City breaks in Thuringia
Worthwhile city breaks for a holiday in the Thuringian Forest
Magnificent forest landscapes, charming hiking routes and excursions by horse-drawn carriage – a holiday at Hotel Thüringenschanze promises pure relaxation.
At the same time, our family-run hotel is the perfect starting point for exciting city trips. We welcome you to picturesque Oberhof in the heart of the Thuringian Forest.
Situated in the centre of Germany, a number of interesting cities are just a short drive away.
Look forward to places steeped in history, stately palaces and castles, fascinating museums and first-class shopping opportunities.
It doesn’t always have to be a long-distance trip. Discover the most beautiful sides of home and explore the cultural treasures of the Thuringian Forest. In addition to the short journey, the healthy mountain climate is also worth emphasising.
Sightseeing in Erfurt
Just 50 kilometres from Oberhof, the Thuringian state capital of Erfurt awaits you. With its medieval city centre, it is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Erfurt’s landmark is St Mary’s Cathedral, whose origins date back to the 8th century. From Monday to Saturday, there is a market on the cathedral square where you can buy all kinds of goodies. Don’t miss out on a stroll across the Krämerbrücke, one of the longest bridges with houses in Europe. Want to get a bird’s eye view of the city? Then we recommend climbing the tower of St Giles’ Church. Architecture fans are also drawn to the fish market. This is lined with magnificent patrician houses from the Renaissance period. More about Erfurt…
© Thüringer Tourismus GmbH
Classical city of Weimar
Although Weimar only has around 65,000 inhabitants, the city was the scene of many important events in German history, making it one of the region’s most popular excursion destinations. The former residence city of the Grand Duchy of Saxony-Weimar-Eisenach impresses with its cultural heritage and the highest density of museums in Germany.
The era of Weimar Classicism is particularly noteworthy. From Schiller to Herder and Goethe – numerous renowned works were created in the Thuringian city. The composers Franz Liszt and Johann Sebastian Bach also once worked there.
Walter Gropius also founded the Bauhaus, the most important art school of the 20th century, here. It would go beyond the scope of this article to list all of the city’s sights. The best thing to do is to set off on your own and immerse yourself in Germany’s past. More about Weimar…
"Lutherstadt" Eisenach & die Wartburg
Eisenach welcomes you to the west of Thuringia. The town is best known for Wartburg Castle. This has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and towers above the town. It was here that Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German in 1521. The Wartburg Festival was also held here in 1817. Every visit to Eisenach includes a stroll through the enchanting old town with the old town hall on the market square. The town also has a town palace from the 18th century. It is also worth visiting the former home of Martin Luther and the house where Bach was born. A small classical music concert takes place every hour in the Bach Museum there. One of the best excursion destinations for car fans: the “Automobile Worlds” museum with its collection of historic vehicles, including a Wartburg from 1899… More about Eisenach…
Residential town of Gotha
The district town of Gotha is just 32 kilometres from the Hotel Thüringenschanze.
A stroll through the well-preserved town centre, past charming cafés and magnificent houses in baroque and renaissance style promises pure romance. You will also find plenty of shopping opportunities in the pedestrianised zone.
One of the main sights is the Augustinian monastery with its Gothic cloister from the 14th century. Just a few minutes’ walk away, you can admire Friedenstein Castle. It boasts historic fortifications, three art museums and the Ekhof Theatre, the oldest baroque theatre in the world. Opposite the castle, the Ducal Museum invites art lovers to linger.
It is surrounded by picturesque parks and a fragrant orangery. Animal lovers will love a trip to Gotha Zoo. From steppe endos and Amur tigers to Syrian brown bears, you will encounter all kinds of fascinating exotic animals there. More about Gotha.
The southern Thuringian theatre town of Meiningen
Meiningen is located in the Franconian region of southern Thuringia on the Werra river. The former royal seat is known as a theatre town . The Meiningen State Theatre made a name for itself worldwide in the 19th century. Even today, it is still regarded as the most important theatre in Thuringia after the Weimar National Theatre.
Stroll through the medieval streets of Meiningen and relax in the spacious parks. The English Garden, for example, is very idyllic with its lake, artificial ruins and a monument in honour of Johannes Brahms. One of the city’s landmarks is Elisabethenburg Castle. It was built in 1682 as a baroque residence for the Dukes of Saxe-Meiningen. Visit the magnificent halls with paintings and furniture from different eras and enjoy a coffee and cake afterwards in the Café Hessensaal, which is located on the top floor. More about the Meiningen museums.
More city breaks in Thuringia
Half-timbered houses and chocolate in Schmalkalden
A day trip to Schmalkalden is also a good idea during a holiday in the Thuringian Forest. Take a stroll through the old town and you will immediately notice the beautiful half-timbered facades. Around 90 % of the late medieval half-timbered houses have been preserved to this day.
In the heart of the town, you can admire the town hall, an architecturally unique complex. What else is there to see? Enter the town church of St George, an impressive late Gothic hall church where Martin Luther once preached.Wilhelmsburg Castle is a jewel among the German Renaissance castles with its enchanting murals and stucco work. Fancy a sweet treat? Then head to the Viba Nougat World, a destination that will make your mouth water.
Attractions in the armoury town of Suhl
A day trip to Schmalkalden can be wonderfully combined with a city tour to nearby Suhl .
The municipality is often referred to as the “arms city”. This is due to its long tradition of manufacturing hunting weapons. The armourer’s monument on the market square is a symbol of this.
The town hall is also located here with its neo-baroque façade design in a vibrant red colour. If you are travelling to the independent medium-sized town during the Christmas season, you should not miss out on a stroll through the Chrisamelmart, the largest Christmas market in southern Thuringia. A visit to Suhl Zoo with its 500 animals is an experience at any time of year. More about Suhl.
Goethe and university town Ilmenau
Ilmenau, with almost 40,000 inhabitants, stands for: the nature of the Thuringian Forest and an attractive old town, the campus of the Technical University as a research centre and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe as probably the most famous visitor.
Immerse yourself in the eventful history and get to know and love Ilmenau through Goethe’s eyes. Go on a discovery tour through our historic old town and stroll along the promenades, which date back to the time of the cold-water spa. ou want to get up high? Then enjoy the peace and quiet and the breathtaking view from our 861 metre high local mountain over the Thuringian Forest and the city with the campus on the Great Pond. More about Ilmenau…
