After a couple of quiet years, this year is expected to see huge numbers return to Germany’s Christmas markets.
Having visited Nuremberg Christmas Market on several occasions, I know how busy it can get and how important it is to book a hotel well in advance.
In this guide, I list the best hotels near Nuremberg Christmas market, including where I personally stayed and where I think is the most convenient area.
Given that Nuremberg is the most visited of all the markets across the country, you can expect to see a lot of competition for the best places to stay.
This is especially true if you’re looking for hotels near Hauptmarkt in the Old Town and not somewhere further out, like near the train station.
Hotels Near Nuremberg Christmas Market
Nuremberg Christmas Market is located on Hauptmarkt in Altstadt (Old Town). Although there are a couple of smaller markets, like the Children’s market, this is where you’ll find the large main market.
Hauptmarkt is a huge open cobblestoned square that is lined with buildings that are home to shops, cafes, restaurants and bakeries (these are amazing).
On this square, you’ll also find the Frauenkirche, a Gothic church dating from the 14th century.
Also worth looking out for is the Beautiful Fountain, an unusual attraction that is designed to resemble a Gothic spire.
It can be difficult to spot amongst the Christmas stalls, but you’ll know it when you see it.
If you want to stay close to the Christmas market, then anywhere near Hauptmarkt would be ideal.
I would probably avoid staying near the train station as this is approximately a 15-minute walk away. This might be ok at other times of the year, but Nuremberg can get very cold and rainy in November and December.
However, if you’re arriving by train, it’s not a bad area to stay in, and I stayed in this area myself on one occasion.
It’s also very close to the Germanisches Nationalmuseum (History Museum) and New Museum for works related to art and design. Both are excellent museums that I recommend visiting.
The third option is to stay near Albrecht Dürer’s House. This is the original house of one of Nuremberg’s most famous artists during Renaissance times.
It’s an interesting place to visit if you want to see what it’s like inside a historic half-timbered house.
This is a great area to stay as it’s located at the base of Nuremberg Castle and there are many excellent cafes in this neighbourhood too.
If you stay here, it’s around an 8-minute walk to the Christmas market, so it’s not too bad if you’re able. However, it’s around a 20-minute walk from the train station. As with anything, the answer to where to stay is it depends.
Top Pick
Karl AugustAddress: Augustinerhof 1, Mitte, Nuremberg, Germany
Karl August is a small hotel located around 60 metres from Nuremberg Christmas Market so this is effectively a 1-minute walk away. This not only means that you can easily visit the market at any time of the day but you’ll be part of the Christmas atmosphere with Christmas lights, decorations and a vibrant atmosphere at your door. The hotel has beautiful, modern design features, quality fittings, beds and pillows and plenty of natural light into the rooms.
Features:
- Continental breakfast with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
- Indoor heated swimming, open all year round.
- Gym with a spa and sauna (great for after a day of exploring).
- Soundproof rooms that are completely smoking free.
- Popular restaurant on-site.
Sustainability:
- No single-use plastic is used.
- Energy-efficient lighting and double glazing to reduce energy use.
- Most food served at the hotel is locally sourced (reduces transport emissions).
- Measures for reducing food waste are in place (reduces methane emissions).
Next Best in Nuremberg
Motel One Nürnberg-Hauptbahnhof
If you are arriving by train and would prefer to stay nearby, I highly recommend Motel One. This is a chain hotel, but it’s a great budget-friendly option. The lounge areas and rooms are modern, clean and comfortable. As a relatively new hotel in Nuremberg, you can be assured everything is in top condition. I have stayed at Motel One on several occasions, but not this one in Nuremberg. But from my experience, it’s an excellent choice. As for sustainability, Motel One uses 100% renewable energy for their electricity. This is extremely important for addressing climate change. I think it’s worth staying here for this reason alone.
Boutique Hotel near the Christmas Markets
Melter Hotel
Melter Hotel in the city centre provides a distinct boutique experience convenient for Hauptmarkt Christmas market visitors. The rooms are well-appointed, with perks like a washer and dryer and a high-quality coffee machine. Guests frequently praise the luxurious shower facilities and super comfortable beds. Attentive staff and helpful communications, such as an email about reasonable parking options, highlight customer service. Melter Hotel is committed to sustainability, using 100% renewable electricity like the other recommended hotels.
Eco-Friendly Hotel in Nuremberg
NH Collection
I stayed in this hotel when I visited the Christmas market in Nuremberg and found it quiet and comfortable, although it’s a bit further away than the other hotels mentioned here. NH Collection provides an ideal base for visiting the Christmas market if you’re arriving by train, as the hotel is located directly opposite the central train station. Rooms are spacious and clean, including amenities like a bathtub and well-stocked minibar. Breakfast receives high marks, and the staff is notably friendly and helpful. Notably, the hotel has made significant strides in sustainability, holding third-party certifications that attest to its eco-friendly commitments.
If you’re still in the planning stages of your trip, I published some Christmas road trip ideas that might provide some inspiration on where to go on your end of year holiday.
Or if you want to stay in the region, this Bavaria road trip itinerary might be of interest.
Where to Stay in Nuremberg for Christmas Market
For an idea of where to stay in Nuremberg, you can see the location of Hauptmarkt in the map below.
The Altstadt is where you’d want to be. This covers the central area near Hauptmarkt but also the larger Old Town area between the river and the train station.
Responsible Travel Ideas
When planning where to stay, it’s worth thinking about your travel choices’ social and environmental impact.
Staying in a sustainable hotel is an important consideration, and it’s especially impactful to stay in a hotel that uses renewable energy as its primary energy source. Then, you can look for hotel sustainability measures like the avoidance of single-use plastic, access to green space, contributions by the hotel to community projects and the fair treatment of workers.
It’s also recommended to use active and public transport options to reduce noise, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Active transport means walking and cycling; these are the most eco-friendly and healthy travel methods.
When choosing a hotel, look for locations with good access to public transport and protected bike lanes. This is less of an issue in Nuremberg as the city is very pedestrian and bike-friendly. Much of the Old Town is car-free and very safe to get around.
The German national travel website might also be useful for travelling sustainably in Nuremberg.
If you have questions or want to leave a hotel review, please do so in the comments.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels in Nuremberg, Germany. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.