Location: Bautzen
Top Things to do in Bautzen
What to do and see in Bautzen, Germany: The Best Places and Tips
Bautzen (pronounced [ˈbaʊ̯t͡sn̩] ( listen); Upper Sorbian: Budyšin [ˈbudɨʃin] ( listen); Lower Sorbian: Budyšyn [ˈbudɨʃɨn], Czech: Budyšín [ˈbudɪʃiːn], Polish: Budziszyn [buˈd͡ʑiʂɨn]) is a hill-top town in eastern Saxony, Germany, and administrative centre of the eponymous district. It is located on the Spree River. As of 2013, its population is 39,607. Asteroid 11580 Bautzen is named in honour of the city.
Restaurants in Bautzen
1. Saurierpark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By Jon S - Greater Sydney, Australia
Not only does Saurierpark have lots of dinosaurs, it has some of the coolest Playgrounds I have ever seen. It is situated in a beautiful forest and is not at all tacky or Disney-fied. Lunch was cheap and delicious. Next door is Irrgarten, featuring a huge hedge maze and more amazing play equipment. Highly recommended as a day of fun for kids!
2. Bautzen Memorial (Gedenkstaette Bautzen)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By Roadboy - London
The name Bautzen was apparently synonymous in the GDR era with this prison for political prisoners; the whole is now open to the public (no charge) as a memorial to the evil that was done here. Visitors have access to most parts of this sprawling complex, left pretty much as it was when the East German state collapsed in 1989. Most disturbing are the tales of those imprisoned here - not figures from a distant generation, but people our own age, who perhaps risked escape from the GDR in their youth and still only in middle age today, suffered this awful experience. Other than an information leaflet, all the displays are in German only - but what you see is poignant enough without the explanations. Most definitely worth the detour - and the old town of Bautzen is a gem just 5 minutes drive away.
3. Der Dom St. Petri zu Bautzen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By Texprof - Austin, Texas
St. Peter's is one of 35 German Simultaneum churches, buildings in which at least two religious denominations hold religious services. Roman Catholic and Lutherans services have been held jointly in this church since 1530, making it one of the oldest such shared buildings in Germany. The Roman Catholic portion of the building has co-cathedral status. Standing on the market square, the building has an impressive Gothic hall and is definitely worth a visit.
4. Alte Wasserkunst
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By ruzha2014 - Prague, Czech Republic
Budyšín (Bautzen) was originally Slavic settlement. After the arrival of the Germans changed the fortified castle (Ortenburg), the city was under him. In the photos you can see that there are many interesting buildings here (not only Wasserkunst).
5. Sorbisches Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By icewater - Indiana
This is a very comprehensive museum of the life and culture of this small ethnic minority. The exhibits are very well done and interesting. The highlight for me was the display of clothing and traditional celebrations. The major problem for us is that there is very little English text. I don't expect everything to be in English, but it would have been nice to have a guide in English available for the main highlights.
6. Reichenturm
Overall Ratings
5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By ERIC W - Hangzhou, China
I went up mostly so I could check this off my list, but I was pleasantly surprised with the views at the top. One can see the entire city, the beautifully colored architecture, and on top of all that the cost is not exorbitant. If you are in Bautzen this is a definite must, it doesn't take long and you won't regret the ascent to the top.
7. Bautzener Rathaus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Robby G C - Toronto, Canada
When we finally found a parking place in town, we were facing the gorgeous yellow Rathaus. There were numerous beautiful edifices around us, but nothing compared to the attractive Rathaus. I noticed it had two clocks. I guess if one is non-functional, people can rely on the other one. I couldn't help but take numerous pictures of this beautiful edifice.
As we continued exploring the old city, we were mesmerized by the beauty of its medieval settings. It was so beautiful! I wondered why there weren't many tourists. I guess no one knows about it, but at least we enjoyed this gem!
8. Friedensbrucke
Overall Ratings
5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Kuznetsov_Sergey - Moscow, Russia
Этот мост через Шпрее служит отличной смотровой площадкой на Старый город и протекающую под ним реку. Мы въехали на своей машине в город по этому мосту, поняли его исключительную ценность для фотосъемки, припарковали машину и вернулись обратно. Свой нынешний облик мост принял в начале XX-го века, о чем свидетельствует табличка в честь его столетия в 2009-ом году.
9. St.-Nikolai Church
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Kuznetsov_Sergey - Moscow, Russia
Церковь освящена в XVII-ом веке в честь Святого Михаила, по местному поверью, – защитника города от нашествия еретиков гуситов. Её острый зеленый шпиль в обрамлении бело-коричневой каемки по верху башни виден почти отовсюду.
10. Barockschloss Rammenau
Overall Ratings
4 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By R_G_Baker - Russell, New Zealand
I can recommend the "SchloesserlandKarte" for Saxony very highly, because without it I would not have known about so many interesting and off the beaten track Castles, palaces and Gardens in Saxony.
This was one of those unknown places to me. Schloss Rammenau is about an hours drive (not by autobahn) from Dresden and is well worth the drive indeed. We where almost alone (mid week and before the school holidays) but I hear they have lots of big events at which it can get rather busy.
As a result we had a great time wandering through the main palace building and admiring the very informative commentary , even in English! This is not a very old Palace by European standards but it is a prime example of the 17th century Baroque epoch and I loved it.
The Garden was unfortunately mostly off limits due to earlier storm damage and recent bird breeding activity but it looked rather nice and well kept - some of the trees are very special - sometimes there are 4-5 growing at one single space and one has to wonder if this was intentional or just a blip of nature.
The Herb Garden is a little overgrown but nevertheless interesting as well and the best thing on the day we visited where the Storck's who had young and greeted each other with the typical clicking of their beaks every time one arrived with food. Good to see they are still welcome in such a great place.
Overall I can say this is well worth a visit for a few hours and could be combined perhaps with another castle not too far away in Radeberg.
