Friends, Cottbus blends landscaped fantasy, industrial-chic museums, and a storybook old town. It's the doorway to the UNESCO Spreewald wetlands and home to visionary gardens by Prince Pückler.

Come for serene lakes, a pyramid-topped island tomb, Bauhaus-era architecture, and compact sights you can cross on foot or by park railway—with clear, budget-friendly ways to plan your stay.

Getting There

From Berlin Hbf, direct trains reach Cottbus in about 1.5–2 hours. Advance regional fares often land €15–29; flexible day tickets for Berlin–Brandenburg run €30–40 for unlimited regional rides. In town, a 24-hour local ticket is roughly €5–7. Taxis from Cottbus Hbf to the Branitz area cost €12–18. Bike rentals are about €12–18 per day.

Where to Stay

Expect clean, midrange rooms around €80–120 near Altmarkt; boutique picks by the parks run €110–160. Budget guesthouses and private rooms hover €55–80. Apartments with kitchenettes are great for families (€70–110). Book early for spring garden season and autumn foliage weekends.

Branitzer Park

Prince Pückler's masterpiece turns flat ground into rolling lawns, canals, and surprise vistas. Entry is free; allow 2–3 hours. Don't miss the lake with an earthwork pyramid—an extraordinary landscape sculpture. Sunrise strolls are quiet; late afternoon light is photogenic. Bring a picnic and walk the curved paths from the palace to Pyramidensee.

Palace Rooms

Schloss Branitz showcases restored salons, a music hall, and an oriental suite reflecting Pückler's travels. Admission is typically €8–12, with family tickets available. Rotating exhibits highlight local Romantic painter Carl Blechen. Cloakroom and café on site; last entry is usually one hour before closing.

View Tower

The Spremberger Turm offers a wide panorama after 131 steps. Admission is about €3–4. Spot the red-tiled old town, parks, and the green corridor leading southeast. Go on clear mornings for long-range views; bring small coins for the ticket desk.

Old Town

The Altmarkt square gathers Baroque facades rebuilt after historic fires. Browse independent shops, sit under parasols, and sample local pastries or vegetarian plates for €8–14. Many basements are medieval; some cafés display vaulted cellars—ask if you can peek downstairs.

Art Powerhouse

In a 1927 Bauhaus-style power station, the Kunstmuseum Dieselkraftwerk stages major temporary shows and houses 20th-century works. Tickets €6–10 with concessions. Expect poster art, expressionist graphics, and contemporary installations. Plan 60–90 minutes, plus time for the riverside Goethepark next door.

Spreeauenpark

Re-landscaped for the Federal Garden Show, this 55-hectare haven mixes meadows, a pond, a rhododendron grove, and a medicinal herb garden. Entry is free. Playgrounds and broad paths suit strollers and bikes. Combine with the nearby zoo or park railway for an easy half-day.

Park Railway

The Cottbuser Parkeisenbahn links the stadium area with the zoo, Spreeauenpark, and Branitz. Round-trip fares are typically €3–5. Seasonal schedules run spring through autumn and holidays. Kids love the bright-green electric engines; enjoy skipping long walks between gardens.

Stage and Tours

The Staatstheater Cottbus is a curvy Art Nouveau landmark with opera, ballet, and concert programs year-round. Architectural tours, about two hours, usually cost €8–12 and highlight the ornate foyer and auditorium. For performances, book online early—popular productions sell out fast.

Aviation Stories

At the Flugplatzmuseum Cottbus, step inside cockpits and view more than 40 aircraft, helicopters, and ground gear from regional aviation history. Standard tickets €6–9. Allow 1.5–2 hours; outdoor exhibits are expansive, so bring a hat on sunny days.

City Museum

The Stadtmuseum traces Cottbus from medieval trade hub to textile center, with Sorbian cultural displays, early turbines, garments, and archival photos. Entry €4–6; plan 60–90 minutes. It's a helpful first stop to understand Lower Lusatia's layered identity.

Pharmacy Time

At Brandenburgisches Apothekenmuseum (Altmarkt 24), peep into intact 19th-century counters, herb drawers, and a courtyard well from the 1600s. Small but fascinating—budget 30–40 minutes. Tickets hover around €3–5.

Family Zoo

Tierpark Cottbus spreads 1,200 animals across leafy parkland with generous enclosures and regular feeding times. Admission generally €8–14 with child discounts. Combine with Spreeauenpark for a full family day, and use the park railway for easy connections.

Spreewald Boats

Fifteen minutes west, Burg (Spreewald) offers canoe rentals (€10–20 for a half-day) or guided wooden-boat trips (€12–20 for one to three hours). Glide along quiet canals edged by meadows and willow-lined homesteads. Thermal baths in town offer evening sessions (€15–25)—a restful finish after paddling.

Eat and Shop

Cottbus keeps menus affordable: soup and salad combos €7–12, fish or vegetarian mains €10–16, pastries €2–4. Look for Lusatian specialties featuring seasonal produce. For souvenirs, browse Altmarkt boutiques for design objects, posters from museum shops, and regional textiles.

Smart Planning

Seasons: April to June for blossoms; September to October for color.

Payments: Cards accepted widely; carry €20–40 cash for small venues.

Mobility: Most sights are flat and walkable; parks have packed gravel paths.

Language: German and Sorbian signage appear; English is common at museums.

Wrap-Up

Cottbus delivers a rare trio: sculpted landscapes, industrial elegance, and easy nature escapes. Map one circuit—Branitz gardens, a glide on the park railway, and a sunset over the Altmarkt—or add Spreewald canals for a fuller arc. What kind of day would make you happiest here: a design-lover's loop, a family park hop, or a quiet paddle among reeds?