Who would have known? The easternmost city in Germany is called Görlitz and is located in Upper Lusatia on the beautiful Neisse River.
Görlitz is one of the cities that was hardly damaged during the Second World War. Walking through the streets here, you can discover an architectural diversity that ranges from the Middle Ages to Art Nouveau. Many houses have been well restored, but there are still some empty imposing buildings that would like to be awakened from their slumber.
Görlitz has become famous as a film location due to its uniqueness in the film scene. “Görliwood” has been the setting for numerous productions that have used the existing architecture as a backdrop. Many national and international films have been shot here, including “The Reader”, “Around the World in 80 Days” and “Grand Budapest Hotel”.
Something else makes the city even more extraordinary. Today, the Neisse River forms the border between the Federal Republic of Germany and Poland. When Poland joined the EU in 2004, the Old Town Bridge, which now connects Görlitz with Zgorzelec in Poland, was reopened. Over the last few years, intensive cooperation has developed between the two cities and “small border traffic” is part of everyday life.
Görlitz’s location offers excellent opportunities for excursions into the surrounding countryside, including the nearby Zittau Mountains, the smallest low mountain range in Germany, which are ideal for hiking, cycling and other outdoor activities.
The culinary scene in the town is characterized by inns, cafés and restaurants offering traditional dishes and modern interpretations of regional specialties. The proximity to Poland and the Czech Republic also means that you can easily find dishes from these countries, which further enriches the city’s culinary diversity.
Tips for excursions in Görlitz
Görlitz is associated with film like hardly any other city. Famous Hollywood actors and filmmakers come to the film city of Görlitz. It is not for nothing that the city is also called "Görliwood".
The Reichenbach Tower in Görlitz is one of the five towers that can be visited regularly in the city. It stands opposite the Kaisertrutz and is part of the Museum of Cultural History, where you can also get tickets.
The Holy Sepulchre in Görlitz is one of the city's most important sights. It is a scaled-down copy of the original in Jerusalem and was built as a religious work of art.
Görlitz was once surrounded by a double ring of city walls. The Nikolaizwinger is a preserved remnant of the defences around the city.
Cemeteries have a very special attraction, telling the story of a region in a very different way. The Nikolaifriedhof in Görlitz dates back to the 12th century and there is much to discover.
Görlitz not only has a beautiful old town, but also two geographical features to offer. And quite honestly - I wouldn't have known it!
The best view from one of the many towers in Görlitz can certainly be enjoyed from the Town Hall Tower. The climb is worthwhile and is simply part of a visit to the city.
During a walk along the Neißstraße in Görlitz, we discovered tables and chairs under some arches of a house where guests were sitting with glasses of beer. The Görlitz Bierblume brewery magically attracted us and we stopped in.
The Görlitz Museum of Cultural History is a regional museum that is located in three buildings within the city limits: the Baroque House, the Kaisertrutz and the Reichenbach Tower. We took a look at the three quite different areas in the Kulturhistorisches Museum Görlitz and this much we can reveal in advance - it was…
The parish church of St. Peter and Paul is better known in Görlitz as St. Peter's Church. It stands above the Neisse valley and its distinctive spires provided me with an ideal orientation aid in the old town.
Görlitz beer from the Landskron Brau-Manufaktur (Brewery Manufactory) - we went on a journey of discovery through the brewery and, of course, tasted lots of beer.
In Görlitz you can find some remains of the historic city fortifications. We were particularly interested in the towers and so we explored the "Dicken Turm" during our tower tour.
Find accommodation in Görlitz
Travel information about Görlitz
Arrival
By plane
The nearest commercial airports are in Dresden (100 km), Wroclaw in Poland (170 km) and Berlin-Brandenburg (195km).
Görlitz itself has a small airport that can be used by private and sports aircraft.
By train
Görlitz railway station is located about one kilometre southwest of the old town. Inner-city trams and city buses leave from here.
The station is served by trains from Dresden and Cottbus about every hour. Trains from Poland also travel to Görlitz daily.
By car
The A4 motorway connects Dresden with Görlitz. From Cottbus you can reach the city via the federal road 115.
By bus
There are several long-distance bus lines from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic that go directly to Görlitz. The long-distance bus stop is located on the north side of the train station.
By bike
The Neisse cycle path runs through the town.
On the way in Görlitz
By car
You can drive through the old town by car. There are some parking spaces and the traffic is quite quiet. The streets are often narrow and cobbled.
By public transport
The Görlitz public transport company provides local public transport with buses and trams.
On foot
The centre with its beautiful old town is not large and can easily be explored on foot.
By bike
There are a few bike rental stations in the city that also offer eBikes. You don’t see many bikes in the old town, but the Neisse cycle path is very popular.
Best time to travel
The average daily maximum temperature in the summer months is over 20°C, while the average nightly lows in the winter months range from 0 to -5°C.
On average, it rains most often in August, while February tends to be dry.