The best places to go shopping in Nuremberg range from atmospheric Easter markets to one of the largest flea markets in the country. The flea market counts upwards of 4,000 sellers in one place! Nuremberg is a fairy-tale Bavarian town with enchanting streets that swirl around cobbled squares. People flock here for the medieval architecture, the charming parks, the beer halls, and the history.

Others come for the shopping, which is surely some of the best in the whole of southern Germany. Nuremberg has plenty of options for the would-be retail traveler. And that's not even mentioning the iconic Christmas events that take place in November and December – they're said to be some of the most festive markets in the world. Read on to learn more about where to shop in Nuremberg and all the goodies you can buy.

  • 1

    Lorenzer Altstadt

    Where to begin your shopping adventure in Nuremberg

    Lorenzer Altstadt
    • History
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    Lorenzer Altstadt takes up one-half of the old town center of Nuremberg. It spreads across a trio of blocks to the south of the River Pegnitz, bounded by the Rosengarten Park on its south side and the Fleischbrücke bridge to its north. The whole area is pleasantly walkable. In fact, it's home to 2 fully pedestrianized streets that are veritable shopping hubs.

    The first is Breite Gasse, which runs from the White Tower U-Bahn stop in the west for nearly 500 meters. As it goes, you'll find high-street brands like Levi's and Foot Locker next to traditional German souvenir outlets. One block up is Karolinenstrasse, where the retail vibe is a touch more upscale – expect jewelers, haute couture, and bohemian fashion outlets.

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  • 2

    Nuremberg Christmas Market

    Nuremberg's iconic festive fayre

    Nuremberg Christmas Market
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Nightlife
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    The Nuremberg Christmas Market is among the most famous of its kind in Europe. It takes place each year throughout November and December on the sprawling Hauptmarkt square in the midst of the Mitte district – a spot that's within easy walking distance of most hotels in the old town area.

    Said by many to be the oldest Christmas market in the world, the event is sure to stoke the festive feels. You'll shuffle over the icy cobbles to find glühwein (mulled wine) sellers and gingerbread stalls jostling for space, all under the gaze of the angelic Christkind decorations. The shopping is fantastic, especially if you're into tree baubles, carved wooden goods, and festive foods.

    Location: Hauptmarkt, 90403 Nuremberg, Germany

    Open: November–December: daily from 10 am to 9 pm

    Map
  • 3

    Hauptmarkt

    Shop all year round

    Hauptmarkt
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The Hauptmarkt is the fabled home of Nuremberg's Christmas market, but it's also host to bazaars throughout the whole year. The simply named Nuremberg Main Market bustles into life here from Mondays to Saturdays no matter the season. And it's convenient – the spot is easy to get to from virtually all quarters of the old town by foot.

    Spreading out under the Gothic tops of the lovely Frauenkirche, the collection of stalls focuses largely on cooked goods and fresh produce. Come here to taste Bavarian rye bread and local apples, sample famous blood sausage, and meet artisan coffee brewers alike.

    Location: Hauptmarkt, 90403 Nuremberg, Germany

    Map
  • 4

    Mitte

    Nuremberg's town center

    Mitte
    • Photo
    • Shoppers

    Mitte is the beating heart of the whole city of Nuremberg. Encompassing the 2 main old town centres of Sankt Lorenz and Sankt Sebald, it's ringed by the vast Stadtpark gardens. There's a good chance you'll be staying in these parts anyhow. If not, the Lorenzkirche and White Tower U-Bahn stations offer the best access.

    Shoppers have loads to get stuck into in Mitte. Weaving, wiggling lanes of cobblestone pave the way to quaint bakeries that showcase meticulously made gingerbread loaves. There are art galleries offering replicas of Albrecht Durer's works. You'll see charming festive outlets with decorations prepped for Christmas. The south side of Mitte is better for high-street shopping, while the north is better for local markets and independent stores.

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  • 5

    Königstorpassage

    From station to craft shops

    Königstorpassage
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The Königstorpassage shoots underneath the main beltway that encircles the old town neighborhoods of Nuremberg to link up with the platforms of Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof. It's not only a convenient way to the charming half-timbered houses of the center after stepping off a train, though.

    The whole concourse is lined with cute Bavarian bakeries and coffee shops, where you'll be able to bag sweet doughnuts and artisan teas. At its northwestern end, the alley meets Handwerkerhof Nuremberg. Home to lederhosen crafters, medieval taverns, and beer halls it offers an enthralling taste of authentic Bavaria in Nuremberg.

