Jena Travel Guide

  Stadtkirche, Jena
by antistar
  • Stadtkirche, Jena
      Stadtkirche, Jena
    by antistar
  • Stadtkirche St. Michael, Jena
      Stadtkirche St. Michael, Jena
    by antistar
  • Markt, Jena
      Markt, Jena
    by antistar
  • Jen-Tower, Jena
      Jen-Tower, Jena
    by antistar
  • Jen-Tower, Jena
      Jen-Tower, Jena
    by antistar

Pro

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 A reality-check about what was going on before the wall 


Con

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 all shops are closed after6 o'clock 


In a nutshell

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 But in any case worth a visit! 

 

Explore Jena

Things to Do  

Jen-Tower

Jen-Tower, Jena

 antistar Says:  Towering a massive 120 meters above the small town of Jena, the Jen-Tower is one of the tallest buildings in all of Germany. Compared to the town, a mere 100,000 in population, its dimensions are outstanding. It would be interesting to know if there was a town of similarly... 

Optical museum

Optical museum, Jena

 bonio Says:  Showing the history of optical manufactue and the works of Carl Zeiss thhe founder of the factory. The reason we chose to visit Jena, I've always been interested. Many exhibits kept me occupied for a couple of hours and is very well worth the small admission fee. 

Jena Tower

Jena Tower, Jena

 Leipzig Says:  It's the highest building in this region. It was used as a building of research, built between 1967 and 1972 for VEB Carl Zeiss Jena. 

Jen tower

Jen tower, Jena

 bonio Says:  Built in DDR times and still there! Just 3 euros buys you a ride to the observation deck for great views of the surrounding hills and the city. There's also the Scala restaurant up there. 

Jena nightlife

Jena nightlife, Jena

 inezyda Says:  Little Jena town may seem a little sleepy but at night, especially in summertime, the locals get restless and the little cobblestreets are alive with street performers, the famous Kulturarea, and the many bars and restaurants along Wagnergasse.The famous danceclub is called... 

Hanfried

Hanfried, Jena

 evona Says:  On the Market Square there is the Statue of the Electoral Prince Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous. He was the founder of the University in Jena (1558). In the week there is a market on the squere around the Hanfried. You can buy there vegetables, fruits and clothers. 

Town Hall

Town Hall, Jena

 evona Says:  The Town Hall was built in 1368 year. Great is here the Astronomical Clock, wich is the one of "Seven Wonders" of Jena. You can find it in the old town, on the Market Square.On the pics there is the town hall from the side of the Market Square and from the other side. 

the city fortification with Pulverturm

the city fortification with Pulverturm, Jena

 evona Says:  This is the medieval city walls with Powder Tower from 13th/14th century, wich still are a great examle of the historical fortifications of Jena. The medieval city wall is 12 m high and 2 km long, with battlement, moat, gateways and flank towers. On the pic you can see the... 

St. Michael Town Church

St. Michael Town Church, Jena

 evona Says:  In the old town not far of the Town Hall you can see the St. Michael Town Church. It was built in 14th century - 1380/90 - in Gothic style. The church tower was built 1557. Inside there is the bronze tombstone of Martin Luther, wich preached in this church 1524 and 1529. 

Hotels  

Steigenberger Maxx Hotel

 3 Reviews and 13 Opinions  Good hotel with nice mails and we had a very nice room with balcony, we liked the beer garden next... 

Restaurants  

Hanfried: Nice cafe

Hanfried: Nice cafe, Jena

 bonio Says:  On Markt, and warm enough to sit outside but very pleasant inside also. A lunchtime visit for us, rosti for me and spinach with fried eggs for vegetarian Mrs B. All nicely cooked and washed down by a couple of local Rosen pils all with friendly service, enjoyed our visit... 

