Things to Do in Nuremberg in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Nuremberg
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring blooming season transforms the city's parks and gardens - the Stadtpark and castle grounds are genuinely spectacular with cherry blossoms and magnolias, typically peaking mid-to-late April without the summer tourist crowds
- Easter markets (Ostermarkt) run through mid-April with significantly fewer visitors than the famous Christmas market - you'll actually enjoy browsing the 50+ stalls in the Hauptmarkt without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, and accommodation prices are 30-40% lower than December
- Perfect hiking and cycling weather in Franconian Switzerland, just 30 km (18.6 miles) north - trails are dry after winter thaw, temperatures in the 12-16°C (54-61°F) range are ideal for active days, and the beech forests are bright green before summer canopy closes in
- Museum weather is actually perfect - those 10 rainy days mean you'll appreciate Nuremberg's exceptional indoor offerings (Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Documentation Center, Albrecht Dürer House) without feeling like you're missing sunshine, and weekday mornings are nearly empty
Considerations
- Genuinely unpredictable weather - you might get 20°C (68°F) and sunshine one day, then 8°C (46°F) with drizzle the next, which makes packing frustrating and day planning requires flexibility with indoor backup options always ready
- Some outdoor beer gardens and castle courtyards don't fully open until late April or early May when temperatures stabilize - the famous Zirkelschmiedsgasse and Tiergärtnertor areas have limited outdoor seating until mid-month, though indoor sections remain open
- Daylight is decent but not peak - sunset around 8pm means you'll miss the long summer evenings for rooftop drinks or castle views, and morning starts are chillier than summer months for early risers wanting to photograph the Altstadt in golden hour
Best Activities in April
Imperial Castle and Old Town Walking Tours
April is arguably the best month for exploring Nuremberg's medieval Altstadt on foot. The 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 mile) circuit from Hauptmarkt through the castle district and city walls is comfortable in 10-15°C (50-59°F) temperatures - warm enough to enjoy hours outside, cool enough that the uphill climb to Kaiserburg doesn't leave you overheated. The castle courtyards and rampart views are spectacular without July's haze, and you'll have space to actually photograph the half-timbered houses along Weissgerbergasse without tourists in every frame. Morning tours (9-11am) typically offer the best light and emptiest streets.
Franconian Switzerland Hiking and Rock Formations
The limestone plateau and river valleys 25-40 km (15.5-25 miles) north of Nuremberg are phenomenal in April - trails through beech forests and past dramatic rock formations like Teufelshöhle caves are dry and mud-free after winter, wildflowers are emerging, and temperatures in the 12-16°C (54-61°F) range are perfect for moderate exertion. The Walberla mountain circuit (3-4 hours, 10 km/6.2 miles) and Pottenstein area offer routes for all fitness levels. This is genuinely better than summer when trails get crowded and temperatures make uphill sections uncomfortable.
Franconian Brewery Tours and Beer Culture
Franconia has the world's highest brewery density, and April marks the transition from winter bocks to spring lagers - you'll find seasonal brews that aren't available other months. The region's 300+ small breweries are accessible via day trips to towns like Bamberg (45 minutes by train, 15-20 EUR return) or Forchheim. April weather means you'll appreciate the cozy brewery taverns (Brauereigaststätten) without summer heat, though outdoor beer garden seating is limited until late month. The combination of walking between breweries and indoor tasting sessions works perfectly with variable April conditions.
WWII History and Documentation Center Tours
April's rainy days (expect 10 throughout the month) are perfect for Nuremberg's exceptional WWII historical sites. The Documentation Center at former Nazi Party Rally Grounds offers 3-4 hours of deeply engaging exhibitions about the rise of National Socialism - the permanent exhibition is genuinely world-class and rarely crowded on weekday mornings. The adjacent Zeppelin Field and Congress Hall ruins are powerful to walk through, and April temperatures make the outdoor portions comfortable. This is infinitely better than visiting in summer heat or December cold when the exposed rally grounds are uncomfortable to explore.
Nuremberg Toy Museum and Medieval Craft Workshops
Nuremberg's toy-making heritage comes alive through hands-on workshops that are perfect for April's variable weather - you'll have indoor activities ready when rain hits. The Toy Museum (Spielzeugmuseum) showcases 600 years of toy history, and several craft studios in the Handwerkerhof (artisan courtyard) offer 1-2 hour workshops in traditional skills like tin figure painting, gingerbread decorating, and wooden toy making. April timing means smaller workshop groups (summer sessions often book out weeks ahead) and more personalized instruction from local craftspeople.
Nuremberg Christmas Market Grounds and Hauptmarkt Exploration
Visiting the Hauptmarkt in April offers a completely different perspective than the famous December Christmas market - you'll see the square's Gothic architecture, Beautiful Fountain (Schöner Brunnen), and Frauenkirche without the crowds and market stalls. The Easter market (Ostermarkt) typically runs through mid-April with 50+ stalls selling spring decorations, local foods, and crafts - it's charming and authentically local rather than tourist-focused. April weather means you can comfortably browse outdoor markets, then duck into surrounding cafes when showers hit. The mechanical clock on Frauenkirche performs daily at noon and is worth timing your visit around.
April Events & Festivals
Nuremberg Easter Market (Ostermarkt)
Running from late March through mid-April in the Hauptmarkt, this spring market features 50+ stalls selling hand-painted eggs, spring decorations, local honey, and Franconian specialties. It's significantly smaller and more local-focused than the Christmas market - you'll find actual Nuremberg families shopping here rather than international tour groups. The atmosphere is genuinely pleasant for browsing without feeling overwhelmed. Traditional Easter foods like lamb-shaped cakes and spring asparagus dishes appear in surrounding restaurants during this period.
Frühlingsfest (Spring Festival) at Volksfest Dutzendteich
This two-week spring fair near the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds combines carnival rides, beer tents, and traditional festival atmosphere. It's considerably smaller than Munich's Oktoberfest but offers an authentic local experience - Nuremberg families treat this as the official start of outdoor festival season. Beer tent reservations aren't necessary like summer festivals, and you'll find space to sit and enjoy Franconian beers and roasted almonds without advance planning. The festival grounds are a 15-minute tram ride from the Altstadt.