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EuropeGermanyBrandenburg

Cottbus

Brandenburg, Germany · Europe

About Cottbus

Cottbus is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Kolkwitz, 24km from Spreewald.

Cottbus is a town located in Brandenburg, Germany. With a population of 84,754, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Cottbus sits in Germany, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Berlin time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Cottbus to your route.

About Cottbus

Cottbus (German pronunciation: [ˈkɔtbʊs] ) or Chóśebuz (Lower Sorbian pronunciation: [ˈxɨɕɛbus]) is a university city and the second-largest city in the German state of Brandenburg after the state capital, Potsdam. With around 100,000 inhabitants, Cottbus is the most populous city in Lusatia. Cottbus lies in the

Read more Sorbian settlement area (Serbski sedleński rum) of Lower Lusatia, and is the second-largest city on the River Spree after Berlin, which is situated around 125 km (78 mi) downstream. The city is located on the shores of Germany's largest artificial lake, the Cottbuser Ostsee (Chóśebuski pódzajtšny jazor). Cottbus is the political and cultural center of the Lower Sorbian-speaking Sorbs, also known as the Wends in Lower Lusatia; the overall center of Sorbian culture is Bautzen/Budyšin. Cottbus is the largest bilingual city in Germany. Signage is mostly in German and Lower Sorbian. The city hosts several Lower Sorbian institutions like the Lower Sorbian version of the Sorbischer Rundfunk/Serbski rozgłos, the Lower Sorbian Gymnasium, and the Wendish Museum. The use of the Lower Sorbian language, however, is more widespread in the surrounding municipalities than in the city itself. The Wendish Quarter is a part of the city supposed to resemble the traditional Sorbian architectural style. Cottbus is the seat of the Brandenburg University of Technology. Due to this, the city has the official names Universitätsstadt Cottbus/Uniwersitne město Chóśebuz (University City Cottbus). Branitz Castle, built in 1770–71, in the southeast of the city, was a residence of the Prince of Pückler-Muskau. The prince, who also created Muskau Park, designed the extensive Branitz Park on the shores of the Spree, with its two grass pyramids. Cottbus State Theater is the only state theater in Brandenburg. Cottbus main station is a major railway junction with extensive sidings/depots.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Cottbus

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Cottbus?

Cottbus offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Cottbus?

Plan your road trip to Cottbus with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Cottbus as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Cottbus located?

Cottbus is located in Brandenburg, Germany, Europe. The coordinates are 51.7577 latitude, 14.3289 longitude.

What is the population of Cottbus?

Cottbus has a population of approximately 84,754 people, making it a town in Germany.

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Quick Information

Population
84,754
Continent
Europe
Country
Germany
Region
Brandenburg
Timezone
Europe/Berlin
Coordinates
51.7577, 14.3289

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Germany

Police
110
Ambulance
112
Fire
112
All emergencies
112
Driving side
right

ADAC roadside assistance: +49 89 22 22 22. No general speed limit on some autobahn sections but advisory 130 km/h.

Full driving guide for Germany

Tags

EuropeGermanyBrandenburgTown

Worth the detour from Cottbus

3 notable places within an hour's drive.

natural wonder

Spreewald

A UNESCO biosphere of countless waterways and forest, explored by traditional punt and famous for spicy gherkins.

24 km · about 25 min drive

bridge

Rakotzbrücke

A fairy-tale 'Devil's Bridge' whose arch forms a perfect circle with its reflection in Kromlau's rhododendron park.

37 km · about 45 min drive

racetrack

Lausitzring

High-banked oval and grand prix circuit in the Lusatian lignite country, once host to CART and DTM and now the DEKRA test arena: one of Europe's only American-style superspeedways.

38 km · about 45 min drive

Driving roads near Cottbus

  • 37 kmRakotzbrückeA fairy-tale 'Devil's Bridge' whose arch forms a perfect circle with its reflection in Kromlau's rhododendron park.

Driving in Germany

Drives on
the right
Petrol
~€1.78/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Cottbus.

Kolkwitz

🇩🇪 Germany

5 km awayPop. 10,225

Werben

🇩🇪 Germany

12 km awayPop. 1,891

Peitz

🇩🇪 Germany

13 km awayPop. 5,179

Drebkau

🇩🇪 Germany

14 km awayPop. 6,336

Burg

🇩🇪 Germany

15 km awayPop. 4,549

Jänschwalde

🇩🇪 Germany

16 km awayPop. 2,031

Vetschau

🇩🇪 Germany

17 km awayPop. 9,857

Forst

🇩🇪 Germany

22 km awayPop. 22,843

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence