Nuremberg
One of the world's oldest Christmas markets and best small sausage in Germany
Nuremberg sits about an hour from Bamberg by train, close enough for a comfortable day trip and substantial enough to deserve one. The city carries real historical weight, from its centuries as a seat of the Holy Roman Empire to the darker chapters of the twentieth century, and walking its medieval old town you feel that layered past in the stone streets and the castle rising above them.
But in December, the city belongs to the Christkindlesmarkt. Held in the Hauptmarkt square since at least 1530, it is one of the oldest and most celebrated Christmas markets in the world, filling the square with red and white striped wooden stalls, the smell of gingerbread and roasted almonds, and a festive energy that manages to feel both grand and genuinely traditional. The Nuremberg Bratwurst, small and finger-length and grilled over beechwood, are reason enough to make the trip on their own.
LOCATION | Nuremberg, Germany |
DATES | December 17, 2025 |
PHOTOS | |
TRANSIT TO BAMBERG | Deutsche Bahn Regional train from Bamberg |
Our Learnings
Take the Train from Bamberg — It Could Not Be Easier
Nuremberg is roughly an hour from Bamberg by regional train, and the connection is frequent and reliable. There is no need to rent a car or arrange a transfer. The train drops you close to the old town, and from there, almost everything worth seeing is walkable. Germany's rail network makes day trips like this feel effortless, which is part of what makes basing yourself in a smaller city like Bamberg so rewarding.
Get the Deutschland-Ticket Before You Go
The Deutschland-Ticket is one of the best travel deals in Europe and an essential purchase for anyone planning to use regional trains and public transportation in Germany. For a flat monthly fee, it covers unlimited travel on all regional and local trains, city trams, buses, and metro systems across the entire country. It does not cover ICE or other high-speed intercity trains, but for day trips between cities like Bamberg and Nuremberg, or for getting around within a city, it is extraordinarily good value. Buy it before your trip through the Deutsche Bahn app or a regional transit provider, and load it onto your phone so it is ready to scan at any barrier or inspector check.
The Christkindlesmarkt Is Best Explored on Foot and Without a Plan
The market fills the Hauptmarkt and spills into surrounding streets and squares, each with its own character. The Children's Market nearby has rides and activities well suited to young ones, and the Sister Cities Market just north of the main square offers a more eclectic and international selection of stalls. Wandering between them without a fixed agenda, following whatever smells good, is the right approach. The Nuremberg Bratwurst, small and grilled over beechwood, are non-negotiable.
Nuremberg Rewards a Little Historical Curiosity
The city's old town is dense with history that predates the Christmas market by several centuries. The Imperial Castle above the city was a seat of the Holy Roman Empire, and the medieval street grid below it is remarkably intact. Even on a day trip focused on the market, walking up to the castle or stepping inside one of the Gothic churches is just a short detour and adds real depth to the visit. Nuremberg is not just a backdrop for a festive afternoon; it is a city with genuine stories to tell.
Days & Discoveries
Dec 17 | Day Trip to Nuremberg: One of the World's Great Christmas Markets We made a day trip to Nuremberg, about an hour from Bamberg by train. Nuremberg carries a complicated and layered history, from its prominence as an imperial city in the Holy Roman Empire to the darkness of the twentieth century. Walking through its old town, with its medieval stone streets and the imperial castle rising above, you feel the weight and depth of it. The Christkindlesmarkt, held in the Hauptmarkt square, is one of the oldest and most famous Christmas markets in the world, with written records dating back to 1530. The market filled the square with red-and-white-striped wooden stalls, the smell of gingerbread and roasted chestnuts, and the particular kind of festive noise that comes from a very old tradition still being enthusiastically observed. The Nuremberg Bratwurst, small and finger-length and grilled over beechwood, were exceptional. |     |