Things to Do in Weimar

A 13th-century Gothic church with a stunning Lucas Cranach the Elder altarpiece and the tombs of Weimar's dukes. Free to enter, and often hosts classical concerts.

🕐 Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 12:00-17:00

💡 Check the notices board for free lunchtime organ recitals (usually Thursdays at 12:15). The crypt is open during services but locked otherwise; ask the verger for a quick peek.

The main parish church, a Gothic building with a Cranach altarpiece and Bach's organ. Entry is free, and there's no pressure to donate. Open most days.

🕐 10:00-17:00, closed during services

💡 Check the noticeboard for free organ recitals, often Saturday afternoons at 15:00. Sit in the front pews left of the altar for the best acoustics.

Baroque church with three alabaster altars and Cranach the Elder's last altarpiece. Free entry to the main nave.

🕐 Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun 11:30-17:00

💡 Check the noticeboard for free organ recitals, often on Saturday afternoons. The crypt costs €2 but skip it unless you're a Herder fan.

Gothic church with a famous triptych altar by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Associated with theologian Johann Gottfried Herder.

🕐 Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun 11:00-15:00

💡 Check for free organ recitals on Saturday afternoons. The church is quieter mid-morning.

A bronze double statue of Goethe and Schiller in front of the German National Theatre, unveiled in 1857. It is Weimar’s most photographed icon and a central meeting point on Theatre Square.

🕐 Always open

💡 Visit just after sunset when the monument is lit up and the square empties of daytime crowds. For a free audio guide, download the 'Weimar+' app from the city’s tourism site.

The central market square with the historic town hall and the Stadtkirche St. Peter und Paul. The Schloss exterior is free to view.

🕐 Outdoor area accessible 24/7; town hall open Mon–Fri 9:00–16:00

💡 Go early (before 9am) to see the square empty and hear the Glockenspiel at 10am; the Tourist Information office inside the town hall has free maps.

A sprawling English-style landscape park along the Ilm river, dotted with Goethe’s Garden House, the Roman House, and quiet woodland paths. Ideal for a relaxed stroll or a picnic.

🕐 Always open

💡 Enter via the Frauenplan gate to start at Goethe’s Garden House (free entry to the garden, but house interior costs €8). The best picnic spot is by the Ilm weir near the Roman House.

A sprawling English-style landscape park along the Ilm river, where Goethe himself used to walk. Contains the Goethe Garden House and the Roman House.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Visit at dusk for fewer crowds and the best light on the classical buildings.

A large English-style landscape park along the Ilm river, with Goethe's garden house, temples, and woodland paths. Free to enter and wander.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Walk uphill behind Goethe's garden house for a view over the whole park. Take a picnic—there are benches by the river near the Schillerbogen bridge.

Large riverside park with Goethe's garden house, walking paths, and open lawns. Free to enter.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 The garden house itself costs €5 to enter, but the park's best bench is by the wooden bridge near the river bend—good for a picnic away from crowds.

A large English-style park along the Ilm river, with Goethe's garden house, classical monuments, and wooded paths.

🕐 Open 24 hours, free entry always

💡 Walk to the Roman House (Römisches Haus) for the best view over the park; it's a 15-minute uphill path from the town centre.

Historic parliament building where the first German republic's constitution was drafted. Free guided tours available.

🕐 Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00, Sat 10:00-16:00 (tour times only)

💡 Tours in English run at 2pm on Saturdays; book at the tourist office the day before. No bag checks so bring small bags only.

The home of poet Friedrich Schiller, preserved with period furniture and a small exhibition. Admission is €6, but the courtyard garden is free and open during daylight hours.

🕐 10:00-18:00, closed Mondays

💡 The ticket also covers the Goethe National Museum if you buy both on the same day. Skip the audio guide—the panels give enough context.

Memorial site on the Ettersberg hill, marking the former concentration camp. Free entry with a mandatory €4 bus from the city centre.

🕐 10:00–18:00 (April–Oct), 10:00–16:00 (Nov–March); closed Mondays

💡 The bus runs hourly from the Hauptbahnhof; allow at least 3 hours. The permanent exhibition is free, but guided tours cost extra.

Goethe's former home with original furnishings and manuscripts. Regular ticket €12, but free entry on the first Thursday of each month.

🕐 Tue-Sun 9:30-18:00, closed Mon

💡 The free Thursday is popular—queue by 9:45 for the 10am opening. Skip the audio guide to save money.

The home of Friedrich Schiller for the last three years of his life. Original furniture, his writing desk, and letters on display.

🕐 Tue-Sun 10:00-16:30 (closed Mondays)

💡 Free entry with the Weimar Card. If paying separately, buy a joint ticket with Goethe's house for a discount.

The former home of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, with original furnishings, his study, and a comprehensive exhibition on his life and work.

🕐 Tue-Sun 10:00-16:30 (closed Mondays)

💡 Entry is free on the first Wednesday of every month. Go early to avoid queues.

The former home of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, preserved with original interiors and personal artefacts from his time in Weimar. The permanent exhibition costs €14, but the adjacent park and garden are free.

🕐 Tue-Sun 09:30-18:00, closed Mon

💡 Buy a WeimarCard for €29.90, which covers entry to this museum and 6 other major sites over 2 days; it pays for itself if you visit 3-4 attractions.

The former home of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, now a museum with original rooms and exhibits on his life and work. Entry is €12 for adults, but under-16s go free and you can see the garden for nothing.

🕐 10:00-18:00, closed Mondays

💡 The garden is open year-round and has a small, quiet café. Come just after lunch on weekdays if you want the place almost to yourself.

Goethe's former home, now a museum showing his living quarters and study. Cheap entry at €12, but the garden and courtyard are free.

🕐 10:00–18:00, closed Mondays

💡 Skip the queue by buying tickets online; the garden is open year-round and gives you the best sense of the place.