© Philipp Herfort

Of cars and culture

Zwickau

Welcome to Robert Schumann's city

With quaint pubs, fine dining, hotels ranging from cosy to classy, shopping, beautiful parks and museums, Zwickau has much to offer. It is also closely related to the history of car manufacturing as one August Horch in 1904 founded a company in town which later became Audi. The museum bearing his name provides fascinating insights into the world of cars, including many iconic models such as the Wanderer or Trabant.

Zwickau is also home to the Romantic composer Robert Schumann, and his birthplace on the market square is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. With a history going back 900 years, Zwickau is also full of architectural treasures, such as the mighty St. Mary's Cathedral standing next to some priests' houses from the 13th century. The 500-year-old Gewandhaus theatre, the town hall and the Johannisbad spa are also worth visiting.

© Philipp Herfort

Zwickau Impressions

Zwickau's location in Saxony

Distances and how to get to Zwickau

In Saxony, you benefit from short distances, making it easy to explore the region. The three major cities Dresden, Leipzig, and Chemnitz are all a short journey from one another, allowing you to travel quickly and conveniently from one attraction to the next.

Highlights not to be missed

Sights and attractions in Zwickau

August Horch Museum in Zwickau / August Horch Museum in Zwickau
© Philipp Herfort

Treasures of the automotive industry

August Horch Museum

Immerse yourself in 118 years of automotive history at the August Horch Museum in Zwickau. Here, where Horch, Audi, DKW, Wanderer and Trabant were built, you can experience technology, design, and regional identity up close. Original production facilities, interactive stations, and authentic backdrops make your visit an exciting experience for all the senses.

Philipp Herfort Photography | CC0

Charming alleys and historic walls

Zwickau's old town and Gewandhaus

Discover Zwickau’s historic old town with its charming alleys, cafés, and boutique shops, perfect for a leisurely stroll. The Gewandhaus theatre offers a diverse programme of events, from concerts to cabaret. It is the ideal place to effortlessly combine culture and leisure.

Johannisbad in Zwickau / Johannisbad spa in Zwickau
© Philipp Herfort

A historic pool with Art Nouveau flair

Johannisbad Zwickau

Johannisbad Zwickau is a truly unique architectural gem, combining Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic elegance with touches of oriental bathing culture. Featuring modern pools, a sauna, and a contemporary wellness area, it is the ideal place for families to unwind and enjoy quality time together.

  • Discover the Johannisbad
Historische Wohnstube in den Priesterhäusern in Zwickau / Historic living room in the Priests' Houses in Zwickau
© Philipp Herfort

A journey back in time

Priests' houses

The priests' houses in Zwickau are among the oldest preserved residential buildings in Germany, showcasing how clergymen lived in the Middle Ages. The faithfully restored buildings convey history in a peaceful way, not staged, but with an authentic atmosphere and interesting insights into everyday life in centuries past.

In einem Zimmer im Robert Schumann Haus steht ein großer Flügel.
© KultourZ

Birthplace of a great composer

Robert Schumann House

At the Robert Schumann House in Zwickau, you can experience the life and work of Robert and Clara Schumann up close. The museum houses the world's largest collection dedicated to this musical couple, including over 4,000 original manuscripts. The birth room is furnished with period furniture. Events are held regularly in the concert hall.

Menschen auf dem Kornmarkt in Zwickau
© Kultour Z.

Unforgettable moments

48 hours in Zwickau

Zwickau is not called the city of Robert Schumann and automobiles for nothing. If you visit Saxony's fourth-largest city for a weekend, you can expect to find historic cars, a brilliant composer, a great painter, good beer, and lots of culture.

Hidden treasures off the tourist trail

Insider tips for Zwickau

  • Take a stroll through Zwickau and discover the town's stunning historic architecture, featuring Germany's largest Art Nouveau ensemble, the Johannisbad spa, majestic St. Mary's Cathedral, and the spectacular "Neue Welt" ballroom.

  • Zwickau Art Collections, the town’s eminent art collections in the Max Pechstein Museum, combine art and natural history collections in an imposing, listed building.

  • More than 800 years of eventful history have left their mark on Zwickau‘s largest church. Valuable pictures and works of art adorn the interior of St. Mary's Cathedral, including a winged altar from 1479, a vesper picture from around 1502 and a double spiral stone. The famous preacher and Luther contemporary Thomas Müntzer left his traces during the Reformation. Very much worth seeing!

