Search hotels in Jena

Not a well known travel destination, but with family here I was able to experience a German city without a large tourist influence. It was an enjoyable visit with plenty to do over a week’s stay. Transportation always available and easy. I found the people very friendly. There were many excellent bakeries and coffee shops.

Jena is a very nice town and lively because of all the students. Lots of various restaurants, cafes and pubs. People are friendly and helpful but it helps to speak German. Do not assume you will get around everywhere with only English.

Gorgeous small university city, intimate with walking distance to the mountains, center tower with city view offered. Very quiet getaway. Most locals are patient with a little to zero German speaking English native speaker. Dare I say is a nice place to honeymoon

An attractive small city with lots of lovely fin-de-siecle and modernist architecture - I could have wandered the streets for ages. A little down-at-heel but I feel that added to its charm. Situated on a slope, which makes for interesting wandering. Surrounding countryside also very pretty. We didn't have time to go to many bars or restaurants but the atmosphere (Fri. night) was nice and it felt safe.

Jena has got everything for most everyone, busy city centre, theatre, cinema, pubs and clubs and plenty of history, If that is not your thing (it's not mine) than the surrounding hills are outstanding for walking, hiking or mountain biking as well.

It is a beautiful town, with many beautiful buildings built over a century ago, combining the old, the ancient and the modern alltogether. The public transport is excellent, and there are only a few cars in the city center. However, if you don't speak German, this town is not for you. There is NOTHING tourist friendly, all is in German, they don't even have a translation in English in their ancient monuments so the tourists can know the history of the city. I saw many beautiful buildings which I have no idea what they were, if they are public, when they were built, nothing. And you rarely find anyone speaking fairly good English, I could not ask for directions, could not communicate with anyone, and it was impossible even to order food at the restaurant, or to buy souvenirs from a "Tourist shop", they speak to you in German and who cares. The same with the train, the buses , the tram, all information, SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS (!!!), train stops etc in German. Thank God there was no major problem, any change, any safety issue or danger, because I would never know. However, guess what, YOU DON'T NEED TO LEARN GERMAN TO GO TO GERMANY AS A TOURIST, you just need to go to ANY other country which values their tourists, respect and honor them by having all signs, all information, all tourist atractions, EVERYTHING, translated in English.