Att göra i Magdeburg - 12 tips till Ottostaden i Tyskland

What to do in Magdeburg, Germany? This city, sometimes referred to as the 'Ottostadt', has a dramatic history and a range of exciting sights from different eras. Here are our top tips for things to see and do!

Magdeburg in Germany

Magdeburg is a 1200-year-old city where history from different eras blends with the present. Both an imperial seat and a Prussian fortified city, it has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt.

The medieval city was largely destroyed by the army of Field Marshal Tilly in 1631, and the city was also badly affected by air raids during World War II. After the war and until 1989, the city was part of East Germany (DDR), which of course also left its mark. All these different historical eras are visible when you walk around.

Magdeburg is also sometimes referred to as "Ottostadt" (Otto city), because of two different people named Otto, both of whom were important to the city.

Emperor Otto I (Otto the Great) lived in the 10th century and was the first German-Roman emperor. He loved Magdeburg and donated a cathedral to the city.

Otto von Guericke was a politician, inventor and physicist born in Magdeburg in 1602. Von Guericke is best known for the 'Magdeburg hemispheres' he designed to demonstrate the power of the vacuum. He became mayor of Magdeburg and played a crucial role in the city's history after the Thirty Years' War.

Göra i Magdeburg - Ottostaden — Both Otto is a statue in the city. Above: Otto von Guericke

Magdeburg is located in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt in Germany, about 16 miles west of Berlin and about 15 miles east of Hannover.

What can you do in Magdeburg?

What to see and do in Magdeburg? The cathedral and the Green Citadel are 'must-sees', but there is also much more to see and discover. We've listed our top tips here.

1. Admiring Magdeburg Cathedral

One of the biggest and most important sights in Magdeburg is the Magdeburg Cathedral (Magdeburger Dom,) whose full name is "Dom Sankt Mauritius und Katharina" after the saints Mauritius and Katharina.

The origins of the cathedral can be traced back to 937, when Emperor Otto I founded a monastery. The church was expanded over time, and in 1362 the mighty cathedral you see today was inaugurated. However, the cathedral's western tower, which reaches a height of 104 metres, was not completed until 1520.

When Emperor Otto died in 973, his remains were brought to the cathedral, where he was buried in a stone sarcophagus. The sarcophagus can still be seen in the church, as well as the tomb of his first wife Edith and many other tombs, sculptures and works of art.

Göra i Magdeburg - domkyrkan — Emperor Otto's first wife Edith has a beautiful tomb in the cathedral.

2. Take a guided city walk

We went on a guided city walk in Magdeburg, and it is highly recommended. With a guide, you find places you wouldn't have found otherwise, and understand the history so much better. There are various guided tours to do on foot, and another variation is to join a guided bus tour in a double-decker bus with an open roof.

3. walking at Fürstenwall

The Fürstenwall area is close to the cathedral and has a history dating back to the Middle Ages. Here you will find ongoing historical excavations as well as remains of the city wall, which faces the river Elbe, and two preserved fortified towers.

The two surviving towers, originally five in number, are named 'Hinter der Möllenvogtei' and 'Kieg in de Köken'. The latter name simply means "peek into the kitchen" and comes from the fact that the poor guards used to be tempted by all the excesses when they peeked into the archbishop's sumptuous kitchen.

4. spana in Alter Markt

Alter Markt (Old Market) is a square where you can see the famous statue of the 'Magdeburger Reiter' (Knight of Magdeburg). The golden statue that stands here today is a bronze replica of the original statue, which was created around 1420 and is now on display in the city's Museum of Cultural History. It is not known for certain that the statue represents Emperor Otto, but that is how most people choose to interpret the figure.

Also on the Alter Markt is the town hall, and in front of it you can see the city's Roland statue, a symbol of freedom and rights. Don't miss the small figure on the back of the large statue, which represents a character from a popular medieval book.

If you want, you can also take a closer look at the gate of the town hall, which is like a book full of stories in pictures.

5. See St John's Church

St John's Church (Johanniskirche) is Magdeburg's oldest parish church, mentioned in 941. The church has been destroyed many times - by fire, when Tilly's army invaded in 1631 and during the 1945 air raid - but has always been rebuilt.

An important event that took place here was when Martin Luther gave a famous sermon to a crowded church on 26 June 1524, causing all the parishes in the city to convert to Protestantism. Today the building is no longer used as a church, but is open to the public with access to the tower, and is used for concerts and other events.

