The Daniel Tower, Nördlingen
Tower in Nördlingen
Kirchturm Daniel, the soaring bell tower of St. Georg church, dominates the skyline of Nördlingen and serves as a constant landmark as you wander the town's cobbled streets. Rising to around 106 metres (about 350 feet), this distinctive octagonal tower with its copper-green roof sits right at the heart of a perfectly circular medieval town built inside a meteorite crater. It is one of the top attractions in Nördlingen, drawing visitors up more than 300 steps for some of the most memorable views in Bavaria.
As you climb the wooden stairways inside the tower, you pass creaking beams, old clock mechanisms and small windows that gradually reveal more and more of the town's red-tiled roofs and encircling walls. At the top, the panorama takes in the full circle of fortifications, the gently rolling Swabian landscape and, on clear days, views stretching far beyond the Ries crater. It feels like a natural high point on any day in town and a highlight of any walking tour of Nördlingen, tying together everything you have seen at street level.
Table of Contents
- History and Significance of the Kirchturm Daniel
- Things to See and Do in the Kirchturm Daniel
- How to Get to the Kirchturm Daniel
- Practical Tips on Visiting the Kirchturm Daniel
- Where to Stay close to the Kirchturm Daniel
- Is the Kirchturm Daniel Worth Visiting
- FAQs for Visiting Kirchturm Daniel
- Nearby Attractions to the Kirchturm Daniel
History and Significance of the Kirchturm Daniel
Kirchturm Daniel is part of the late Gothic St. Georg church, the main parish church of Nördlingen. Built in the 15th century from local stone, the tower was designed not only as a bell tower and symbol of faith, but also as a proud marker of the town's prosperity. Its elegant octagonal upper section and distinctive copper-green roof give it a refined, almost slender appearance despite its impressive height, and it has been the town's vertical focal point for centuries.
Over time, the tower took on additional roles. In the early 20th century, four large clocks were installed, one on each side, making the Daniel a practical timekeeper for the town as well as a spiritual landmark. The clock faces incorporate images of the biblical prophet Daniel and other religious scenes, reinforcing the tower’s connection to its namesake. For locals, “auf den Daniel steigen” (climbing the Daniel) has long been a rite of passage, associated with both everyday life and special occasions.
Kirchturm Daniel also carries a strong symbolic value as part of the town's identity. Nördlingen is one of the few German towns where you can still walk a complete circuit of the medieval walls, and the Daniel rises above this circular ring like a central pivot. From its viewing platform you can see how the streets radiate and curve, how the old fortifications define the edge of the town and how the wider Ries crater landscape frames everything. The tower's carillon, played daily, spreads this presence through sound as well as sight, its bells marking the hours and echoing over roofs and ramparts.
Things to See and Do in the Kirchturm Daniel
Most visitors come to Kirchturm Daniel for the climb and the view, and both are worth taking slowly. The entrance is through St. Georg church, and after a modest fee you begin your ascent via a series of staircases that wind their way up through the stone base and wooden upper sections of the tower. The climb is steep and involves more than 300 steps, but there are intermediate levels where you can catch your breath and peek through small windows at the town gradually shrinking below you.
Along the way, you may encounter parts of the clock mechanism and get a sense of how the four large faces are driven from within. In some seasons, you might also meet the tower keeper or staff who maintain the bells and keep an eye on visitors. The interior is simple but atmospheric, with worn wooden steps and beams that make it clear how long the tower has been in use.
The reward is the viewing platform near the top. From here, Nördlingen’s almost perfect circular plan is laid out in 360 degrees. You can trace the full line of the town walls, spot the towers and gates, follow the pattern of narrow streets and half-timbered houses, and see how the town nestles inside the Ries crater. On clear days, views extend over fields and gentle hills to the horizon. It is an ideal place for orientation, photography or simply standing quietly and listening to the bells.
Back at ground level, it is worth spending time inside St. Georg church itself. The nave, stained glass and stonework offer a calmer counterpoint to the airy heights of the tower, and you can look back up to the base of Kirchturm Daniel from within, appreciating how the tower and church form a single, harmonious whole. Many visitors combine their climb with a walk along the town walls and through the old streets, using the perspective from above to guide them to places they want to explore more closely later on.
How to Get to the Kirchturm Daniel
The nearest major international gateway is Munich Airport, which offers extensive European and intercontinental connections and is a common starting point for visits to Bavaria. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Nördlingen on Booking.com. From Munich or other Bavarian cities, you can then travel onwards to Nördlingen by train, car or a combination of both.
By train, regional services connect Munich and other hubs such as Augsburg or Donauwörth with Nördlingen, usually with one or more changes depending on your starting point.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. The journey is scenic, passing through rolling countryside, and Nördlingen's station is within walking distance of the historic centre and St. Georg church.
Travelling by car, you can reach Nördlingen via the A7 motorway and then regional roads such as the B25 and B466, following signposts into the town and towards parking areas outside the medieval walls.If you are looking to rent a car in Germany I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. From most car parks it is only a short walk through cobbled streets to the church square, where Kirchturm Daniel rises clearly above the rooftops.
