In its chequered past, the 1,200 year old city on the Elbe experienced not only destruction, but periods of glory time and again. These marks characterise the multi-facetted image of the city today. Remnants of architectural witnesses to the stylistic epochs remind us of the former glory and richness of this former imperial city. Not least on account of the beauty of the monastery "Unser Lieben Frauen" the regional capital of Saxony-Anhalt is referred to fondly as the pearl in the "Romanic Road". Besides the monastery and various churches from this time, it is the hallmark Magdeburg Cathedral above all that characterises the historical image of the city.

Sightseeing in Magdeburg

Altes and Neues Rathaus (Old and New Town Hall), baroque town houses along the Breiter Weg, Magdeburg Cathedral with the grave of Otto I. and cathedral square, Promenade on the banks of the Elbe, Main Post, Historic Schiffmühle (Ship Mill), Millennium Tower, Johanniskirche with the graves of Otto von Guericke, Jugendstilhaus, monastery "Unser Lieben Frauen" with the vault of Holy Norbert von Xanten, Regional Parliament of Saxony Anhalt, DIE GRÜNE ZITADELLE (THE GREEN CITADEL), the Magdalene Chapel, Magdeburg Riders, Petrikirche, catholic bishop's church of St. Sebastian, Fortress Mark, Wallonerkirche

Steam tug on the Elbe "Württemberg"

after its last trip on Elbe the "Württemberg" dropped anchor permanently in the year 1974 and became the Museum Ship on the Rotehorn Island. Inside the ship, there is an exhibition that has been giving information for more than a quarter of a century on shipping along the Elbe. In addition to this, Magdeburg Elbe-Schiffer-Verein e.V. offers its visitors guided tours through the ship which was commissioned at the beginning of the 20th century. Here you will gain interesting insights into the history of ship building technology and life on board. On Tuesday afternoons from 2 pm the association meets on board the paddle steamer for a traditional Klön-Snack; guests are invited cordially to join.

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm.
Entry free

Millennium Tower (Elbaue Park)

On the eastern bank of the Elbe is the most unusual sight of Magdeburg. The 60 m high Millennium Tower is not quite so tall as the Eifel Tower, nor quite as famous as the Tower of Babel, but just as oblique as the leaning Tower of Pisa. The tower came into existence to mark the 25th Federal Garden Show in 1999. As one of the biggest wooden structures in the world, today, it is a new hallmark of the city of Magdeburg. Inside the tower you will find a unique exhibition on 6,000 years of research and development of the human race, which is one of its kind in Europe and takes on an unforgettable journey through time and our history, and making you acquainted with the most varied of inventions and achievements of various cultures. About 250 objects are placed ready on 10 levels to accomplish this. Starting with the first inventions of man, such as weapons and pottery, they take the visitor through the first evolved cultures in Mesopotamia and the ancient powers in Athens and Rome, Europe of the early Modern Era to the times we are living in. You can follow on the trail of human development along this path. You will pass through an ancient Egyptian temple corridor, visit a Roman street with house, stop by an alchemist's workshop and find yourself in the so called "Crooked Room", which shows you the limitations of human vision. You can try your own experiments on a total of 80 exhibits or let the exhibition Assistant to demonstrate and explain the experiments. In this way, you will get behind history and experience for yourself how the world has been transformed.

Open from April to October
Entry fee: approximately 3 € inclusive of entrance fee to Elbauenpark

Zoological Garden

For more than 50 years the zoo has been one of the most beautiful and best loved picnic destinations in Magdeburg. It offers various possibilities for recreation, education and leisure. With its 950 animals from 185 species, it presents a variety of species ranging from the penguin to the elephant. In recent years the zoo has become even more wonderful with several new attractions. The giraffe house is the beginning, and many new constructions have been added. A special attraction for the public are the Humboldt penguins, which are the favourites of young visitors especially. In recent years, new magnets to draw crowds have been added in the form of the human ape house, the spacious tiger sanctuary, snow leopard range and the lions' den.

Opening hours:
In summer daily from 9 am to 7 pm
In Winter daily from 9 am till darkness sets in

Entry fee: Adults 5 €, reduced 3 €, children 2.50 €, small family ticket 10 €, large family ticket 14 €, dog 1 €
Special entrance fee from 16 pm: Adults 3 €, children 2 €
Family Saturdays in winter (November to January): Adults 3 €, children 1.50 €

Waterway intersection at Magdeburg

An old dream has become reality: The first ideas for linking the east and the west took shape in 1877. 60 years later, the ship canal lift was built as a stopgap arrangement and plans were created for crossing the Elbe, which often carried low waters, with a canal bridge. Another 66 years later the long cherished dream was fulfilled at last: On 10 October 2003, the Magdeburg waterway intersection was thrown open to shipping traffic. With the completion of this century old project, the capital city of Saxony Anhalt now has another tourist attraction.

Information Tours

Offer available on request for groups of visitors with at least 10 persons. The programme includes the following:
Rothensee thrift lock: visit of the information centres with explanations on the construction project, in the form of video or with the help of a model, the history of the waterway intersection, the process of thrift locking (with view from the view platform of the Rothensee thrift lock), the historic ship canal lift.

The Rothensee thrift lock and canal bridge: Everything worth knowing about the modern canal bridge is communicated on the former building site facilities of the longest canal bridge in the world.
Rothensee thrift lock, canal bridge and double thrift lock at Hohenwarthe: The construction is proposed at the connecting seam between the Midland Canal and the Elbe Havel Canal. The process of constructing the double thrift lock and its special features, the expansion of the Elbe-Havel Canal and the canal bridge which links the Midland Canal with the Elbe-Havel Canal through the double thrift lock at Hohenwarthe are explained.
Meeting point: Parking lot at the Rothensee ship canal lift
Duration: approximately 45 to 90 minutes
Prices depending on the programme: Adults from 2.50 € onwards, school children 2 €
Public visit to the Rothensee thrift locks and ship canal lift:
Saturdays and Sundays at 2.30 pm
Rendezvous: Information board at the parking place of the draw works
Price: 2.50 € per person
The Tourist information of Magdeburg in cooperation with the Magdeburger Urania e.V. also organises guided tours to the individual constructions of the Magdeburg waterway intersection.
Contact and bookings under Telephone + 49 (0) 391 19433

City Tour

On foot, 2.5 hours, price per person 5 €, free for children up to 6 years old.
Daily starting at 11 am from the Magdeburg information, Ernst-Reuter-Allee 12. You can also join without prior registration.

City tour

Price per person 12 €, children from 7 to 14 years old 6 €, free for children up to 6 years old.
1 April to 23 October, Monday to Sunday from 2 to 4 pm, Easter Monday and Pentecost from 11 am to 1 pm
Advance registration via telephone through + 49 (0) 391 19433, departure/arrival/bus parking shoulder at Jakobstrasse, near the Johanniskirsche/Old Market

City tour with guided tour at the Magdeburg Cathedral
Price per person 15 €, children from 7 to 14 years old 6.50 €, free for children up to 6 years old.
Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 5 pm.

Special tours

DIE GRÜNE ZITADELLE VON MAGDEBURG (THE GREEN CITADEL OF MAGDEBURG), Duration 1 hour, price per person above 6 €
Through the historic old city on bicycles, daily from April to October during the day, duration: 2 hours,
Minimum fees for groups up to a max. of 10 persons 60 €V