Muskau Park

Muskau Park (Fürst-Pückler-Park Bad Muskau) in eastern Saxony is one of Europe's great English-style landscape gardens, and one of the few that spans two countries. Its roughly 830 hectares (2,050 acres) stretch across both banks of the Neisse River, with about two thirds in Poland. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, it centers on a striking raspberry-red palace. If you love sweeping meadows, old trees and garden history, it is one of the most rewarding things to do in eastern Germany.

Where it is and how to get there

Bad Muskau is a small spa town in Upper Lusatia, right on the German-Polish border between Cottbus and Görlitz.

• By train and bus: take an ODEG regional train to Weißwasser, then bus 80 to the "Kirchplatz" stop. From April to October, the narrow-gauge Waldeisenbahn (forest railway) also runs between Weißwasser and Bad Muskau. Regional trains and buses are covered by the Deutschlandticket.
• By car: from Berlin or Cottbus via the A15 and B115; from Dresden via the A4 and B156. The paid visitor parking lot on Neißedamm costs €2.50 for up to three hours.

The story of Prince Pückler's park

Hermann von Pückler-Muskau, an eccentric aristocrat, travel writer and passionate garden designer, began reshaping his estate in 1815. Over three decades he created an idealized landscape of meadows, tree groups, streams and carefully framed views. His ambitions outran his budget: in 1845, deep in debt, he sold Muskau and moved to Branitz near Cottbus, where he built a second famous park. His pupil Eduard Petzold continued the work.

After fighting in 1945, the new border along the Neisse split the park in two. The German side was restored from the 1960s, the Polish side from the 1990s through German-Polish cooperation.

The New Palace

The palace stands on the site of a castle first recorded in 1245. Its ornate Neo-Renaissance decoration dates from 1863–1867, and it has been painted raspberry red since about 1925. Burned out by arson at the end of World War II, it stood as a ruin for five decades; reconstruction ran from 1996 to 2013. Inside, the permanent exhibition "Pückler! Pückler? Einfach nicht zu fassen!" introduces the prince, and the tower offers panoramic views across the park into Poland.

Opening hours and tickets

As of October 2026, the park is free and open year-round. The tourist center is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm from April 1 to October 31, 2026, and the palace exhibitions open daily from 10 am in season; admission is charged for the exhibitions, so check current prices with the tourist center (+49 35771 63100). Guided park tours start at the tourist center, and bikes can be rented at the Schlossvorwerk in season.

Note: a severe storm on August 4, 2026, damaged parts of the park. Stay on the paths and avoid resting under trees, as broken branches may still fall.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially for garden lovers and anyone combining Saxony with a trip into Poland. Allow at least half a day; a rented bike makes it easier to cover both sides. Bridges such as the English Bridge let you walk into Poland freely, but carry a passport or ID. Dogs are welcome on a short leash. The palace exhibition rooms are wheelchair accessible via a lift, but the tower is not, and park paths are mostly sandy. Prices are in euros on the German side and Polish zloty on the Polish side.