    Location: Königstorpassage, 90402 Nuremberg, Germany

    Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday–Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm (closed on Sundays)

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  • 6

    Plärrermarkt

    A place to get the basics

    Plärrermarkt
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The Plärrermarkt sits on the southwestern edge of the Mitte area of Nuremberg, offering an altogether more modern shopping experience than the cobbled plazas of the center. There's easy access because it has a dedicated U-Bahn station called Plärrer, and there's onsite parking to boot.

    The Plärrermarkt spreads over 2 wings. The one to the west deals largely with utilitarian homeware establishments, with some pharmacies and medical supply stores thrown in. The one to the east has cafe-bars and international food outlets, along with a smattering of affordable fast-fashion brands. Head down adjoining Gostenhofer Hauptstrasse to find a string of fun Middle Eastern grocers with exotic fruit and spices for sale.

    Location: Am Plärrer 19-21, 90443 Nuremberg, Germany

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 8 pm (closed on Sundays)

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  • 7

    CARRÉ Fürther Freiheit

    A local shopping mall in Fürth

    CARRÉ Fürther Freiheit
    • Families
    • Shoppers

    CARRÉ Fürther Freiheit is a staple of the local shopping scene. It's not in the center of the town, but rather up the railroad line a little in nearby Fürth, where it occupies a whole block just south of the Stadtpark. A ride here from Nürnberg Hauptbahnhof should take about 5 minutes on the trains, which leave every 15 minutes throughout the day.

    The modern-style complex contains mainstay brands like WÖHRL fashion. However, there's also a good showing of more quirky local stores around the edges of the building. They come in the form of the independent bookstore Bücher Edelmann and the Bavarian beer outlet of Die Bierothek.

    Location: Carré Fürther Freiheit, Friedrichstraße 13-15, 90762 Fürth, Germany

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 9.30 am to 7 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +49 (0)131 7775420

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  • 8

    Mercado Nürnberg

    Everything you need without entering the old town

    Mercado Nürnberg
    • Families
    • Shoppers

    Mercado Nürnberg figures as one of the largest out-of-centre malls on the northeastern side of the city. It's located just past the 4R beltway, some 5 minutes on foot from the Schoppershof U-Bahn station in Weigelshof. A train ride from Mitte usually takes around 15 to 20 minutes.

    Measuring 200 meters lengthwise and over 150 meters across, this vast concourse has plenty of space to accommodate all sorts of retail brands. Mercado Nürnberg counts both German and international fashion names in its number – Woolworth, H&M, Hunkemöller. Plus, there are convenient pharmacies and sporting outlets in the mix.

    Location: Äußere Bayreuther Str. 78, 90491 Nuremberg, Germany

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 9.30 am to 8 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +49 (0)911 51947811

    Map
  • 9

    Nuremberg Easter Market

    Among Nuremberg's oldest markets

    Nuremberg Easter Market
    • Families
    • History
    • Shoppers

    The Nuremberg Easter Market trumps even the uber-famous Nuremberg Christmas Market to be hailed as the oldest market in the whole city. It starts in the early spring, so is one of the first main cultural events on the municipal calendar. Its home? The legendary Hauptmarkt, of course – the very heart of the Mitte district.

    Easter is the theme that runs through all the stalls. Buyers can browse painted eggs, easter-themed textiles, springtime decorations, artisan eggcups – the list goes on. There are also craft sellers that showcase kitchenware and table goods, along with a whole host of food stalls to sate those shopping-induced hunger pangs.

    Location: Hauptmarkt, 90403 Nuremberg, Germany

    Open: March–April: daily from 10 am to 9 pm

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  • 10

    Trempelmarkt

    Kitschy stalls for off-beat purchases

    Trempelmarkt
    • Families
    • Shoppers

    The Trempelmarkt graces the streets of historic Nuremberg just twice a year. Usually, that's once in spring and once in the autumn, though the dates can chop and change. If you happen to be in town when it's on, then great – look for it along the lanes of the Mitte area north of the Hauptmarkt.

    The Trempelmarkt is said to be one of the largest flea markets in Germany. Browsers and hagglers can expect a hodgepodge of serious diversity. At the market, knick-knacks from the 1800s mingle with wartime paraphernalia and old-school threads meet vinyl records from the 1960s.

    Location: Hauptmarkt, 90403 Nuremberg, Germany

    Open: 2nd week of May and September: Friday from 4 pm to midnight, Saturday from 7 am to 8 pm

    Map
Joseph Francis | Contributing Writer