Things to do & places to visit in Thuringia, Germany

Thuringia #13 destination in Germany 2023. The average rating score is 4.34 based on 19.0k traveler reviews, of 966 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Berlin, current date and time: Wednesday, May 08, 2024, 4:47.

Thuringia Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

64°F - 44°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Moderately chilly with a gentle breeze

Feels like

21%

Chance of rain

84.0 millimeters

Amount

12.3 mph

Wind speed

71%

Humidity

15.5

Daylight length

5:26 AM

Sunrise

8:56 PM

Sunset

44%

Cloud cover

Sweater

What to wear

Top things to do (27)

Top destinations in Thuringia 100

See more 88 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Historische Altstadt (111 reviews)
- Charming authentic city centre
Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

Very pleasant and charming historic centre. Not very well known amongst (foreign) tourists it seems, which gives it a very authentic feel. Here you can experience Germany as a local would. Anger, Fischmarkt, Domplatz and the Krämerbrücke are the best spots. But just walking around is a joy as well. See more..
5.0 Erlebnis Bergwerk (107 reviews)
- What an amazing tour!
Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 1:15 PM Points of Interest & Landmarks

Completely unexpected & loads of fun for the whole family. We came with teenage kids and the grandparents. The whole family enjoyed their time. It was a 3 hour tour in the salt mine which went very quickly. Our tour guide was informative & also quite funny which made the tour memorable. The ride in the truck was like a roller coaster ride on its own. So many historical stories in this mine which gives it character for over hundreds of years. Definitely a must do when you are in Thuringia. See more..
4.5 Kramerbruecke (1.352 reviews)
- Super atmospheric inhabited bridge
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges

An old-fashioned bridge and street lined with pretty houses dating back to the Renaissance. See more..
4.5 Wartburg Castle (1.279 reviews)
- Better than expected
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM Castles

This imposing medieval fortress, which stands atop a mountain on the outskirts of Eisenach, is best known as the place where Martin Luther sought refuge following his excommunication in 1521 and serves as one of Germany's most prolific national symbols. See more..
4.5 Buchenwald Memorial (697 reviews)
- A sobering visit to a site of horrors.
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • History Museums

Buchenwald (1937-1945) became a synonym for the crimes committed by the National Socialists. Until 1950, the Soviets used the grounds for a special camp; after 1958 the German Democratic Republic established the “Nationale Mahn- und Gedenkstätte” here. After 1990, the memorial was reorganized according to a new concept now also providing for commemoration of the fates of other victim groups. New exhibitions place the crimes in their historical contexts. The history of Weimar and Buchenwald provides a unique historical resonator for historical-political education work. This uniqueness lies in the proximity between the camp and Weimar as a cultural centre, and in the access thus offered to the past. Opening hours Museums | 10 - 18 Uhr The outdoor facilities are accessible daily until sundown. | See more..
4.5 Erfurt Cathedral (611 reviews)
- Erfurt Dom
Churches & Cathedrals

Amazing cathedral up a hill in the Altstadt. Great spot for pictures. Beautiful inside as well. Best area in the city See more..
4.5 Goethe National Museum (601 reviews)
- A walk though history
Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • History Museums

The Goethe National Museum is the most important museum for the presentation and study of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s life and works. An extraordinary treasure is contained within – the poet’s actual residence with original furnishings and collection pieces. Numerous items from his personal collections are on display in the accompanying exhibition “Flood of Life – Storm of Deeds” which highlights Goethe’s vastly diverse interests beyond his literary production. See more..
4.5 Park an der Ilm (549 reviews)
- Refreshing park
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Parks

The 48-hectare Park on the Ilm is a marvellously landscaped garden situated on the edge of Weimar’s historic downtown. It was here that Duke Carl August and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe made their gardening ideas a reality. They created a walkable work of art with diverse views of the landscape, park structures and numerous places to sit down and contemplate. Today, the Park on the Ilm continues to offer visitors a place to relax, learn and enjoy nature’s beauty. See more..
4.5 Domplatz (511 reviews)
- Domplatz
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Beautiful platz in front of the Dom. These days there is a small amusement park, soon will be a christmas market. See more..
4.5 Duchess Anna Amalia Library (475 reviews)
- Worth to visit
Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Libraries

