Top 5 Must Do's in Thuringia

The list of Thuringia must do’s includes various tourist attractions, ranging from exotic landscapes to historical monuments. In terms of cultural heritage, Thuringia is one of the best tourist locations that Germany offers. Nearly every part of Thuringia presents a certain monument or aspect that is soaked with historical significance. Further, each of these sites has been well-preserved and is easily accessible. The following options are recommended as a part of any traveler’s Thuringia must do’s:

1. Thuringia Hiking

Apart from its cultural heritage, Thuringia offers an amazing landscape that is ideally suited for nature walking and hiking. Thuringia has been put on the world map of hiking by globally-popular hiking spots like Bach and Goethe. In fact, Thuringia is counted among European cities credited with popularizing hiking. The hiking trail from Bach to Goethe is still the most popular in Germany. A nature-walking trail recommended to visitors is the one extending from Arnstadt to Ilmenau. It provides the opportunity to hike across varied landscapes, including small springs, hilly regions and seasonal forests. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the Wilde Gera Valley and the Wipfra Valley also. Another popular trail is the Thuringia-to-Kyffhauser trail.

2. Explore Thuringia Caves

Thuringia presents a bit of mysticism in the form of its cave complexes, complete with some spooky grottoes and mine-shafts that have been abandoned for decades. Some of the underwater caves seem as if they have been adapted from a fairy tale with sharp-edge, rocky contours and the absence of natural light. The most popular of these are the rock grottoes near Saalfeld. Another popular member of this list is the Adventure Mine or the Sondershausen. The cave of Barbarossa is supposed to have religious significance. Among mines, the Rabensteiner Stollen is recommended to understand the dangers of mining during the 19^th century and the suffering of miners.

3. Thuringia Cycling

Thuringia is among Germany’s most cycled cities. It has dedicated cyclist lanes and the natives use cycles for long-distance commuting also. However, it is not the commuting ease of cycles, but the entire setting that makes this a recommended activity. Most of the cycling tracks extend along the most beautiful parts of Thuringia. This means an opportunity to cycle along the rivers like Werra and Saale or the small hills along the rivers Unstrut and Ilm. One of the most popular cycling tracks is the Rennsteig cycle track. A slightly demanding but popular track extends through the upper part of the Thuringian Forest. Cycle rentals are easily available and the natives are always forthcoming to share their local wisdom about the various trails.

4. Explore Thuringia’s Thermal Baths/Pools

Thuringia presents an unusually large number of thermal pools and baths. In fact, this activity is very popular among the natives too. Many of the natives from surrounding cities descend upon Thuringia to avail this exclusive facility. Visitors can choose from a wide range of natural, thermal pools including those that are accompanied with herbal applications and massages. This is a worthy alternative to spending time in a spa.

5. Explore Bad Langensalza

Situated along the Hainich National Park, Bad Langensalza is a unique blend of modern establishments and magnificent, medieval architecture. This is a small town on the outskirts of Thuringia. Most of the monuments here are adorned with highly-embellished, humongous gates and towers. Visitors in Bad Langensalza can later head towards the nearby Rose Garden or spend some time decoding the flora and fauna of Germany at the Botanical Gardens.