Thuringia: World Heritage, nature and culinary delights

Cultural history and regional insights

The Thuringian Open-Air Museum in Hohenfelden features more than 38 historic buildings dating from the 16th to the 20th century. The museum shows how people lived in the past; its wide timespan provides a historical perspective spanning several centuries. The Kunsthaus Apolda Avantgarde offers a different cultural focus: since 1995, it has presented exhibitions by international and regional artists. The Apolda Culture Factory also offers workshops.

The First German Bratwurst Museum in Mühlhausen explores the history, traditions and cultural significance of bratwurst, particularly Thuringian bratwurst. A permanent exhibition is devoted to the subject, and the museum also offers bratwurst seminars. Here, you can encounter this regional food both as part of cultural history and through a seminar. At the dumpling-cooking school at the Kloßwelt Heichelheim, visitors can learn to prepare Thuringian classics themselves.

Experience nature and compare routes

Thuringia has eight National Natural Landscapes, where you can observe rare animals and plants. In Hainich National Park, the treetop walk rises up to 24 metres above the forest floor and winds through the canopy. Closures due to weather are possible, so check whether the walkway is open before your visit. In parts of Thuringia, you can explore the Green Belt on foot along numerous hiking trails and circular routes. These routes through the landscape are the focus, while the treetop walk offers a view from above the forest floor.

The herb discovery trail around Oberweißbach has its own focus: it introduces visitors to beneficial plants found in nature. The Rennsteig in the Thuringian Forest is Germany’s best-known ridge trail and is used by cross-country skiers in winter. Snow conditions vary, so bear the snow cover in mind when planning a winter excursion. These different routes and activities give you practical pointers for planning your trip around your interests in nature and the season.

Cycling and special experiences

The Ilmtal Cycle Route is 123 kilometres long and runs from the Thuringian Forest to the Saale-Unstrut wine-growing region. Rail connections in both directions allow cyclists to return to their starting point. This is a helpful consideration when planning a tour, even though the route does not have to be planned as a circular ride. In the Weimarer Land, the Goethe Adventure Trail has twelve experience stations; the number of stations is a practical guide for anyone looking for a route with several individual stops.

Other attractions focus on unusual themes: the interactive Grottoneum museum features talking stones and a cave cinema. The Feenweltchen Adventure Forest offers activities for children and adults, including climbing elements and stations for touch and smell. These examples range from museum visits to playful outdoor stations, without requiring the same kind of outing.

At the Toskana Therme in Bad Sulza, Liquid Sound offers a sound experience with permanently installed sound columns and speakers above and below the water. Whether you are interested in regional culinary traditions, nature trails, art or special experiences like these, Thuringia offers a range of themes to inspire your travel plans.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Weimarer Land, Wartburg, Unstrut-Hainich, Sonneberg, Sömmerda, Schmalkalden-Meiningen, Saalfeld-Rudolstadt, Saale-Orla, Saale-Holzland, Nordhausen, Kyffhäuserkreis, Ilm-Kreis, Hildburghausen-Suhl, Gotha, Greiz, Eichsfeld, Altenburger Land, Erfurt, Eisenach.

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