Adria grill: Balkan food

Adria grill: Balkan food, Jena

 bonio Says:  As the name suggests, a Balkan restaurant, this always interests me! many typical German dishes too. Right, they also do accomodation and we were stopping here so we ate in both evenings, this is very unusual for us - we enjoyed our first meal so much a second visit was... 

Lo Studente: Don`t miss the Maccaroni!

Lo Studente: Don`t miss the Maccaroni!, Jena

 evona Says:  This is a restaurant wich like especially students, but not only. You can eat there spaghetti or pizza. The choice is good. In the summer they have the restaurant garden. 

Transportation  

Railway

Railway, Jena

 bonio Says:  We found two main rail stations, Paradies and West, each one is on a different line. Both are easy to reach using the local trams (Paradies) and buses (West) 

Trams and buses

Trams and buses, Jena

 bonio Says:  Good local transport and a day ticket allowed us to explore the city and keep dry on a rainy afternoon. 

Warnings and Dangers  

Stamp thieves!
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

lenoreva 245 reviews

I had a problem when I was in Jena. I sent quite a lot of mail, but none of it ever arrived. I was sending my letters from small shops that sold stamps and had postboxes (but not official German post). I would pay for my stamps and leave. The guy behind the counter would take my money, put it in his pocket and throw my letters away. I even told the police about this scam, but they didn't do much.

The lesson learned? Always have them put on the stamp in front of you - or better yet, do it yourself. This tactic has served me well all over the world, from Cambodia to Bolivia.

Updated Apr 8, 2003

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What to Pack  

Climate in Jena
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1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Leipzig 2747 reviews

Miscellaneous: Rainy season: There is no special rainy season

Avg. Temp. in Spring: max.: 9 – 20°C ( 49 - 68°F ); min: 2 - 9°C ( 36 - 49°F )
Avg. Temp. in Summer: max.: 22 – 24°C ( 72 - 75°F ); min: 12 - 14°C ( 53 - 58°F )
Avg. Temp. in Autumn: max.: 7 – 19°C ( 45 - 66°F); min: 2 - 11°C ( 36 – 51°F )
Avg. Temp. in Winter: max.: 3 – 6°C ( 38 - 43°F); min: -1 - 2°C ( 30 - 36°F )

Updated Sep 6, 2002

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Off The Beaten Path  

Hiking in the woods

Hiking in the woods, Jena

 Leipzig Says:  Visiting Jena it is a must to hike in the woods. It is situated in the Saale-Valley surrounded by the 400 m (1,300 ft) high Kalk-mounts. Here you find numerous hidden sights and have a wonderful view on the town of Jena.More pix and info on my travelogue. 

Thuringia

Thuringia, Jena

 antistar Says:  Jena has good transport connections all over the state of Thuringia, but also beyond to Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. It's just an hour from Leipzig on the ICE, a couple of hours from the GDR museum piece of Chemnitz, and has regional trains to whisk you to little gems like... 

Sports & Outdoors  

FC Carl Zeiss Jena
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bonio 2367 reviews
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Local side, Carl Zeiss Jena, had a home game while we were in town. Season 2007/8 they were in 2 Bundesliga, and relegated to the new 3 Bundesliga at the end of it. Just watching one game I suspect scoring goals was the problem, several decent chances were created but only one scored.
The game against VfL Osnabrück finished 1-1 on a very wet evening. Enjoyed my visit, a pretty much unspoilt stadium, it's great to be able to stand behind the goal, have a beer and get soaked, and at just 9 euro to get in it's what watching footie is all about.

Updated Aug 15, 2008

Address: Ernst abbe sportfeld

Website: http://www.fc-carlzeiss-jena.de/index.php

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Favorites  

Look in the centre at the...

Look in the centre at the..., Jena

 joh28 Says:  Look in the centre at the total new GOETHE GALLERY: as the Sony park in new Berlin-Mid You have an similar architecture, including many shops and the HOTEL ESPLANADE (new also), directly beside the University Library... 

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Map of Jena