Trips to discover the Region

Go and explore the surroundings of Görlitz. Lovers of nature and culture as well as families will find lots of attractive destinations. Discover and enjoy!

Plan your journey

The Lusatian Lake District (Lausitzer Seenland)

In the Lusatian Lake District, visitors can experience ever-changing views of a transforming natural landscape. After the open-cast lignite mines were closed down in this region, the are now being flooded, and thus, the Europe’s biggest water landscape ever created by human hands is growing there. Leave Görlitz to the north, and after a bit more than a 1-hours drive, you get to the Lake district, where more than 20 new lakes invite you for active recreation in and on the water.

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The Zittau Mountains Nature Park (Zittauer Gebirge)

In the past, famous painters like Caspar David Friedrich used to be impressed with the Zittau Mountains. Today, this nature park located less than 30 km away from Görlitz, attracts mainly hikers and walkers. Bizarre rock formations, a tour on the Zittau narrow-gage railway, or a visit to the open-air museum of Oybin Castle and Monastery are popular highlights of an eventful day in the nature. For sure, the whole family will enjoy.

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The Neisse Region and Bad Muskau

In Bad Muskau, north of Görlitz, you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Fürst-Pückler-Park and Castle. In the first half of the 19th century, Fürst Hermann von Pückler created a perfect park idyll here. Not far from there, you find the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Upperlusatian Heath and Pond Landscape covering an area of 30,000 hectares (core zone: 1,100 hectares). It is the only biosphere reserve in Saxony and one of the largest pond areas all over Germany. The best way to discover it is on foot or by bike.

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Upper Lusatia (Oberlausitz)

Upper Lusatia covers the area from Görlitz to Dresden, and from the Zittau Mountains Nature Park (Zittauer Gebirge) to the Lusatian Lake District (Lausitzer Seenland). Guests are welcome to discover its unique cultural history visiting historical towns, enchanting park landscapes, impressive castles and numerous sacred buildings. The varied and extraordinary landscape attracts both sports enthusiasts and holidaymakers.

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The VIA REGIA

The literally translated „Royal Road“ was supposed to be one of the most important trade routes of the European Middle Ages, and it was the most essential lifeline for the region of Upper Lusatia. Firstly mentioned in 1252, it was proclaimed Cultural Route of the European Council in 2005. The VIA REGIA connected Upper Lusatia to both Western Europe and the Eastern European countries. People settled down at mountain slopes and river crossings, founded towns and villages, and thus, infrastructure started to develop. Along the trade route, merchants and carts transported goods, values and ideas. Trade and craft promoted the development of the cities. Hostels and forgings, workshops of wheelwrighters as well as churches were built.

The Upperlusatian Six Towns League (Sechsstädtebund)

For many centuries, the six Upperlusatian towns of Görlitz, Bautzen, Zittau, Löbau, Kamenz and Luban have been attractive venues for merchants from many countries. This makes them popular destinations for tourists from all over the world.

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Saxony’s Beautiful Cities

For those who love to explore historical cities, Saxony’s Beautiful Cities are the perfect choice. The urban landscape including places like Annaberg-Buchholz, Bautzen, Freiberg, Kamenz, Meißen, Pirna, Plauen, Radebeul, Torgau, Zwickau and Zittau presents a bit of everything: historic architectural monuments and modern elegance, dreamy romance and vivid markets. Come and enjoy a fascinating journey discovering Saxon cultural history and gems of irresistible charm.

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The Via Sacra

The idea of the “via sacra” is: to discover the sacred treasures of Silesia, North Bohemia and Upper Lusatia on a tour which is both - a cultural journey as well as a pilgrimage leading you through the border triangle.

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Breslau/Wrocław

It is definately worthwhile taking a tour to Wrocław (Breslau), the historical capital of Lower Silesia, situated just some 150km away from Görlitz. Poland’s fourth-biggest city with an exciting metropolitan flair shines in new glamour today. Impressive architectural monuments, such as the Gothic City Hall or The Church of St. Elisabeth, invite you for a sightseeing tour. Breslau/Wroclaw was the European Capital of Culture in 2016.

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The Hirschberg Valley/Kotlina Jeleniogórska (Hirschberger Tal)

Hirschberg Valley, today located in Poland (a bit more than a 1-hours drive away from Görlitz), is the natural foreland of the Sudeten Mountains (Riesengebirge), and it offers an incomparable view to the mighty mountains. Furthermore, the area is a true Eldorado for those in fond of old castles and mansions. There are more than 30 of these splendid buildings to discover along the valley – some of them are ruins today, others have been beautifully restored and are surrounded by marvellous parks.

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Photos:
"Upper Lusatia" and "Saxony's cities": MGO Bildarchiv, "The Zittau Mountains Nature Park": R. Pech, "The Neisse Region": IBZ Marienthal, "Via Regia"and "Via Sacra": Europastadt GmbH, "The Upperlusatian Six Towns League": Die Partner GmbH, "The Lusatian Lake District": Rainer Weisflog, "Breslau": Roswitha Henning, "The Hirschberg Valley": Lomnitz