In the heart of Germany, you’ll find two cities that together embody everything that makes a journey memorable: Jena, a modern university and innovation hub surrounded by green hills, and Weimar, one of Europe’s most important cultural cities, home to classical poets and great ideas. Today, both cities are also committed to sustainable tourism, where you can enjoy history and nature without guilt.
🌿 Jena – where innovation meets nature
Jena is known as Thuringia’s city of science, home to Carl Zeiss and the university, but also as a place where nature is always close by. The city is surrounded by limestone cliffs, vineyards, and the Saale River—perfect for sustainable outdoor experiences.
Experiences in Jena:
🚶 Saale Valley – hiking among vineyards, forests, and viewpoints.
🥂 Local vineyards – many small producers around Jena are now organic and offer tastings.
🔭 Jena Planetarium – the world’s oldest planetarium, where science meets fascination with the universe.
Sustainable hotels in Jena:
- Scala Turm Hotel – known for its green operations and panoramic views over the city.
- Akademiehotel Jena ♻️ – actively works with eco-friendly solutions and is popular among both researchers and travelers seeking sustainable accommodation.
🌿 Weimar – the city of classics with a modern green profile
Weimar radiates cultural history: Goethe and Schiller lived here, and the Bauhaus movement was born here. But Weimar is not just a living museum—the city also has a green soul and is working to make tourism more sustainable.
Experiences in Weimar:
📚 Goethe’s House & Schiller’s House – a dive into classical German literature.
🏛 Bauhaus Museum – the birthplace of modern design and sustainable ideas in architecture.
🌸 Weimar’s Parks – Park an der Ilm is a beautiful green area where you can stroll along the river and visit Goethe’s garden house.
Sustainable hotels in Weimar:
- Hotel Anna Amalia ♻️ – family-run, with a focus on organic operations and local connections.
- Amalienhof Hotel Weimar – a charming, classically styled hotel that embraces sustainable initiatives and local food culture.
🚆 Green travel between the cities
Jena and Weimar are just 20 minutes apart by train, making it easy to combine them in one trip. Thuringia as a whole is also easy to explore in a climate-friendly way, with its focus on rail connections, cycling routes, and green accommodations.
✨ Why choose Jena and Weimar?
Because here you get the best of both worlds:
- Jena offers nature, innovation, and modern energy.
- Weimar offers classical culture, history, and architecture within green surroundings.
Together, they are a perfect pair for travelers seeking sustainability and experiences with depth.
Schmilka – the Little Town Where Sustainability is a Way of Life
Imagine a small town where you wake up to the sound of the Elbe River, where the scent of freshly baked organic bread drifts out of an old mill house, and where the entire community lives according to sustainable principles. Welcome to Schmilka, a fairytale-like town tucked away in Saxon Switzerland in eastern Germany – a travel destination that proves how a modern lifestyle can go hand in hand with nature and tradition.
🌿 A Whole Town in Harmony with Nature
Schmilka is not just another idyllic village – it’s an ecological experiment that works. The entire town has been converted to organic and sustainable living:
- Hotels are powered by renewable energy.
- Restaurants serve food made from local, organic ingredients.
- Even the saunas and spa facilities are sustainably heated.
- As you walk through the town, you feel that this is not a trend – it’s a way of life.
🍞 Craftsmanship and Traditions
One of the highlights of Schmilka is the historic watermill, where bread is still baked the old-fashioned way. The smell of freshly baked sourdough mixed with fresh-ground organic flour makes the visit a sensory experience. Here, it feels like stepping back in time – but with today’s ecological awareness.
🥾 Nature Right Outside Your Door
Schmilka is located in the heart of Saxon Switzerland National Park, one of the most beautiful natural areas in Germany. The dramatic rock formations, deep forests, and winding trails make the area perfect for hiking. Many travelers call it one of Europe’s most underrated hiking paradises.
A must-do is the hike to the Bastei Bridge – a spectacular stone bridge that connects the cliffs high above the Elbe.
🍷 Organic Indulgence
After a day in nature, you can unwind at one of the town’s small breweries or organic restaurants, where you can taste local wine, beer, and vegetarian specialties – all produced with respect for nature.
✨ Why Visit Schmilka?
Schmilka is not just a place – it’s an experience that inspires. It’s living proof that we can travel, enjoy life, and still take responsibility for the planet. For anyone longing for peace, nature, and a meaningful journey, Schmilka is a place that stays with you.
