10 tips for a city break to Thuringia

Nestled between the cities of Erfurt, Weimar and Eisenach lies one of Germany's most surprising cultural regions. Thuringia is known as the 'Green Heart of Germany', but here you will also find beautiful medieval towns, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, lively festivals and culinary cycle routes. You can travel to the region from Amsterdam Centraal Station on the ICE International train in around seven hours.

1. Erfurt: walk across Europe’s longest covered bridge

The Krämerbrücke is Erfurt's showpiece. The 32 half-timbered houses that line the bridge make it unique. Only when viewed from a distance, across the water, do you realise that this is no ordinary street, but the longest inhabited bridge in Europe! In the past, merchants used to sell their wares here, but today you will find studios and craft shops instead. To fully experience the medieval atmosphere, visit the city during the Krämerbrückenfest (19–21 June), when there are street performers and musicians.

_{©Florian Trykowski - Thüringer Tourismus GmbH}

2. Erfurt: visit a spectacular open-air theatre

In Erfurt, the city itself serves as a theatre set. During the DomStufen-Festspiele, the seventy steps of the Domberg are transformed into an impressive open-air theatre. Against the backdrop of the illuminated cathedral and St Severus' Church, you can enjoy a performance of the musical classic Jesus Christ Superstar this summer (7–30 August 2026).

Looking for a more intimate setting? Then visit the medieval ruins of the Barfüßerkirche for an evening of theatre under the summer sky. Enjoy the comedy Sherlock Holmes here between 30 July and 29 August 2026. It is a unique cultural experience under the starry sky.

_{©Theater Erfurt - Lutz Edelhoff}

3. Erfurt: cycle to a top-rated restaurant

If you are looking for an exclusive culinary experience near Erfurt, you will need to put in a little effort. Hire a bike from Erfurt Tourist Information and cycle ten kilometres through the picturesque countryside to the village of Alach. There, you can dine at the idyllic Magda restaurant, run by chef André Radtke. This restaurant is renowned for its surprising four-course menu, which changes every month.

Want to make it especially romantic? Then order a well-stocked picnic basket filled with local delicacies and find a charming spot in the surrounding meadows.

_{©Isabela Pacini CMR -Thüringer Tourismus GmbH}

4. Weimar: visit the city of the Enlightenment

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Weimar flourished as a centre of intellectual and cultural life during the Enlightenment period. Literary and musical worlds were created here by Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, Johann Sebastian Bach and Franz Liszt that continue to fascinate to this day. Eleven historic buildings from this era form the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Classical Weimar’. This includes the Park an der Ilm. Take a stroll through the idyllic parkland, passing Goethe’s garden house, the Roman House, the Parkhöhle and the romantic Schaukelbrücke bridge along the way.

_{©Gregor Lengler CMR -Thüringer Tourismus GmbH}

5. Weimar: discover the cradle of modern architecture

In the 20th century, the architect Walter Gropius brought the artistic avant-garde to Weimar. It was here that the iconic Haus Am Horn, a model home that sparked a global revolution in architecture and design, was built in 1923. The Bauhaus movement combined colourful experimentation with sleek minimalism and everyday practicality. Although controversial at the time, this school laid the foundations for modern architecture.

During your visit to Weimar, be sure to spend an afternoon at the Bauhaus Museum, admire the main building of the university, or explore Haus Hohe Pappeln, the former home of the architect Henry van de Velde.

_{©Dominik Saure - Thüringer Tourismus GmbH}

6. Weimar: add to your festival calendar

Although Weimar is a city steeped in history, its cultural calendar is thriving. In June and July, head to the open-air theatre at the open-air theatre at the E-Werk to enjoy modern interpretations of classic plays. During the summer months, enjoy the Yiddish Summer Weimar festival, which runs from 11 July to 15 August and is packed with workshops and Jewish music.

You should also attend the Kunstfest Weimar, which brings contemporary art to the streets. History lovers will enjoy the Weimarer Rendez-vous festival. In winter, round off your year in style amidst the Christmas lights of the Weimarer Weihnacht.

_{©Thomas Müller - Weimar GmbH}

7. Discover the towns of Eisenach and Bad Langensalza

Eisenach, the birthplace of Bach and the place where Luther translated the New Testament, lies on the edge of the Thuringian Forest. Here, on Johannisplatz, you can see a remarkable record-breaker: Germany’s narrowest half-timbered house, which is just 2.05 metres wide.

Combine your visit with a trip to Bad Langensalza, a spa town famous for its well-preserved town centre and beautiful gardens. For spectacular views of the surrounding green countryside, take a walk along the treetop path in the Hainich National Park, which takes you up to a height of 44 metres among the treetops.

_{©Florian Trykowski - Thüringer Tourismus GmbH}

8. Visit Wartburg Castle

Martin Luther completed his translation of the New Testament in just eleven weeks at the romantic Wartburg Castle. During his exile in Eisenach, he laid the foundations for the written German language. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wartburg Castle also served as the inspiration for the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.

Perched high above the Thuringian Forest on a rock, the castle has also been a powerful symbol of German reunification since 1989. Visit it and experience the serene tranquillity in which Luther completed his masterpiece.

_{©Florian Trykowski - Thüringer Tourismus GmbH}

9. Step into a fairy-tale world in the Dragon’s Gorge

Leipzig and the surrounding area are perfect for exploring by bicycle. With three carefully curated cycle routes on the Explore Leipzig app, you can experience the city's diversity at a relaxed pace. You start in the eastern part of Leipzig, an area full of creative initiatives, alternative hotspots, and places that are still waiting to be discovered by the general public. From there, you can set your own pace and choose your own route.

Those who want to cover more ground will find that the region around Leipzig offers an extensive network of peaceful and charming cycle routes passing through villages, alongside rivers and through forests. Thanks to the flat terrain, these tours are suitable for everyone.

_{©Guido Werner - Thüringer Tourismus GmbH}

10. Cycle through the green heart of Germany

The Thüringer Städtekette is a 230-kilometre long-distance cycle route that takes you past seven historic towns in Thuringia. Allow eight to ten days to complete the full journey from Eisenach to Altenburg. Short on time? Then opt for the four- to five-day classic cultural route to Jena or the three-day stage between Erfurt and Jena, where the focus is on nature and gastronomy.

Thanks to the excellent signage and frequent train connections between the towns, you can plan your own stages with complete flexibility and at your own pace.

_{©Florian Trykowski - Thüringer Tourismus GmbH}