The 9 Best Neighborhoods in Nuremberg: A Comprehensive Guide
Coming up in this guide: lakeside stretches, party districts, family-friendly fun, the best neighborhoods in Nuremberg, and everything you want to know about living in the city.
The most impressive Christmas markets on the planet. Never-ending nightlife. Both ancient and modern history (hello, big links to WW2). A medieval-looking central stretch. Some of Germany’s best festivals. A relatively central location. And plenty more.
That’s Nuremberg (or Nürnberg, if you want to give the city its *actual* name). And, presumably, since you’re reading this, you’re thinking about moving to the place.
But it’s the second-biggest city in Bavaria, with a metropolitan population of around 1 million people, and a load of different areas and neighborhoods. So it’s a surprisingly-sprawling city, and it’s a bit bigger than most people expect….
… and, of course, its different districts offer different appeals and atmospheres.
So in this guide, we’ve helped you along on your journey—we’ve brought you the 9 best neighborhoods in Nuremberg, along with information on who’ll like living in each one. Coming up, we’ve covered the following 9 places:
- Altstadt (Old Town)
- Wöhrd
- St. Johannis
- Gostenhof
- Nordstadt
- Südstadt
- Zerzabelshof (Zabo)
- Erlenstegen
- Mögeldorf
Want to know where you can find the best neighborhoods in Nuremberg? Coming up, your good friends at Homelike have covered it all… so pack yourself a sausage-centric snack, and come join the Bavarian bonanza!
1. Altstadt (Old Town)
Best for: all the famous sights, living in the center, and acting like a tourist
If you know any German, you’ll know ‘Altstadt’ translates to ‘Old Town.’ So—no surprises here—it’s home to the oldest parts of the city, filled with cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and lots of oldy-worldy tourist sights…
… and because this part of Nuremberg is also the very center of the city, it’s home to loads of Nuremberg’s most modern attractions.
Note: the Altstadt is broken into two separate sections: Altstadt St. Lorenz, which sits on the southern side of the river; and Altstadt St. Sebald, which sits on the northern side of the river.
While they’re both relatively similar, Altstadt St. Lorenz is all charm, churches, ornate squares, and old-school vibes. It’s largely made up of tourist attractions and (often-gimmicky) bars and restaurants. Altstadt St. Sebald, meanwhile, though it’s also home to many sights and attractions, is slightly less touristy, and slightly more residential and commercial.
But, overall, it doesn’t matter which of these areas you decide to live in: the furthest part of Altstadt St. Sebald is only a 15-minute walk from the furthest part of Altstadt St. Lorenz.
So, in summary, the entirety of the Old Town is one of the best areas in Nuremberg for short-term stays. You get all the famous stuff, lots of brand-new buddies, and endless places to eat, drink, and party.
Top tip: Because the Alstadt is so popular, it’s usually easier to move into a serviced apartment or serviced flat in this part of the city. Unscrupulous landlords here will usually charge you high prices for low-quality places—so moving into a fully-furnished serviced place instead can save you lots of time and stress.
Attractions and parks in the Altstadt: the view-packed Imperial Castle, all the old streets and squares, the toy museum, the city’s national museum, pretty stretches of the Pegnitz River, the outrageously attractive Schöner Brunnen, many green spaces, and the annual Christmas markets.
Transport in the Altstadt: if you’re staying here, you’ll rarely need to use any public transport. But you have easy access to lots of buses, undergrounds and trams… and there are many excellent cycling lanes in the district.
Schools in the Altstadt: There are no international schools in the district—the closest (which is the only international school in the area), is Franconian International School, which sits in the nearby city of Erlangen. That said, the international Little Giants Kindergarten lies just on the outskirts of the Aldstadt; and the adults-only Language School Active Nuremberg is right in the heart of the neighborhood.
2. Wöhrd
Best for: young couples, a mixture of nightlife and nature, and a balance of rural and urban
Bordering the northern part of the Altstadt to the east, Wöhrd is a brilliant compromise in many ways—and for a mixture of outdoor attractions and city-center fun, it’s one of the best areas in Nuremberg.
Here, you’re never gonna be more than a 15-minute walk from any part of the city center…
… but you’re also right beside the Wöhrder See, a fun-packed crowd-pleasing reservoir sitting along a lengthy stretch of the city’s river. It offers swimming spots, walking and cycling routes, a kid-friendly watercourse, table tennis, cafes and restaurants, playgrounds, beachy areas, green hangouts, and plenty more.
Other perks of Wöhrd include more green spaces, lots of international restaurants, and a pretty young crowd. It’s a lot less busy than the central stretch, but you’ll never feel bored or alone.
Attractions and parks in Wöhrd: all the fun of the Wöhrder See, the big Stadt Park, surprisingly-big Cramer-Klett Park, and close proximity to all the fun of the Old Town.
