Goethe-Nationalmuseum
Goethe's residence on Frauenplan and museum on the poet's life and work; the residence will close for renovation for about three years starting November 2026.
About the museum
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lived for almost 50 years in the Baroque house on Frauenplan, first as a tenant and later as owner, after Duke Carl August gave it to him. Here he worked, received guests and assembled his extensive art and natural history collections; his study and private library have been preserved almost unchanged.
After the death of his last grandson, Walther von Goethe, the house and collections passed by will in 1885 to the grand ducal house, which used them to found the Goethe-Nationalmuseum on August 8, 1885; the following year the residence was opened to visitors. A collection building was added in 1913/14 and a museum annex for exhibitions in 1935. For Weimar's year as European Capital of Culture in 1999, the complex was thoroughly renovated.
The museum holds around 100,000 objects. Since August 2012 the permanent exhibition “Lebensfluten – Tatensturm” has presented Goethe's life and work in the context of the upheavals around 1800. From November 2, 2026, the residence, together with neighboring buildings, pavilions and the house garden, will be restored and redesigned as a museum over about three years; the exhibition in the museum building and the digital study room “Goethe-Apparat” will remain open during this time.
Highlights
- 18 historic rooms in Goethe's residence, including the Juno Room and the study with his private library (until November 1, 2026)
- Goethe's art and natural history collections
- Permanent exhibition “Lebensfluten – Tatensturm”
- Immersive media station “Goethe-Apparat”
- House garden with a largely preserved layout from the 1820s
- Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Classical Weimar”
Permanent exhibitions
- Lebensfluten – Tatensturm – On view since 2012, the permanent exhibition explores Goethe's life and work in the era of upheaval around 1800 in eleven rooms, under key concepts such as genius, violence and love.
- Goethes Wohnhaus – The 18 rooms open to visitors show Goethe's furnishings, artworks, natural history collections and his study with library. Closed for restoration for about three years starting November 2026.
- Goethe-Apparat – An immersive media station that brings Goethe's historic study to life digitally and remains open during the renovation of the residence.
- Founded
- 1885
- Operated by
- Klassik Stiftung Weimar
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €14 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10University students (except distance learners), people with severe disabilities, participants in the Federal Volunteer Service and voluntary military service, apprentices, the unemployed, artCard holders |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 15 · Free admission until the 16th birthday (except for special children's events) and for school classes up to grade 10; school students aged 16 to 20 pay €4. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €10companion free · Reduced €10 with a severe disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis); a medically certified companion is admitted free. |
| Students & apprentices | €10Reduced admission for university students (not valid for distance learners). |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of 10 or more must register at least 21 days in advance using the group form; max. 25 people per tour. Guided tours for adult groups, plus admission: 30 min. €40, 60 min. €70, 90 min. €95, foreign-language surcharge €10. School classes up to grade 10 get free admission; tour prices for schools vary by grade level and site. |
| Families | –No family ticket; children and teens under 16 get free admission. |
Free admission: Foundation-wide free admission days: International Women's Day (March 8) and Buß- und Bettag (Day of Repentance and Prayer, November 18, 2026)
Tickets online (timed entry, bookable up to four months in advance) or at the museum ticket desks. Annual MuseumsCard (12 months, all sites) €49, reduced €29, school students €19. Free admission with the weimar card (48 h €32.50, 96 h €59.50) and for refugees and ICOM/DMB members. Prices apply to the museum including the residence; whether admission will change while the residence is closed from November 2026 has not yet been announced. Timed-entry tickets recommended.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The exhibition in the museum building is step-free, with an elevator and a wheelchair-accessible restroom; one section is not accessible to wheelchairs due to limited space; loaner wheelchair free of charge. Goethe's residence (several floors, narrow doors, narrow stairs) is not accessible. Mobile induction loops and Braille materials according to weimar.de; tours in sign language and for groups of blind or visually impaired people available. Details at “Reisen für Alle” (Travel for All).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Free children's audio tour of the exhibition in the Weimar+ app or on the website.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Wielandplatz · 140 m
Bus line 1 to Wielandplatz (approx. 140 m); all city bus lines to Goetheplatz (approx. 650 m). From the main station, bus lines 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8 run to Goetheplatz.
By car
The Klassik Stiftung does not list any parking of its own; it recommends the parking lots at Weimar Atrium for tour buses and refers to the City of Weimar for other parking options.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop in the Goethe-Nationalmuseum (tel. +49 3643 545880).
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
The ballroom, lecture hall, foyer and historic courtyard are available for rent according to the foundation's fee schedule (standard, reduced and commercial rates).
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (DE) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free audio tours for the exhibition and residence in the Weimar+ app and as a download. Guided tours and short “Stippvisiten” (drop-in visits) can be booked; VR experience “Goethe-Live-3D”. |
