Before you go

Your trip to Weimar.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Weimar – Turíngia Destination Weimar and Erfurt about 25 km from Erfurt

How to get there

Flughafen Frankfurt am Main (FRA) Frankfurt am Main · 295 km
Bahnhof Weimar 2 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. From Frankfurt Airport or Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, take an ICE to Erfurt and change to a regional train; it takes about 2h30 in total. From Erfurt to Weimar it's 12 to 15 minutes by train, with many departures each day. Weimar does not have an ICE stop; from Leipzig and Halle you reach it with a train change.

How many days

One day is enough for Goethe's and Schiller's houses, the Duchess Anna Amalia Library and a walk through the Park an der Ilm. With two days, include the Bauhaus-Museum, the Stadtschloss and a visit to the Gedenkstätte Buchenwald, which requires at least three hours.

When to go

From May to September the days are long and the Park an der Ilm is at its best. Goethe's garden house closes in winter, so spring and autumn are good times to see it. In winter, from December to February, it's cold and gets dark early; the Christmas market usually runs from late November until close to Christmas.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The historic center is walked on foot and almost all attractions are less than 15 minutes' walk from each other. For Buchenwald there is a city bus from the station and from Goetheplatz. A car is only necessary to visit castles and villages in the surroundings that are off the public transport lines.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Weimar

Morning
Goethe's house on the Frauenplan
Start at the Goethe-Nationalmuseum on the Frauenplan, where Goethe lived for about 50 years. See the reception rooms, his study, his private library and the room where he died in 1832. The permanent exhibition is housed in the adjoining building.
Afternoon
Schiller, Theaterplatz and Anna Amalia
Walk to Schiller's house on Schillerstraße and then to Theaterplatz, with the Goethe-Schiller monument in front of the National Theatre. Continue to the Duchess Anna Amalia Library and the Rokokosaal; buy tickets in advance, as the number of daily visitors is limited.
Late afternoon
Park an der Ilm
Head down to the Park an der Ilm, an English-style garden along the Ilm River. Cross to Goethe's garden house on the eastern slope and return along the other side, passing the Römisches Haus.
Evening
Dinner near the Markt
Dine in the streets around the Markt and the Frauenplan. Thuringia is known for grilled sausage (Thüringer Rostbratwurst) and potato dumplings (Thüringer Klöße). If there's a performance, check the National Theatre's programme.

2 days in Weimar

Day 1

Morning
Goethe and Schiller
Take your time at Goethe's house on the Frauenplan and the Goethe-Nationalmuseum exhibition. Then head to Schiller's house, where he lived from 1802 until his death in 1805.
Afternoon
Library and Stadtschloss
Enter the Duchess Anna Amalia Library to see the Rokokosaal, dating from 1766. Then go to the Stadtschloss, the city palace, and the permanent Weimarer Klassik exhibition in the east wing.
Late afternoon
Walk through the Park an der Ilm
Walk through the Park an der Ilm, which begins next to the Stadtschloss. Pass Goethe's garden house, the Römisches Haus and the Shakespeare monument.
Evening
Theaterplatz illuminated
Return to Theaterplatz to see the Goethe-Schiller monument and the National Theatre façade at night, and have dinner in the streets of the historic centre.

Day 2

Morning
Gedenkstätte Buchenwald
Take the city bus to the Gedenkstätte Buchenwald, a memorial at the site of the former concentration camp. Allow at least three hours for the camp area and the main exhibition. Visit in silence, wearing discreet clothing and warm layers.
Afternoon
Bauhaus-Museum Weimar
Back in the centre, visit the Bauhaus-Museum, with works from the school founded in Weimar in 1919. The building is next to the Weimarhallenpark, a few minutes' walk from Goetheplatz.
Late afternoon
Markt and city-centre streets
Stroll through the Markt and the streets between Herderplatz and the Frauenplan at a relaxed pace to see the historic centre's façades.
Evening
Quiet night in the centre
Finish the day at a restaurant in the centre. After visiting Buchenwald, many people prefer a quiet evening. If you are continuing your journey, trains to Erfurt depart several times an hour.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Is Weimar better as a day trip or to stay overnight?

You can see the essentials on a day trip from Erfurt, 12–15 minutes by train. Staying overnight in Weimar is worthwhile if you want to include Buchenwald, the Bauhaus-Museum and the Park an der Ilm without rushing.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance?

For the Rokokosaal at the Duchess Anna Amalia Library, yes: the number of daily visitors is limited. For Buchenwald's main exhibition, the memorial requests online reservation. At other attractions you can usually buy tickets on the spot, but check in advance.

Are Weimar's museums open on Mondays?

Many close on Mondays, such as the houses of Goethe and Schiller, the Duchess Anna Amalia Library, the Stadtschloss and the Buchenwald exhibitions. The Bauhaus-Museum is closed on Tuesdays. Plan your itinerary around this and confirm in advance.

How to get to Buchenwald from Weimar?

Bus line 6 departs from Weimar station and from Goetheplatz several times a day and takes about 20 minutes. At weekends, line 4 also stops at the memorial. Check return times before you set off.

Does Weimar have an ICE station?

No. High-speed trains stop in Erfurt, and from there a regional train reaches Weimar in 12 to 15 minutes.

Back to Weimar