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The GuardianOct 13, 2026

‘A winning combination of culture and nature’: exploring Germany’s green heart by bus

From ancient forests to spas, medieval cities and the birthplace of Bauhaus, Thuringia packs a punch for a car-free autumn break It’s early morning in Erfurt, the capital of Germany’s Thuringia region, and Domplatz is abuzz with local growers setting out crates of vegetables and flowers beneath the soaring medieval cathedral towers . This 14th- and 15th-century engineering wonder holds the Glor…

19 things in this story
  • Friederiken ThermeSighttown’s main thermal spa with sulphur, brine and mineral waters
  • FriederikenschlösschenSight18th-century summer residence with sulphur water fountain
  • KlagetorSightgate tower dating from about 1365
  • Kofuku no NiwaSightJapanese garden with koi ponds and sculpted pines
  • Elsewhere
  • DomplatzNeighborhoodErfurt, Germanylocal growers set out crates of vegetables and flowers
  • GloriosaSightErfurt, Germanyworld’s largest medieval free-swinging bell, cast in 1497
  • KrämerbrückeSightErfurt, Germany14th-century bridge lined with colourful half-timbered houses
  • Petersberg CitadelSightErfurt, Germanylargest and best-preserved fortresses in Europe
  • Augustinian monasterySightErfurt, GermanyMartin Luther studied here and was a monk
  • Wirtshaus ChristoffelRestaurantErfurt, Germanyin the Haus zur weißen Lilie, dates back to 12th century
  • EgaparkTram stopErfurt, Germany36 hectares, created for 1961 international horticultural exhibition
  • German Horticultural MuseumMuseumErfurt, Germanytraces the history of gardening
  • Bauhaus museumMuseumWeimar, Germanyfeatures ceramics, textiles, metalwork and painting
  • Bauhaus-UniversitätPlaceWeimar, Germanyformer art school buildings
  • Hainich national parkTrailHainich, Germany7,500 hectares with over 75 miles of walking trails
  • Forsthaus ThiemsburgRestaurantHainich, Germanypark restaurant serving regional lunch
  • BaumkronenpfadTrailHainich, Germanywooden walkway through the treetops
  • TheaterplatzNeighborhoodErfurt, Germanylocation of the final symphony concert of the season
  • Dorint Hotel am DomHotelErfurt, Germanyoffers doubles from £85
Read the full piece at The Guardian →
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