One of the highlights of my one-month trip around Saxony, Germany was the time I spent in Zittau. This pretty little town is situated in the far southeast corner of Saxony, where the region dips into neighbouring Poland and Czechia. Although it’s a small town, there are lots of fun things to do in Zittau, from riding a historical steam train into the mountains to relaxing in one of Germany’s oldest public saunas.
Although you can take the train from Dresden to Zittau in 90 minutes, I recommend staying two nights. This will allow you to take a day trip on the city’s famous steam train, and also give you time to explore some other parts of the city (even if just for a morning or evening).
#1 – Ride the Stream Train to Oybin
The narrow-gauge railway to Oybin is what attracts most visitors to Zittau. This historic train departs from its own station near the Zittau train station, traveling through the surrounding countryside to the spa town of Oybin and its historic mountaintop castle ruins.
An excursion from Zittau to Oybin by train takes a full day. I have a full guide to visiting Oybin, including information on train schedules, buying tickets, and what to do when you arrive. This day trip was definitely a highlight of my time in Saxony so I highly recommend leaving time in your itinerary to make the journey.
#2 – Visit the Pop Art Quarter
Something else that makes Zittau unique is its “Pop-Art-Viertel”, or Pop Art Quarter. This is a small district of East German-style apartment buildings that were redesigned by a Berlin artist to become a colorful artist community.
Most of the work on these buildings was completed in 2010, and it included the repainting of the buildings, installation of artwork on the building facades and the creation of large-scale public art pieces in the streets and green spaces.
Plan to spend fifteen to twenty minutes wandering through this neighborhood, which is about five minutes southwest of the Markt square.
🎨 If you like the Pop Art Quarter you’ll also like the Art Passage in Dresden. 🎨
#3 – Zittau City Hall
The next couple of attractions on this list are all situated around the market square in Zittau, also called the Markt. The first is the stunning Zittau Rathaus, or City Hall, which (on a sunny day) looks like it wouldn’t be out of place in Andalusia.
This is the city’s fourth attempt at a Town Hall on this site, with the earliest dating back to the 1200s and the current iteration having been constructed in the 1840s. If you’re able to get inside, there are some beautiful stained-glass windows and a pretty hallway lined with gilded busts of important local politicians.
#4 – The Mars Fountain
At the opposite end of the Markt you’ll find the Mars Fountain (also known as Roland’s Fountain). Built by stonemason Mattias Zimmerman in the 1500s, the fountains showcases several symbols of Zittau’s historical wealth, along with images from its coat of arms.
Atop the fountain, Mars, the Roman god of both war and agriculture, looks out over the square and protects the town. He must have done a good job, as there was a period in the Middle Ages where Zittau was nicknamed “Die Reiche” (The Rich).
#5 – Zittau’s Largest Wine Cellar
Zittau’s most interesting wine shop, and largest wine cellar, is owned by a Hungarian man and specializes in wines from his home country.
Weinshop Borpince can be reached from the Markt by passing through the archway at House #13 (Fürstenherberge) and following the signs for Baderstraße. The shop is typically open on Fridays and Saturdays, while the wine tasting room in the cellar is usually open on Saturdays by appointment. Call or email to inquire.
In the underground tasting room there are more than 40 varieties of Hungarian wine available by the glass for €2.50, plus tastings of palinka (a Hungarian spirit) as well. You may be able to coordinate a full Hungarian meal to go with your wine tasting – just ask in advance!
#6 – Other Buildings on the Markt Square
There are several other noteworthy buildings on the Markt, including these eye-catching edifices:
- Noack’s House – The home of a former merchant and tax collector (hmmm…), this is one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in the historical center.
- The Old District Courts – This is the oldest Baroque building in all of Upper Lusatia. Once again a former family home, it later served as the town’s court, a prison, a bank and eventually a government office.
- City Pharmacy – There has been a pharmacy on the ground floor of this wealthy family home since the 1500s, and for more than 300 years it was the only pharmacy in town. Some articles from the historical pharmacy are on display in the municipal museums (see below).
- Tourist Information Office – Not a particularly noteworthy building, but a good place to pick up a city map and get information about attractions in the surrounding region (especially if you have a car).
If you’re looking for a slightly more upscale, boutique hotel in Zittau, you could consider checking into Hotel Sonne here on Markt Square. This 18th-century Baroque building reopened to guests in 2019 and is now known for its rooftop terrace and chic rooms.
