Nuremberg Nurnberg, Germany Bavaria

2346 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

AmaWaterways (200 Cruises)

Cruise Ama AmaWaterways AmaCerto ship

AmaCerto

162 Passengers
3500 tons
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AmaLea.

AmaLea

156 Passengers
3500 tons
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Cruise Ama AmaWaterways AmaPrima ship

AmaPrima

162 Passengers
3500 tons
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Cruise Ama AmaWaterways AmaReina ship

AmaReina

162 Passengers
3500 tons
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Cruise Ama AmaWaterways AmaSonata ship

AmaSonata

162 Passengers
3500 tons
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Avalon Waterways (301 Cruises)

Cruise AVA Avalon Waterways Expression ship

Avalon Expression®

166 Passengers
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Cruise AVA Avalon Waterways Illumination ship

Avalon Illumination®

166 Passengers
2775 tons
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Avalon ImageryII.

Avalon Imagery II®

128 Passengers
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Cruise AVA Avalon Waterways Impression ship

Avalon ImpressionSM

164 Passengers
2775 tons
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Cruise AVA Avalon Waterways Panorama ship

Avalon PanoramaSM

166 Passengers
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Avalon Passion.

Avalon Passion®

166 Passengers
2775 tons
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Avalon Tranquility II.

Avalon Tranquility II®

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Cruise AVA Avalon Waterways Visionary ship

Avalon Visionary®

128 Passengers
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Cruise AVA Avalon Waterways Vista ship

Avalon VistaSM

166 Passengers
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CroisiEurope (16 Cruises)

Emerald Waterways (322 Cruises)

Emerald Dawn.

Emerald Dawn

227 Passengers
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Emerald Luna .

Emerald Luna

227 Passengers
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Emerald Sky.

Emerald Sky

227 Passengers
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Emerald Star.

Emerald Star

227 Passengers
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Emerald Sun

Emerald Sun

227 Passengers
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Riviera Travel (22 Cruises)

Scenic Cruises (814 Cruises)

Scenic Amber.

Scenic Amber

169 Passengers
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Scenic Crystal.

Scenic Crystal

169 Passengers
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Scenic Jade.

Scenic Jade

169 Passengers
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Scenic Jasper.

Scenic Jasper

163 Passengers
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Scenic Jewel.

Scenic Jewel

169 Passengers
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Scenic Opal.

Scenic Opal

169 Passengers
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Scenic Pearl.

Scenic Pearl

159 Passengers
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Tauck Cruises (39 Cruises)

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise (177 Cruises)

River Beatrice.

River Beatrice

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River Beatrice.

S.S. Beatrice

207 Passengers
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S.S. Émilie.

S.S. Émilie

154 Passengers
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Viking River Cruises (455 Cruises)

Viking Longship Gefjon.

Viking Longship Gefjon

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Viking Longships Baldur.

Viking Longships Baldur

240 Passengers
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Viking Longships Lif.

Viking Longships Lif

238 Passengers
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Viking Longships Magni.

Viking Longships Magni

240 Passengers
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Viking Longships Mimir.

Viking Longships Mimir

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Viking Longships Modi.

Viking Longships Modi

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Viking Longships Skirnir.

Viking Longships Skirnir

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Viking Longships Ve.

Viking Longships Ve

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Viking Longships Vidar.

Viking Longships Vidar

238 Passengers
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Viking Longships Vili.

Viking Longships Vili

240 Passengers
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Port of Nuremberg, Germany | Cruise Port Guide

On Nuremberg's market square, a grille on the Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain) hides a gilded brass ring. Turning it is said to bring luck, provided you make your wish in silence. Locals have played along for centuries, and the discreet line in front of the grille says a lot: in this Franconian city, traditions die hard — they even survived the darkest hours of the 20th century.

From the canal to the old town

River cruise ships stop at the port basin of the Main-Danube Canal, 6 or 7 kilometres south of the historic centre. Shuttles and motorcoaches cover the distance in about twenty minutes; cruise lines almost always organize the transfer. Once past the ramparts — nearly five kilometres of surprisingly well-preserved medieval walls — everything is done on foot.

