Saxony-Anhalt Travel Guide

A comprehensive guide to Saxony-Anhalt including places to visit, hiking/biking routes, cultural attractions, food and drink scene, local culture and customs, safety and health, transportation options, nearby destinations, and more.


Introduction to Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt is located in the central region of Germany and is well-known for its cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, museums, and historical sites. Along with its fascinating history, the region is also popular for outdoor adventures, including hiking and biking trails. This travel guide to Saxony-Anhalt will take you through the various places to visit, food and drink scene, local culture, and customs, safety, and health measures, and more.

List of Places to Visit in Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt is home to numerous cultural attractions, scenic landscapes, and historical sites. Following is a list of must-visit places in the region:

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • Bauhaus Dessau: A museum dedicated to the famous Bauhaus movement and situated in the town of Dessau.
  • The Quedlinburg Old Town: This UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its historical buildings and charming narrow streets.
  • The Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg: The birthplace of Martin Luther and the location where he posted his famous 95 Theses.
  • The Naumburg Cathedral: Another UNESCO World Heritage site, it is known for its architecture and Romanesque sculptures.

Natural Attractions of Saxony-Anhalt: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • The Harz Mountains National Park: This park is home to numerous trails for hiking and biking, as well as scenic views, waterfalls, and lakes.
  • The Wörlitzer Park: A beautiful park in the town of Dessau featuring picturesque lakes, bridges, and gardens.
  • The Saale-Unstrut Wine Region: Known for its vineyards, it offers wine tasting, tours, and scenic views of the surrounding valley.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt has numerous hiking and biking trails suitable for both beginners and advanced hikers/bikers. Following are some of the best trails in the region:

  • Harz Ridgeway: This trail is 97km long and takes you through the scenic Harz Mountains National Park.
  • The Elbe Cycle Path: This biking route follows the Elbe River and takes you through the beautiful countryside of Saxony-Anhalt and neighboring regions.
  • The Mansfeld Mining Trail: This 75 km long trail takes you through the historic mining region of Mansfeld.

Best Things to Do in Saxony-Anhalt: Activities and Tours

Saxony-Anhalt offers a range of activities and tours. Following are some top things to do in the region:

  • The Gartenreich Dessau-Wörlitz: A guided tour of the Wörlitzer Park, which will take you through the beautiful gardens, lakes, and bridges.
  • The Bauhaus Tour in Dessau: A guided tour of the Bauhaus Dessau museum, where you can learn about the Bauhaus movement and its impact on modern design.
  • The Naumburg Cathedral Tour: A guided tour of the Naumburg Cathedral, which will take you through the Romanesque sculptures and architecture.

Week-Long Itinerary for Saxony-Anhalt

Day 1: Arrival in Magdeburg, Visit the Cathedral, and Local Museums.

Day 2: Visit the Quedlinburg Old Town and Castle.

Day 3: Hike the Harz Mountains and Visit the Scenic Villages.

Day 4: Bicycle Tour along the Elbe River and Visit the Luther Memorials.

Day 5: Wine Tasting at the Saale-Unstrut Wine Region.

Day 6: Discover Bauhaus Dessau and Take the Gartenreich Tour.

Day 7: Departure from Saxony-Anhalt.

Food and Drink Scene of Saxony-Anhalt

Must-Try Dishes

  • Hallorenkugeln: Chocolate balls in various flavors, first made in the city of Halle.
  • Wurst: A type of German sausage made in Saxony-Anhalt available in various flavors, including Thüringer, and Weisswurst.
  • Hasselback potatoes: A traditional Swedish potato dish but popular in Saxony-Anhalt too.

Local Beverages

  • Riesling Wine: Saxony-Anhalt produces some of the best Riesling wines in Germany, particularly in the Saale-Unstrut Wine Region.
  • Hallorenkugel Liqueur: A dessert liqueur made from the famous Hallorenkugeln chocolate balls.

Where to Stay in Saxony-Anhalt: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Saxony-Anhalt has a range of accommodations for every budget, from guesthouses to hotels. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly accommodation option, there are also a few hostels available.

Some top accommodations in the region include:

  • Dorint Hotel in Magdeburg.
  • Parkhotel Unter den Linden in Halberstadt.
  • Hotel Schlossvilla Derenburg in Derenburg.

