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

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | What to do in Magdeburg, Germany? This city, sometimes called the ”City of Otto”, has a dramatic history and a range of exciting attractions from very 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.

Magdeburg is located in the federal state Saxony-Anhalt in Germany, about 160 kilometers west of Berlin and about 150 kilometers east of Hanover.

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.

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-meter-high Albinmüller-Turm observation tower, which was built in 1927 under the artistic direction of Professor Albinmüller. Anyone who wants to can go up to the observation platform at a height of 45 meters.

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

If you have more time in Magdeburg, there is of course even more to discover. Here are some more attractions and experiences that may be worth adding to your visit.

Visit the Ottonianum Cathedral Museum

Dommuseum Ottonianum is located right next to the cathedral and tells the story of Magdeburg's medieval history, Emperor Otto the Great and the archaeological finds made in the area.

Get to know Otto von Guericke

The Otto-von-Guericke-Zentrum is located in the historic Lukasklause and tells the story of the famous scientist and inventor from Magdeburg. He is best known for his experiments with vacuum and the so-called Magdeburg hemispheres.

See the Fountain of the Fauns

The Faunenbrunnen is an unusual and elaborate fountain on Leiterstrasse in central Magdeburg. Filled with people, animals and fantasy figures, it is worth checking out during a walk through the city center.

Visit Gruson's greenhouse

Gruson-Gewächshäuser is a historic greenhouse area with a large collection of exotic plants. It includes tropical and subtropical environments, making it a great destination even on a day when the weather doesn't invite you to hang out in the park.

See the historic boat lift in Rothensee

The Rothensee boat lift is an impressive part of Magdeburg's waterways. The historic boat lift is located near the canal bridge and is therefore a good place to combine with a visit to the Wasserstraßenkreuz.

Visit Magdeburg Zoo with children

Magdeburg Zoo is one of the options for families who want to combine the city's historical attractions with something completely different. The zoo is located north of the city center and has animals from different parts of the world.

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 camper and stayed at the campsite At the winter harbour, where you stand nicely by the city park with a view of the harbor. The parking lot is within walking distance of the center and has, among other things, electricity, toilets, showers and the possibility of filling water and emptying gray water and a toilet.

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

Of course, there is more to see and do near Magdeburg. Here you will find more tips and reports:

• Thale
• Things to do in Quedlinburg
• Things to do in Wernigerode
• Things to do in Hannover
• Herrenhausen Gardens