Upper Lusatia

Saxony's hidden treasure

In the eastern part of Saxony, you’ll find a hidden region full of surprises and unique traditions, a lot of them closely related to the Sorbs, a Slavic-speaking ethnic minority living here. Görlitz, Germany’s easternmost city, is the star of Upper Lusatia. Its jaw-dropping architecture from late Gothic to Art Nouveau even caught the eye of Hollywood producers as the perfect backdrop for filming anything from “The Reader” to “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. In the region's south, nature lovers will delight in the Zittau Mountains featuring bizarre sandstone formations, historic steam trains, and idyllic health resorts. Further north, the Lusatian Lakeland is a model regeneration project which has turned a former mining area into a holiday destination with numerous lakes and lots of options for fun by and on the water. Take your pick which side of the region suits your taste best!

Towns and cities in Upper Lusatia

Location and getting there in Germany

The Upper Lusatia region is easily accessible by train, with direct connections from Dresden Central Station to Zittau and Görlitz. Alternatively, visitors can travel by car or long-distance bus with excellent links to the region.

Within Saxony, short distances make getting around especially convenient. The three major cities Dresden, Leipzig, and Chemnitz are close to one another, allowing you to travel quickly and comfortably from one attraction to the next. In addition, the A4 motorway runs straight through Upper Lusatia to Poland, seamlessly connecting Dresden and Görlitz for easy regional access.

Görlitz – Berlin: 216 km
Görlitz – Hamburg: 523 km
Görlitz – Munich: 562 km
Görlitz – Cologne: 671 km
Görlitz – Frankfurt am Main: 566 km
Görlitz – Stuttgart: 610 km
Görlitz – Dusseldorf: 681 km

Things to see and do when visiting Upper Lusatia

Sights and attractions in Upper Lusatia

Our tips

City breaks and culture in Upper Lusatia

Explore the town of Zittau with its delightful old town. The Italian-style town hall and the church of St. Johannis are just two of the many buildings worth seeing. The town is also home to important artifacts from the Middle Ages: The Zittau Lenten Cloths – or Fastentücher in German – are religious treasures and genuine works of art not to be missed!
The romantic ruins of Oybin Castle and Monastery inspired painter Caspar David Friedrich. Today, they offer spectacular views and host cultural events.
Via Sacra is a spiritual route, travelling along to the Czech Republic and Poland. It takes you to important churches and monasteries in the region such as the UNESCO World Heritage site in Herrnhut. Perfect for a journey of reflection.
House Schminke in Löbau is a masterpiece of the New Building style by architect Hans Scharoun and, with its unique design, considered an icon of classical modernism.
Pulsnitz, which is German carries the moniker “gingerbread town”, has been home to the art of gingerbread making since 1558. Today, charming small bakeries and the Gingerbread Museum invite visitors to explore the traditions of the gingerbread bakers: discover the craft, watch the baking and decorating process and, not least, enjoy a taste of this sweet local specialty!
Herrnhut, a UNESCO World Heritage, is a living testament to the Moravian Church, and captivates visitors with its distinctive architecture and rich history. The town is also the birthplace of the world-famous Herrnhut Star, which has been handcrafted here for more than 180 years. Today, visitors can experience this tradition firsthand at the local factory workshop, where craftsmanship and a touch of magic continue to shine.
Kamenz, birthplace of the German poet Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, looks back on more than 800 years of history. Visitors can admire impressive sacred art in the St. Anne's Monastery Church, learn fascinating facts in the Lessing Museum, and enjoy panoramic views from the Hutberg hill.
For all you steam train buffs out there: hop on the historic steam railway, which has connected Zittau and Oybin sind 1890, and enjoy a scenic trip through the Zittau Mountains. ✓ Accessible attraction

