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Germany
Thuringia
Eisenach
Things to Do in Eisenach
Wartburg Castle
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Wartburg Castle

See all things to do
See all things to do
Wartburg Castle
4.5
#2 of 42 things to do in Eisenach
Castles
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
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About
This imposing medieval fortress, which stands atop a mountain on the outskirts of Eisenach, is best known as the place where Martin Luther sought refuge following his excommunication in 1521 and serves as one of Germany's most prolific national symbols.
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Top ways to experience Wartburg Castle and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
75 within 3 miles
Landgrafenstube
149
241 ft$$$$ • German • International • European
Burgcafe Gadem
28
214 ft$$ - $$$ • German • Cafe • Soups
Sophienaue
35
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • European • Croatian • Vegetarian Friendly
Restaurant Heimat
94
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • German • European • Healthy
Prinzenteich Restaurant and Cafe
45
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • German • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Lutherstuben
194
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • German • European • Central European
Zucker & Zimt Café-Restaurant
189
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe • European
Trattoria la Grappa
243
0.9 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
Eisenacher Hof
26
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • German • Vegetarian Friendly
Zucker & Zimt Eis- und Schokoladenmanufaktur
61
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Deli • Street Food
See all
Attractions
35 within 6 miles
Dragon Fountain
0 ftFountains
Drachenschlucht / Landgrafenschlucht
330
0.5 miCanyons
Metilstein
7
0.3 miGeologic Formations
Bachhaus
346
0.8 miHistoric Sites
Georgenkirche
91
0.8 miChurches & Cathedrals
Lutherhaus
93
0.8 miHistory Museums
Automobile Welt Eisenach
156
1.3 miSpeciality Museums
Reuter Wagner Museum
3
0.6 miSpeciality Museums
Karthausgarten
4
0.7 miGardens
Schmales Haus Eisenach
49
0.9 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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See what travelers are saying
  • Diane S
    Hamburg, Germany6 contributions
    Where history was made
    The visit to Wartburg Castle was one of the best historical visits I have ever made. The castle is beautifully decorated and preserved. An unforgettable place where history was written. On top of that, we had a fantastic guide who provided us with so much interesting information.
    Visited March 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 7, 2023
  • CJ L
    Paris, France18 contributions
    Most historically important castle in Germany
    Amazing castle with so much history, from a Catholic Saint to Martin Luther, from a legend that inspired Wagner to the inception of the German unification movement. Well organized castle with nice exhibits and a free online audio guide. Excellent experience
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 3, 2023
  • Mvanting
    Middelfart, Denmark498 contributions
    Really nice castle with a good hike
    You walk up from the parking lot (you can also take a shuttle), but the walk is fine and the view is excellent. We just wanted to see the castle from the outside and then it just cost the parking. You can walk around and have a stunning view over Eisenach. We also had a small lunch with some great hotdogs with baguette like bread and grilled Thuringia sausages.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written October 16, 2023
  • Pat M
    Parrish, Florida266 contributions
    Worthy to visit it
    Interesting palace because Martin Luther stayed in it for 10 months translating the New Testament to German so common people understood the Bible. There are a lot of steps to get in as it is located in a steep mountain. English tour only at 1:30pm (we arrived at 10:30 am then we had to take the German tour which we didn’t understand…it was a shame because the castle is very pretty).Parking is $5 Euros. Family entrance $29 euros. The guide tour was kind explaining few things to us but his tour was in German. We recommend it.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written November 1, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,298 reviews
Excellent
838
Very good
364
Average
67
Poor
15
Terrible
14
Jae L
Long Island, NY5,904 contributions
Magnificent Castle with Impressive History and Legends
Sep 2019
Wartburg Castle (Schloss Wartburg) has impressive history going back to the Middle Ages, including St. Elizabeth’s life in the castle. The castle gained more historical importance when Martin Luther hid in the castle, during 1521-1522, under the protection of Frederick the Wise after the famous 1521 Diet of Worms. The castle also gained legendary fame for being the setting for the medieval Sängerkrieg (Minstrels' Contest), which led Poet Heinrich Heine to compose a poem about Tannhauser. This poem, in turn, inspired Richard Wagner to compose his Opera Tannhauser. Having visited Heine’s birth house in Dusseldorf and Worms before arriving at Eisenach, we were looking really forward to visiting Wartburg Castle. From Eisenach train station, we arrived at the parking area of Wartburg Castle by taxi. From there, we walked up the walkway and the steps to the Castle. As expected, the castle’s exterior was magnificent, and the views from the castle breathtaking. We bought our castle guided tour tickets, and joined the tour. But the early part of the tour was all about Elizabeth’s life in the castle. Since our main interest was Luther’s rooms, we simply left the guided tour, and went to the narrow castle entrance on our own. We showed our tickets to the attendants, and asked for the direction to Luther’s room. Following their direction, we went to Luther’s humble rooms toward the end of the castle corridor. Our castle visit was a greatly moving experience.
