After several days in Prague we are taking a train December 11 to either regensburg or Nuremberg for two nights ( we will also have all day December 13 before heading to our Munich airport hotel the night before heading home) can’t decide where we should base ourselves and would like input. We will be going to Christmas markets and general “wandering “ or site seeing. Thanks !
Posted by
NorthCarolina
1132 posts
we love both. But I think Nuremburg has the BEST Xmas Market in all of Germany - plus 2 gorgeous cathedrals to explore and a great Old Towne. It is HUGE and many people don't like it for that reason, but we love the town. Regensburg is amazing also, but I don't think the market there is that good, but I do love the town. They do have an AMAZING market at the palace (Thurn Taxis) - you have to pay to go, but it gives you access to the palace and the market - it is one of the best we've ever been too and totally worth it. You really can't go wrong with either place, but if you do Regensburg, def pay to go to the palace and their market. We do the markets every other year and always stay 4 nights in Nuremberg and do a day trip into Regensburg w/a tour company.
Posted by
Salt Lake City
1536 posts
We like Nürnberg but prefer Regensburg mainly for the beauty of the city.
Regensburg
https://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent-2010/Regensburg/
Christmas Market at Regensburg's Palace
https://mcchelsea.smugmug.com/Advent-2010/Thurn-and-Taxis-Palace-Market/
Nürnberg's market can be overwhelmed at night. If you go there do your market shopping in the afternoon and soak up the atmosphere at night. You can not lose in either case.
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1417 posts
Regensburg old town is lit very nice for Christmas. The Christmas markets are in three different market squares. Turn and Taxis is OK, but not so much my thing along with the bus loads of tourists. Nuremberg may be better for a day trip. The famous Christmas market can get so packed that you can literally hardly move. There are plenty of things to see and do though in Nuremberg and I would not miss a visit. Regensburg has many small niche restaurants, bars and café. I think I would base out of Regensburg for the evenings and Christmas markets and daytrip to Nuremberg. The Christmas markets generally close at 08:00 PM, so keep that in mind for planning. If you can splurge for a room try the Hotel Orphée Regensburg.
Posted by
Maryland
916 posts
The Nuremberg Christmas Market is huge, and fun. The city is big enough to have lots to do beyond Christmas Markets, too. I would also suggest that once you get the industrial scale Nuremberg Market out of your system that you catch the U-Bahn north to Furth HbF (about 20 minutes) where they have wonderful Medieval Style Christmas Market filled with Germans.Nuremburg is only 70 minutes from Munich by the fast train.
Posted by
613 posts
Never been to the christmass markets, but prefer Regensburg. The little restaurant at the end of the bridge has been serving Regensburg sausages for 800 years.