Motto: "Come as a guest, leave as a friend"
As Nuremberg Greeters, Monika and Paul don't offer traditional city tours. They show visitors their city from their very own perspective – free of charge and on a voluntary basis. The two retirees are happy to accommodate their guests' wishes and create appropriate itineraries. Dry facts and figures are not the focus, but rather anecdotes, tips, and
Personal stories. Sharing is key. That's why the groups are small: a maximum of six people. The Greeters' motto: "Come as a guest, leave as a friend."
Greeter groups exist worldwide. The idea originated in New York. In Bavaria, there are only four greeter cities: Munich and Augsburg, Coburg in Upper Franconia, and, since March 2024, Nuremberg.
Greeters like Monika and Paul read up on their knowledge, study travel guides, and make their own
routes together.

On the other side are the professional city guides. There are 80 active ones in Nuremberg. Annette Gebhardt is one of them. She studied history. Her training lasted a year with the "Association of Nuremberg Tour Guides – The City Guides e.V." She completed 100 hours of theory and practical training. Trial tours, museum visits for further training, and
Lectures are part of the association’s training.
Annette Gebhardt paid for her training herself, and in return, she will receive a fixed fee for each tour. She is not employed by the City of Nuremberg—as many people assume. She works freelance. She wishes for more recognition for the profession of tour guide, which is not protected.
Last year, Nuremberg's professional guides sold around 14,000 tickets for public tours. In addition, they conducted nearly 3,200 private group tours. The city guides offer a wide range of services, from public walks to group tours and themed tours – in 17 different languages.

The volunteer greeters can't keep up with this demand. They only receive a handful of requests per week. The 13 active volunteers, some of whom are still employed, couldn't possibly handle more. Founder Astrid Klier-Marx emphasizes that the volunteers don't want to compete with the professionals, but rather complement them, serving a target group that desires more personalized support.

Free guided tours also in Bamberg
Bamberg also offers free city tours, such as the "Free Walking Tours." However, the tour guides expect a tip at the end as a token of appreciation. These tours are designed for those who decide to join at short notice and often attract a younger crowd. Here, too, visitors can expect plenty of personal tips: whether it's about the best bar for the Sandkerwa festival or the most beautiful soap boutique in the old town.