Görlitz

Görlitz, our host town, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the east German state of Saxony. Located right on the Neisse river, which forms the border with Poland, it is Germany's easternmost town and headquarters of the DZA. 

It is renowned for its architectural treasures spanning different eras. The setting of the old town has led to it featuring as a backdrop to many well-known films - so much so that it now has the nickname 'Görli-wood'. 

Right on the edge of eastern Germany, Görlitz has good connections into Poland and Czech Republic, as well as a local rail line to Dresden. 

Getting there

Unusually for German towns, two airports in neighbouring countries feature high up the list for options for those seeking nearby flights to Görlitz. 

Distance to Dresden Airport: 103km 
Distance to Copernicus (Wroclaw) Airport: 173km 
Distance to Vaclev Havel (Prague) Airport: 179km 
Distance to Berlin Brandenberg Airport: 195km 
Distance to Leipzig/Halle Airport: 226km 

The airport in Dresden is still the closest and most convenient if suitable flights are available. The airport at Wroclaw in Poland is a hub for low-cost airlines, while Vaclev Havel airport near Prague has a range of flights suiting the capital of the Czech Republic. 

Alternatively, the airport at Berlin may provide appropriate options from its wide range of destinations. 

Train station in Görlitz 

The Görlitz train station is around a 10-minute walk from the old town (slightly longer down to the river). It is at the end of a regional line from Dresden and the services are operated by a private company Trilex (who offer cheaper day tickets than the more common Sachsen Ticket if travelling on this route). 

There are also regular services from Berlin via Cottbus and a train runs between Dresden and Wroclaw (Breslau in German) in Poland three times a day. 

Group transport from the airport - we are considering the possibility of providing a coach from the main airports to travel to Gorlitz. Please let us know if you’d be interested in booking a seat on a coach by ticking the box of the registration form, an additional fee will apply. 

Where to stay

Görlitz is a popular tourist destination and, as such, has a good range of accommodation for visitors. 

Many of the hotels are in the old town and the area down towards the river and the Polish border, although a few are situated in the area closer to the train station. 

We have secured preferential rates at the following hotels and are holding block bookings until 1^st March 2025. Please book your accommodation directly using the information below as soon as possible before our agreements expire.  Alternatively you can find accommodation through agents such as booking.com, Airbnb or alike. 

Accommodation options - please quote ‘SKAO’ when calling to make bookings. 

Other useful websites to help with your accommodation booking: 

https://www.germansights.com/goerlitz/ 

Görlitz booking and accommodation https://www.visit-goerlitz.com/Tourismus.html 

Things to do and tours

Görlitz offers more than 4,000 listed and original preserved buildings and lets you experience times long past. The easternmost city in Germany is one of the culturally and historically most important sights in Central Europe. From the typical Gothic Hall houses and the stately Renaissance and Baroque buildings to the attractive Wilhelminian quarters, you will find a cross-section through the entire history of German architecture.  

Why not discover the history and traditions of this unique city by booking onto an organised tour during your stay.  On Wednesday 18^th June there will be some free time away from the conference giving you the opportunity to take a break and possibly enjoy a walk and tour around Gorlitz.  Here is a link to the tourist office with details of available tours. https://www.visit-goerlitz.com/Guided-tours.html 

To book, we will shortly be updating this site with more details of special ‘SKAO Science Meeting’ group tour codes, which will provide a special rate to book.