You know those places that just blow your mind even though no one seems to talk about them? That’s Thuringia for me. Standing in front of Wartburg Castle, perched on its cliff like something straight out of a fairy tale, I couldn’t believe this was real. The place where Martin Luther translated the Bible looks exactly like it did 500 years ago, and the view over the forest literally made me gasp.
From the perfectly preserved medieval streets of Erfurt (where I spent hours taking photos of the merchant bridge covered in flowers) to the stunning Hainich National Park, these are the most beautiful places in Thuringia that’ll make you wonder why this region isn’t more famous. Let me show you the German state that completely changed how I think about central Europe.
Top Must-See Places in Thuringia
Visiting Thuringia? Spend the day exploring the charming spa town of Bad Langensalza, wander through the historic streets of Erfurt & Its Merchant Bridge, or discover the cultural heritage of Gera. Stroll around the stunning architecture of Gotha, visit local markets, or enjoy the region’s rich history. Whether you’re into history, outdoor adventures, or cultural experiences, Thuringia has plenty to offer!
1. Bad Langensalza
- 📍 Location: Central Thuringia, 30 minutes northwest of Erfurt and 1 hour west of Leipzig
- 🏆 Best For: Wellness seekers 💆♀️, garden enthusiasts 🌹, history lovers 🏰
- 📸 Top Experiences: Relaxing in thermal springs, exploring the Japanese Garden, wandering through the medieval old town
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for garden tours, year-round for thermal spas 🌷
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Friederiken Therme Hotel – Luxury accommodation connected to the renowned thermal baths
Bad Langensalza is a botanical paradise nicknamed “City of Roses.” This charming destination combines natural wellness with perfectly preserved medieval architecture. I found the Friederiken Therme to be the ultimate relaxation spot, with mineral-rich waters bubbling up from underground springs.
The Japanese Garden offers tranquil water features, while the Rose Garden showcases over 450 varieties in stunning summer bloom. Don’t miss the medieval Old Town with its half-timbered houses and 13th-century stone walls. Two days here allows enough time to experience both the wellness offerings and historical treasures.
2. Erfurt & Its Merchant Bridge
- 📍 Location: Central Thuringia, approximately 2 hours southwest of Leipzig and 2 hours northeast of Frankfurt
- 🏆 Best For: Medieval architecture buffs 🏰, photographers 📸, history enthusiasts 📜
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking the Krämerbrücke, visiting Erfurt Cathedral, exploring the Old Synagogue
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-October for pleasant weather, December for the magical Christmas market 🎄
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Krämerbrücke – Historic accommodation just steps from the famous bridge
Erfurt captivates visitors with its almost perfectly preserved medieval center, crowned by the remarkable Krämerbrücke. This extraordinary bridge houses 32 half-timbered buildings and has been continuously inhabited for over 500 years. My favorite view comes from the monumental staircase leading to the imposing dual churches of St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Severus Church.
History runs deep here, from the Old Synagogue to the Augustinian Monastery where Martin Luther once lived. Wander cobblestone streets to discover hidden courtyards, colorful townhouses, and local Thuringian dumplings. The compact center can be explored in a day, but spend two to fully appreciate Erfurt’s rich historical tapestry.
3. Gera
- 📍 Location: Eastern Thuringia, 1 hour south of Leipzig and 45 minutes east of Jena
- 🏆 Best For: Art enthusiasts 🎨, industrial heritage explorers 🏭, outdoor recreation fans 🚶♂️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting Otto Dix’s birthplace museum, exploring the Museum of Applied Arts, cycling along the Elster Valley
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April-September for outdoor activities, year-round for museums 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Novotel Gera – Modern accommodations with easy access to attractions
Gera might fly under most tourists’ radar, but this former textile center surprises with its cultural richness. As the birthplace of renowned artist Otto Dix, I was impressed by the fascinating museum housed in his childhood home that showcases his powerful works.
The city’s industrial past comes alive at the Museum for Applied Arts, featuring textiles and crafts that tell Gera’s story. Architecture fans will appreciate the Art Nouveau Theatre and elegant Town Hall. Nature lovers can enjoy Hofwiesenpark or cycle along the picturesque White Elster River trail. Gera makes an excellent base for exploring eastern Thuringia’s lesser-known treasures.
