Are you planning a trip to Weimar and want to know all the best things to do in Weimar?
In this post, we will cover everything you need to know about the best places to visit in Weimar, Germany as well as the best places to stay for your ultimate vacation in Weimar.
So let’s get started!
About Weimar Germany
Weimar is a town of about 69,000 thousand people, and it is located in the central state of Thuringia.
The city is popularly known as where the Weimar Republic began, a brief but significant period of democracy that happened between World War I and the rise of Nazism in the 1930s.
During the peak of the Weimar Republic, Weimar attracted influential people like Franz Kafka, Thomas Mann, Hermann Hesse, Walter Gropius, and Mies van der Rohe.
The city was also the site of the drafting of the German constitution and the location of the Bauhaus school, which remains an important center of design education to this day.
Today, Weimar is home to several museums and cultural institutions that are dedicated to preserving the history of this town.
With that said, here are the best attractions in Weimar that are worth visiting.
Read through and select the ones that fit your interests and timeframe.
1. Visit the Bauhaus Museum
One of the top tourist attractions in Weimar is the Bauhaus Museum.
If you’re looking for a great place to visit in Weimar, I highly recommend checking out the Bauhaus Museum.
It’s a top tourist attraction and a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the Bauhaus movement.
The museum does an excellent job of preserving and showcasing this rich history through its vast collection of artworks, objects, and archival materials.
You can find everything from furniture and textiles to ceramics and paintings on display.
One of my personal favorites is the furniture pieces designed by Marcel Breuer, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Walter Gropius – they’re truly works of art!
Additionally, the museum offers various exhibitions and educational programs that give you insight into the creation of these amazing artworks.
2. Tour Goethe National Museum
If you’re a history or literature buff, then a visit to the Goethe National Museum in Weimar, Germany is a must-do activity.
Touring this museum is one of the best ways to learn more about the life and works of Germany’s most famous writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
You also get to tour where Goethe lived.
The house has been preserved, so it can look exactly as it did when Goethe stayed there.
You’ll be able to explore the rooms and see the furniture and decorations that he would have used.
So in other words, visiting this museum is a good way to learn more about the history of German literature and the legacy of one of Germany’s most celebrated writers.
3. Explore the Park an der Ilm
Another place to see in Weimar is Park An Der Ilm.
If you are looking for a place where you can relax or stroll around, then you need to check out this park.
The Park an der Ilm is one of the biggest parks in Germany, and it was built in the 18th century in anticipation of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Another thing that makes this place stand out i the stunning Ilm River, which runs through the park and provides a calm atmosphere.
In addition to its natural beauty, this park is home to some impressive historic sites like the Goethe Garden and Roman House.
The Goethe is a small beautiful little cottage that was once the summer home of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe while the Roman house is an ancient ruin that was transported to the park from Italy in the early 19th century.
4. Tour Buchenwald Concentration Camp
Another must-see attraction in Weimar is the Buchenwald Concentration Camp.
Located on the outskirts of Weimar, Buchenwald is one of the largest Nazi concentration camps that was constructed during World War 2, and it existed between 1937 and 1945.
Approximately 270,000 people from 50 nations were imprisoned here during WW2, and more than 50,000 of them did not survive.
The conditions at Buchenwald were brutal and inhumane, both men and women prisoners were forced to work long hours, often to the point of exhaustion.
Many prisoners were used for different medical experiments, and thousands lost their lives due to starvation, disease, or execution.
Visiting Buchenwald will give you an idea of the type of atrocities the Nazis committed during the second world war.
Visiting this place might bring tears to your eyes, however, it will help you know more about the holocaust.
5. Visit The Schloss Belvedere Castle
One of the most fascinating Weimar attractions is the Schloss Belvedere Castle.
The Castle was built in the 18th, and it served as a summer residence for Duke Ernst August and his family.
Nowadays, the castle is open to the public and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Weimar, Germany.
One of the things I personally like about this castle is its impressive architecture and design.
The castle is designed in a Baroque style, with accurate detailing and beautiful gardens surrounding the property.
Visitors are free to explore rooms in the castle, including the grand ballroom, which contains intricate frescoes and ornate chandeliers.