#7 – The Historic City Baths
The historic center of Zittau is encircled by a three-kilometer long park system called The Green Ring. The park roughly follows where the former fortification walls would have been, and was inspired by English gardens of the 1800s.
One of the most important buildings on the Green Ring is the Stadtbad, or public swimming pool. This is among the oldest public swimming pools in Germany, dating back to 1874.
For tourists, the Stadtbad’s sauna area may be of interest. There are five heated saunas, a cold plunge pool, thematic showers and other relaxation zones inside this part of the facility. Prices begin at a very reasonable €13 for a two-hour visit. I assume the sauna area is textile-free but didn’t see that mentioned on the (German-only) website.
#8 – Saint John’s Church
The original church that stood here was destroyed by Austria during the Seven Years War, but was rebuilt in the 1800s by one of Germany’s most prominent architects. The interior today is bright and airy, thanks to tall, narrow columns and large windows.
The highlight of a visit to Saint John’s Church in Zittau is the sixty-meter viewing tower, which gives visitors who ascend its 266 stairs a panoramic view of the historic town center. The church is also known for its organ, one of the most important musical instruments constructed during Germany’s interwar years.
At the time of my visit the church was supposed to be open from Wednesday to Saturday, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. However, there was a very pointed note written in German, Polish, Czech and English noting that they were unable to find enough local volunteers to guarantee those opening hours.
#9 – The Old Grammar School
Just behind Saint John’s Church you’ll find the Old Grammar School of Zittau. You can’t enter the building anymore, but you can visit the courtyard in front to imagine what it was like to attend this school in the late 1500s. Back then, instruction was primarily in Latin and Greek, until a controversial new headmaster (Christian Weise) took over in the 1600s and demanded instruction also take place in German.
The quote painted across the facade of the school building translates to “We can fulfill no greater and better task for the state than by educating the youth, especially in these times and under these circumstances, which have so corrupted them that they must be restrained and kept in check by all means.” While it might seem timely, it actually comes from Cicero, a Roman statements who died around 40 BCE.
#10 – Neustadt Square
Saxony is full of beautiful market squares, which you can spot in other nearby towns like Gorlitz and Freiberg. Besides the Markt square here in Zittau, it’s also worth wandering over to the Neustadt square.
This side of the historic center is home to a number of fountains, like the Hercules fountain (shown above), the Samaritan fountain, and a random fountain with a bunch of geese on it. 🪿 This is also where you’ll find the Salt House, one of the largest medieval storage facilities in Europe, where salt that was forcefully collected from passing merchants was stored by the town.
I stayed at a hotel on Neustadt Square called Hotel Zittauer Hof. I had a spacious room that overlooked the historic market square, with a basic breakfast included. If you like simple, inexpensive hotels in good locations, this is a good option in Zittau.
#11 – The Zittau Municipal Museums
Zittau’s municipal museum is divided between two sites: the Museum Kirche zum Heiligen Kreuz and the Kulturhistorisches Museum Franziskanerkloste.
The former is home to Zittau’s Great Lenten Veil, the third-largest lenten cloth in existence. Measuring more than eight meters by six meters, this fifteenth-century veil is painted with more than ninety different biblical scenes. Apparently the case that it’s held in is the largest glass museum case in the world (?) but I find that impossible to believe.
The second municipal museum is home to a broader collection of applied and decorative arts from Zittau and the surrounding regions. There are also galleries with collections of coins, military equipment and ethnography. The signage is mainly in German, so come armed with Google Translate if you want to know what you’re looking at.
#12 – Dornspachhaus Historic Restaurant
This restaurant was on my radar before I ate here, as the unique building caught my eye. This is the oldest residential building in Zittau to still stand, having been constructed in the early 1500s. Underneath the restaurant, an eleventh-century cellar is still in use, and be booked for group dinners.
If you’re looking for traditional local food in a pretty atmosphere, the Dornspachhaus is a great option. In addition to meaty dishes like goulash and pork schnitzel, they had several vegetarian options (I went with the plate of baked cheese, potatoes and “colorful” salad). It can get busy, so consider reserving in advance.
Before you go, check out these guides to other destinations in Saxony, Germany:
🗺️ How to Spend Two Days in Dresden, Germany
🎞️ 15+ Fun Things to Do in Görlitz, Saxony
🏰 Delitzsch, Germany: A Cute Day Trip from Leipzig
🤩 How to Visit Schloss Glauchau Castle in Saxony
💎 Terra Mineralia: Europe’s Best Gemstone Museum
🪨 10 Things to Do in Freiberg, Saxony
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