Nürtingen’s historic old town lies above the Neckar Valley on the Schlossberg, a hill shaped by the Neckar. Narrow lanes and historic houses preserve the character of the old town center; St. Laurentius Church defines the quarter and gives a relatively cohesive impression of old Nürtingen. When planning a stay, you can choose different themes: local history, Hölderlin experiences, or activities with scenic views and by the river.

Schlossberg and Local History

St. Laurentius has stood on Nürtingen’s Schlossberg for more than 500 years. Its tower, topped by the distinctive Welsche Haube dome, rises above the old town’s rooftops. The tower houses the Nürtingen Tower Library, with manuscripts and printed books dating from the 15th to the 19th century; it is a cultural monument of the city. Here, a prominent feature of the old town skyline and a historic book collection come together in one place.

The Nürtingen City Museum offers a different perspective on the past. It is housed in a former shooting house built in 1565 and brings Nürtingen’s history to life through traces of Roman antiquity, the city’s development since the late Middle Ages, and the history of crafts and industry in the 19th and 20th centuries. The view of the old town and the museum’s themes offer different ways to explore Nürtingen’s history: through its historic buildings, or through the developments and fields of work of different eras.

Hölderlin, Scenic Views and Activity

The City Marketing and Tourism Office offers public and private guided tours on the subject of Hölderlin. Tours take visitors either through the Hölderlin exhibition or the Hölderlin House; both formats are also available to private groups. If Hölderlin is the focus of your stay, you can choose between the two tour locations and public or private formats.

There are numerous hiking routes with beautiful viewpoints within Nürtingen’s city limits. Oberensinger Höhe offers panoramic views and is close to the Domnick Collection. Another specific option is the disc golf course in Galgenberg Park: it has twelve holes ranging from 40 to 80 meters in length and includes some elevation changes. Hiking and disc golf therefore differ in format: viewpoints and trails across the city area versus a course with a set number of holes and specified lengths.

Seasonal boat trips are available on the Neckar: on Sundays and public holidays in summer, visitors can travel by rowboat or pedal boat along a 1.5-kilometer stretch to Neckarhausen and enjoy views of the city from the river. Unlike hiking trails and courses, this activity is tied to a particular season and days of the week. Use these dates as a planning guide and check the specific options before arranging your day around them.

Esslingen District as the Regional Setting

Esslingen District provides the wider regional setting. It is one of the ten districts in the Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark. Six distinct landscapes define the area: Schurwald, Schönbuch, Fildern, the Neckar Valley, the Alb foothills and the Albtrauf escarpment. Its traditional orchard landscape includes 1.5 million fruit trees and shapes the scenery.

Discover more destinations: Wolfschlugen, Bissingen An Der Teck, Deizisau, Oberboihingen, Kirchheim Unter Teck, Filderstadt, Erkenbrechtsweiler, Wernau

Go to the main travel overview: Esslingen.