6. Visit the Art Museum in the Monastery of Our Lady

The Convent of Our Lady (Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen) is Magdeburg's oldest surviving building, founded by Archbishop Gero in the 11th century. The building offers well-preserved Romanesque architecture and is initially interesting to visit for this alone.

Today the monastery also houses the Magdeburg Art Museum, with collections of medieval and contemporary sculptures, a sculpture park and various temporary art exhibitions.

7. Fascinated by the Green Citadel

The Green Citadel is a stunning 2005 building designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. In true Hundertwasser spirit, the building features rounded shapes and lots of uniquely shaped windows and columns. To give back to nature, the roof is a green oasis, filled with trees and plants.

The building is residential, but in the courtyards there are shops and cafés that you can visit. You can also take a guided tour or book accommodation in the hotel located in the building.

READ MORE: Green Citadel in Magdeburg - playful and green living

8. Strolling in Rotehorn park

Rotehorn City Park is a scenic and green park in a central location. Created in the English style, the park offers extensive green areas where people gather to walk, cycle, picnic or paddle in the small lake Adolf-Mittag-See. There is also a nice and popular playground.

In one corner of the park you can see the 61 metre high Albinmüller Tower, built in 1927 under the artistic direction of Professor Albinmüller. Visitors can climb to the 45 metre high viewing platform for a fee of €2.

9. Cycling along the Elbe

The Elbe-Radweg is a popular and varied cycle path that runs through much of Germany, divided into different routes. Whether you choose to follow it or not, cycling along the Elbe is a great way to spend time.

On our bike ride along the river we passed Elbauenpark, Herrenkrug park and a historic harbour with old museum boats. If you want to cycle even further, you can go all the way to Magdeburg's canal bridge, which is the longest navigable aqueduct in the world.

10. Spend a day in the Elbauenpark

Elbauenpark is a vast green park full of activities for the whole family. Here you can visit the "Jahrtausendturm" tower as well as countless themed gardens, sculptures, playgrounds, sports areas and cafés. For example, there is a summer toboggan run, a popular climbing wall and a labyrinth.

There is also a large stage for performances and events. Walking around the large area takes time, and if you can you can take a ride on the small train "Elbauenexpress".

The park also has a small butterfly house. Even though it's not very big, it's really nice, and at the same time offers a lovely tropical warmth.

11. Discover the Jahrtausendturm tower

One of the things you won't want to miss in Elbauenpark is the "Jahrtausendturm" (Millennium Tower). Created for a German gardening fair in 1999, the tower stands out both in terms of architecture and content.

For example, the 60 metre high tower boasts the highest wooden structure of its kind in the world. The ramp and viewing platforms on the outside also offer a delightful panoramic view of the surroundings.

Inside the tower there are exhibitions on science such as history, maths, chemistry and physics. Some of the exhibits are interactive and there are hosts on site who can demonstrate various experiments. For those who are not satisfied with the architecture, views and scientific exhibits, there is also the "Elbauenzip" - a zipline that starts 43 metres up in the Millennium Tower.

12. Impressed by Magdeburg's canal bridge

The Magdeburg canal bridge (Wasserstrassenkreuz Magdeburg) is the longest navigable aqueduct in the world. Opened in October 2003, the aqueduct connects the Elbe-Havel Canal with the Mittelland Canal, crossing the River Elbe. The aqueduct is really impressive to see and can be visited by bike or car, which can be parked right next to it. Here are some interesting bridge facts:

Length: 918 metres
Width: 34 metres
Water depth: 4.25 metres
Height range: 106 metres
Clearance under the bridge: 90 metres

More things to do in Magdeburg for culture and history lovers?

Want to experience even more in this lovely city? Here you will find more suggestions for things to do in Magdeburg and the surrounding area for those interested in culture and history.

Cathedral Museum Ottonianum Magdeburg talks about the history of the city. (Domplatz 15)
Faunal wells is a nice fountain in the city centre (Leiterstrasse 9).
Cultural History Museum Magdeburg talks about history and shows art. (Otto-von-Guericke-Strasse 68-73)
Otto-von-Guericke Centre is located in the Lukasklause building and tells about Guericke's work (Schleinufer 1).
Rothensee boat lift is a historic boat lift (Schiffshebewerk)

Near the Faunenbrunnen we also found a good pizza each.

More things to do in Magdeburg for nature lovers

Here are also some more suggestions for things to do in Magdeburg for nature lovers.

Gruson gearboxes is a botanical garden located in a greenhouse. (Schönebecker Strasse 129 b)
Herrenkrug park is a green park next to a hotel. (Herrenkrug 3)

More to do in Magdeburg for those travelling with kids or teens

Travelling with children or teenagers? Then you'll find some more tips for things to do in Magdeburg here.

