Stand on the Domplatz and the twin towers of the Magdeburger Dom rise above you, their dark stone a reminder that this city on the Elbe has been rebuilt more than once. The river runs wide and green through the middle of things, and the Elberadweg follows it out past parks and beer gardens.
Magdeburg suits travellers who like their cities with visible layers: a Gothic cathedral, a Romanesque cloister, a whimsical apartment block by a Viennese artist, and a tower full of exhibitions in a park by the river. It rewards a slow day on foot or by bike rather than a rushed checklist.
1. St. Maurice and St Catherine (Magdeburger Dom)
The Gothic cathedral, known as the Magdeburger Dom, is possibly the most well-known sight in the city. It was built from 1209 to 1520 on the remains of a Roman cathedral.
It sits at Am Dom 1 and is the natural anchor for a walk through the old city. Combine it with the Green Citadel and Kloster unser lieben Frauen, both nearby in the city centre.
2. Kloster unser lieben Frauen (Cloister Our Dear Woman)
Founded in the 11th century, this is one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Germany. Today it is, among other things, home to an art gallery.
It stands at Regierungsstraße 4, close to the cathedral and the Green Citadel, so it fits easily into the same walk. Allow time for the gallery if it is open when you pass.
3. Green Citadel (Grüne Zitadelle)
A bizarre apartment and retail building by Austrian artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser, at Breiter Weg 8A in the city centre near the Kloster Unser Lieben Frauen and the cathedral. It holds shops and restaurants.
It is open daily from 08:00 to 22:00, which makes it a useful stop at either end of a day of sightseeing. Pair it with the cathedral and the cloister, all within the same part of the centre.
4. St. John's Church (Johanniskirche)
Severely damaged during World War II, St. John's Church was rebuilt starting in 1991 and reopened in 1999 as a multipurpose venue. Visitors can climb the 52-metre-high south tower for a panoramic view over Magdeburg, and see the modern stained-glass windows by artist Max Uhlig.
It is at Johannisbergstraße 1 and is open 10:00–17:00, closed on Mondays. Check the day before you plan a climb, since Monday visitors will find it shut.
5. Millennium Tower (Jahrtausendturm)
Inside the Elbauenpark, the Millennium Tower holds an exhibition on nature and the history of humanity. It is a good reason to leave the city centre and spend time in the park.
Combine it with a stretch of the Elberadweg, which runs along the river and through the surrounding landscape.
6. Kulturhistorisches Museum
The Kulturhistorisches Museum on Otto-von-Guericke-Straße is home to the statue Magdeburger Reiter. It is a compact stop for anyone interested in the city's cultural history.
It sits on a central street, so it slots in between the cathedral quarter and the river without much detour.
7. Elberadweg cycling
Magdeburg is one of the greenest cities in Europe, and riding your bike here is a straightforward way to spend a free afternoon. Most streets have cycle tracks on the sides, so taking your bike into the city is not a problem.
The Elberadweg follows the river Elbe and leads you into the biosphere reserve around Magdeburg. Look for the path's symbol, a white "e" on a blue ground, and follow the signs showing directions and distances. Streetcars, buses, ferries and S-Bahn trains allow you to take your bike with you, though you may have to buy an extra ticket for it.
8. River cruises with Magdeburger Weiße Flotte GmbH
Several cruises run from the moorings at Petriförder and Rothensee. The Panoramafahrt is a 1½-hour cruise along the skyline of Magdeburg, starting and ending at Petriförder. The Große Acht and Kleine Acht follow the biggest waterway cross of Europe, from Petriförder and Rothensee respectively, while the Trogbrückenüberfahrt is a short cruise over the waterway cross from Rothensee. The Kaffeefahrt runs from the city centre out to the town Schönebeck, and Fahrt in den Abend is an evening cruise from Petriförder.
Tickets can be purchased on board, and reservations are usually not necessary if you come early enough. Times and current special prices are posted at the moorings or at the tourist information centre on Ernst-Reuter Allee 12; contact the centre if you want to reserve or ask about day-trip offers.
9. FC Magdeburg at MDCC-Arena
FC Magdeburg play soccer in 2. Bundesliga, Germany's second tier. Their home ground, MDCC-Arena, holds 26,000 and sits east of the river, 4 km from the city centre.
If a match falls on your dates, it is a straightforward way to spend an afternoon with the city's crowd. Otherwise, the riverside route out that way connects with the Elberadweg.
10. Beer gardens and restaurants along the Elbe
Many restaurants and beer gardens sit right next to the river, along with some hotels, playgrounds and parks. This is the simplest way to end a day of walking or cycling.
Combine a riverside meal with the Elberadweg or with a return leg from a river cruise mooring.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Magdeburger Dom, then walk the short distance to Kloster unser lieben Frauen and the Green Citadel, all in the same part of the centre. If it is not Monday, climb the south tower of St. John's Church for the view.
Afternoon: Head to the Kulturhistorisches Museum on Otto-von-Guericke-Straße, then pick up the Elberadweg and ride a stretch along the Elbe. If you would rather stay off the bike, take the Panoramafahrt from the Petriförder mooring instead.
Evening: Eat at one of the restaurants or beer gardens by the river, or take the Fahrt in den Abend cruise from Petriförder.
When is St. John's Church open?
It is open 10:00–17:00 and closed on Mondays. The south tower is the part to aim for if you want the panoramic view.
Do I need to book a river cruise in advance?
Usually not. Tickets can be purchased on board, and reservations are not necessary most of the time if you come early enough. If you want to reserve, contact the tourist information centre on Ernst-Reuter Allee 12.
Can I take my bike on public transport in Magdeburg?
Yes. Streetcars, buses, ferries and S-Bahn trains allow you to take your bike with you, though you may have to purchase an extra ticket for it.
Where can I find current cruise times and prices?
Times and current special prices are posted directly at the moorings or at the tourist information centre on Ernst-Reuter Allee 12.
Pick your dates, check the Monday closures, and start planning your days around the cathedral, the river and the Elberadweg.