City: Thuringia
Top Things to do in Thuringia
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What to do and see in Thuringia, Germany: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
The Free State of Thuringia (English: /θəˈrɪndʒiə/; German: Freistaat Thüringen, pronounced [ˈfʁaɪʃtaːt ˈtyːʁɪŋən]) is a federal state in central Germany. It has an area of 16,171 square kilometres (6,244 sq mi) and 2.29 million inhabitants, making it the sixth smallest by area and the fifth smallest by population of Germany's sixteen states. Most of Thuringia is within the watershed of the Saale, a left tributary of the Elbe. The capital is Erfurt.
Restaurants in Thuringia
1. Erlebnis Bergwerk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By O6048OBkatea - Dulwich Hill, Australia
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.
2. Meininger Staatstheater
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
The Meiningen Theatre is among the theatres with the richest tradition in Germany. Director's theatre was born here in the 19th century, under Duke George II. Today, the programme includes drama theatre, musical theatre in original language, concerts, ballet and puppet theatre, as well as a wide offer for children and youth. The theatre restaurant is the perfect place to end an evening. Guided tours of the building are possible, regardless of whether you attend a performance or not.
3. Historische Altstadt
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 90 reviews
Reviewed By 420Ange - Gippsland, Australia
Beautiful town, would recommend to stay at least over night or two, depending when arriving in the town. You will need a whole day to explore the town, first the Historic part and then the shopping strip just behind the Altstadt, as there are also a lot of beautiful old buildings. There are plenty of restaurants in town.
4. Bachhaus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 326 reviews
Guided tours are offered of the small home in which Johann Sebastian Bach was born in 1685.
Reviewed By W5746OSdavidw
I have been a Bach fan for more than sixty years so this museum was the climax of our German tour which had taken in other Bach-associated places: Köthen, Weimar, Wechmar, Ohrdruf. We arrived an hour before closing time, and I asked whether we could begin now and come back the following morning on the same ticket, and was informed that was no problem. The staff were, in fact, at all times extremely friendly and helpful. Thus we heard two of the 20 minute demonstrations of keyboard instruments: one the first day and one the next. They were given by different people. The girl who gave the first one was on a work-experience year (between school and university). When we had a chat she admitted that she had not been a Bach fan when she started there, but that this had changed since working in the museum. So maybe we should conclude from this that if you are not yet smitten by Bach: go and visit the Bachhaus and it will change your life forever. There are many things to look at in the museum: fascimiles of manuscripts, pictures, instruments etc. There is one glass cup which was definitely owned by Bach. Otherwise objects on display are either remakes or in the style of the period. The instruments that were demonstrated were: two chamber organs, a clavichord, a spinet and a harpsichord. We were able to enjoy the second concert more because on the first day a bawling child made it impossible to listen properly until it was eventually removed. Both demonstrators gave information in German and English. I had the honour of pumping the organ bellows for the Kleinschwabhäuser organ on the second day. I bought a CD of the instrument, besides other mementos of a great day. You can listen to a lot of music in the new section of the museum. Spend at least 2 or 3 hours here. Then make a resolution e.g. mine was to finish learning all 48 preludes and fugues from the Well-tempered Clavier (preferably by heart and in all keys, but I doubt whether I'll achieve that).
5. Wartburg Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,234 reviews
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.
Reviewed By adventureat50plus - Stuttgart, Germany
According to google the castle did not open till 11 but it was open at 10. We walked up the Lutherweg from our hotel. It was a steep but shaded 1.8 km with informative signs about Luther and other aspects of world history. We arrived at 10:30 which was good because it was Saturday and crowds were arriving. There were no tours but you could download the app which gave information for each room. We really enjoyed exploring the castle at our own speed and learning about Elizabeth...as well as Martin Luther and German history. It was an unusually hot day so it was a relief that the castle had AC and dehumidifiers since we had to keep the masks on the whole time.
6. Kramerbrucke Erfurt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,309 reviews
An old-fashioned bridge and street lined with pretty houses dating back to the Renaissance.
Reviewed By lizith - Mold, United Kingdom
The Krämerbrücke, or merchants bridge, formed part of the Via Regia - the main highway across Europe in the Middle Ages. The bridge itself dates back to at least the 13th century. It was originally a wooden structure that burned down and was replaced by a more robust structure, with merchant houses on either side. Over the years further structural work has been undertaken - and some was evident at the time of our visit. There is no doubt this is a tourist attraction and the businesses on the bridge reflect this in their nature and prices for goods. Nevertheless, it is worth a visit, crossing the bridge and then perhaps returning by one of the two adjacent bridges from which there is a good view of the bridge and the buildings. When on the bridge, one is unaware it is a bridge as there are no spaces between the buildings. Adjacent to the bridge are outside seating areas which are surprisingly quiet and peaceful. A good place to spend an hour or two just being.
7. Goethe National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 589 reviews
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.
Reviewed By 214marciam - Gales Ferry, United States
The Goethe National Museum is a wonderful look at the life of Goethe. It has many of his personal items, his writings and lots of information about his life. We learned so much about this writer, how he loved science as well as literature and is a must see for any history buff. The tours come with a handheld source of information that comes in many languages.
8. Schloss Friedenstein
9. Park an der Ilm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 536 reviews
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.
Reviewed By inemarien - Brussels, Belgium
A walk in this beautiful park should be part of any visit to Weimar. Large lwns, beatiful trees and the lovely river Ilm. Invites to reading Goethe or Schiller and thus complete the visits of their homes. Certainly visit Goethes Gartenhaus: it gives good insights in his first years in Weimar.
10. Zeiss-Planetarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By Peters188 - Amersham, United Kingdom
A well presented and informative show. Naturally all in German, but glad I could understand most of it. I liked the phrase “ Earth is an oasis of life in a huge void” Parking was not easy but found a place up the hill. Had a good meal in the restaurant but it was fairly slow.
