Excursion Destination Altmark

Odon Portillo

Updated: 26 May 2026 ·
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Excursion Destinations in the Altmark

Rich in history, natural beauty, and culture. This definitely describes the Altmark region in northern Saxony-Anhalt and makes it an ideal place for a diverse getaway from everyday life.

The vast, flat land of the Altmark is characterized by gentle silence and captivates nature lovers and those seeking tranquility.

The medieval half-timbered towns like Stendal and Tangermünde, with their delicious regional cuisine, are perfect for culture enthusiasts and foodies.

And for adventurers and active vacationers, the Altmark offers highlights such as water sports on the Elbe or hiking on the Camino de Santiago.

Join us in discovering the diversity of beautiful Altmark!

  • The Altmark is located in the northern part of Saxony-Anhalt. With an area of about 4,700 km², it is roughly twice the size of Saarland.
  • The vacation region consists of the district of Stendal and the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel.
  • Once, the Altmark was the oldest part of the Mark Brandenburg. That's why it is also known as the 'Cradle of Prussia'.
  • 18 nature trails measuring nearly 100 km lead through the forested and water-rich nature of the region.
  • About 195,000 people call Altmark their home.
  • The largest city in the Altmark is the Hanseatic city of Stendal.
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Sightseeing and Popular Attractions

The Altmark impresses with its cultural richness, idyllic nature, and historical old towns. No wonder there is so much to experience in the region of Saxony-Anhalt. Wondering what you can do in the Altmark? We have summarized the most popular attractions for you:

  • The Fairy Tale Park and Fragrance Garden in Salzwedel: The beautiful park area transports you into a world of legends, fairies, and gnomes. Here, there is a wealth of offerings for families, nature lovers, and fairy tale fans.
  • The Town Hall, the Uenglinger Gate, and the Powder Tower in Stendal.
  • Cycling on the Elbe Cycle Path
  • The Arendsee
  • Castle, Market Square, and half-timbered houses in Tangermünde
  • The Gardelegen city walls, which form a green ring around the old town
  • The cultural landscape of Drömling: In the land of 1,000 ditches, active vacationers find the perfect backdrop for hiking and cycling excursions
  • The Altmark Oasis leisure pool in Stendal for wellness in Saxony-Anhalt

Top Excursion Destinations in the Altmark

The diverse region of Altmark is perfect for taking a trip to one of the eight Hanseatic cities and the fascinating nature.

What destinations you should aim for and what you can discover there can be found here.

The Hanseatic City of Stendal

In the largest city of the Altmark, visitors encounter impressive historical testimonies that trace back to the roots of the over 800-year-old city.

This is particularly evident in the historic old town with its many brick Gothic buildings, which reflect the former wealth and significance of the old Hanseatic city. The widespread architectural style also earned Stendal the nickname 'City of Brick Gothic'.

Anyone traveling to Stendal should definitely visit the following attractions:

  • The beautiful market ensemble consisting of the Town Hall, Roland statue, oldest wooden wall in Germany, and St. Mary's Church
  • The St. Nicholas Cathedral with its stained-glass windows from the 15th century
  • The Stendal fortifications with Uenglinger Gate, Tangermünder Gate, and Powder Tower
  • Museums such as the Altmärkisches Museum, the State Fire Brigade Museum of Saxony-Anhalt, or the Winckelmann Museum
  • The Stendal high ropes course
  • The surrounding scenic Uchtetal

The Historic Tangermünde

Here, history awaits you. The half-timbered town has preserved its charming, medieval appearance to this day. In the picturesque old town, which is still almost entirely surrounded by a city wall, there are beautiful half-timbered houses that are over 370 years old.

If you choose Tangermünde as your excursion destination, among other things, you can look forward to these sights:

  • The Elbe promenade
  • The Tangermünde Castle, built around 1700 by King Frederick I, which offers a beautiful view of the Elbe and the city of Tangermünde
  • The prison tower from 1480
  • The charming half-timbered houses on Kirchstraße
  • The Town Hall with its magnificent 24 m high display wall
  • The Neustädter Gate
  • The city wall, one of the few medieval city walls still almost completely preserved, encircling the old town with a length of 1.8 km
  • The long street with its many colorful shops, restaurants, and cafés

Discovering Salzwedel

The city was once an important trading and transshipment point centered around salt. In modern times, this white gold plays little role - now the city is known for its sweet treats, especially the famous Baumkuchen.

