Gotha

Gotha is a destination in Thüringen, Germany. It offers visitors a range of attractions and experiences in a distinctive setting.

Gotha is a station on the high-speed rail link between Frankfurt and Leipzig. ICEs call every two hours, taking one hour from Leipzig, two hours from Frankfurt and 2 hr 15 min from Dresden. Additionally, there are a few intercity trains from Cologne and the Ruhr district per day.

Regional trains from Erfurt call twice an hour, taking about 20 minutes. Moreover, there are regional trains from Weimar (hourly; 30–40 minutes), Jena (every two hours, taking one hour), Göttingen (1 hr 15 min) and Gera (1 hr 35 min).

The station building is open but doesn't have amenities.

The town centre of Gotha is compact and walkable. Local buses connect the main districts and nearby attractions. Taxis are available from the train station.

Friedenstein Castle

( Schloss Friedenstein ),

☏

+49 3621 8234-0 .

Tu-F: Nov-Mar 10:00-16:00, early Apr Sep Oct 10:00-17:00, Easter–Aug 10:00-18:00 .

Early-Baroque palace of the Dukes of Saxe-Gotha, built in 1643–1654 as one of Germany's biggest 17th-century stately homes. The complex includes the Schlossmuseum (museum), museum of regional history, huge numismatic collection, the Ekhof-Theater (ducal court theatre), a research centre as well as the palace chapel and ducal tombs. The casemates of the palace's fortress are accessible, too.

admission to all parts of the castle €10 (reduced €4), single modules €5 each (reduced €2.50) .   ( updated Aug 2016 )

Ducal Museum

( Herzogliches Museum ).

Tu-F: Nov-Mar 10:00-16:00, Apr–Oct 10:00-17:00 .

The Dukes' arts collection, including Egyptian and Graeco-Roman antiques, Renaissance paintings, East Asian arts and sculptures of different eras.

€5 (reduced €2.50) or combination ticket with the castle .   ( updated Aug 2016 )

Castle grounds

( Schlosspark ).

The 91-acre park is one of the biggest in Germany and a very beautiful, too. It was one of the first English-style landscape gardens in Germany and all of con

Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha , symphony orchestra, gives concerts several times per month, usually at Kulturhaus Gotha or Stadthalle Gotha

Kinderchor Gotha children's choir

Gothardus festival, first weekend in May, celebrated since the Middle Ages, with markets, concerts, pageant, fireworks

Ekhof festival, June to August, concerts and theatrical performance in the historical Ekhof theatre

Baroque festival, last weekend in August, cizizens wear Baroque costumes, play scenes set on the court of Duke Frederick III

Local restaurants and trattorias serve regional cuisine featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. Traditional dishes reflect the local culinary heritage.

Cafes and bars in the town centre serve coffee, wine, and local beverages. Regional wines and spirits are worth sampling.

Pension "Regina" ,

Schwabhäuser Str. 4, 99867 Gotha ,

☏

+49 3621 408020 .

Simple but clean guesthouse in the old town; each room with private bathroom; friendly hosts.

Double room €59 (incl. breakfast) .   ( updated Aug 2016 )

Augustinerkloster ,

Jüdenstraße 27 ,

☏

+49 3621 302901 .

17 hostel rooms in a monastery, right in the old town. Each with private bathroom (shower, WC) but no TV.

Double room €76 (incl. breakfast) .   ( updated Aug 2016 )

Best Western Hotel Der Lindenhof ,

Schöne Aussicht 5, 99867 Gotha ,

☏

+49 3621 7720 .

Four-star-hotel (90 rooms), surrounded by gardens, 2 km from castle and old town.

Double room €20–130 (incl. breakfast), early booking price from €100 .   ( updated Aug 2016 )

Hotel am Schlosspark ,

Lindenauallee 20 ,

☏

+49 3621 4420 ,

[email protected] .

Four-star hotel (94 rooms), spa with sauna and salt cave, just outside the castle grounds, 400 m from the castle.

Double room €115–130 (incl. breakfast) .   ( updated Aug 2016 )

Local shops offer regional products, handicrafts, and everyday necessities. Markets may be held weekly in the town square.

• Berlin — Germany's capital city, reachable by regional train
• Nearby towns in Thüringen — explore the surrounding region