Weimar: radial tour 7 days

Arrive on time and discover Weimar's unique cultural and historical tradition during a first walking tour.

Start your cycling tour with a scenic stage through the Weimarer Land: You leave Weimar in northern direction on the Ilmradweg. Again and again you will have the opportunity to get off your bike and take a break in a shady park or a romantic castle dock. Plan some more time in the bell and art city Apolda.

Born in New York in 1871, Lyonel Charles Adrian Feininger was a German-American painter, graphic artist and caricaturist. Feininger did not come to painting until he was 36 years old. Before that, he worked for a long time as a commercial caricaturist for various German, French and US newspapers and magazines. He subjected his work to harsh self-critical scrutiny and, based on his caricatures, developed a very distinctive style of painting. In his paintings he abstracts his objects and exaggerates them creatively. The strength and expression of Feininger's style achieved in this way influenced numerous contemporary artists and established his importance and success. In his works, Feininger often took up pictorial motifs and compositions from his own caricatures and sketches. His pictures of churches and village centers in the Weimar region of Thuringia, for example, have become famous. Today's cycling stage leads from the Bauhaus University in Weimar to the artist's first studio and out into the countryside. From village to village you cycle to the stone bridge in Oberweimar and through the Goethe Park with Belvedere Castle back to Weimar.

Through the dreamy hinterland and on the cycle path of the Thuringian city chain you cycle today to the beautiful state capital Erfurt. On the way, small villages with cozy inns invite you to try Thuringian cuisine. You will reach Erfurt freshly invigorated. The imposing ensemble of the cathedral and St. Severi's Church greets you from afar. But you can also look forward to the famous historical Krämerbrücke, built from both sides, and the town hall on one of the most remarkable squares of the city, the fish market, and to an interesting guided tour of the city. If you wish, you can also enjoy the return trip to Weimar by train on your own.

Cycle today through the picturesque Ilm Valley through Bad Berka with its Kneipp pool for the cyclists' calves, past the Rittergut München, via Kranichfeld with its two castles to Hohenfelden. This area is ideal for picnicking and swimming. If you go by boat in this popular recreation area, you can visit one of the numerous cafés and restaurants that invite you to take a leisurely break. The Thuringian open-air museum is also worth a visit.

This stage takes you on your last day of cycling to the memorial town of Buchenwald, which is located on the Ettersberg high above Weimar. The strenuous climb is rewarded with sweeping views of the Thuringian Basin. A stage in beautiful surroundings that brings ambivalent feelings. You should plan at least 3 hours for the visit of the memorial cities.

Weimar and its surroundings offer so much that you are welcome to extend.