What to do in Jena

Activities, attractions and tours

Jen-Tower which includes landscape views, a city and tranquil scenes
Jen-Tower which includes landscape views, a city and tranquil scenes
Botanischer Garten showing a garden, a pond and interior views
Jena which includes heritage elements
Jena which includes a square or plaza and a statue or sculpture

Jena Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Jena has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Jena, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Jena with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Jena

Jena is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Jena, and make it a breeze to explore Jena and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Jena to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Jena, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Jena.

Jena attractions

Jena has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Jena to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Jena.

Looking for things to do in Jena can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Jena or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Jena attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Recommended things to do in Jena

Number of things to do
12
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Weimar: Old Town Guided Walking Tour: £9
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Jena

Popular places to visit

Jen-Tower which includes landscape views, a city and tranquil scenes

JenTower

Get exceptional views of Jena and the surrounding hills from the top of this distinctive socialist-era skyscraper in the heart of the city.

JenTower
Zeiss Planetarium featuring a park and a statue or sculpture

Zeiss Planetarium

Be entertained and educated by the music, light and star shows projected inside the dome of this historic and beautiful building in Jena.

Zeiss Planetarium
Botanischer Garten which includes a skyscraper and a park

Botanischer Garten Jena

Appreciate the sights and smells of this extensive and well-maintained complex that served as romantic inspiration for Goethe’s influential work.

Botanischer Garten Jena
Botanischer Garten which includes signage, interior views and a park

University of Jena

Explore the campus of University of Jena during your trip to Jena. While in the area, you can find time to visit its shops.

University of Jena

Carl Zeiss Jena

Carl Zeiss Jena is just one of the places to see in Lichtenhain, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? While in the area, you can find time to visit its spas.

Carl Zeiss Jena

Historisches Rathaus Jena

After visiting Historisches Rathaus Jena, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Jena-Zentrum. While in the area, you can find time to visit its shops.

Historisches Rathaus Jena

Schiller's Summer House

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Schiller's Summer House during your travels in Jena-Zentrum. While in the area, you can find time to visit its shops.

Schiller's Summer House

Theaterhaus Jena

You can enjoy a show at Theaterhaus Jena on your trip to Jena-Zentrum. While in the area, you can find time to visit its shops.

Theaterhaus Jena

Optical Museum Jena

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Optical Museum Jena in Jena-Zentrum. While in the area, you can find time to visit its shops.

Optical Museum Jena

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Jena

St.-Hubertus-Kirche in Oßmaritz

Bucha

Stieleiche Doc.-Nr. 2006-04 Cospeda I

Cospeda

Jena, Germany

Neulobeda

Frequently asked questions

Is Jena worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Jena is visit Dornburger Castle. Tick this major attraction off your list, then experience more of this area's cycling and walking trails.
How do I spend a day in Jena?
Begin your day with a visit to Dornburger Castle and JenTower. Then, tour other areas of Jena for tasty eats and some souvenir shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Jena?
Dornburger Castle is one of the top tourist attractions in Jena and deserves a place on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Jena?
Three days in Jena is more than enough to visit the city's main highlights. Many travellers stay for two days on average. JenTower, Theaterhaus Jena and Optical Museum Jena are among the top-rated sights. Like to see more? Hang around a bit longer to visit nearby hotspots like Erfurt.
Is Jena a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and leading attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Jena is a great destination to see on foot. Wander between JenTower and Theaterhaus Jena. Then take a stroll around Jena-Zentrum, located 0.32 kms (0.20 miles) from downtown, and Winzerla, which is about 5 kms (3 miles) away.
What are some activities to do in Jena with kids?
Whether you're travelling with tiny adventurers or hard-to-please teens, an itinerary filled with fun activities sets the tone for a great escape. Check out our recommendations for what to do in Jena with kids.

What to do in Jena for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Jena, with experiences for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to Goethe Memorial or Historisches Rathaus Jena.
Are there free things to do in Jena?
One of the top ways to find free things to do in Jena is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on exciting neighbourhoods, parks and other highlights you can enjoy without taking your wallet out. Historisches Rathaus Jena is one sight that doesn't charge an admission fee.