The castle and the painter's house

The Kaiserburg dominates the old town from its sandstone spur: the residence of the Holy Roman Emperors during their visits, it offers from its terraces the finest view over the sea of red roofs. Below, the half-timbered house of Albrecht Dürer, where the master lived from 1509 until his death in 1528, brings to life the workshop and daily life of Nuremberg's most famous son. The neighbouring lanes, with façades carefully rebuilt after 1945, retain the layout and scale of the Middle Ages.

The market square and its clocks

In the heart of the city, the Hauptmarkt comes alive every day at noon: the automatons of the Frauenkirche re-enact the homage of the seven prince-electors to Emperor Charles IV, a 1509 mechanism still faithfully at its post. The Schöner Brunnen, a 19-metre gilded stone spire, completes the picture. Neighbouring stalls sell gingerbread — the famous lebkuchen — and grilled sausages: the small local bratwurst, barely bigger than a finger, is ordered by threes in a bun and eaten on the go.

From one church to the other

Two great Gothic churches share the area within the ramparts, each on its own bank of the Pegnitz: St. Sebaldus to the north and St. Lorenz to the south, both rich in medieval works of art that were saved or restored. Between the two, the Butchers' Bridge and the footbridges over the river offer views worthy of a sketchbook. Finally, near the Königstor, the Craftsmen's Courtyard brings together pewter, leather and wooden toy stalls in a setting of reconstructed lanes — perfect for last-minute purchases before the shuttle.

The memory of the 20th century

Nuremberg also faces the dark chapters of its history. To the southeast, the documentation centre housed in the former Nazi congress hall analyzes the mechanics of the regime's rallies; in town, Courtroom 600 at the Palace of Justice, where the 1945–1946 trial was held, can be visited along with its exhibition. These places require time and a certain openness of mind, but they shed light on the meaning the city gives its past today: understand, so as not to forget.

Port call pointers

RouteApproximate duration
River port – old town6 to 7 km, about 20 minutes by shuttle
Kaiserburg – Dürer's house5-minute walk
Hauptmarkt – southern ramparts15-minute walk
Documentation centreaccessible by tram or on an excursion

A parting wish

Before catching the shuttle, many stop by the fountain to turn the golden ring one last time. You leave Nuremberg with the taste of gingerbread, images of ramparts and the memory of a city that has been able to face its history head-on — all of its history. Perhaps that, in the end, is what makes it so endearing.

Frequently Asked Questions

At the Main-Danube Canal harbour basin, 6 to 7 kilometres south of the historic centre. The quay is not in town: shuttles and coaches cover the distance in about twenty minutes.
Yes, to reach the old town from the river port; lines almost always arrange the transfer. Once inside the walls, everything is done on foot.
The Kaiserburg and its terraces, Albrecht Dürer house, the Hauptmarkt with the Beautiful Fountain and the Frauenkirche clock, then St Sebald and St Lawrence churches. With the shuttle factored in, that is already a full plan.
A gilded brass ring hidden in the railing of the Beautiful Fountain on the Hauptmarkt. Turning it is said to bring luck, provided you make your wish in silence. Locals have played along for centuries.
The imperial castle dominating the old town from its sandstone spur, residence of Holy Roman Emperors when they passed through. Its terraces give the finest view over the ocean of red roofs.
Largely rebuilt after 1945, but carefully: the lanes keep the medieval layout and scale, and nearly five kilometres of medieval walls are remarkably well preserved. Worth knowing before going ashore: this is not an untouched setting.
Yes. Courtroom 600 at the Palace of Justice, where the 1945-1946 trial sat, can be visited with its exhibition. The documentation centre in the former Nazi congress hall completes the picture. Both places take time and a certain frame of mind.
Nuremberg Bratwurst, small sausages barely bigger than a finger, ordered three to a roll and eaten while walking. The Hauptmarkt stalls also sell the famous lebkuchen, the city gingerbread.
Yes. The craftsmen courtyard near the royal gate, with its pewter, leather and wooden toy workshops, is a hit, as are the clock automata at midday. The twentieth-century memorial sites, by contrast, suit older visitors.
The euro. Cards work at museums and restaurants, but the sausage and gingerbread stalls on the Hauptmarkt often run on cash.