Apart from housing Duke Ernst August, has done other historic things like serving as a headquarters for the German army, and later as a hospital for wounded soldiers during WW2.
So if you’re a history buff, a lover of architecture, or simply looking for a beautiful place to visit, then I suggest you visit the Schloss Belvedere Castle.
6. Visit the Duchess Anna Amalia Library
Another place you should definitely check out whenever you visit Weimar is the Duchess Anna Amalia Library.
The library was first founded in 1691 and was named after Duchess Anna Amalia since she played a key role in developing the library in the 18th century.
The library holds an impressive collection of books, manuscripts, and documents, with over one million volumes in its collection.
Among its collection are the original manuscript of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s “Faust”, the original Shakespeare manuscript, and an extensive collection of books written in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Another thing that makes this library stand out is its beautiful architecture.
Visitors can explore the different rooms of the library and admire the beauty and history of this unique destination.
7. Go On A Scavenger Hunt Self Guided Walking Tour
A scavenger hunt or a walking tour is one of the best ways to get to know a city.
Since this scavenger hunt is self-guided, you will have to tour the city by yourself using the instructions provided by the organizer.
This tour is more like a game where you’re told where to go next using clues.
The game box usually contains 11 sealed and numbered envelopes, each holding riddles that need to be solved.
Following clear and precise directions, you will be taken on a walk through Weimar’s wonderful historic city center, as you solve the riddles to find your way to the various sights.
Once you solve a riddle, you will be given a number, which reveals which envelope to open next.
The game usually starts at the Bauhaus Museum, from where you will move to the national theater and the former residences of Goethe and Schiller, as well as the famous Anna-Amalia-Library.
If this sounds like you would like to experience, you can book a ticket here.
Ticket costs €34.90 for a group of up to 10 people.
8. Enjoy Local Cuisine
Visiting Weimar is not all about visiting historic sites or museums, but also for those keen to explore its vibrant food scene which for me, is one of the most enjoyable experiences in Weimar.
You can enjoy local Thuringian dishes like Thüringer Rostbratwurst and Klöße (dumplings) at local restaurants.
9. Attend a Show at the Deutsches Nationaltheater
If you’re looking for a place where you watch an intriguing live performance, then I suggest you head to the Deutsches National Theater.
Deutsches Nationaltheater Weimar, also known as the German National Theater, is one of the oldest theaters in Germany with a long history of hosting events since the 18th century
The theater’s architecture is a beautiful sight to behold, with its amazing façade and intricate interior design.
There’s no doubt that you will find the live performance that takes place here entertaining.
The theatre has a sitting capacity of 850 people, so there is enough space for everybody to sit and enjoy the show.
10. Take a day trip to nearby attractions
If you’re staying in Weimar for more than three days, then consider taking a day trip to explore attractions in nearby cities.
Erfurt is one of the cities I suggest you check out, the city which is just a 30 mins drive away from Weimar.
One of the most popular attractions in Erfurt is the Erfurt Cathedral, a towering Gothic structure that dates back to the 14th century.
Inside the cathedral, you’ll find different artworks from the medieval times.
After you’re done touring the cathedral, you can take a stroll through the charming old town, where you’ll find picturesque cobblestone streets lined with half-timbered houses and quaint cafés.
If you love participating in outdoor activities, then you can explore the Thuringian Forest on foot or with a bike.
This vast forest spans over 1,000 square miles and is filled with so many hiking trails, bike paths, and camping sites.
You’ll also find several charming towns and villages dotted throughout the forest, each with its unique history and culture.
Conclusion:
Wrapping it up, here are the 10 best things to do in Weimar Germany:
- Visit The Bauhaus Museum
- Tour Goethe National Museum
- Explore Park An Der Ilm
- Visit Buchenwald Concentration Camp
- Check Out The Schloss Belverde Castle
- Read a 16th-century book at Duchess Anna Amalia Library
- Go on a Scavenger Hunt
- Enjoy The Local Cuisine
- Watch A live Performance at Deutsches Nationaltheater
- Take a day trip to a nearby city.
The activities I listed in this post are the ones we think will give you the best experience and if you have any questions, let us know in the comment section.