Transport in Wöhrd: tram number 8 runs through the heart of the district, and goes right to the Old Town. The neighborhood is also bordered by three underground stations (Wöhrder Wiese, Rathenauplatz, and Rennweg), so it provides quick and easy access to many parts of the city.
Schools in Wöhrd: international Little Giants Kindergarten is in the neighborhood, while the district also has many good non-international options for all ages.
3. St. Johannis
Best for: easy access to excellent healthcare, large family homes, and a wide range of restaurants
Also known as ‘Sankt Johannis,’ this neighborhood borders the northern part of the Altstadt to the west. In some ways, it’s similar to Wöhrd—it’s a good compromise between central and not-too-busy, and it’s relatively residential.
But while (unlike Wöhrd) St. Johannis isn’t home to a massive reservoir, it is home to some pretty parks and riverside stretches. It’s a friendly and appealing family-friendly area, and prices here are a little lower than the prices in Wöhrd. You can expect relatively-large family homes, a safe atmosphere, and close proximity to lots of city-center fun.
It’s one of the best areas in Nuremberg for food and drinks (some top eats include the excellent Indian food of Tibet, the family-friendly Mexican fayre of Crazy Nate’s Johannis, and the lovely laid-back brunches of Caffé Fatal).
It’s also well-located for healthcare—the Hospital Hallerwiese is inside the district, while the city’s northern hospital sits just outside of the neighborhood.
Attractions and parks in St. Johannis: medieval Johannisfriedhof Cemetery, the baroque Italian gardens of Hesperidengärten, lots of pretty riverside stretches, and close proximity to the ever-popular Bürgermeistergarten. Parks aplenty!
Transport in St. Johannis: the Johannisstraße road runs almost directly through the middle of the district… and offers many buses to the Old Town (and beyond). It’s also easy to head in all other directions—this is one of the best neighborhoods in Nuremberg for quickly getting around.
Schools in St. Johannis: no international schools—but many non-international kindergartens and primary schools in and around the district.
4. Gostenhof
Best for: eating around the planet, close proximity to the center (without spending too much cash), and finding an affordable family home
Bordering the Altstadt to the southwest, Gostenhof is one of the most hip and multicultural parts of the city. Here, you’ll find people from around the planet, along with lots of Turkish folk, and endless hordes of hipsters.
There’s not really a great deal to do here (apart from endless eats and treats from various parts of the planet), so we’re not too sure why all the hipsters seem to love it… apart from maybe for the low prices.
For saving money, this is one of the best neighborhoods in Nuremberg. Okay, some of the homes can be a little less-modern in parts, but it’s a safe area with some pretty (and pretty large) homes. Great if you’re moving with kids and don’t want to splash too much cash.
And as a nice bonus, Gostenhof is only a short walk from the city’s main train station… so you can easily hop to many other parts of Germany (including Berlin and Hamburg and many other big cities) from here.
Attractions and parks in Gostenhof: the excellent Nicolaus Copernicus Planetarium, popular-with-families Rosenaupark, some other decent green spaces, and close proximity to the railroad-based Deutsche Bahn Museum
Transport in Gostenhof: you’re close to the main train station, you’re right beside some other train stations, and you have easy access to many trams, undergrounds, and buses. One of the best neighborhoods in Nuremberg for public transport.
Schools in Gostenhof: many nearby options for all ages—but no international ones
5. Nordstadt
Best for: lots of useful conveniences, many residential options, and various types of life
Also known as Nuremberg-Nord, this massive district is largely residential…
… but it’s a lot more nuanced than most people expect.
Containing St. Johanis and many other sub-districts, it wraps around the northern part of the Altstadt, encompassing a large area between the center and the major 4R road. You can find various types of life here:
The southern part of the area is one of the best neighborhoods in Nuremberg for nightlife (mainly because it’s so close to the northern part of the Old Town).
In the western part of the Nordstadt, you’ll find lots of eateries and cafes. In the eastern part, you’ll find the massive Stadt Park, and the lovely homes around it…
… and if you head to the northern part of the Nordstadt, you’ll find affordable family homes, and all the conveniences and amenities you could ever need (like shops, gyms, and healthcare facilities).
All in all, a solid choice for many types of people!
Attractions and parks in Nordstadt: no tourist attractions as such, but the southern stretches are very close to the Old Town. The main green highlights are the huge landscaped Stadt Park, and the lovely Colleggarten.
Transport in Nordstadt: several underground stations heading in all directions, along with many buses and trams. For close proximity to the quickest public transport routes, move to one of the neighborhood’s main transit streets (Johannisstraße, Bucherstraße, Lobleinstraße, or Bayreutherstraße).
Schools in Nordstadt: Nordstadt is in the city’s best-possible position for getting to Erlangen’s Franconian International School. There are many non-international options (for all ages) in various parts of the district.
6. Südstadt
Best for: regular travel, affordable homes, and happening pockets of hipster fun
While the Nordstadt sits north of the northern part of the Altstadt, the Südstadt sits south of the southern part of the Aldtstadt. How’s that for symmetry?
