A biathlon fan does not need to explain anything about the city of Oberhof in Germany. It is the world center of winter sports. Here is the famous biathlon stadium, where since 1984 the stages of the World Cup have been held. Bobsleigh, ski jumping, cross-country skiing - these winter disciplines are also associated with Oberhof.
Where the city is located
But the city is not only a biathlon center - it is a balneological resort. Oberhof in Germany is located in the heart of the country, the forests of Thuringia, at an altitude of 900 meters above sea level. Low mountain ranges, covered with forests, with hiking trails laid along them, are a vacation spot for the inhabitants of Germany. Fresh air, beautiful landscapes attract thousands of people here. The popularity of Oberhof is also served by convenient transportation, which allows you to easily get to the city from anywhere in Germany.
Oberhof Spa, Germany
Not only fans come here, but also those who want to improve their he alth. In Oberhof there are balnearies, swimming pools, climate controlpavilions and rest houses. Pure healing mountain air infused with Thuringian herbs, local mineral water have a beneficial effect on the body in case of disorders of the nervous system, anemia, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, metabolic disorders.
City of Oberhof
The government of the GDR even during the partition of Germany in the city was equipped with a base for training athletes for competitions in winter sports. A biathlon stadium was built here, and convenient tracks for skiing, including mountain sports, were equipped. Ski jumps and bobsleigh tracks have been set up.
Thousands of Germans come here for the weekend. Currently, there are even more tourists in the city. Looking at the photo of Oberhof in Germany, you can see that the town itself is small. Only 1,530 residents live here, but the influx of tourists on weekends, especially during competitions, is simply huge. Places in local hotels, of course, are not enough. Sports lovers stay in the settlements adjacent to the town.
What can be seen around the city
- The main attraction in Oberhof (Germany), of course, is the amazing nature, which resembles a fairy tale. In the vicinity of the city there are many interesting places that will undoubtedly interest tourists. Listing everything is rather problematic, but we will list the most interesting ones.
- In Zella-Mehlis, located at 8kilometers from the city, there is the famous marine aquarium, which contains exhibits from all seas and oceans. This is a whole complex consisting of 60 aquariums and 5 terrariums.
- The Goethe Museum in Ilmenau (14 km) has a rich exposition not only about the famous poet, but also about the history of the city.
- Museum of weapons in the city of gunsmiths Zule (13 km), here you can get acquainted with all types of weapons.
- Friedenstein Castle (25 km), the construction of which was started by order of Duke Ernst of Saxe-Gotha in 1643, here is a rich collection of paintings, furniture, porcelain, gold and silver items. In addition, its casemates and the rich greenhouse of the castle are of great interest.
How to get to Oberhof (Germany)
For the Germans, getting to Oberhof will not be difficult, as it is connected by road to all cities in Germany. You can come here by bus or by rail. But there is no airport here. To get to the city from Russia, you must first arrive (fly) to one of the cities in Germany, the city of Erfurt is closest to Oberhof. The distance to it is 40 km. Hof Airport is located 112 kilometers away, and the city of Kassel lies 147 kilometers away, where there is also an airport.
Airplanes from Russia fly to the cities of Leipzig and Nuremberg located near Oberhof. In extreme cases, you can fly to Berlin, Dresden or Frankfurt. From the airport of any city, you can continue the journey by bus or train. For example, from Erfurt from the central station to Oberhof gobuses.
Peculiarities of traveling by rail
Given that Germany is a small country, all trains here are without beds. They are divided into three classes:
- ICE - high-speed trains. They usually run between large cities, at a considerable distance.
- RE - regional trains that do not go to remote cities, something like our trains.
- STB - local small trains, often consisting of one or two wagons. They are more like small trams.
Tickets can be bought online or at automatic ticket offices at stations. There is a significant price difference here. Considering that train tickets are very expensive, it is best to purchase them online in advance, in which case there are big discounts. Getting from remote cities of Germany to Oberhof, you will have to make transfers and ride trains of all classes.
Where to stay
If you decide to visit Oberhof, then you need to remember that this is a small city, and there are a lot of tourists, especially during the competition period, so you should not rely on luck, but you need to take care of the trip in advance and book accommodation. Germans book accommodation a year in advance. Prices in hotels, of course, are not cheap. If it was not possible to find accommodation, then it is worth looking for a place to stay in the neighboring cities of Thuringia, getting to Oberhof by train.
Travel can cost a pretty penny. Therefore, it is necessary to consider as an optionthe purchase of a Thuringian regional ticket, which is valid throughout the day. The cost of a trip for one person is 20 euros, the cost of a ticket for a company of 5 people will be 28 euros. It is beneficial if you are far away from the settlement where you are staying. If you live near Oberhof, it will be more profitable to buy a single ticket.
To use the Thuringian ticket, you need to look online for train schedules and transfer stations. You can use the machine at the station. Enter your start and end points and it will give you an exact route description with all transfers.
Food
You can't count on cheap food at the height of the winter season. In cafes and restaurants, prices for Russian tourists are rather high. But you can find a cafe with an acceptable cost of lunch, since they are here at almost every step. Oberhof has a supermarket located in the city center.
A trip to Oberhof will be interesting. There is something to see here. The forests of Thuringia, despite the fact that more than seven thousand kilometers of mountain hiking trails have been laid through them, have preserved many protected places.
