Top Rated Attractions in Erfurt

Zitadelle Petersberg forms the crowning glory of Erfurt's past. This well-preserved fortress was built on a Benedictine monastery in 1665. It was built primarily to protect the German Electorate at the time from Protestant attacks. Further on, it served as a military outpost during the two world wars. Sections of the site were opened to the public from 1963 and in the 1990s, it underwent planned restoration. The main attraction remains the eerie labyrinth of passageways that lies beneath the fortress. Tourists flock to the site to explore the area and one can also hire the help of tour guides from the region.

Thanks to its stunning landscape and rich plant life, the Egapark in Erfurt is certainly worth a visit. This aesthetically appealing and well-planned garden attracts visitors from all over. Stretching over an area of 36 hectares, the park boasts of facilities such as observation tower, observatory, horticultural museum, flowerbed of 6000 square meters and many more. Moreover, this splendid park is also available for weddings, meetings and other events.

Established in 1959, Thüringer Zoopark Erfurt is on the foothills of Roter Berg on the northern side of the city. Encompassing 63 hectares (155.68 acres) of land, it is among the largest of its kind in the country. It houses more than 3500 animals from across the globe which includes 420 different species. Most of their enclosures imitate the natural habitats of wild beings. Check out the Berberlöwen, Lion Savannah, African Savannah, African Swamp, Monkey Jungle, Lemur Forest, Elephant House, Terrarium, White Rhino facility, Aviary, Deer Forest and other wildlife zones that are enthralling as well as educational. This zoo also features an aquarium that was opened before the menagerie and became a part of it in 2003. This zoopark also has three establishments for refreshments. Due to the huge size of this property, it might be difficult to cover the entire area, hence a second visit might be required.

The Schloss Belvedere is a Baroque building situated on the outskirts of the city of Weimar. It was built as a recreational house of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, Ernt August, where extensive parties would take place during the 18th Century. The present-day houses a vast collection of porcelain, furniture and paintings which depict the lifestyle of the bygone era. A must-visit for visitors exploring Weimar!

Buchenwald Memorial is the site of one of the first Third Reich concentration camps and is the largest of its kind in Germany. It was established in 1937 on Ettersberg to persecute political prisoners and minorities. Inmates from all across Europe were conscribed into the armament industry until 1945 when World War II ended. Today, it is a national memorial and contains cemeteries, the prison building, crematorium and library.

The Park an der Ilm is beautifully landscaped, part of the UNESCO 'Classical Weimar' area. Between 1778 and 1828, the park was completed and landscaped. The park is a wonderful example of the architecture of the Classical period, and several interesting monuments like the Goethe Gartenhaus and Römisches Haus can be found in the park. With beautiful gardens and meadows, it's truly a pleasure to explore the 48-hectare (118 acres) park.