(Continued from the first half of this post: Wandering 8 Nuremberg Old City Squares, Part 1.)
The city center of Nuremberg, Germany, is known for its post-war rebuilt medieval architecture and historical significance. Within this area, there are several squares, typically known as a "Platz" in German. We are continuing to circle our way out to the edges of the Altstadt (Old City). Nuremberg is one of my favorite cities in the world, and I am so lucky to live here and be able to hang out in so many cool places whenever I want.
9. Weißgerbergasse: This is a picturesque alley with colorful houses and a small square-like area that is often considered part of the city center's charm. If you're seeking the quintessential Nuremberg-Franconian-Bavarian-German look and experience, you cannot miss Weißgerbergasse! It has been painstakingly restored to show how pre-World War II Nuremberg would have looked all over the city. Every single attached half-timbered building on this road has incredible attention to detail and wonderful shops and food offerings on the street level. Expect to be swept away into another time on this adorable lane!
10. Maxplatz: Find your way to Maxplatz to see a nicely laid out area for having coffee from the Espresso Lab truck (pictured behind the trees), and enjoy taking in the towers and medieval buildings.
11. Hefnersplatz: In one of the more modernized zones of the city, Hefnersplatz is a nice break from the surrounding shopping areas.
12. Ludwigsplatz: Another heavily foot-trafficked square in Nuremberg has excellent outdoor café options that can help pass the sunny and cozy afternoons. It feels as if it's a bit on the way to every direction on the west side of the city, and for good reason! The large department store of WÖHRL is on this square, and at the top of the building is The Green - Rooftop Café, which is especially known for its delicious cake offerings. If you'd prefer to stay on the ground level, Brown's Café will cater to literally every flavor of specialty coffee drink -- hot or cold! -- you could ever imagine.
13. Jakobsplatz: This square mainly functions as the entry point into the west part of the Altstadt, but also serves up amazing views of old churches and buildings. The two huge churches facing each other: St. Elisabeth representing the Catholic minority in the area and St. Jakob standing strong as the more popular Protestant option in the region of Martin Luther, dominate the open sky in the space. There is also a nice winter market with a Ferris wheel during the colder months.
14. Hallplatz: It is located near the City Hall (Rathaus) and is known for its historic buildings and the Craftsmen's Courtyard.
15. Tiergärtnertorplatz: This square is located near the Nuremberg Castle and is named after the Tiergärtnertor, one of the castle gates. It provides a scenic view of the castle and the surrounding area. The Albrecht-Dürer-Haus (Albrecht Dürer Museum) is also here, along with the World War II Art Bunker, where many relics and artworks were kept safe during the complicated years under the Nazi regime.
16. Rathausplatz: This area is a great option for finding a typical Franconian restaurant to eat the local fare and drink some of the local beer or wine. Nuremberg (Nürnberg) is the largest city in Franconia (Franken) and has its own special cuisine of mixing typical German meals like sausage and sauerkraut with the local Franconian beer and wine selections.
One of the many wonderful things about visiting old European cities is the rambling and wandering through streets that spill into open spaces, complete with beautiful buildings and sprawling café settings. You can make it to all of these squares in one day, but all of these spots are even better when enjoyed with nothing else on the schedule.
Be sure to check out the first half of this post for the full Nuremberg square experience: Wandering 8 Nuremberg Old City Squares, Part 1.