The Imperial Castle of Nuremberg (Kaiserburg) crowns a sandstone ridge above the old town and was one of the most important fortified imperial residences of the Holy Roman Empire, where every German king and emperor stayed at least briefly between about 1050 and 1571. Its surviving Romanesque Double Chapel, the Palas (imperial living quarters), the round Sinwell Tower and the rock-cut Deep Well make it Nuremberg's defining landmark. Heavily damaged in World War II and rebuilt afterwards, in 2026 it is fully open with the permanent exhibition 'Emperor – Reich – City.' It works well as a half-day visit combining the castle interiors, the free castle gardens and sweeping views over the city.
The Palas (imperial living quarters) with the permanent exhibition 'Emperor – Reich – City,' tracing the castle's role at the heart of imperial politics
The Romanesque Double Chapel (c. 1200) — two stacked chapels with a ruler's gallery that let the emperor worship from the upper level
The Sinwell Tower — a late-13th-century round keep whose viewing platform offers a panorama over Nuremberg's old town
The Deep Well (Tiefer Brunnen) — a shaft cut roughly 47 m into the rock, seen only on a short guided tour included in the ticket
The Kaiserburg Museum and the free castle gardens (April–October), showcasing the fortifications, models and city views
Good to know
RulesTickets cannot be booked online and are sold only at the cash desk in the outer courtyard (cash or card: EC/Mastercard/Visa). Beware third-party resellers adding surcharges. Under-18s enter free.
RulesThe Deep Well can be seen only on scheduled guided tours, so check the next tour time on arrival and plan your route accordingly. Prices and hours should be checked for the latest information.
SeasonSummer hours (Apr–Sep) are 9:00–18:00; winter (Oct–Mar) is a shorter 10:00–16:00, with last entry about 60 minutes before closing. The castle gardens close Nov–Mar. Closed on 1 Jan, Shrove Tuesday, and 24/25/31 Dec.
SeasonThe castle sits on a hill reached by a cobbled uphill walk, and the tower and well involve many steps — wear comfortable shoes. The old town is very crowded during the December Christkindlesmarkt (Christmas market).
MannersThe Double Chapel is a sacred space, so keep quiet inside. Commercial photography requires a permit and fee, drones are banned over the grounds, and pets are not allowed inside the castle or gardens.
CautionWatch for pickpockets and clipboard/petition scams around the main station and busy tourist spots. Keep bags in front of you and valuables secure.
SafetyTipping is not mandatory in Germany, but rounding up by roughly 5–10% in restaurants and cafés is customary; tell the server the total amount when paying.
Practical info
The castle is walkable uphill from the old town (about 20–25 minutes on foot from the main station); the nearest public-transport stops are the tram 'Tiergärtnertor' and bus 'Burgstraße.' Opening hours are 9:00–18:00 in summer and 10:00–16:00 in winter, tickets are sold only at the on-site cash desk, and prices and times should be confirmed on the official website before visiting.
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