Olbersdorf lies on half way between the town Zittau and the Zittauer mountains. The village with approximately 5960 inhabitants is also called the "Gate to the Zittauer mountains". The most important connecting streets of Zittau to the villages Oybin and Jonsdorf as well as other places, lead through this village, also the narrow-gauge railway of the SOEG (Sächsisch-Oberlausitzer Eisenbahngesellschaft mbH). 

Seen historically, Olbersdorf was an industry-community. Defining for this region in the early years of the 19.-20. century was the brown coal open-cast mining. After the political change in 1989 Olbersdorf altered its structure from a industry-community to a residental-community with middle-class business in the craft- and industrial sector. Service, hotel business and gastronomy are placed here as well.

1991 the last coal-train departed and the last open-cast mining was closed. The flooding of the open-cast mining and a redevelopement followed, which resulted in a creation of a recreational area with mediterran flair. The over 60 hectars big area around the lake offers a campside at the North-beach. A guarded neat sandy beach is accessible free of charge. Additinally, there is an ungarded beach at the southern side of the beach, a surf-school and Saxony`s biggest Beachvolleyball-place.

Among the "Volksbad" (a open-air bath) with a constant water-temperature of 22°C and family-friendly admission prices, you can find a "Clock-museum" as well Saxony´s biggest outside Clock. This exhibition is operated by the "Olbersdorfer Uhrenclub e.V." and can be visited during the whole year. Olbersdorf has a well marked hiking trail-net which allow trekking-tours into the Zittauer mountains and further over the border crossing points to North-Bohemia.