4. Gotha
- 📍 Location: Central Thuringia, 20 minutes west of Erfurt and 1.5 hours from Frankfurt
- 🏆 Best For: Castle enthusiasts 🏰, history buffs 📚, park strollers 🌳
- 📸 Top Experiences: Touring Friedenstein Castle, exploring the Ducal Museum, wandering through the English Garden
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall for castle grounds, year-round for museums 🌷
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel am Schlosspark – Elegant accommodations adjacent to the castle grounds
Gotha presents one of Germany’s most impressive Baroque ensembles centered around the magnificent Friedenstein Castle. This massive structure houses multiple museums, including the Ekhof Theatre, with original 17th-century stage machinery still functioning today. When I visited, the Ducal Museum treasures left me speechless with their Egyptian artifacts and Renaissance paintings.
Take time to wander through the expansive grounds, including the charming Orangery and English-style landscape garden. The compact city center features well-preserved buildings from various periods, including the striking Town Hall. History enthusiasts should plan for two days to fully appreciate Gotha’s royal legacy.
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5. Hainich National Park
- 📍 Location: Western Thuringia, 1 hour northwest of Erfurt and 2 hours northeast of Frankfurt
- 🏆 Best For: Nature lovers 🌳, hikers 🥾, wildlife watchers 🦊
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking the Canopy Walkway, hiking ancient beech forest trails, joining a ranger-led wildlife tour
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May for spring wildflowers, September-October for autumn colors 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Wartburg Hotel Eisenach – Historic accommodation with forest views and easy access to the national park’s main trails
Hainich National Park is Germany’s largest continuous deciduous woodland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient ecosystem has remained largely undisturbed for centuries, creating a biodiversity hotspot. I’ll never forget walking the Canopy Walkway, 78 feet above the forest floor among the treetops.
On the ground, well-marked trails lead through magical woodland settings where wildcat, black stork, and countless beetle species make their home. The Wildcat Village visitor center provides excellent information about conservation efforts. Plan a full day here, or stay overnight to experience dawn and dusk when the forest’s wildlife is most active.
6. Kochberg Castle and Park
- 📍 Location: Southern Thuringia, 40 minutes south of Weimar and 25 minutes east of Rudolstadt
- 🏆 Best For: Literary pilgrims 📚, garden enthusiasts 🌹, architecture admirers 🏛️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Touring Goethe’s rooms, walking the landscaped park, attending summer theater performances
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-September for garden splendor, October for fall colors 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Elephant Weimar – Historic accommodation in nearby Weimar
Kochberg Castle offers a deeply personal window into the life of Germany’s greatest literary figure, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. This charming baroque manor preserves rooms where Goethe frequently stayed, displaying his personal effects and original manuscripts. I spent hours wandering the extensive English-style landscape park, partially designed by Goethe himself.
Winding paths lead through manicured gardens, past tranquil ponds, and through wooded groves that inspired some of the writer’s most famous works. The Castle Theater, a small venue in a converted barn, continues the property’s cultural legacy with summer performances. Literary enthusiasts should allow a full day to explore both the interior and grounds.
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7. Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes
- 📍 Location: Thuringia, Germany, approximately 60 miles southwest of Leipzig in the Thuringian Forest
- 🏆 Best For: Underground adventurers 🕳️, geology enthusiasts 🪨, families with children 👨👩👧👦
- 📸 Top Experiences: Taking the guided “Fairy World” tour, exploring the colorful mineral formations, visiting the Grottoneum museum
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Year-round (constant 50°F temperature inside the caves) 🗓️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Am Hohen Schwarm – Charming accommodations just minutes from the grottoes
The Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes are the “Most Colorful Show Caves in the World,” according to Guinness. These former mining tunnels have transformed into a magical underground realm of vibrant mineral deposits. The guided tour takes you through dramatically lit chambers where formations in gold, red, and blue create an otherworldly atmosphere.
I’ve never seen anything quite like the “Fairytale Cathedral” with its translucent formations hanging like frozen waterfalls. The interactive Grottoneum museum explains the mining history and geological processes. Families love the special children’s tours that bring fairy legends to life. The comfortable year-round temperature makes this perfect for any season.
8. Thuringian Slate Mountains/Ober Saale Nature Park
- 📍 Location: Eastern Thuringia, stretching along the border between Thuringia and Bavaria in central Germany
- 🏆 Best For: Hikers 🥾, nature photographers 📸, wildlife enthusiasts 🦊
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking the Rennsteig Trail, visiting the Bleiloch Reservoir, exploring traditional slate villages
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May through October, particularly stunning in autumn 🍂
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Waldhotel am Freibad – Cozy forest hotel with direct access to hiking trails
The Thuringian Slate Mountains form the backbone of one of Germany’s most enchanting landscapes. Dense forests blanket rolling hills crisscrossed by crystal-clear streams. This hidden gem offers over 300 miles of well-marked hiking trails without the crowds of more famous German mountains.