Practical Tips on Visiting the Kirchturm Daniel
- Suggested tips: Take your time on the climb, pausing at landings to rest and enjoy partial views; carrying a small bottle of water and wearing comfortable shoes make the experience much more pleasant.
- Best time to visit: Clear mornings and late afternoons offer the best light and visibility from the top, while visiting outside peak midday hours can mean fewer people on the stairs and more space on the viewing platform.
- Entrance fee: Expect a modest entrance fee of around €3.00–€5.00 per adult, with possible reductions for children and families; check locally for current prices.
- Opening hours: Opening times vary by season, typically from late morning to late afternoon or early evening; verify current hours at St. Georg church or the local tourist information.
- Official website: https://www.noerdlingen.de/
- How long to spend: Allow 45-60 minutes for the climb, time at the top and a quick look inside the church; longer if you are taking lots of photos or visiting during busy periods.
- Accessibility: The tower is only accessible via steep, narrow staircases with no lift, so it is not suitable for visitors with significant mobility issues, pushchairs or wheelchairs.
- Facilities: Basic facilities (such as toilets and cafés) are available in the surrounding old town and near the church square; the tower itself is quite simple and focused on the climb and the view.
- Photography tip: Bring a wide-angle lens if possible to capture the full circle of walls and rooftops from the platform; on hazy days, focus on details like the town gates, wall towers and rooflines rather than distant horizons.
- Guided tours: Check with Nördlingen’s tourist information for guided town walks that include background on St. Georg and the Daniel; pairing a guided tour with the tower climb gives more context to what you see from above.
- Nearby food options: After your climb, relax in one of the cafés or bakeries around the church square or along the main streets, where you can enjoy coffee, cake or a light meal while looking back up at the tower you have just conquered.
Where to Stay close to the Kirchturm Daniel
Staying within or just outside Nördlingen's medieval walls makes it very easy to visit Kirchturm Daniel, especially if you want to climb early in the day or enjoy the town once day-trippers have left. For a comfortable hotel right in the historic centre, NH Klösterle Nördlingen offers modern rooms in a characterful setting just a short stroll from St. Georg church. A family-friendly option close to the old town is JUFA Hotel Nördlingen, giving easy access to the walls, the tower and local museums. If you prefer a more intimate stay with traditional flair, Hotel Goldene Rose places you within walking distance of the church square and the best of the historic streets.
Is the Kirchturm Daniel Worth Visiting
If you are coming to Nördlingen, climbing Kirchturm Daniel is very much worth the effort. The tower offers the single best viewpoint over one of Germany's most intact medieval walled towns, and the sense of height and history as you ascend through wooden staircases and past old bells is part of the experience. It is more than just a lookout: it connects you to the town's skyline, its circular plan and its centuries-old church life in one visit. For anyone interested in medieval towns, panoramic photography or simply getting a bird's-eye view of where they are staying, Kirchturm Daniel is one of the must-see places in Nördlingen.
What Other Travellers Say...
Kirchturm Daniel in Nördlingen is a striking church tower that dominates the old town; visitors say the interior and exterior of the church are impressive, but the tower is the main draw — expect a steep climb of several hundred steps (around 350) to reach a high viewing platform with panoramic views over the walled town, a watchman's room partway up where visitors pay in cash, and even a notebook for comments; note that the tower can be unexpectedly closed for maintenance, so plan accordingly.
FAQs for Visiting Kirchturm Daniel
Nearby Attractions to the Kirchturm Daniel
- Nördlingen Town Walls: A complete circuit of medieval walls and towers that you can walk around, offering ever-changing views back towards Kirchturm Daniel.
- St. Georg Church Interior: The Gothic church attached to the tower, with a spacious nave, stained glass and quiet corners for reflection.
- Ries Crater Museum: A fascinating museum explaining the meteorite impact that created the Ries crater and shaped the landscape around Nördlingen.
- Historic Market Square (Marktplatz): The heart of town life, lined with historic buildings, shops and cafés, perfect for a post-climb drink or meal.
- Löpsinger Gate Tower (Löpsinger Tor): One of the town’s gate towers, home to a small museum and another vantage point for appreciating Nördlingen’s fortifications and streets.
The The Daniel Tower appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Nördlingen!
Moira & Andy
Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!
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Planning Your Visit
Opening times vary by season, typically from late morning to late afternoon or early evening; verify current hours at St. Georg church or the local tourist information.
Expect a modest entrance fee of around €3.00-€5.00 per adult, with possible reductions for children and families; check locally for current prices.
Nearby Attractions
- Saint George's Church (0.0) km
Church - Rathaus am Marktplatz (0.1) km
Town Hall - Nördlingen City Museum (0.3) km
Museum - Infozentrum Geopark Ries (0.3) km
Museum - Rieskrater Museum (0.4) km
Museum - Nördlingen City Walls (0.5) km
City Gate and City Walls - Stadtmauer Museum (0.5) km
Museum and Tower - Harburg Castle (16.3) km
Castle - Nördlingen Gate (26.7) km
Historic Building - House of History (27.2) km
Historic Building and Museum
