Hotels in Erfurt

Erfurt: Thuringia's Medieval Capital on the Gera

Erfurt, the capital of the German state of Thuringia, sits on the Gera River roughly 180 km southwest of Berlin and 100 km west of Leipzig. The city's medieval core survived World War II largely intact, leaving a skyline dominated by Erfurt Cathedral and the Gothic St. Severus Church, both perched on Domplatz — a square with documented market activity since the 8th century. Martin Luther enrolled at the University of Erfurt in 1501 and entered the Augustinian monastery here before shaping the Protestant Reformation, making Erfurt a key stop on the Luther Trail.

Where to Stay

Hotels concentrate around Domplatz, along Anger — the principal commercial street — and near Erfurt Hauptbahnhof. The Krämerbrücke, a 14th-century bridge lined with 32 inhabited timber-framed houses, anchors the Benediktsplatz quarter and operates as a living monument open daily. The annual Krämerbrückenfest each June fills the surrounding lanes with craft stalls and street musicians. Altstadt properties place guests within a 10-minute walk of the cathedral, the bridge, and Anger.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: ICE trains connect Erfurt Hauptbahnhof to Berlin in 1h 45m and to Frankfurt in under 2 hours.
• Getting around: The Altstadt is compact and walkable; tram lines 3 and 4 link the station to Domplatz in under 10 minutes.
• Best time to visit: June for the Krämerbrückenfest; December for the Weihnachtsmarkt on Domplatz, one of Germany's longest-running Christmas markets.
• Currency: Euro (EUR); most hotels accept major cards.