Things to do in Erfurt

Step into the past on this guided walking tour of the 1,270-year-old city of Erfurt's Old Town. Pass through the old quarter and pass by the Merchants’ Bridge, the 19th-century Town Hall, the University District, and townhouses that are steeped in tradition.  Meet your guide at the Denkmal Eulenspiegel sculpture and begin your walking tour. Admire the outside of the Cathedral of St. Mary with its 500-year-old "Gloriosa" bell, which is famous throughout the world for the beauty of its tone. Follow your guide down streets lined with wealthy patrician townhouses, half-timbered buildings, and a great many churches, which together make it a veritable picture-book of German history. End your guided walk with a deeper appreciation for the town, its architecture, and its history. 

Experience an atmospheric tour in the passageways beneath Petersberg Fortress accompanied by our expert guide. Opening up the Petersberg Fortress in Erfurt has been one of the most costly and complex but also undoubtedly one of the most worthwhile preservation projects of our times. You start at the visitor centre of the Commander’s House. From there you descend into the narrow winding corridors with numerous steps.

You will take part in the simple evening meal of the city servant: Fettbemmen (vegetarian option available) with fresh bread, herbs, gherkins and a local clear 40% herbal liqueur (vegan). Listen to stories from old Erfurt about the rebellious student Martin L., who never missed an opportunity to put his foot in it, about the axe-wielding apostle Bonifatius, about Puff beans, about the council master Adam Ries and the prankster Eulenspiegel, about the "eaten mayor" or about Doctor Faust: in the darkness of the night, you will experience how he conjured up ghosts... "We are getting deeper into the night, deeper into the city... The man with the feather in his hat, the halberd and the lantern seem to become part of the city here, where the figure of the night watchman merges with the wonderful stage design. He tells the story, but here it is the city itself that tells the story, the silence and the darkness that descends more and more densely... It is as if the story itself speaks from the darkness, telling what no guide can tell: the mood, the atmosphere... This night confirms my conviction: this is one of the most beautiful German cities of all... " (Henryk Goldberg / Thüringer Allgemeine) Hello, My name is Reinhard Schwalbe, certified tour guide and member of the Association of German Tour Guides (BVGD e. V.). I look forward to introducing you and your group to my beautiful hometown of Erfurt in an inspiring and humorous way: Erfurt is a city to fall in love with. A city with a high quality of life, young and green – but rich in historical buildings, squares, and alleys: Krämerbrücke, the town hall and fish market, the university district, the cathedral and Severikirche, the Small and Old Synagogues with UNESCO World Heritage status, Waagegasse, Waidspeicher, and much more...

In the game box, you'll find eleven sealed and numbered envelopes. In these, you find small tasks that need to be solved. Led by clear directions,  walk around the Erfurt old town, solving the puzzles in order to get to the next station. As solution for the puzzles, you get a number that tells you what envelope you have to open next. As you criss-cross through the city, you’ll receive detailed background information on the history of each site that you reach.  You decide for yourself when to start the tour, and along the way, take as much time as you’d like stopping for a bite to eat, a coffee, or to do some shopping. The game starts at the famous Erfurt Cathedral, and leads you through the city’s most historic sights. Walk pass Kaufmannskirche, Stadtmuseum zur Krämerbrücke, and the Petersberg Fortress. Above all, experience the city in a unique way, having a blast with your family, friends, or yourself. Please note that the game is in German.

Follow the BRÜCKENKRÄMER on his walk over and under the arches of the bridge! Immerse yourself in the medieval alleys and corners around Erfurt's 700-year-old Krämerbrücke. Master Schwalbe has sweet and savory treats in store for you: Bridge truffles from the "Goldhelm" chocolate manufactory on the Krämerbrücke and the local clear 40% herbal liqueur from the "Thuringian Specialties Market". Listen to the witty jokes from old Erfurt: about the rebellious student Martin L., who didn't miss a trick, the axe-wielding apostle Boniface, the "weytbeschreyten" magician Dr. Faust, the bigoted indulgence monger Tetzel, the "eaten" mayor of Erfurt and the learned donkeys of the old university, puffed beans and beer holes...

Your expert rickshaw guide will show you and explain the historical sights of Erfurt on an exciting, private Old Town tour. In 90 minutes, the cultural splendor across all the city's eras will be explored. And all onboard an e-rickshaw, protected from rain and sun and thus perfect for any season. Meet your guide at the fish market. Your personal rickshaw guide will take you to the historical registry office, a.k.a. the House of Sonneborn. Visit the Waidspeicher. The highlight of the area is the cathedral square, home to the stately St. Mary's Cathedral. Discover Erfurt's past and present with the comfort and convenience of an e-rickshaw. Relax while your driver cycles past the top sights in Erfurt's Old Town. Take photo breaks or make a stop to sample the famous Thuringian Rostbratwurst whenever you like. Along the winding Waagegasse, look out at the Old Synagogue. Cruise through the Michaelisviertel to the next stop, the Collegium Maius, the old university. The crowning glory will be the Krämerbrücke with its impressive half-timbered houses.

Discover the wonders of the animal kingdom at Zoopark Erfurt, where adventure meets education. Located in the heart of Erfurt, Germany, this zoo is home to over 500 animals from various species across the globe. Our Zoopark Erfurt Experience offers a full day of excitement and discovery, making it perfect for families, animal enthusiasts, and nature lovers of all ages.

Relax and enter one of the largest (36 hectares) and most beautiful parks in Germany. Explore the “Danakil” desert and jungle house, the largest ornamental flower bed in Europe, exciting themed gardens, a massive play area, a Knowledge Forest with lots of discovery stations in the forest park and the German Horticultural Museum are just some of the many high points waiting for you. Relax in a lounger under one of the 2,400 trees – flower and plant lovers, children who like to play, explorers and people seeking peace and quiet will find everything they need to take a break from everyday life here. Take part in all sorts of events, exhibitions, sporting activities, workshops for adults and much more.

Ride through the picturesque streets of Erfurt, with its historic buildings and medieval architecture, as you embark on an adventure to look for your favorite childhood TV characters. Join your guide aboard a pedicab and comb the streets for the iconic figures, popular among kids and adults alike. Join a fun journey through the city and discover some local landmarks as you visit each figure. Get picked up at the fish market and see the colorful life-sized statues of The Sandman, Tabaluga, and Pittiplatsch, among many other cartoon heroes. Explore local sites such as the Krämerbrücke and Theaterplatz and make stops at your most beloved character's figure, perhaps Moppi or Schnatterinchen. Snap as many pictures as you want before being driven back to the fish market or even a restaurant.

You meet the guide at the fish market in the old town. From there, you drive together to the top of the Petersberg. Once you arrive at the top, you can take a first look over the fortification walls to the rooftops of the city of Erfurt. Marvel at the panoramic view over the old town with its countless churches. Listen to the anecdotes and expertise of your guide. Let yourself be rocked over the plateau in the bike taxi while enjoying the breathtaking view. Your next stop is the Romanesque St. Peter's Church. Passing by the Defension Barracks, you can also look to the north of Erfurt. Photo stops are possible at any time to capture these great views. Afterwards, you go through the Baroque entrance portal and the drawbridge. Explore the high fortification walls. Finally, your guide will drive you back to the old town.