Thurnau's market square is the quiet heart of the old town, surrounded by half-timbered houses that survived the 20th century remarkably intact. It has the unhurried atmosphere typical of well-preserved small Franconian towns — a fountain in the centre, a few benches, and the occasional local sitting out with a coffee.
The square is small enough to take in at a glance but pleasant to linger in. A weekly market is held here in summer. Combined with a walk through the adjacent lanes, where more half-timbered buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries survive, the Marktplatz makes a good starting point for an hour's exploration of the old town before heading up to the castle.