bread Culture has got to be one of the most unique museums in the area.
Getting there: The fastest way to get to Ulm from Nuremberg is by train, which requires a change in Donauwörth and takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes each way.
This makes it one of the longer day trips from Nuremberg, but if you’ve done all the others it’s worth the journey.
13. Ingolstadt
The main reason you’d want to visit Ingolstadt on a day trip from Nuremberg is if you’re a car enthusiast. As well as the Audi Forum, which contains a museum of classic cars.
You can also take a tour of the Audi Factory if you want to get down into the nitty gritty and learn how these vehicles are made.
Okay, so what if you’re not car-obsessed? You’re in luck – there are still a few interesting things to see and do in Ingolstadt.
The Bavarian Army Museum offers a fascinating insight into the war-ridden history of the region, and if you’re a bit nerdy the German Medicine Museum is sure to impress you.
Ingolstadt is another one of the day trips from Nuremberg that isn’t one of the top five, but if you’ve been in Nuremberg for a while and have already seen the heavy-hitters, is worth a visit.
Getting there: Ingolstadt is another one of the many easy day trips from Nuremberg by train. The direct train from Nuremberg to Ingolstadt takes just 30 minutes.
Where to Stay in Nuremberg
Hostel
If you’re travelling to Nuremberg as a solo traveller or on a tight budget, look no further than this cool hostel.
It has spacious rooms, is located right next to the town walls (so most things are within walking distance), and it’s Hostelworld’s top-rated hostel in Nuremberg!
A bed in a dorm room costs around €27, so it’s definitely not cheap, but dorms in Western Europe very rarely are!
Budget Hotel
I opted to stay at this fabulous budget hotel whilst in Nuremberg and feel confident recommending it. For around €60 per night you’ll get a double room in this cool hipster hotel with an amazing shower (always an important factor for me!).
The only downside is that it’s around a 25-minute walk, or a short ride on the underground, from the city centre. In my opinion, the price more than makes up for that, though.
Mid-Range Hotel
Want more space? Then these chic studio apartments right in the city centre will be perfect for you.
They’re perfect for mid-range travellers due to their chic decor and also because you’ll have a kitchen to be able to cook your own food, meaning you’ll save money during your stay overall. A studio apartment for two costs around €100 per night.
Click here to check availability!
Don’t Forget about Travel Insurance!
Have you got your travel insurance yet? Nuremberg, and Germany as a whole, is very safe, but it’s absolutely essential to travel with insurance. Some things are just completely out of your control!
Get your wallet stolen? Fall sick and need emergency medical treatment? The airline loses your luggage? No problem, your insurance will have you covered.
For my readers I recommend SafetyWing. They offer a flexible insurance plan that allows you to pay for the exact number of days you’ll be away for, and you’re also able to buy your travel insurance even after you’ve left home, which many other insurance companies don’t allow.
I hope you enjoy one of these wonderful day trips from Nuremberg!