Boat trips on the Elbe can be done during the high season.
Climbing park Magdeburg offers high ropes courses and parkour (Tessenowstrasse 5a).
The playground in the city park is very nice. (Rotehorn park)
Magdeburg zoo is a centrally located zoo. (Zooallee 1)
Villa P is a puppet theatre with a collection of puppets (Porsestrasse).

Where can you live or stay with your campervan?

There are of course many different hotels and other accommodation options in Magdeburg to choose from. We visited Magdeburg by motorhome and stayed at the caravan park At the winter harbour, where you stand very well.

Many of the pitches have a private patio and a view of the city. There are most of the services you need, including electricity. Currently, the nearest bridge is being renovated, so you have to drive or cycle a long way to get to the city centre. In the future, the location will be even better.

If you want to be cheaper and easier to park without service, and even closer to the city, you can choose the car park instead. Petri dishes, where you stand nicely by the water.

What to see and do in Magdeburg - on film

More things to see and do around Magdeburg

There is of course more to see and do in the neighbourhood of Magdeburg. For example, you can experience the Harz nature reserve and visit beautiful places like Thale, Quedlinburg and Wernigerode. You can also go to Hannover and see the beautiful Herrenhausen Gardens.

READ MORE: Thale in the Harz - among witches and devil walls
READ MORE: What to do in Quedlinburg - 12 tips for a cute half-timbered town
READ MORE: What to do in Wernigerode - 12 tips for a German gem
READ MORE: What to do in Hannover - 15 sights and experiences
READ MORE: Herrenhausen gardens in Hannover - amazing splendour

More tips for things to do in Magdeburg?

Have you been to Magdeburg? Tell us about your experience and your relationship with the city! Do you have any other tips for things to see and do in Magdeburg?

Facts about Magdeburg

Country: Germany
Federal Republic of Germany: Saxony-Anhalt
Residents: More than 238 000 (2019)
Read more: You can find more information at the city's website.

Travelling to Magdeburg

Flight: To get to Magdeburg, you can fly to Berlin or Hannover, for example, and then continue by train or car hire.
Car: You can take the Öresund Bridge and drive to Madeburg (just over 7 hours from Malmö). Other options are to take a ferry, such as Finnlines Malmö-Travemünde, Nynäshamn-Rostock, Göteborg-Kiel or Rödby-Puttgarden.

READ MORE: What to do in Saxony-Anhalt - 9 wonderful experiences

3 Comments

Add yours →

Solan says:

The canal bridge and the pink house are tempting. We had a look at Hundertwasser's house in Vienna and it gave us a taste for it.
😉 We're scrappy tourists, we like to wander around aimlessly and get lost. So sights in all honour, but a few are enough for us slackers.
Yes, towers and curtain walls are welcome...
Speaking of bikes, why don't you ask Mr Peter to arrange a parking space on the tricycle?
That's the picture I'm waiting for.
Have a good time in the future and thanks for the location tips too. 😊👍

22 May 2022 - 8:15

- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  The green citadel is really cool! And the aqueduct is also delicious! Sights can be taken in the dose you want and based on what you are interested in 🙂 And yes, there may be a picture of me on the tricycle eventually ... 😉 😉
  
  22 May 2022 - 16:38
  
BP says:

I take the green citadel which is actually pink. I also take the tower which is really cool and different. Okay, the pizza also looked good;-)

22 May 2022 - 20:40

Things to do in Magdeburg - 12 tips for the Ottostadt in Germany

Magdeburg in Germany

What can you do in Magdeburg?

1. Admiring Magdeburg Cathedral

2. Take a guided city walk

3. walking at Fürstenwall

4. spana in Alter Markt

5. See St John's Church

6. Visit the Art Museum in the Monastery of Our Lady

7. Fascinated by the Green Citadel

8. Strolling in Rotehorn park

9. Cycling along the Elbe

10. Spend a day in the Elbauenpark

11. Discover the Jahrtausendturm tower

12. Impressed by Magdeburg's canal bridge

More things to do in Magdeburg for culture and history lovers?

More things to do in Magdeburg for nature lovers

More to do in Magdeburg for those travelling with kids or teens

Where can you live or stay with your campervan?

What to see and do in Magdeburg - on film

More things to see and do around Magdeburg

More tips for things to do in Magdeburg?

Facts about Magdeburg

Travelling to Magdeburg

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Helena says:

BP says:

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