The crown jewel is the historic Rennsteig Trail, Germany’s oldest long-distance path dating back to the 14th century. I recommend hiking at dawn when red deer and wild boars are most active. Don’t miss the Bleiloch Reservoir, Germany’s largest artificial lake, for kayaking or scenic boat tours. The region’s slate heritage comes alive in towns like Lehesten, where artisans create traditional crafts.
9. Tiefurt Castle and Park
- 📍 Location: Just outside Weimar in central Thuringia, Germany, 3 miles east of Weimar’s city center
- 🏆 Best For: History buffs 🏛️, garden enthusiasts 🌹, classical music lovers 🎵
- 📸 Top Experiences: Touring the intimate summer residence, strolling the English-style landscape gardens, attending a summer concert
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April through September when gardens are in bloom 🌷
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Elephant Weimar – Historic luxury hotel in nearby Weimar with connections to Goethe
Tiefurt Castle may be modest in size, but this charming summer residence once hosted Germany’s greatest intellectual minds. It was transformed from a simple farmhouse into an intimate retreat for Duchess Anna Amalia in the late 18th century. The castle’s period-furnished rooms offer a glimpse into refined aristocratic life.
The surrounding 49-acre English-style landscape park is my favorite spot for a peaceful afternoon stroll. The romantic garden stretches along the Ilm River with winding paths and classical monuments. During summer months, the castle lawns host atmospheric chamber music concerts. Literature fans should seek out the “Garden of Poets” with busts of Goethe, Schiller, and other luminaries who once walked here.
10. Wartburg Castle
- 📍 Location: Overlooking the town of Eisenach in western Thuringia, 50 miles west of Erfurt
- 🏆 Best For: Medieval history enthusiasts 🏰, Luther scholars 📜, architecture lovers 🏛️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring the medieval great hall, visiting Luther’s study, attending a castle concert
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Year-round, with Christmas markets in December 🎭
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel auf der Wartburg – Atmospheric accommodation on the castle grounds with spectacular views
Wartburg Castle is a UNESCO site perched dramatically on a 1,230-foot cliff with nearly 1,000 years of history. This remarkably preserved castle combines Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance elements into one of Europe’s most impressive medieval complexes.
Martin Luther took refuge here in 1521, disguised as “Junker Jörg” after being declared an outlaw. I could almost feel the weight of history standing in his study where he translated the New Testament into German. The lavishly decorated Great Hall will transport you straight to the Middle Ages. Music lovers note that Richard Wagner used the castle as inspiration for his opera “Tannhäuser.” The steep walk up is worth every step for the commanding views.
11. Weimar
- 📍 Location: Central Thuringia, Germany, 60 miles southwest of Leipzig and 20 miles east of Erfurt
- 🏆 Best For: Cultural travelers 🎭, architecture enthusiasts 🏛️, literary scholars 📚
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting Goethe’s House, exploring Bauhaus sites, strolling through Park an der Ilm
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: April through October for pleasant weather and outdoor events 🎪
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Elephant Weimar – Historic hotel where Bach, Goethe, and Thomas Mann once stayed
Weimar may be compact in size, but this small city packs more cultural significance per square mile than almost anywhere in Germany. Walking its cobblestone streets means following the footsteps of Goethe, Schiller, Bach, and the revolutionary Bauhaus movement.
The must-see attraction is Goethe’s House, preserved exactly as it was when Germany’s greatest literary figure lived here. I spent hours wandering through the Park an der Ilm, where Goethe’s Garden House still stands. Nearby, the Bauhaus Museum showcases the design school that changed modern architecture forever. Despite its high-culture credentials, Weimar remains refreshingly unpretentious, with charming cafés where you can reflect on all you’ve seen.
12. Zeiss Planetarium
- 📍 Location: Jena, Thuringia, Germany, 15 miles east of Weimar
- 🏆 Best For: Space enthusiasts 🚀, science fans 🔭, families with curious kids 👨👩👧
- 📸 Top Experiences: Watching immersive space shows, exploring interactive exhibits, touring the historic projection technology
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Year-round with special programming during school holidays 🗓️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Holiday Inn Berlin City Center East Prenzlauer Berg – Boutique accommodations with hillside views and proximity to Margalla Hills
Zeiss Planetarium is the world’s oldest continuously operating projection planetarium. Opened in 1926, this technological marvel houses one of the most advanced star projectors on the planet. The state-of-the-art Zeiss Universarium displays over 9,000 stars on a massive 23-meter dome.
I was completely mesmerized watching planets and galaxies swirl overhead during the multimedia show. Shows range from educational presentations about our solar system to mind-bending journeys across the universe. The facility sits in the very city where Carl Zeiss founded his famous optical company in 1846. Shows are typically in German, but English audio guides are available for international visitors.
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