The East German Rose Garden in Forst (Lausitz), cycling routes through varied landscapes and insights into Sorbian/Wendish traditions: Spree-Neiße offers a range of themes for a stay. To help plan your trip, it can be useful to choose a focus first—such as gardens, cycling, cultural history or regional cuisine.
A rose garden and routes with a focus of their own
The East German Rose Garden in Forst (Lausitz) is a 17-hectare park. There, you can admire tens of thousands of roses in nearly 1,000 varieties. This diversity makes the garden a distinctive destination for anyone who wants to combine their stay with a visit to a green space and an interest in roses.
Cycling routes also vary in length, surface and theme. The Spree Cycle Path crosses the Spree-Neiße region for about 60 kilometres and runs mostly along paved river dikes. The Lower Lusatian Mining Tour passes active open-cast lignite mines and landscapes recultivated after mining. The changing landscape is therefore its central theme. The Prince Pückler Trail showcases examples of landscape design from Pückler’s time and the present day. Sorbian Impressions, in turn, offers insights into the lives and traditions of the Sorbian/Wendish minority living in the region. These thematic differences can help you decide whether you would rather combine your trip with cycling, landscape history or regional culture.
Landscapes between the Spreewald and the Geopark
The Spreewald is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a distinctive inland delta landscape. In the Spreewald region, the Gurkenradweg (Cucumber Cycle Path) explores the landscape and themes surrounding the popular pickled vegetable. The UNESCO Muskau Arch Geopark offers a different connection to the landscape and is one of the special natural features of Spree-Neiße district.
A circular trail on Bärenbrücker Höhe features steles by artist Eberhard Krüger; from there, you can enjoy views of the surrounding area. The trail adds a manageable, independent option alongside the longer cycling and themed routes. If you would like to plan a walk in addition to a tour during your stay, you can include these different ways of exploring the landscape in your selection.
Museums, traditions and mining
The Archaeotechnical Centre in Welzow is an interactive museum with extensive outdoor grounds and the exhibition “People – Wood – Archaeology”. The centre also offers events and workshops for the general public; registration is required. Check the specific programme and registration requirements in advance. At the Ironworks and Fisheries Museum in Peitz, an exhibition covers the construction history of the Peitz ironworks. Historical sources, maps, sketches and photographs form the basis of its presentation.
If you are interested in lignite mining, you can consider experience tours to the lignite seam at the active Welzow-Süd open-cast mine. Check the availability of these tours and the applicable safety rules before travelling. Together with the Lower Lusatian Mining Tour, this offers a themed introduction to mining; the route passes active open-cast mines and recultivated landscapes.
Regional cuisine and a set event date
Spreewald culinary specialities include pickled cucumbers in sour, spiced or mustard varieties, linseed oil with quark, yeast pancakes and Spreewald fish. The Gurkenradweg (Cucumber Cycle Path) also takes up the cucumber theme in the Spreewald region and connects it with exploring the landscape. The “Great Fish Harvest” offers a specific date: it is the highlight of the 13th Peitz Carp Weeks on 31 October and 1 November 2026. Visitors can watch the fishermen at work, learn about fish farming, and try and buy fresh or smoked fish.
Choose accommodation to match your travel focus
Whether the rose garden, a cycling route, a museum or regional cuisine is the deciding factor can guide your search for a hotel in Spree-Neiße. Plan your trip around your chosen theme and travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Burg, Schmogrow-Fehrow, Schenkendöbern, Werben, Tauer, Spremberg, Kolkwitz, Forst, Heinersbrück, Groß Schacksdorf-Simmersdorf, Döbern, Neuhausen/Spree, Peitz, Felixsee, Guben, Teichland, Welzow, Drebkau, Turnow-Preilack, Jänschwalde, Hornow-Wadelsdorf.
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