Rokokosaal ( which we visited) was opened in 1766. Around 40,000 books can be found on the shelves today. It’s worth to visit Weimar because of this library. Entrance- 8euro. Audio guide is free of charge. We didn’t take the audio guide. That’s why we spent in this hall only 20 minutes. But it’s totally worth it. You can enter to this hall every 2 hours. We bought tickets at 13:00 and the entrance for us to the hall was at 14:30. But everyone says this info in the library and warn you. So there is no surprises. See more..
4.5 Bachhaus (342 reviews)
- A great experience!
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites

Guided tours are offered of the small home in which Johann Sebastian Bach was born in 1685. See more..
4.5 Drachenschlucht / Landgrafenschlucht (323 reviews)
- Great hike, unusual features, even on a busy day.
Spent 1-2 hours Canyons

Unique experience. The green winding path through a narrow gorge is like being inside a dragon. You can go up and back in a couple hours, or take a circuit path through another gorge to return. We took the bus to Mariental which shortened the trip by 20 minutes or so but we felt fine walking back down the hill to town. We went on a Saturday in late July. Expected crowds, but there was plenty of space and even in narrow places, no feeling that there were too many people. A few damp places the trail, but even though it rained the night before, we did not get our feet wet. See more..
4.5 Schillers Wohnhaus (241 reviews)
- Nicely preserved, beautiful Home of Schiller
Wednesday: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Before he passed away in 1805, Friedrich Schiller spent his last three years at this residence on Esplanade where he wrote his famous plays “The Bride of Messina” and “William Tell”. Today, Schiller’s original desk and bed are displayed in his former living quarters. See more..
4.5 Schloss Belvedere (224 reviews)
- Pleasant. - 6/10 rating.
Temporarily closed - Closed until Mar 20, 2023 Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles

Perched upon a hill to the south of Weimar in the middle of a spacious park with an orangery, pleasure garden and labyrinth lies Belvedere Castle, the former Baroque summer residence of the ducal family of Saxony-Weimar and Eisenach. Since 1923 the castle has been used as a museum of the arts and crafts dating back to the 18th century, featuring exquisite porcelain works once owned by Weimar’s ducal dynasty. See more..
4.5 Saalfelder Feengrotten (218 reviews)
- Caves worth visiting
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Caverns & Caves

The caves are very nice, but there are not so many rooms to see compared to other caves we have already visited. But it's still worth it. The guide was very nice even though we don't speak much german. We also had an audio guide in French. You learn things about the miners who worked here and discovered the caves. In the audio guide recording, they exaggerate a bit the advertising in the audio guide for other services. We were a bit surprised to see that almost no other people wore masks since it was not mandatory (you can wear them anyway). See more..
4.5 Zeiss-Planetarium (215 reviews)
- Outstanding
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Science Museums • Observatories & Planetariums

This planetarium was excellent. The original planetarium of Carl Zeiss. The show on the universe was entertaining and informative. See more..
4.5 Jen-Tower (208 reviews)
- A Nice Spot To See Jena From Above
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM Architectural Buildings

We visited JenTower last year in summer and it was a pretty hot day. Maybe this was an advantage as we had the lookout platform almost for ourselves. The fare is not too bad and you need to switch lifts up there (the receptionist will tell you where). It's a nice lookout and the views are just beautiful. See more..
4.5 Old Synagogue (197 reviews)
- Fascinating
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Religious Sites

Equipped with Audio guides, we toured this museum for the better part of two hours. It offers a sobering history lesson about the lives and fate of the Jews of Erfurt over almost a millennium, a fascinating archeological study, and an introduction to the Judaic religion. Especially the Erfurt Treasure, discovered in the recent past, is worth close examination. See more..
4.5 Baumkronenpfad (177 reviews)
- A green walk in the trees
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Hiking Trails

Only a 10 km drive away you can discover the Canopy Walkway at the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Hainich National Park. Walk in the tree tops up to 24 meters in height or climb the viewer tower with 44 meters. Insights into the biospheres offer the National park exhibition and the latest milestone the “Root hole”. See more..
4.5 Stadtkirche St. Peter and Paul - Herderkirche (174 reviews)
- The Cranach altarpiece is lovely
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

This beautiful church is best known for its Crucifixion triptych by Lucas Cranach the Elder. See more..
4.5 KZ-Gedenkstatte Mittelbau Dora (165 reviews)
- A peaceful place with a hard history
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

