48 hours in...

Görlitz

Great museums and culture, location for Hollywood productions, beautiful countryside all around. Many consider the “European City of Görlitz | Zgorzelec” on the border between Germany and Poland to be Germany’s most beautiful town. See for yourself and take a look at our tips for a weekend in Görlitz!

Day 1 in Görlitz: Friday

After checking in at your accommodation and stopping over at the tourist information office, discover Görlitz on a guided city tour.

In and around Görlitz, there are more than 200 different accommodation option, be it a private room, holiday flat or hotel. All requirements and budgets are covered. Once you've unpacked your bag at your chosen option, head straight to the Görlitz Tourist Information on Obermarkt square which you will get information, tickets and more.

For a little peace and quiet after your journey, wander around the romantic Nikolai cemetery, where you can also see the grave of Görlitz-born Jacob Böhme (1575-1624), a mystic and philosopher who left many traces in this city. Afterwards, visit the Holy Sepulchre and discover many surprises.

To start with, there is a lot of choice for foodies to discover something new, such as the regional Silesian or Bohemian cuisine. You can pick from rustic settings in restaurants with basement vaults or beer cellars, cosy backyards or al fresco dining on the market square. Enjoy culinary treats in the City of Europe, where tradition and modernity meet on the plate.

Day 2 in Görlitz: Saturday

Today, we have two great outings on the agenda: by bike to a beautiful lake outside town and then across the Old Town Bridge to the Polish side of Görlitz. Later, an interesting museum beckons, and in the evening, a tour through the town’s pubs and bars!

After breakfast, you'll cycle through the fresh morning air along the Oder-Neisse Trail to Lake Berzdorf, a short distance south of the historic old town of Görlitz. Sparkling water, sandy beaches and lush greenery all around await you here, and you can sail, skate and hike to your heart's content – or just relax!

Old town of Görlitz with old town bridge and St. Peter's Church

After returning to Görlitz, cross the Neisse river on the Old Town Bridge over to Zgorzelec in Poland. Together, the two parts of town declared themselves a European City in 1998, setting a great example of how people of different nations can overcome borders. Wander along the riverbank promenade where you’ll find plenty options for a coffee break.

Upper Lusatian Library of Sciences in Görlitz

For a deep dive in to Görlitz history, the local Museum of History and Culture is the best place, presenting insightful permanent and special exhibitions in three listed buildings: the Baroque House Neissstraße, the Kaisertrutz fortification and the Reichenbach Tower. Special highlight for book lovers: the historical library hall of the Upper Lusatian Society of Sciences is an absolute delight!

For a great night out, the old town of Görlitz is full of bars and pubs. If you strike up a conversation with the locals, don’t be surprised when the conversation quickly turns to films: since the 1950ies, more than 100 films, including Hollywood productions, have been shot in town and extras are often recruited from among the good people of Görlitz.

Day 3 in Görlitz: Sunday

After another peek into the colourful history of the region, your ears will be in for a treat. And before, sadly, your Görlitz trip comes to an end, you’ll get to enjoy a great view of town.

The Schönhof is one of the oldest Renaissance buildings in Germany and certainly one of the most beautiful buildings in Görlitz. It now houses the Silesian Museum where you can learn everything about the eventful history and rich culture of the Silesia region in the middle of Europe

Perched high above the Neisse river, St. Peter's Church, which goes back to an 11th-century castle church, is considered a landmark of Görlitz. Its special attraction is an organ with 17 "suns" (radially arranged pipes) from 1697, whose special features include a spectacular stop: instrument can imitate animal voices, such as the call of the cuckoo and nightingale!

Town Hall on Untermarkt square in Görlitz

To round off the weekend, enjoy a splendid panoramic view of Görlitz from the town hall tower on Untermarkt square. Take a guided tour to learn about a beautiful moon phase clock adorning the tower and then climb up 191 steps to a height of 60 metres – and take the best impressions of the town and its surroundings back home with you!

48 hours in...

3 pm: GÖRLITZ TOURIST INFORMATION

4.30 pm: NIKOLAI CEMETERY AND HOLY SEPULCHRE

6 pm: DINNER

9 am: BERZDORF LAKE

1 pm: ZGORZELEC

3 pm: MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND CULTURE

6 pm: PUBS AND BARS

10 am: SILESIAN MUSEUM

12 pm: ST. PETER’S CHURCH

1 pm: TOWN HALL TOWER

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