Welcome to Magdeburg, a city where the vibrancy of student life meets the tranquility of nature! Whether you’re a local student, an international scholar at the Studienkolleg, or simply a nature enthusiast exploring the city, Magdeburg’s parks and natural landscapes offer a perfect escape. This guide is designed to help you discover the best spots for a rejuvenating stroll, an invigorating jog, or a peaceful moment amidst the city’s greenery. So, lace up your walking shoes or running trainers and let’s delve into the lush corners of Magdeburg that promise to enrich your student life and leisure time. So, next time you need a break from your studies or just want to bask in the beauty of nature, remember these gems in Magdeburg. Happy exploring!
1. Stadtpark Rotehorn
A serene oasis in the heart of the city, Stadtpark Rotehorn, on an island amidts the city’s largest river, is ideal for jogging, picnics, and leisurely walks along the Elbe River since 1875. The park’s picturesque lake adds to its charm, making it a favorite among students seeking a peaceful study spot or a break from the urban hustle.
The park’s name derives one of Magdeburg’s many ancient myths, in which Elwine, the mistress of the River Elbe, meets the a knight named Willfried. They take a ride on a boat drawn by a swan onto the island to show him her world. To summon the swan, she uses a large red horn. As she is about to meet with two of her sisters, named after two other big rivers, Saale and Unstrut, Elwine asks Willfried not to follow her any further. But as he is driven by curiosity, he follows her yet is discovered whereon Elwine vanishes forever leaving behind only her red horn, thus giving the island and the park its name.
2. Herrenkrug Park
It is Magdeburg’s oldest public park, opened to the public in 1829. This expansive park is designed as an English landscape garden spanning more than a mile along east bank of the Elbe River.
It not only offers jogging paths amidst a stunning natural scenery but also hosts an assortment of statues and sights to rest for a while.
For students interested in botany, this is the place to go, as it comprises the vastest assortment of tree species in the whole state.
It is situated on the northern periphery of the city but can easily be reached by tram line 6 in 15 minutes from the city centre.
3. Elbuferpromenade
For those who love waterfront views, the Elbuferpromenade is perfect. It combines the beauty of the Elbe River with urban art of the ancient buildings of Magdeburg’s changing history, offering a unique backdrop for both relaxed strolls and energetic runs as well as cycling. It leads directly to famous Klosterberggarten park.
The Elbuferpromenade is part of the expansive Elbradweg cycling route that leads even as far as Dresden. If you walk the whole length of the promenade, you will pass the Sternbrücke, where you can change into the Roterhornpark. You can also visit the Hubbrücke, a lift bridge from the middle of the 19th century, a technical marvel of its time.
If you want to take a break from your walk, you can stop by one of the many cafés and restaurants along the promenade.
4. Klosterbergegarten
The Klosterberggarten was designed by the famous gardening architect Peter Joseph Lenné in 1825 as the first Volksgarten, a public botanic garden, in the German speaking countries. You can take long strolls in the shadow of many different trees, arranged by origin.
Not only but especially during the wintertime, you can visit the hothouses that exhibit many exotic plants and offering a wisp of spring during the cold months. On the south end of the Klosterberggarden you can visit the Gesellschaftshaus, a cultural centre, offering concerts and readings.
5. Elbauenpark
The Elbauen park is a large amusement park, with diverse landscapes, including gardens and woods. It is especially interesting during spring and summer, when it offers many attractions for a leisurely day out, like the Jahrtausendturm museum, the Butterfly House, the summer sled coast, or the park train.
The Jahrtausendturm is not only an architectural masterpiece as an asymmetrical cone but offers a breath-taking view over the whole region and is home to many interesting technical exhibits spanning from the stone age biface to modern computer tomograph.
6. Glacis Park
The Glacis Park is only a few minutes by foot from our Studienkolleg. You can use it to spend your noon break or learn there in the afternoon. It is a little oasis in the centre of the city, right beside the main railway station. In the summertime, the Glacis Open Air festival attracts many musicians and artists from all over the world.
7. Nordpark
The Nordpark is a garden close to the University Magdeburg, popular with students and professional working in the city centre. You will find lawns shaded by trees for taking a break from the busy student life, beautiful flower beds and several memorials. It is close to the Magdeburg opera house and the Festung Mark, another cultural centre of Magdeburg.
For those interested in the more modern history of Magdeburg, the park also comprises the Ehrenfriedhof, a cemetery for fallen Russian soldiers from the second world war as well graves of important figures from the 19th century.