Adventure in the Elbe Park Magdeburg.

Family trip in the capital city

Cathedral and gardens

While Magdeburg offers all the enticements of a metropolis, the surrounding countryside welcomes you with picturesque landscapes. Magdeburg is the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt, is situated in the heart of Germany, and is easily reached by all means of transport. The city is rich in history and culture, and offers colorful entertainment and varied leisure activities for the whole family.

Magdeburg was the center of power of Otto the Great, and no other city can boast such close links with the first German emperor. Here, he founded an archdiocese and a monastery, the ruins of which now lie under the cathedral. Thanks to its position on the Elbe River and nearby canals, Magdeburg later evolved into an important trading center. The city’s rough charm and the people’s characteristic honesty were shaped by industry.

The B&B Hotel Magdeburg offers modern style rooms in a central location.
At the Classik Hotel Magdeburg on the southern outskirts of the city, accommodation is comfortable and tasteful.
The Elbquartier Apartments offer three locations for peaceful nights with a sophisticated feel.

An example itinerary gives you an overview of the best attractions in Magdeburg and the most important destinations in the surrounding area. The stated times provide guidance for planning your trip. The Tourist Information office in the Alter Markt will be happy to help you plan your very own individual vacation.

YOUR VACATION COULD LOOK LIKE THIS:

Day 1

Arrive in Magdeburg at noon, check into your hotel or settle into your apartment. Then plunge into the hustle and bustle of the inner city.
First, you could spend the afternoon taking a city tour in a double-decker bus (1 hour). The route begins and ends at the Alter Markt, winds past important attractions and heads over to the Elbauen Park.
You’ll have already caught sight of two towers when you arrived. And now you can experience the cathedral – Magdeburg’s landmark – up close.
- Here, you can enter the first completed Gothic cathedral on German soil, from the year 1520.
- Children are astonished by its dimensions, and 433 steps take everyone aged six and over to the top of the north tower. There, the viewing platform rewards you with a superb panorama of the entire city.
- In danz11, directly opposite the cathedral, you can enjoy a delicious ice cream or hot drink prepared from the very best ingredients.
Next, stretch your legs on a walk to and through the Rotehorn Park. The extensive English-style gardens nestle on a green island in the middle of the Elbe River. Here, you can enjoy a picturesque stroll along the river, or get on board a pedalo for a little trip on Adolf Mittag Lake. Children love the large adventure playground and halfpipe.
A final detour brings you to the Hubbrücke (lifting bridge). This mighty rail road bridge was built in 1848 and was in use until 1998. Today, it’s an imposing technical monument and only accessible to pedestrians.
- A large swing has been installed at the eastern end of the bridge. This offers you a unique view of the Magdeburg skyline, and is the perfect backdrop for a souvenir photo.
For dinner, visit one of the many excellent restaurants in the cathedral district or in and around Leiterstraße road.

**Magdeburg Cathedral on the River Elbe.**
© IMG

**The Elbe and Magdeburg Cathedral. The Hubbrücke (lift bridge) in the foreground.**
© IMG

**The Green Citadel of Magdeburg.**
© IMG / Rolf Klatt

**In the courtyard of the Green Citadel in Magdeburg**.
© IMG / Harald Krieg

**The Rotehorn Park with the Adolf-Mittag lake.**
© IMG / Rolf Klatt

**On the Adolf-Mittag lake in the Rotehorn park.**
© IMG / Rolf Klatt

OUR TIP:
The Tourist Card offers you an especially cheap, easy way to explore Magdeburg. The card, which costs 16.90 euros, gives you 72 hours of free travel on local public transport in Magdeburg, and offers you discounts of up to 50 percent at over 20 attractions, such as the NEMO, the Museum of Cultural History, Elbauen Park, and Magdeburg Zoo.

Day 2

Enjoy an ample breakfast: today you have an action-packed day ahead! This begins in the Elbauen Park. There, visit the Millennium Tower, the butterfly house, or take a ride on the summer toboggan run.
- The Millennium Tower was a key element in the Bundesgartenschau horticultural show, which took place in Magdeburg in 1999, and the decision was made to keep it. Then as now, an interactive exhibition on six levels tells the history of humanity with more than 200 exhibits. A visit to the Millennium Tower is an impressive and informative experience for tourists both young and old.
- The butterfly house is a little jungle of 350 tropical plants that grow up to four meters tall. Here, over 200 delicate and colorful butterflies will flutter around your head.
In bad weather, make a detour to the NEMO. Endless fun in the water is guaranteed here, with the fast white water channel, the giant chutes, and the children’s experience area. Meantime, adults can relax in the sauna and wellness landscape.
On a stroll along the Elbe, take a break at the Café Treibgut and then observe the city one more time from a completely different perspective: on a river boat trip. This will take you to the lift lock, for example – an impressive structure with a gigantic lift and lock construction.
Alternatively, you could round off your city break in Magdeburg with a trip to the zoo. Magdeburg Zoo opens every day at 9 a.m. Entry is free for children up to 15. On your visit, you’ll spy more than 700 animals from over 170 species.
For your evening meal, visit one of the excellent restaurants on Hasselbachplatz square, which is the heart of Magdeburg night-life.

**The Millenium Tower in the Elbauenpark in Magdeburg.**
© IMG / Maximilian Wiesenbach

**Fun for the whole family in Magdeburg’s Elbauenpark.**
© Andreas Lander

**Popular: the climbing volcano in the Elbauenpark.**
© elbauenpark.de

**Adventure in the Elbauenpark in Magdeburg.**
© Andreas Lander

**A place of great adventures for children: Magdeburg Zoo.**
© Andreas Lander

OUR TIP:
On 8/10/2024, the sky above Elbauen Park will explode in a sparkling display of light and color, for at 6 pm, pyrotechnic professionals and their teams will begin competing for a golden trophy. Every year, the Pyro Games delight an enthusiastic crowd with a fantastic firework display and family-friendly evening program with live music and a fire show.

Day 3

During breakfast in your accommodation, you could talk about what to do on the last day of your vacation:
- An eastwards excursion will bring you to the Rittergut Loburg, a former fine stately home that is now home to a candy factory, among other things. The adventure playground contains slides, bouncy castles, and even small roller coasters. At the Straußenfarm (ostrich farm) in nearby Nedlitz, you can get up close and personal to these peaceful feathered friends.
Alternatively, head north, where you’ll find the Altmark, a region steeped in history. The Hanseatic towns of Stendal and Tangermünde were important trading centers in the Middle Ages. Numerous historic buildings still bear witness to their former glory. Saunter along the winding alleyways and wonder at the magnificent churches and imposing town halls.

**Straußenland Nedlitz.**
© IMG/ Rolf Klatt

The Alex proffers light meals and healthy superfoods
The Botanica focuses on plant-based, seasonal dishes
The Daniel’s serves Mediterranean dishes on the Elbpromenade by the river
The Flair is the oldest café in Magdeburg and offers brunch and snacks
The L’Osteria serves up pizza and pasta with amore in this city on the Elbe
The Milchkuranstalt tempts you with a beer garden and barbecued delicacies
The Peter Pane conjures up sizzling burgers from local ingredients