Thuringia (Thüringen) is a landlocked state at the geographic heart of Germany, often called the country's "Green Heart" for its dense forests and rolling hills. Home to Erfurt, Weimar, Jena, Gera, and Eisenach, Thuringia punches far above its size in cultural weight: it is the birthplace of the Reformation's Bible translation at Wartburg Castle, the cradle of German Classicism through Goethe and Schiller in Weimar, and the founding ground of the Bauhaus movement. Dense forests, half-timbered old towns, and a compact, affordable travel footprint make it one of central Germany's most rewarding regions to explore.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Thuringia through its food.
Erfurt Old Town Culinary Walking Tour
Includes: Six tastings at independently owned shops and Gasthäuser in Erfurt's old town · Commentary on Erfurt's medieval trading and woad-dye history · Route past the Krämerbrücke and Fischmarkt merchant square · Mix of savoury Thuringian specialties and a sweet finish
Erfurt Nightwatchman Culinary Tour
Includes: Costumed night watchman guide leading an after-dark walk through Erfurt · Three restaurant stops with Thuringian specialty tastings · Views of the floodlit cathedral square and Krämerbrücke · Official Erfurt Tourismus commentary on the city's medieval history
Weimar Culinary Old Town Walk
Includes: Tastings at bakeries, brewery-restaurants, and market stalls in Weimar's old town · Commentary on Weimar's culinary and cultural heritage · Route through the historic Marktplatz and surrounding lanes · Mix of savoury Thuringian specialties and sweet baked goods
Jena Riverside Food and Wine Walk
Includes: Four stops at regional eateries along the Saale riverside in Jena · Wine samples from the nearby Saale-Unstrut wine region · Seasonal route (May–October) taking advantage of riverside terraces · Guided commentary from Jena Tourist Information staff
Eisenach and Wartburg Food and Castle Tour
Includes: Guided uphill walk to the Wartburg castle above Eisenach · Tastings of Thuringian bratwurst and dumplings at two restaurants · Commentary on Martin Luther's time at the Wartburg · Combined castle-and-food format covering both history and cuisine
Gera Historic City Food Walk
Includes: Tastings of Thuringian dumplings and roast specialties · Walk past Gera's restored Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) old town · Compact two-hour format, shorter than comparable regional tours · Affordable €30–45 price point
Tour formats
Different ways to experience Thuringia's food scene.
Cooking classes
Take a piece of Thuringia home with you.
Thüringer Kloßwelt Dumpling-Making Workshop
Thuringian Bratwurst Grilling Workshop
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Book dumpling workshops and popular walking tours at least a few days ahead, especially in summer and around Christmas market season
Most food tours are conducted in German with some English-language options; confirm the tour language when booking
Wear comfortable walking shoes since most tours cover cobblestone old-town streets
Arrive with a light appetite before any tastings-based tour, as most include five or more stops
Vegetarian substitutions can often be arranged on cooking-class menus if requested when booking, given the pork-heavy default recipes