Goethe House (Weimar)

Goethe's House in Weimar (Goethes Wohnhaus) is Germany's most famous writer's home. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the towering figure of German literature, lived here on the Frauenplan square for most of five decades, worked on "Faust" in its rooms, and died here in 1832. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Classical Weimar," the house is a must for anyone interested in European culture. Key news for 2026: it closes in early November for a renovation lasting about three years.

Important: closure from November 2026

According to the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, the foundation that runs the site, Goethe's House closes on November 2, 2026, for a renovation phase of about three years, with a long farewell weekend starting October 30. The neighboring Goethe National Museum exhibition stays open, and the foundation offers digital alternatives such as the Goethe-Live-3D virtual tour. If you plan a trip after October 2026, check the foundation's website for the latest status.

Where it is and how to get there

Weimar is a compact city in Thuringia, about 15 minutes by regional train from Erfurt and roughly an hour from Leipzig. ICE high-speed trains on the Frankfurt–Erfurt–Leipzig line stop at Weimar; from Frankfurt the trip takes a little over two hours, and from Berlin you usually change in Erfurt or Leipzig. From Weimar's main station it is about a 20-minute walk to the Frauenplan. The nearest major airports are Leipzig/Halle and Frankfurt. Prices are in euros, and the old town is easy to explore on foot.

A brief history

The Baroque townhouse was built between 1707 and 1709. Goethe first rented part of it in 1782, and in 1792 Duke Carl August bought it for him; it officially became his property in 1807. Goethe remodeled it in classical style, adding a grand Italian-inspired staircase to impress visitors. After his death on March 22, 1832, his private rooms were kept locked for decades. When his last grandson died in 1885, the house and collections passed to the state, and the museum opened in 1886.

What to see inside

• The grand staircase and Yellow Hall, Goethe's reception rooms, filled with plaster casts of ancient sculptures
• Collection rooms with majolica, porcelain, paintings, drawings, and minerals
• Goethe's study and library, simple by design, with about 7,000 volumes
• The bedroom where he died, overlooking the garden
• The walled garden with two small Baroque garden houses

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, tickets cost €14 for adults, €10 reduced, €4 for students aged 16 to 20, and nothing for visitors under 16. Until November 1, 2026, the house is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed Mondays). Entry is by timed ticket only, bookable online up to four months ahead, and daily capacity is limited, so book early, especially for the final weeks before the closure. An audio guide is available, and the website is offered in English.

Is it worth visiting?

Absolutely, if you can make it before the closure. Allow about an hour for the house and up to two and a half hours including the permanent exhibition. The historic rooms are upstairs and not wheelchair accessible. Combine your visit with the nearby Duchess Anna Amalia Library, Schiller's House, and the Park on the Ilm with Goethe's Garden House for a full day of "things to do in Weimar."