Erfurt Attractions - The Top 10 Most Popular Sights

Erfurt is not only the largest city in Thuringia, but it is also a highly impressive and worthwhile city in the heart of Germany. It is no coincidence that Luther said, 'Erfurt is in the best location. A city must stand there.'

The top attractions you should definitely plan for a city trip to the capital of Thuringia are revealed in our Top 10 list of the most popular sights in Erfurt.

At the top of Erfurt's attractions is the city's landmark - the Erfurt Cathedral. Its full name is correctly termed 'Erfurt St. Mary's Cathedral.' Together with St. Severi Church, it shapes the cityscape like no other sight in Erfurt and visually encloses the Cathedral Square.

Inside Erfurt Cathedral lies another highlight: the Glorosia. This is the largest, freely swinging medieval bell in the world. It has a diameter of 2.5 meters and stands 2.6 meters tall.

The 'Queen of Bells' impresses both locals and tourists time and again with its unparalleled sound. The Erfurt Cathedral is an essential part of a trip to Erfurt.

Tip: On 3 weekends each month from May to October, tower and bell tours are conducted. Since the number of participants is highly limited, it is recommended to register in advance by phone. You can find the corresponding phone number on the Cathedral website.

Another popular sight in Erfurt is the Merchants' Bridge. This is not an ordinary bridge.

It was first built in 1117 out of wood, but after it burned down several times, it was finally reconstructed in stone in 1325. The Merchants' Bridge stretches 120 meters over the Gera and is lined with 32 houses - making it one of the longest entirely constructed and inhabited bridges in Europe.

The Merchants' Bridge has always been a place where craftsmanship is displayed and offered. Items such as woodcuts or products from pottery and glassblowing workshops are showcased. Additionally, specialty shops invite visitors to stroll along the Merchants' Bridge. Rightfully, it is one of the most popular attractions in Erfurt.

At number 3, things get colorful. A must-see attraction in Erfurt is the Egapark.

Egapark, officially named Erfurt Garden and Leisure Park Exhibition, is located on the western outskirts of Erfurt. It is one of the largest gardens in the country and has been a protected monument since 1992.

Covering 36 hectares, there is plenty to discover for both young and old at Egapark. A highlight is the largest ornamental flower bed in Europe. You can also enjoy a beautiful rose garden and a Japanese garden, along with many other fantastic theme houses such as the orchid and cactus house or the tropical and butterfly house.

A lookout tower offers a wonderful view of the surroundings, while a planetarium, a petting farm, playgrounds, and the German Garden Museum ensure an exciting day at Egapark. Rightfully, this claims the 3rd place among Erfurt's top attractions.

The Old Synagogue secures 4th place among Erfurt's attractions. It is the oldest synagogue in Central Europe, preserved up to the roof. The oldest architectural components date back to the 11th century.

The Old Synagogue also includes the Mikveh, a ritual bathing site, which was discovered in 2007, as well as the Erfurt Treasure, which was found in 1998 during construction work.

This is a treasure of gold and silver that was buried by a Jewish trader during the pogrom. Since 2009, an extraordinary museum has been located in the Old Synagogue in Erfurt, documenting the culture and history of Jews in medieval Erfurt.

Next to Cathedral Square rises the Petersberg. On it lies another attraction: the Citadel Petersberg.

It was built between 1665 and 1707 and is the only baroque city fortress in Central Europe that is largely intact. Designed in a star shape, it was considered the most modern fortress of its time.

Today, the Citadel Petersberg impressively reflects European fortress architecture. Those who embark on a tour can visit the military history museum or explore the mysterious listening tunnels.

Tip: On Petersberg, there is another extremely popular attraction, the swing. Even locals from Erfurt try time again to get a spot on this swing to experience the feeling of floating over the city. Give it a try!

At number 7 among the sights in Erfurt is Erfurt's Old Town.

Erfurt's Old Town is one of the largest historic town centers in Germany and impresses with its fascinating history and romantic flair. During a stroll through Erfurt's Old Town, you can embark on a discovery tour.

You can look forward to impressive churches, beautiful patrician houses, a monastery, half-timbered houses, and many narrow alleys that strongly shape the image of Erfurt's Old Town.

Embark on a discovery tour to one of Erfurt's most sought-after attractions!

Did you know? Just before the reunification, Erfurters managed to save their Old Town just in time from destruction by the GDR regime - the historic Old Town remained intact. Today, nearly all buildings have been renovated or restored.

No trip to Erfurt would be complete without visiting the Fish Market.

The Erfurt Fish Market is located in the city center. In the Middle Ages, fish was primarily traded in the square, which eventually gave it its name. However, various other markets also took place in this central spot in the city, leading it to develop into Erfurt's social center.

Today, those who visit the Fish Market have much to discover. It is lined with numerous patrician houses, including the House of the Red Ox built in 1562, which now houses the Erfurt Art Hall.

Additionally, many small shops, cafes, and restaurants can be found at the Fish Market, all inviting for a sit-down. Rightfully, this is number 7 on the list of the most popular attractions in Erfurt.

The Wenigemarkt takes the 8th place on the list of Erfurt attractions.

The Wenigemarkt is significantly smaller than, for example, Cathedral Square - it measures about 60 m on each side. Its comparatively small size is also where its name comes from. 'Wenigemarkt' can be traced back to 'Wenygemaarte', which means 'Small Market.'

The market is located at the end of the Merchants' Bridge and was established in the 13th century. Back then, various goods were traded at the Wenigemarkt. As the area became too small, it focused on regional products, resulting in it losing its central importance for trade.

Today, the Wenigemarkt is a pedestrian zone, which is particularly characterized by numerous street cafes in summer. In the evening, the square transforms into a popular bar area.

Tip: If you are in Erfurt, Thuringia, you must try a Thuringian sausage.

The Luther Site, or the Evangelical Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt, ranks 9th among Erfurt's attractions.

It is considered one of the most impressive buildings in Thuringia and is also a unique monument of medieval monastic architecture.

Since 2004, the Luther Site has also been recognized as a 'national cultural monument of particular cultural significance.' Particularly worth visiting at this Erfurt attraction are the permanent exhibition 'Bible-Monastery-Luther,' the historic library, and Luther's cell.

Did you know? The most famous resident or monk of the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt was the later reformer Martin Luther. He lived, prayed, and worked here between 1505 and 1511.

For both small and large guests, a visit to the Thuringian Zoo in the north of Erfurt is a real experience. The zoo, covering 63 hectares, is the largest zoological garden in Thuringia and the third largest zoo in Germany.

Thuringian Zoo Erfurt is home, along with an aquarium, to over 2,200 animals from more than 340 different species.

The uniqueness of the zoo: The enclosures of the facility created in 1959 are spacious and are designed to closely resemble the animals' natural habitats. Some enclosures are walk-through for visitors, such as the lemur forest, kangaroo land, or the petting zoo.

Rightfully a part of the top 10 attractions in Erfurt.

State: Thuringia

Population: approx. 212,000

Area: 269.88 km²

Language: German

Currency: Euro

Time Zone: Central European Time (UTC +1)

Average Summer Temperature: 14.2 °C

Average Winter Temperature: 2.7 °C