Magdeburg holds a special place in my heart. It was the first city Ryan and I lived in when we moved to Germany, and it was the first place Ryan and I lived together as a couple. Needless to say, we consider Magdeburg to be our home away from home. We spent 1 year there, and although we don’t live there anymore, we try to go back and visit as much as we can.
Magdeburg recently celebrated its 1200 birthday and even though it was repeatedly struck by war, it was thoroughly rebuilt each time. The city still houses perfect examples of Gothic architecture and medieval art but is also home to some pretty amazing modern innovations. Although Magdeburg is not an overly large city, is known to be the junction between the East and West sides of the country, and it is one of Germany’s greenest cities.
If you get the chance to visit Magdeburg, here is a guide to all of my favorite things to do!
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Alter Markt
We were lucky enough to have the marketplace on the street that we lived on. The marketplace has existed since the 12th century but was hit hard during the wars. Although most of the buildings in the square are modern, things like the Town Hall have existed on the same plot in some way since the 13th century. Nowadays, Alter Markt is used for its market. Here you can find fruit, vegetables, flowers, meats, dairy products, homemade snacks or baked goods, crafts, and even some accessories. It’s a great place to wander around, especially if the weather is nice!
Magdeburg Cathedral
The Cathedral is an impressive piece of architecture and the tallest Church building in Eastern Germany standing at 341 feet tall. The construction of the Church lasted about 300 years and it is known for its beautiful and unique sculptures. Although it was virtually the only building to survive the Thirty Years War, it was damaged in the Second World War and rebuilt in 1955. This Cathedral is absolutely breathtaking and is a must-see if you are visiting Magdeburg. Ryan and I visited the Cathedral many times while living in Magdeburg and each time we were there, we were in awe!
Grüne Zitadelle von Magdeburg
If you want to see the coolest and most modern building in Magdeburg, this is definitely your spot! The Green Citadel is the work of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who began his career as an artist and later ventured into architecture. This building embodied the artist’s beliefs of bringing together living spaces that are one with nature. Wildflower meadows are found on the roof and on the slopes, the courtyard is filled with growing trees, and the artist’s unique use of windows bring out the concept of “oasis for humanity and nature.” The Green Citadel not only offers living space but space to experience. You will find apartments, shops, functional rooms, a hotel, a theater, offices, medical practices, and a kindergarten all under the same roof. The Green Citadel is a place for you to live, work, shop, enjoy, and admire.
Magdeburg Zoo
For all you animal lovers, this is the place for you! The Zoo in Magdeburg showcases about 200 species of animals over 40 acres of cultivated natural landscape. The Zoo is known for its walk-in habitats where you can get up close and personal with some of your favorite animals. Also featured is a Savannah enclosure for grazing animals with platforms that allow you to greet the tall giraffes eye-to-eye. I would, however, recommend going in the warmer months, since you will be walking outside for most of your visit.
MDCC Arena
Home of 1. FC Magdeburg, MDCC Arena has a capacity of over 25,000 spectators. The incredible fans and long-standing traditions surrounding this football club make this an attraction you won’t want to miss. Not to mention, this was Ryan’s home stadium when we were living in Magdeburg!
GETEC Arena
If handball is more your style, GETEC Arena will be your spot to catch a game. GETEC Arena is the home of SC Magdeburg’s Bundesliga Handball team and seats over 8,000 fans. The arena is an indoor facility that also hosts other major events like boxing matches, table tennis, ballets, concerts, entertainment shows, and even political events.
Rotehorn Park
This is the city’s largest park and houses beautiful landscape and architecture. It’s a great place to walk, bike, or hang out at for the day. In the summer months, you can rent a rowboat or peddle boat and cruise along the lake located in the center of the park. When the weather was warm out, this was one of our absolute favorite spots to be!
Kanalbrücke Magdeburg
This was something Ryan and I planned on seeing even before we made the move to Germany! The Magdeburg Water Bridge is the largest canal underbridge in Europe, spanning the Elbe River and connecting the Mittelland Canal to the Elbe-Havel Canal. Therefore, commercial ships are able to pass without having to descend into and then ascend out of the Elbe River. For those of you who are not so attuned to modern engineering, I promise, this will still impress you. After all, it is basically a bridge filled with water that stands over a river! It’s pretty cool, especially if you are lucky enough to see a ship passing in it! There are paths next to the canal and leading up to it, making it very easy to bike or walk along.
Holzweg
If you happen to be in Magdeburg in the springtime, do NOT miss this one! On this street, you will see beautiful Cherry Blossoms come to life in the spring. You can walk or bike under the trees and take in every ounce of beauty they have. Seriously, this is so magical!
Biking
There are countless bike paths throughout the city, in the parks, and along the Elbe River. Magdeburg is a huge biking-city and you will notice how easy it is to get around via bike. When Ryan and I were living in Magdeburg, we didn’t own a car so biking was our only means of transportation. We quickly grew to love biking and were in awe of all the sights we got to explore while riding around the city and surrounding areas.
The Elbe Cycle Route (Elberadweg) also makes its appearance in Magdeburg. The Elbe Cycle Route is a part of an international network of cycle routes in Europe. It begins in Prague and ends in Cuxhaven at the North Sea. It is about 1,000 kilometers long and is the most popular route for cyclists in Germany.
If you ever make it to Magdeburg, Germany, I hope you love it as much as we do!
