Things to do in Thuringia

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. 

Explore Weimar on foot. During the public city tour, you'll delve into the fascinating history of the city's key attractions and likely find yourself amused by a few anecdotes. The itinerary guides you from the Market Square through Democracy Square, past the park to Goethe's residence, down Schillerstraße and culminates at Theaterplatz, home to the renowned monument of the poet duo. End your guided stroll with a heightened admiration for the town, its architectural marvels, and its rich 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.

Enjoy an incomparable tour through Leipzig's picturesque river landscape. Our route takes you from Leipzig city harbor along the Elster flood bed to the historic location at Scheibenholz racecourse. From there, we explore the Connewitz lock and follow the course of the Pleiße through the dense alluvial forest. The turning point of our tour is the picturesque mouth of the Floßgraben, from where we start our return journey. This part of Leipzig is known for its rich fauna, including the colorful kingfisher and numerous other species of birds, fish and mammals that call this natural habitat home. Your captain will delight you with fascinating stories and interesting facts about the flora and fauna of the alluvial forest. Leipzigs alluvial forest is one of the largest preserved alluvial forests in Central Europe.

Set off on a river cruise onboard an electric motorboat to explore the Leipzig floodplain forest. Experience the biodiversity of the flora and fauna and admire the city's industrial heritage. Travel across the flood bed along the Pleiße, away from the street noise of the big city. From there, ride past the newly renovated grandstand of the racecourse at the "Scheibenholz" to the Palmengartenwehr. Leave the Elster flood bed and turn into the Weiße Elster, and see Germany's first mail-order business and the Gründerzeit industrial buildings in Plagwitz. Travel along the Weiße Elster and navigate the Karl-Heine-Canal. Passing the former "Riverboat", turn off at the stilt house and drive back to the starting point at the wildlife park.

Experience incredible tranquility and nature idyll on this relaxing river cruise from Leipzig into the riverside forest. Discover the unique biodiversity of the flora and fauna of the beautiful Leipzig floodplain forest. Hop on an electric motorboat, starting at the boathouse and travel across the flood bed along the Pleiße, away from the street noise of the big city. Discover a forest rich in a wide variety of animal and plant species.  Take advantage of the many shady ancient oaks on the shore on warm sunny days. End at the boathouse where you can continue to explore the Leipzig floodplain forest on foot.

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...

Follow the BRÜCKENKRÄMER on his walk over and under the bridge arches! Immerse yourself in the medieval alleys and corners around the 700-year-old Krämerbrücke in Erfurt. Master Schwalbe has sweet treats and alcoholic beverages in store for you: bridge truffles from the "Goldhelm" chocolate factory on the Krämerbrücke and the local 40% herbal liqueur from the "Thüringer Spezialitätenmarkt." Listen to the humorous tales 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 the "weytbeschreyten" magician Dr. Faust, the bigoted indulgence peddler Tetzel, the "gluttonous" mayor of Erfurt, and the learned donkeys of the Old University, about broad beans and beer holes...

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.

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.