Max Pechstein Skulptur im Max-Pechstein-Museum Zwickau // Max Pechstein sculpture at the Max-Pechstein-Museum Zwickau
© Matthias Rose

Explore industrial heritage and idyllic landscapes

Places to visit around Zwickau

Zwickau is the ideal gateway for exploring the Chemnitz region. Discover industrial heritage at the interactive Coal Mining Museum (KohleWelt) Oelsnitz and Central Europe's remarkably preserved cloth factory in Crimmitschau, now  textile museum. Step back in time at the beautiful Blankenhain Castle and open-air museum village, or unwind with a scenic cycling tour along the picturesque Mulde River.

Mulde Cycle Route

Where historic towns meet idyllic landscapes

© Sylvio Dittrich

Blankenhain

A historic castle town wrapped in green

© Czech Vibes
© Philipp Herfort

Your local contact 

Zwickau Tourist Information

  • Zwickau Tourist Information

Unforgettable moments

48 hours in Zwickau

Zwickau is closely related to the Romantic composer Robert Schumann and the history of car manufacturing, all to be discovered during an inspiring weekend in Saxony’s fourth largest city.

 

Day 1 in Zwickau: Friday

Check-in, stop by the tourist information and a nice meal – get your bearings on your first day in Zwickau.

 

Philipp Herfort Photography | CC0

Check-in

Zwickau offers ample accommodation options. Some of the hotels can be found behind historic walls or are set in green spaces outside town, but there are also pretty rooms in the middle of the old town. After check-in, head straight to the tourist office to get all the information you need for your stay!

Search for accommodation
© mattrose

Zwickau Tourist Information

Stop by the local tourist information and make some time for a coffee and cake break in one of the charming cafés in Zwickau's old town.

Zwickau Tourist Information
Mittelalterliches Wohnensemble
© Kultour Z.

Priests' houses

Zwickau's priests' houses are the oldest residential ensemble still standing in Germany. Interested in a couple more facts? The origins of the buildings go back to the 13th century when the priests and preachers of St. Mary's Cathedral lived there. Visit and get a taste of Zwickau in medieval times.

Priests' Houses
Blick auf das Zwickauer Rathaus
© Kultour Z.

Dinner

After arriving in Zwickau, your first walk through town and having visited the historic priests' houses, it‘s time for dinner in one of the many restaurants on offer. From "Alte Münze" to "Erzgebirgsblick", from home cooking in "Zum Schluckspecht" to a Schnitzel paradise – Zwickau offers you a wide range of gastronomic options.

Day 2 in Zwickau: Saturday

First a guided city tour, then on to music: Robert Schumann is Zwickau‘s most famous son.

Menschen auf dem Kornmarkt in Zwickau
© Kultour Z.

Guided city tour

The best way to get to know the sights of a city is on a guided tour. Zwickau offers more than 20 different themed tours, including "Time Travel to the Middle Ages" and "Zwickau Winter Magic“. The choice is yours!

Zimmer mit einem Klavier und antiken Möbelstücken
© Kultour Z.

Robert Schumann House

Time to focus one of the most important people in Zwickau. In the Robert Schumann House, one of Germany‘s most beautiful museums dedicated to music, you can learn all about the life and work of the world-famous composer who was born in Zwickau. Among others, the museum houses over 4000 of the master's original manuscripts.

Robert Schumann House
Auf dem Mulderadweg kommt man am MuldeParadies und dem Schloss Osterstein vorbei
© Kultour Z.

Paradise by the Mulde River

Time for a walk, preferably in the idyllic Swan Pond Park or the MuldeParadies (Mulde paradise) park. The latter, named after the local Mulde river, is one of the most beautiful public parks in Germany, with a river stage, many quiet zones and some historical elements worth seeing.

Terrassensaal im Jugendstil mit einem Pianisten auf der Bühne
© Kultour Z.

Cultural Events

There's always something going on in Zwickau, be it concerts at the Stadthalle event space or the Neue Welt concert and ball hall. The open-air stage at the Schwanenteich pond or the Gasometer are also good event venues. Get information at the tourist office!

Day 3 in Zwickau: Sunday

You cannot leave Zwickau without having visited the August Horch Museum.

Horchmuseum, Zwickau
© Holger Stein Fotografie

August Horch Museum

The August Horch Museum where you can experience the history of 115 years of car manufacturing in Zwickau, is not just for car buffs. The museum is located at the historic birthplace of Audi, the same factory where later DKW and Trabant cars were manufactured. It is the only one of its kind to be housed in a former production site with a huge exhibition space of 6,500 square metres – lots to see including many vintage cars!

August Horch Museum
Gruppe sitzt in einem Café zusammen
© Kultour Z.

Lunch

For lunch, we recommend staying in the museum and stop by the on-site restaurant for a snack or full-on three-course menu. Whatever it might be, enjoy and keep Zwickau in good memory!

August Horch Restaurant