Our tips

Active holidays in Upper Lusatia

Cycling: explore the varied landscape of Upper Lusatia with its beech forests, half-timbered houses and ponds on the Twin Cycle Path, a combined route consisting of the Oder-Neisse and Spree Cycle Routes.
Gravel cycling: take on the 320-kilometre RockHead gravel route with 4,600 metres of elevation gain, which takes you through Upper Lusatia and Saxon Switzerland. Customise the route according to your fitness level and use easy digital navigation.
Hiking: explore the diversity of the Upper Lusatian Highlands and the Zittau Mountains with their granite, sandstone and volcanic rock formations, deep forests and picturesque valleys on the Upper Lusatian Mountain Trail.
Mountain biking: at Black Mountain Bike Park Elstra, you can test your skills on four different MTB trails – Flowline, Parkline, Downhill and Jumpline – which challenge both beginners and professionals alike.

Discover Saxony’s ultimate gravel biking route

RockHead – a must for gravel bike fans

Prepare for an unforgettable adventure. RockHead leads you along rugged trails through Upper Lusatia and Saxon Switzerland, past historic villages and up demanding climbs set in unspoilt natural landscapes. Designed for riders who love a challenge, this route perfectly blends athletic ambition with breathtaking panoramas - pushing you to your limits and rewarding you every step of the way.

Three reasons every gravel biking fan should ride the RockHead:

Pure adventure: the varied route takes you through dense forests, open heathland, and past spectacular sandstone formations.
A unique mix: experience the perfect combination of athletic challenge, cultural highlights, and unspoilt nature.
Unforgettable views: Upper Lusatia and Saxon Switzerland reward you with sweeping vistas and idyllic landscapes that will take your breath away.

RockHead - Gravelstrecke in der Oberlausitz und der Sächsischen Schweiz, Faktorenhof Eibau — © Philipp Herfort Photography

RockHead - Gravelstrecke in der Oberlausitz und der Sächsischen Schweiz, Cunewalde — © Philipp Herfort Photography

Dive into prehistoric times with a side dish of fun and excitement

A dinosaur adventure for all the family

Your children are proper dinosaur fans and so are you? We’ve got the right thing for you then. Don't miss Saxony’s dinosaur park near Bautzen, where over 200 of the prehistoric giants seem to come back to life amidst a unique primeval forest-like vegetation.
The park also feature a range of entertaining attractions and exciting play areas inspiring kids to climb, slide, splash about and explore. And, not to forget, lots of food and drink options for children and grown-ups alike.
During winter, dinosaurs are in hibernation. Obviously. But around Easter time, the dinosaur park re-opens its doors and welcomes young and old dinosaur explorers for the new season! Check opening times here before you plan your visit.

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Mitoseum with Spinosaurus, dinosaur park Kleinwelka — Entrance to the Dinosaur Park in Bautzen

Ein Paar in einem Strandkorb am Bärwalder See im Lausitzer Seenland // A couple in a Strandkorb (beach chair) on the Bärwalder Sea in the Lusatian Lakeland — Relaxing at Lake Bärwalde

A landscape reinvented by water

Lusatian Lakeland

Between Dresden and Berlin, the Lusatian Lakeland is reinventing itself as one of Saxony’s most captivating holiday regions, where a former mining landscape has given way to a remarkable network of more than 20 man-made lakes and navigable canals. Shimmering waters, sandy beaches, and modern marinas invite you to swim, sail, paddle, or simply relax by the shore.

On land, scenic cycling and skating trails circle the lakes and wind through forests, while cultural highlights — from industrial heritage sites to local crafts — reveal the fascinating story behind this evolving landscape.

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Special tip

Camping in the
Lusatian Lakeland

Camping is more popular than ever and the Lusatian Lakeland offers ideal conditions for every kind of outdoor enthusiast. Whether you prefer a close-to-nature stay in a simple cabin, the comfort of modern pitches for motorhomes and caravans, or the elegance of five-star glamping, everyone can find their own perfect camping style here. Many sites are located directly on the water, combining freedom, nature, and relaxation in a wonderfully laid-back and enjoyable way.