“Dora” was founded in the summer of 1943 as a subcamp of Buchenwald concentration camp when the rocket production activities carried out at Peenemünde were relocated to tunnel facilities near Nordhausen to protect them from air attacks. Between 1943 and 1945, some 60,000 persons from nearly all the countries of Europe, above all the Soviet Union, Poland and France, were deported to the Harz Mountains as concentration camp inmates to perform forced labour for the German armament industry. One in three of them died. Today Mittelbau-Dora is a place of learning and commemoration. Changing exhibitions inspire critical examination of the past. See more..
4.5 Schloss Friedenstein (159 reviews)
- Great visit
Castles

It was my second visit over years. I would come again if I have a chance. One can see and learn a lot. Audio-guide was very informative. Much about history, some stunning rooms and objects of art. It is quite chic, showing a major European monarchy hub at its highest power and luxury. See more..
4.5 Automobile Welt Eisenach (153 reviews)
- History of East Germany
Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

Very nice yet quite small museum with a lot history of car industry of East Germany. Very good value for money. Worth visiting. See more..
4.5 Erfurter Domberg (153 reviews)
- Gorgeous! The Bells are Emotionally Moving.
Churches & Cathedrals

We were lucky enough to arrive minutes before the Evening Vespers. The organ was absolutely magnificent!!! See more..
4.5 Panorama Museum (136 reviews)
- Couple with the Kyffhäusergebirge (monument) - make it a worthwhile trip
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Art Museums

Erleben Sie „Sixtina des Nordens“. Werner Tübkes Monumentalgemälde mit einer Gesamtfläche von 14 m Höhe und 123 m Länge entfaltet in altmeisterlicher Formensprache ein Universum menschlicher Leidenschaften. Betreten Sie eine Welt, die Sie vollkommen mit Malerei umschließt. Tauchen Sie ein in einen Bilddom, der zum Staunen und Entdecken, zum Verweilen und Nachdenken, zum Innehalten und Träumen einlädt. Öffentliche Führungen und Multimedia-Guides (inkludiert im Eintrittspreis) geben Einblick in die vielschichtige Bildwelt des Leipziger Malergenies. Speziell für Kinder gibt es auch spannende und unterhaltsame multimediale Führungen durch das Panoramagemälde. See more..
4.5 Point Alpha (135 reviews)
- Perfect place to understand the East West division of Germany
Military Museums

The Memorial Point Alpha used to be an important observation post in the period of the cold war. Today the historical site and its components are authentic credentials that serve to inform the visitors about the former border between east and west. In addition to the remains, a newly renovated museum covers the historical context and depicts the impacts the repressive system of the GDR had on the population close to the life-threatening border. See more..
4.5 Erlebnispark Meeresaquarium (129 reviews)
- Wow
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Aquariums

You wouldn't expect an aquarium like that in the mountains. It's an excellent exhibition with a lot to see. See more..
4.5 Stadtschloss (128 reviews)
- A must when in Weimar
Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Spent 2-3 hours Architectural Buildings • Castles • History Museums

This place is temporarily closed. The former residence of the grand ducal family of Saxony-Weimar and Eisenach possesses a rich and eventful history. For many centuries, the castle represented the cultural heart of the city. It was here that the artistically-minded Ernestine dynasty lived and ruled for almost 400 years in the company of famous poets, philosophers, artists and composers. The first phase of a major renovation project at the Weimar City Castle began in summer 2018. A new Klassik Stiftung Weimar visitor centre on the ground floor will be completed in the following years. Large sections of the castle will be opened to visitors free of charge. On the upper-level belétage, curators are busy developing a new exhibition which includes rooms which have never been opened to the public before. Following the grand re-opening, visitors can look forward to fascinating stories that took place inside and “behind the scenes” of the castle. See more..
4.5 Botanischer Garten (121 reviews)
- Small but packed
Gardens

A small botanical gardens. The area is mall but is packed with plants of all types. the kitchen garden was really good. See more..
4.5 Liszt Haus (105 reviews)
- Great stop for anyone with interest in music
Temporarily closed - Closed until Mar 20, 2023 Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Franz Liszt lived in the former court gardener’s house at the edge of the Park on the Ilm from 1869 until his death in 1886. This is where he gave lessons to many young and talented pianists from Germany and abroad. In 1887 Grand Duke Carl Alexander opened several rooms to the public as a memorial site. All the furnishings in the music salon and study are authentic, including the Bechstein grand piano. See more..