Three Amazing Museums in Nuremberg to Visit, Rain or Shine

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Nuremberg is home to over 50 museums, and if you’re planning a visit, there are three I highly recommend checking out. They’re not just great options for rainy days when strolling through the picturesque streets of the historic center isn’t ideal—they add a unique twist to your Nuremberg experience.

These museums may not be as famous as the Louvre, the Vatican Museums, or the Uffizi Gallery, but they offer something special for those curious about local history or unique discoveries. Let me tell you more about them.

Germanisches Nationalmuseum

Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg, Germany
Germanisches Nationalmuseum

The Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg is the largest cultural history museum in Germany, with over 1.3 million artifacts that cover everything from prehistoric times to today. Visitors can check out a wide variety of exhibits, like ancient tools from the Neolithic period, stunning medieval sculptures by artists such as Veit Stoß and Tilman Riemenschneider, the Behaim Globe—the world’s oldest surviving globe—artwork by Albrecht Dürer, and an impressive collection of historical musical instruments.

The Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg is packed with amazing collections that highlight the cultural and historical heritage of German-speaking regions. Specifically, here’s what you’ll find:

  • First, there’s Prehistory and Early History, with ancient tools, weapons, and everyday objects from prehistoric and early Germanic times.
  • Medieval Art showcases incredible sculptures, paintings, and altarpieces, including works by Veit Stoß and Tilman Riemenschneider.
  • Then you’ve got Renaissance and Baroque Art, featuring pieces by Albrecht Dürer, plus furniture and decorative arts from those eras.
  • The museum also has a stunning collection of Musical Instruments—more than 3,000 pieces from the 16th to 20th centuries.
  • You can also check out Scientific Instruments, like the Behaim Globe, the oldest surviving terrestrial globe, and other fascinating tools that show early scientific advancements.
  • In the Everyday Life and Folk Art section, you’ll see traditional costumes, crafts, and items that show what daily life was like in the past.
  • For something more modern, there’s Modern Art and Design, with contemporary paintings, sculptures, and innovative designs.
  • If you’re into sparkle, the Jewelry and Precious Objects collection features fine jewelry, religious artifacts, and other gold, silver, and gemstone creations.
  • The Prints and Drawings section has rare manuscripts, graphic art, and over 3,000 prints from the 16th century.
  • Finally, the Textiles and Clothing section offers over 25,000 objects, from ancient textiles to clothes from the 16th through 21st centuries.

Each category offers a deep dive into the cultural, artistic, and scientific achievements that have shaped German-speaking Europe and beyond.

Sometimes, certain areas of the permanent exhibitions might be closed to the public for various reasons. For the most up-to-date visiting information and announcements, it’s best to check their official website.

Nuremberg Transport Museum

Nuremberg Transport Museum, Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg Transport Museum

The Nuremberg Transport Museum is a really cool place that takes you on a journey through the history of transportation. It’s one of the oldest technical museums in Europe, opening all the way back in 1899. You’ll see some pretty unique things here, like parts of a royal Bavarian train, the oldest steam locomotive still around in Germany, and a sleek, famous streamlined locomotive. There’s also an impressive collection of model trains, including a huge 80-square-meter layout that shows how railways used to work.

Did you know? The museum also runs historic trains that you can hop on, giving you a taste of what travel was like in the past. Anyhow, specifically, the exhibits you’ll find inside the Nuremberg Transport Museum focus on:

  1. The History of the Railway in Germany — This exhibit really takes you on a journey through the history of Germany’s railways, showing how they’ve developed from the 1800s all the way to today.
  2. Bahnhofszeiten — If you’re into architecture and how cities evolve, you’ll love this part. It explores how train stations have changed over the years, from their design to the technology they use, and how they’ve adapted to meet new transportation needs.
  3. Time-Traveling with Grandpa Adler — This one’s a really cool, hands-on experience. It tells the story of the “Adler,” the very first passenger train in Germany, which started running back in 1835.
  4. Modellarium — here you’re greeted by over 2,000 railway models, ranging from tiny ones that are just a few inches long to huge ones that are several feet tall.
  5. Outdoor Display Area — Step outside into this massive 15,000-square-meter space where you can see real, historic trains up close. You’ll get to walk around locomotives and carriages, seeing how the technology and design of trains have evolved.
  6. Model Railway Display — One of my personal favorites is this huge model railway that stretches for 500 meters. It was built back in the 1960s and 70s, and it’s amazing to see how the trains move around realistic landscapes with working signals.
  7. Bahnwärterhäusle (The Signalman’s Cottage) — this exhibit lets you step into the world of a railway signalman from the early 20th century
  8. Under Pressure — this exhibit takes a fun and quirky look at the history of train toilets, from their humble beginnings to modern-day systems. It explores how these toilets were used in surprising ways, including secret activities and even smuggling.

For visiting details and updates, you can check the official website of the Nuremberg Transport Museum. Virtually explore the museum through this 360 image:

Nuremberg Toy Museum

Nuremberg Toy Museum, Nuremberg, Germany
Nuremberg Toy Museum

Being a millennial, I was lucky enough to play with “actual toys” during my younger years, and seeing those same toys now always brings a smile to my face.

If you’re like me and you’re traveling to Nuremberg and want to get that nostalgic feeling, the Nuremberg Toy Museum is the place to go. The toy collection in this museum is massive—about 87,000 items! The thing is, the toys you’ll find inside aren’t just the ones we’re familiar with. As the museum’s facade shows you before you enter (it’s housed in an old, historic building called Hallersches Haus, which dates back to the 1500s), some of the toys inside are from centuries ago—like the ones our great-great-grandparents used to play with. I think there are a few that date back over 600 years—amazing!

The last time I checked the Toy Museum in Nuremberg, I saw some pretty cool toys. There were wooden toys, which were these old-school, handcrafted playthings.

I also spotted a bunch of dolls and dollhouses, including some Nuremberg kitchens and even little doll-sized kitchens! Then, there were optical toys like the zograscope, magic lantern, and stereoscope – really interesting stuff. The tinplate toy collection was huge, with all kinds of Lehmann toys like cars, trains, and steam engines.

Of course, there were also modern toys like Lego, Barbie, Playmobil, and Matchbox cars. And don’t miss the model railways and vehicles – they had these massive railway layouts and all kinds of different vehicles.

For more details about the Toy Museum in Nuremberg, like their visiting hours and entry fees, just head over to their official website.

Take a look at what’s inside the museum with this spherical image. You can swipe the image to see more views!

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As you’ve probably noticed, the museums in Nuremberg are super interesting. But when you visit, don’t forget to check out the top sights and experiences in the city, which you can easily learn more about in my guide.

The guide also shows you where to find the beautiful sights around Nuremberg and the best times to visit. It covers the churches and amazing day trip attractions (Bamberg, Wurzburg, and Rothenburg ob der Tauber) as well. If you’re planning a trip to Nuremberg, WanderInEurope has all the resources you need to make the most of your visit. I’ve got:

Enjoy Nuremberg.

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