Furthermore, Salzwedel enchants with its charming historical old town, which is almost completely preserved.

When you visit Salzwedel, you can expect:

  • The Old City Wall
  • The Knight's House from 1596
  • The New Gate and the Stone Gate
  • The beautiful old town with its half-timbered houses and many secular and sacred buildings in the style of North German Brick Gothic
  • The St. Mary's Church
  • The Danneil Museum in the former provost's residence
  • The view of the city from the Town Hall Tower of the former Town Hall of the New Town
  • The Fairy Tale Park Salzwedel

The Versatile Gardelegen

In the heart of the Altmark, Gardelegen is a city with many exciting facets. It offers both stunning natural beauty and numerous cultural and traditional highlights.

The contrasting, untouched nature invites extensive outings by bike, on horseback, or on foot, and the medieval old town awes visitors with its historical buildings.

During a vacation in Gardelegen, the following attractions await you:

  • The Town Hall with the Houseman Tower
  • The cultural landscape of Drömling and Hellberge: In the so-called Altmark Switzerland, you can discover, for example, the Elf Springs, the Ferchel Oak, or gigantic erratic boulders
  • The St. Mary's Church
  • The fortifications, which were created from the ruins of the former city fortifications at the beginning of the 19th century
  • Letzlingen Castle, the only remaining Hohenzollern castle in Saxony-Anhalt
  • The Salzwedeler Gate
  • The nature of the Colbitz-Letzlinger Heath

Idyllic Havelberg

Water, water, and more water - in and around Havelberg, everything revolves around this element. This is no surprise since the Hanseatic city lies directly at the confluence of the Havel and Elbe rivers. Therefore, it offers beautiful river panoramas as well as a wide range of water sports and unique untouched natural landscapes.

Furthermore, Havelberg boasts a history that spans over 1,000 years, which is still impressively reflected in numerous sacred buildings and monuments.

Those who declare Havelberg their destination can also look forward to a wide range of cultural offers, including exhibitions, concerts, traditional festivals, markets, and much more. Here's what you shouldn't miss:

  • Havelberg Cathedral with the Prignitz Museum and a unique view of the city island and the Havel lowlands
  • St. Laurentius Church and the hospital chapel
  • The historical Havelberg city tour, which leads you to the salt market, city school, and Krugtor
  • Numerous hiking and cycling trails such as the Elbe Cycle Path, the Altmark round route, or the bishop's tour
  • The colorful weekly market at the Town Hall
  • The brick water tower from 1890
  • The Havelberg adventure pool
  • The water tourism mile
  • Other water activities such as canoeing, rowing, fishing, etc.

Spa Town Arendsee

The state-recognized spa is idyllically located on the southern shore of the lake of the same name. This is the largest and deepest natural lake in Saxony-Anhalt and crowns the wonderfully diverse natural landscape in and around the Altmark city.

The location, lovingly referred to as the 'Pearl of the Altmark,' boasts a rich flora and fauna, untouched landscapes with ancient deciduous and pine trees, and the enchanting Arendsee.

Look forward to an unforgettable piece of nature and culture during your trip to Arendsee. There is much to discover:

  • Popular hiking routes such as the lake circuit or the 15 km hike from Arendsee to Whirler Spitze
  • The Town Hall Arendsee with its carillon
  • Sailing or pedal boating
  • The Arendsee beach
  • The Benedictine Nunnery Arendsee, which is beautifully located on the shore of Arendsee and represents a testament to a tumultuous history
  • The post mill from 1731
  • The Green Band, a biotope connection along the former inner-German border. Where walls, metal fences, and watchtowers once created a death strip, there is now a national natural heritage.

Events

What can you experience in the Altmark? A lot! The region's event and cultural calendar is well-filled throughout the year, offering everything from markets to concerts and light shows to exhibitions for varied holiday days.

Getting There

There are several ways to get to the Altmark vacation region. Whether by train, long-distance bus, or car - you have the choice.

Traveling from Berlin to Stendal If you are traveling from Berlin to the Altmark, it takes nearly 2 hours by car via B5 and B188. However, if you take the train, you'll reach your destination in less than an hour.

Traveling from Hanover to Stendal If you start from Hanover and the surrounding area, take the A2 and reach Stendal in 2.5 hours. Traveling by train is also very easy and takes about 2 hours.