Visiting Erfurt and surroundings

An embarrassment of riches you have there. Erfurt is probably worth the extra half a day to see more of the historic architecture and the two important churches. But the other options are also good. It might depend on what form of transportation you plan to use. I'm public transportation-dependent myself, and side-trips take time.

I am not a castle person at all, but even I though Wartburg was interesting. I think most travelers would rate it even higher than that. There's a Luther connection that would add interest for some. The path to Wartburg is through Eisenach, a town with a pretty historic area. So that's sort of a two-fer. And the walking-around-town business could be done after the castle closes for the day.

I spent just enough time in Weimar to get from the train station to the departure point for buses to the Buchenwald Concentration Camp/Memorial, so I can't say much about the town itself. The camp is extremely interesting, with lots of information available in English about not only the wartime period but also the post-war era when the facilities were used to house enemies of the GDR. Because of the double layer of history, it's not a quick place to visit. Buses to and from Weimar are not terribly frequent, so I think trying to see Weimar plus the camp on a day when your morning is already committed would be rather aggressive. If you had your own transportation or opted for a private driver, I think it would probably be doable. It would be more feasible if you (unlike me) don't feel you have to read every word of English explanatory material at every site you visit.

Kathy, you need to make sure those are real timings. You have to get to a train station, wait for a train, and then get (sometimes) to an old-town from the train station, maybe by local bus. Just a number (say, from Google Maps) is only a guideline.

I've been to Erfurt, Weimar, and the Wartburg. Of course, it depends on your personal interests. I was interested in the connection of the Wartburg to the fictional opera Die Meistersinger. The castle can be seen only by tour, some of which are in German, so they give you a card with a crib sheet if you can't follow the German. It's a nice castle, but I didn't think it was a must-see. It was crowded, and hard to get an English tour. I put it as last-choice, but so many people on this newsboard think their visit to Germany will be entirely wasted if they don't visit Burg Eltz!! A castle that looks lived-in is less of a castle to me.

We slept in Weimar for three nights, and went to Erfurt and Eisenach by rental car from there. Weimar is a great place to sleep for those without a car. It's loaded with days of attractions, and has some transit options for nearby visits. I think we also drove to Quedlinburg from Weimar, but it was a huge trip. But it was important to me, and my wife agreed it was worth it.

Erfurt is lovely, but the medieval center isn't that large. (Don't miss the de-consecrated Synagogue, which should not be dismissed as religious tourism. It's a great visit.) Again, it depends on your interests, but in July, I would want to visit EGAPark, which has its own tram stop in Erfurt. It's a huge garden, including exhibit halls, with a faint air of Ostalgia.

I have another idea for you, but I HAVEN'T been there. I stupidly missed one of the three most important still-standing Baroque Theaters in Europe, in Friedenstein Palace in Gotha, very close by. It even has a faint connection to the TV series "Victoria", if you care about that. And it's apparently quite a palace, even if you don't care about Baroque Theaters.

Hi,

On your list I've only been to Weimar, have been there three times, ie, two day trips and one overnight stay. A lovely place to visit with its museums/famous cultural houses, the city of Goethe and Schiller. You'll see their famous joint statue am Theaterplatz...a different feel in this part of Germany.

Weimar is one of my top favourite towns in Germany, next to Luneburg and Potsdam.

I'd say you'll have seen most of Erfurt on your morning walking tour.
Weimar would be a good destination for the afternoon. The historical centre is pleasant, and when the weather is fine you can have a nice walk through the Ilm Park, south of the city centre.
It is only 15 mins from Erfurt by train, which goes several times per hour.

Thank you everyone for your insights on Eurfurt and the surrounding towns.
We will plan to check out Weimar further if we feel that is necessary after our town walk. My husband thinks that staying in Erfurt will keep us busy, but we'll keep our options open. I'll check on transportation options to Weimar when we arrive the afternoon before so we can maximize our time and on specific places to visit there with hours and a town map, just in case.
There is never enough time to see all the places we would like to.
Thank you again.
Kathy Poseley
PS... yes, we do like Baroque Theaters... We will be visiting the one in Cesky Krumlov later that month after we go to Prague.

Note that it is hard to get on the few English tours of the CK Baroque Theater. (Visits ONLY by tour.) Go to the ticket office as soon as you get to town, and study the listing carefully in case the ticket agent doesn't have a good command of English. I think my German didn't work with her either.