Again, like its similarly-named neighbor, it’s a huge district… so it offers endless types of life.
Its most famous area is Galgenhof, a hip and happening district packed with trendy cafes, a load of bohemians, and some ever-popular nightlife venues.
For regular traveling, meanwhile, the northern part of the Südstadt is one of the best neighborhoods in Nuremberg (it’s very close to the central railway station).
Overall, the entire neighborhood is great for finding an affordable home. Once an industrial neighborhood, it’s now an up-and-coming place, but the prices haven’t (yet) caught up with the popularity. But if you do struggle to find a home here, you might want to consider nabbing a serviced apartment or a serviced flat.
Attractions and parks in Südstadt: the war-related Kongresshalle, all the green spaces surrounding it, and the Meistersingerhalle concert hall.
Transport in Südstadt: many trams, buses and undergrounds head to the center and other places. But if you want regular public-transport access, stay close to one of the neighborhood’s major streets.
Schools in the Südstadt: many top-quality non-international options for all ages.
7. Zerzabelshof (Zabo)
Best for: visiting the zoo, lots of lovely green spaces, and finding a rural-but-not-too-rural family home
Sitting on the southwestern outskirts of Nuremberg (and just east of the Südstadt), Zabo is most famous for housing Nürnberg Zoo… home to plenty of animals and marine life, and lots more family-friendly fun.
Other close-by highlights include the lakes, walks and parks of the Volkspark Dutzendteich, lots of camping areas and other green spaces, and plenty of quiet stretches.
On top of all that, it’s a safe and homely place to live. The entire neighborhood offers a nice compromise between quiet rurality and not-too-far-from-centrality… and, overall, it’s one of the best areas in Nuremberg for families.
Attractions and parks in Zabo: the zoo, the Volkspark Dutzendteich, and close proximity to many more tourist attractions.
Transport in Zabo: at both the northern and southern tips of the district, you’ll find fast direct trains to the center. They’ll have you there within 10 minutes.
Schools in Zabo: several non-international options for all ages (both in and around the district).
8. Erlenstegen
Best for: outdoor swimming, a large family home, and enjoying some peace
About as green as Zabo, Erlenstegen is another good pick for people seeking a quiet life… but because it sits on the northeastern outskirts of the city, it’s more rural than its nearby neighbor.
Highlights include walkable stretches of the Pegnitz River, some outdoor swimming pools, loads of places (both indoor and outdoor) to play sports, lots of kid-friendly activity areas (including the excellent airtime trampoline park), and the community garden of the Kleingartenverein Klingenwald.
And instead of small apartments, you’ll find lots of large family homes in Erlenstegen, perfect for living long-term with kids.
Attractions and parks in Erlenstegen: no attractions as such, but plenty of natural green spaces, and a couple of outdoor swimming pools.
Transport in Erlenstegen: there are many options, but the best is Erlenstegen train station, which will get you to the center within ten minutes.
Schools in Erlenstegen: not many choices in the district itself—but you’ll find at least one suitable option for all ages.
9. Mögeldorf
Best for: a wide selection of homes, lots of useful conveniences, and feeling far from the bustle
Located between Zabo and Erlenstegen, Mögeldorf is pretty similar to both places we’ve just covered.
But although Mögeldorf is surrounded by the green spaces of its neighbors, it’s more residential than them both… and it offers a wide range of varied homes. Expect large family houses, apartment buildings, and even a few traditional-style half-timbered places.
So if you want to swiftly find a comfy home in the eastern part of the city, it’s one of the best areas in Nuremberg.
Mögeldorf is quiet, it runs along a lengthy stretch of the Wöhrder See, and it has endlessly-explorable hiking and wild-swimming spots. It’s also home to lots of stores, supermarkets, exercise areas (including gyms, an indoor pool and a sauna), and other always-useful conveniences.
Overall, the neighborhood is a great option for a long-term quiet life—especially if you have kids and like the outdoors.
Attractions and parks in Mögeldorf: no ‘attractions’ as such… but you get the outdoor swimming spot of Freibad Langsee, and many more places to explore the outdoors.
Transport in Mögeldorf: direct trains and direct trams can have you in the center within 30 minutes… but it’s best to have your own car here.
Schools in Mögeldorf: you have a couple of options in the district (and many surrounding it), but, overall, this is one of the worst neighborhoods in Nuremberg for schools.
The 9 Best Neighborhoods in Nuremberg: Final Thoughts
Okay everyone, that’s us done here!
As we’ve covered, it can sometimes be tough to find a good home in many of Nuremberg’s busier districts. So if you wind up struggling, check out the serviced apartments and serviced flats on our site—they’re all affordable, fully-furnished, and super comfy…
… and they’re all ready to call home today!
For more help on moving to Germany, check out our guides on getting your Schufa in Germany, Anmeldung in Germany, and cold rent and warm rent in Germany.
Thanks for reading, thanks for choosing Homelike, and we’ll see you in Nuremberg. Bye for now!