What to Buy in Saxony-Anhalt: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

  • Wooden toys: A popular product made in the Harz Mountains.
  • Hallorenkugeln Chocolate: A must-try chocolate from Saxony-Anhalt.
  • Local Wine: The region produces some of the best Riesling wines in Germany.

Local Culture and Customs of Saxony-Anhalt

  • Saxony-Anhalt is well-known for its traditional crafts like wood carving, lace-making, and pottery.
  • The locals celebrate numerous festivals throughout the year, including the Quedlinburg Christmas Market, the Dessau Music Festival, and the Halle Book Fair.
  • Tipping is common, and 10% of the bill is usually expected at restaurants and cafes.

Best Time to Visit Saxony-Anhalt

The best time to visit Saxony-Anhalt is between May and September when the weather is warm, and outdoor activities are popular. During this time, various festivals and cultural events take place throughout the region. It is best to avoid visiting during the winter months when the weather is cold and many attractions are closed.

Do’s and Don’ts of Saxony-Anhalt

Do:

  • Try the local cuisine and wines.
  • Explore the scenic landscapes and hiking trails like Harz Mountains.
  • Take guided tours to learn about the history and culture of the region.

Don’t:

  • Ignore cultural customs, such as tipping and greeting people.
  • Take pictures without permission in museums and historical sites.

Safety and Health

Safety in Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt is a relatively safe region and has a low crime rate. However, it’s always essential to take regular safety precautions, such as keeping your valuables safe and taking care in crowded areas, especially at public events and festivals.

Health in Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt has good healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies. However, it is always recommended to get travel insurance before visiting. It would help if you also carried your necessary medications with you.

Getting to Saxony-Anhalt: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near Saxony-Anhalt

The closest airports to Saxony-Anhalt are:

  • Leipzig/Halle Airport
  • Berlin Tegel Airport
  • Frankfurt Airport

Bus Stations Near Saxony-Anhalt

The bus stations near the region are:

  • Magdeburg Central Station
  • Halle Central Station
  • Dessau Central Station

Other Options

There are also car rentals, trains, taxis and transfer services available.

How to Get Around Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt has an excellent transportation system, including trains, buses, and taxis. Biking is also a popular mode of transportation, especially in the rural areas. If you’re planning to explore the hiking trails, it’s recommended to book a guided tour in advance.

Where to Go Next from Saxony-Anhalt: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

Saxony-Anhalt is located in central Germany, providing easy access to several neighboring regions, including:

  • Berlin: The capital city of Germany is just a few hours away from Saxony-Anhalt and offers various attractions, including the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, and the Pergamon Museum.
  • Thuringia: Located south of Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia is known for its beautiful castles, hiking trails, and cultural sites.
  • The Harz Mountains: Straddling three German states, the Harz Mountains National Park is known for its stunning scenery and is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Saxony-Anhalt is one of the most scenic regions in Germany that offers cultural attractions, outdoor adventures, and delicious cuisine. With this comprehensive guide, choosing a place to visit, and planning your trip to this beautiful region will be easy and enjoyable for an unforgettable vacation experience.

Magdeburg, capital of Saxony-Anhalt Magdeburg, capital of Saxony-Anhalt Halle is the most populous city in the state Halle is the most populous city in the state Bronze-age sky disk of Nebra Bronze-age sky disk of Nebra Door of the Wittenberg palace chapel where Martin Luther purportedly posted his 95 theses in 1517, starting the Protestant Reformation Door of the Wittenberg palace chapel where Martin Luther purportedly posted his 95 theses in 1517, starting the Protestant Reformation Ferropolis – the city of iron. Memorial of the lignite mining era and venue of the ''Melt!'' music festival Ferropolis – the city of iron. Memorial of the lignite mining era and venue of the ''Melt!'' music festival ''Hauptbahnhof'' in Halle (Saale) ''Hauptbahnhof'' in Halle (Saale) Old town of Quedlinburg Old town of Quedlinburg Wittenberg is a UNESCO world heritage site Wittenberg is a UNESCO world heritage site English Grounds of Wörlitz English Grounds of Wörlitz Dessau is home to the world-famous Bauhaus Dessau is home to the world-famous Bauhaus Neuenburg castle and vineyards near Freyburg Neuenburg castle and vineyards near Freyburg


    Dessau
    Halberstadt
    Köthen
    Magdeburg
    Merseburg
    Osterwieck
    Quedlinburg
    Stolberg
    Wittenberg