Written August 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravellingHappily
Brighton, UK330 contributions
Visit in the evening; almost deserted, great views at sunset
Sep 2020
We visited in the evening, walking around the grounds and through the castle courtyards in the hour before closing (we then went for dinner in the adjacent hotel).
At this hour, the place was almost deserted, which was lovely. There are great views of the town and surrounding hills; we watched the sun set spectacularly.
Written September 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig S
Jacksonville, FL134 contributions
Better than expected
Jul 2022
I was pleasantly surprised by how much of this castle could be explored without paying for a tour. There were interactive displays of printing and translation, though some knowledge of German was helpful. There is a neat tower to climb (only 1 euro), a cafe, bookshop and a few picnic tables if you brought your own lunch. Free restrooms as well.
Stiff walk straight up the hill about 1km with a series of signs illustrating important events in the life of Luther or a bus ride from downtown Eisenach. Visitor center has a good map showing the way.
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karolina V
Warsaw, Poland16 contributions
Stunning castle with nice interior
Aug 2021 • Family
We visited the castle with two small children in a Sunday afternoon and luckily it wasn't too crowded. The location and the look of the castle are absolutely stunning. The interior is interesting and well done but not too big so the visit took less time than we anticipated. From the parking to the castle there's quite a lot of stairs so be prepared to walk a bit.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Loretta
Stuttgart, Germany395 contributions
Beautiful and informative castle.
Jun 2020
According to google the castle did not open till 11 but it was open at 10. We walked up the Lutherweg from our hotel. It was a steep but shaded 1.8 km with informative signs about Luther and other aspects of world history. We arrived at 10:30 which was good because it was Saturday and crowds were arriving. There were no tours but you could download the app which gave information for each room. We really enjoyed exploring the castle at our own speed and learning about Elizabeth...as well as Martin Luther and German history. It was an unusually hot day so it was a relief that the castle had AC and dehumidifiers since we had to keep the masks on the whole time.
Written June 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat M
Parrish, FL266 contributions
Worthy to visit it
Oct 2023 • Family
Interesting palace because Martin Luther stayed in it for 10 months translating the New Testament to German so common people understood the Bible. There are a lot of steps to get in as it is located in a steep mountain. English tour only at 1:30pm (we arrived at 10:30 am then we had to take the German tour which we didn’t understand…it was a shame because the castle is very pretty).Parking is $5 Euros. Family entrance $29 euros. The guide tour was kind explaining few things to us but his tour was in German. We recommend it.
Written November 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
graeme A
kuala lumpur281 contributions
Interesting Castle
Dec 2019
Visited Wartburg Castle as wasn't too far from where we were staying. Plenty of parking and an easy walk via the path or if you wish take the stairs. Parking costs are much the same as elsewhere in Germany. The castle is entered via a drawbridge. You can take a tour if you wish but there is sufficient to see otherwise. Interesting history and a great outlook over the countryside. A visit to the shop is warranted as is to sit in the caf. Food is basic and had the flamekuchen with coffee and cake to follow. Good day out.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Super W
10 contributions
Highly recommend
Jul 2022 • Couples
Nice and well preserved castle with tons of history within its walls. We took a guided tour with a Mr. Bernhardt, he was the perfect guide, a good mixture between serious history and funny jokes and anecdotes. There is a Luther and the Bible exhibition going on at the moment, very interesting. Really recommendable
Written July 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
simon
Worcester, UK14 contributions
Dramatic views
Oct 2021 • Solo
I had been to Eisenach many times but had never managed to get to the Wartburg, so this time I was determined and I was impressed ,it has a dramatic
Vantage point over the surrounding area and some fantastic views can be had over Eisenach and the Werra valley.
Bus from Eisenach central Bus Station, and your there.
Good for half day visit.
Written October 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mvanting
Middelfart, Denmark498 contributions
Really nice castle with a good hike
Oct 2023 • Family
You walk up from the parking lot (you can also take a shuttle), but the walk is fine and the view is excellent. We just wanted to see the castle from the outside and then it just cost the parking. You can walk around and have a stunning view over Eisenach. We also had a small lunch with some great hotdogs with baguette like bread and grilled Thuringia sausages.
Written October 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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