Cottbus Christmas Market
An Advent market in the old town around the Altmarkt with stalls, mulled wine and a festive programme in December.
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Cottbus
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Cottbus
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Explore Branitzer Park early in the morning to see Prince Pückler's famous earth pyramids without the crowds.
- Take advantage of the local tram network; it's the easiest way to travel between the central station and the historic Altmarkt.
- Look out for bilingual street signs; Cottbus is the cultural center of the Sorbian/Wendish minority.
- Many local shops and cafes close on Sundays, so plan your shopping and grocery runs for Saturday.
- A walk along the Spree river has a quick escape into nature directly from the city center.
🍽 Food
🍽
Sorbian Plinse
Try these traditional yeast pancakes at the cozy cafes located around the Altmarkt.
🍽
Cottbuser Baumkuchen
Buy this famous layered tree cake from the specialized confectioneries in the old town.
🍽
Spreewälder Gurken
Look for these iconic regional pickled gherkins at local markets and traditional eateries.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Altmarkt Boutiques
Browse the small independent shops and boutiques surrounding the historic market square.
🛍
Oberkirchplatz Wochenmarkt
Visit this weekly market to buy fresh regional produce and authentic Sorbian crafts.
🧘
Branitzer Park
Take a long, peaceful walk through this vast landscape park filled with tranquil water features.
🧘
Goethepark and Amtsteich
Enjoy a calm afternoon relaxing by the serene pond in this green oasis right near the city center.
Water temperature…
Cottbus, the second-largest city in Brandenburg, serves as the cultural and economic heart of Lower Lusatia. A unique feature of the city is its role as a spiritual center for the Sorbian minority, reflected in its official bilingualism and various Sorbian institutions. Cottbus is famous for the Branitz Park, a 19th-century masterpiece of landscape gardening created by Prince Pückler, known for its distinctive earth pyramids. The city center's architecture is defined by the medieval market square with its burgher houses and the Late Gothic St. Nikolai Church. As a significant scientific location, it hosts the Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU). Historically, the region was heavily shaped by lignite mining, but it is currently undergoing a major structural transformation toward new technologies and services. The Cottbus State Theatre is also regarded as one of Europe's most beautiful Art Nouveau theatre buildings.
- Location: Brandenburg, Germany
- Top sights: Branitz Castle · State Theatre Cottbus · Spremberg Tower
- Nearby: Drebkau (14 km)
- Population: ~100.010
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 52 | 37 | 42 | 30 | 55 | 58 | 83 | 61 | 49 | 47 | 50 | 47 |
Live webcam – Cottbus
See what it looks like near Cottbus right now.
Sachsendorf: Cottbus · 3.7 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- Population of approximately 98,000 (as of 2022).
- First documented mention dates back to the year 1156.
- Official Sorbian name of the city is Chośebuz.
- Branitz Park was created starting in 1845 by Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau.
- Home to the Brandenburg University of Technology since 1991.
- The State Theatre was opened in 1908, designed by Bernhard Sehring.
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A day in the city
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09:00→18:086.2 km walk7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 22–30 €Entries 26€ · Transport 0€
Start your day in the historical heart of Cottbus at Altmarkt, surrounded by Baroque townhouses. After visiting St. Nicholas Church, head to the Spremberg Tower, the city's iconic gate. The morning ends at the magnificent Art Nouveau State Theatre. After a lunch break, take a walk through the greenery to Branitz Park, where Prince Pückler's unique earth pyramids and his elegant castle await you for a relaxing afternoon.
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09:00→18:2214.6 km ride8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 37–51 €Entries 32€ · Transport 12€
By bike, you can explore both the center and the outskirts. After Altmarkt, ride to the Airfield Museum in the northwest. Back in town, pass the tower and the theatre before cycling along the Spree to the Zoo and the extensive Branitz Park. Perfect for those who like to cover some distance.
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09:00→17:4515 km drive8 places0/8
Day budget: ≈ 30–40 €Entries 32€ · Transport 3€
By car, you can efficiently combine the historic center with cultural highlights on the outskirts. After a morning in the old town (Cluster A), drive to the impressive Airfield Museum (Cluster B). Spend the afternoon in the spacious Branitz area (Cluster C), where you can explore the castle, park, and zoo at your own pace. Parking facilities are excellent at all clusters.
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Sights in the town Cottbus (16)
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important sight in Cottbus?
The Fürst-Pückler-Park Branitz, with its unique earth pyramids and castle, is the city's main highlight.
How far is Cottbus from Berlin?
Cottbus is located about 125 km southeast of Berlin and can be reached by the RE2 train in about 1.5 hours.
Are there bilingual signs in Cottbus?
Yes, Cottbus is the center of the Sorbs, so street signs are often labeled in German and Lower Sorbian.
Which local specialty should one try?
Try the Cottbuser Baumkuchen, a traditional pastry specialty that has been produced here since 1819.
Is Cottbus suitable for families?
Yes, the Cottbus Zoo and the park railway in Branitz Park are popular destinations for children.
Cottbus: where is it located?
Cottbus is located in Brandenburg, Germany.
Cottbus: what is there to see?
Highlights include Branitz Castle, State Theatre Cottbus, Spremberg Tower.
Cottbus: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Cottbus: why is it worth visiting?
Cottbus, the second-largest city in Brandenburg, serves as the cultural and economic heart of Lower Lusatia.
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