If you had most of a Sunday and a Monday in a combination of Dresden, Erfurt, and Weimar (or 2 of those 3), what would you recommend?
(1) which of those cities would you give the most time?
(2) and any particular thoughts on sights in one vs. the other?
(My initial plans for [a weekend in Hamburg-Berlin][1] had to change because I'm visiting family in eastern Germany, and so that's why I'm thinking now of Dresden, Erfurt, and Weimar.)
Thanks!
Parts of two days could easily be occupied in Dresden without any time for Erfurt or Weimar. I have never developed a great fondness for Dresden, even after many visits there, and yet, it is a place I would suggest you visit. There is enough there to warrant a trip.
I would say the same for Erfurt, although it has far less to offer and is probably more worthwhile if you add in Weimar....I have not been to Weimar so I'm not 100% sure of what to recommend there, but Erfurt is a good place to stop while you are on the way to Berlin.....
I cannot imagine trying to visit all three places in the short amount of time you have available.
Dont know what to do in Weimar here the 10 best sights
Perhaps there is enough for a daytrip and that you will be interested in
All good worthwhile cities to visit and explore, all famous in German cultural history. I have as yet to visit Erfurt but have been to Weimar and Dresden several times, ie prior to and after the rebuilding of the Frauenkirche.
If time only permits 2 out of 3, then I suggest Weimar and Dresden. In Weimar go to the Theaterplatz to see the statue of Goethe and Schiller. In Weimar are the houses/museums of Schiller, Goethe, Herder, Wieland to be sure. The tourists you might see there are mostly German, maybe some Russians (this was several years ago), no anglophones.
Instead of Erfurt you might want to consider Leipzig.
Re: visiting family in eastern Germany: where are they located if I may ask?
None of these cities can be seen in a day, especially with summer crowds. Even smaller Erfurt has some time-consuming specialties, like EGAPark.
Car or train?
Having only been to Dresden, I’d at least say you can’t go wrong with Dresden. I’d put the Historic & New Green Vaults, along with the old master’s paintings in the Zwinger, in the top tier of museums. It’s a town that’s easy to enjoy, and two days might be just enough. Those museums are closed on certain days, so check ahead. Easy by train from Berlin, cheap easy trams from the train station.
If your time constraint is limited to one whole day, I would suggest visiting and exploring Weimar, and seeing at least 2 museums in that time, preferably in the summer as the museums close at 5 PM, is quite doable. I like exploring Weimar, certainly it has a different feel to it, one of my favourite cities in Germany.
Seconding awrzesinski - I have never been to Erfurt or Weimar, but the vaults at Dresden must be the most incredible treasuries I've ever seen. Even after a couple of years and multiple trips to elsewhere in Germany and Austria, we still talk about them! As mentioned, do check ahead for whether they'll be open on the days you'd be there; they're shut at least one day a week if I remember correctly.
Month of year? Erfurt has a very nice, big public garden from before reunification, with its own tram stop. Admission charge. Besides other old buildings and the famous bridge of shops, Erfurt has the oldest standing building that was a Synagogue in Europe, now deconsecrated and a museum. (It was a restaurant or shop by Nazi time.) Contains a modern museum of town history, Jewish life there, and of the Erfurt Hoard. Very worthwhile. I certainly endorse Leipzig.
I have not been to Celle or Gotha, but I understand they have important Schlosse. I think Celle also has half-timbered houses. I was sorry to miss the Zeiss optics museum in Jena.
If you think you'll be back, I would wait and give more time to Dresden so that you can see the Green Vaults and Zwinger Palace. You may be able to see both during your time on Sunday and Monday, depending on your preference for sightseeing pace and desire to see anything else white you're there.
Erfurt would be very pleasant for 2 days, and fun if you happen to be going during their small Oktoberfest. For WWII history, Topf & Sons is sobering, but informative. You could take an outing to Belvdere Castle at Weimar, but make sure it's open if you plan to go on Monday.
