Discover Havelberg

Havelberg combines a medieval old town with the expansive river landscapes of the Havel and Elbe. As an island town, it lies on a glacial ridge between the two rivers; the old town sits below St. Mary’s Cathedral. Architectural history, nature watching, and walking and cycling routes give your trip a variety of highlights.

River Landscapes and Nature

The lower Havel floodplain in Saxony-Anhalt is part of the Elbe River Landscape Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO. The floodplain in front of the Havel dike provides a habitat for species found in floodplain environments; it is also a resting area for geese, cranes, swans, wading birds and ducks. The Lower Havel Landscape Conservation Area encompasses the river landscapes of the Elbe and Havel.

A permanent exhibition at the House of Rivers showcases natural treasures along the Elbe and Havel and explores the ecological value of natural river dynamics. The grounds of the House of Rivers include a water playground, a restored Havel side channel and the historic Petroleum Island, which can be reached via a footbridge. Here, the river theme comes to life as an exhibition, a landscape and part of the town’s history. Check current access arrangements before your visit.

Cathedral, Old Town and Culture

St. Mary’s Cathedral was consecrated as a Romanesque basilica in 1170 and is on the Romanesque Road. The cathedral includes one of the few fully preserved medieval monastic complexes in northern Germany. Its historic interiors include stained-glass windows, a rood screen, early Gothic choir stalls, Passion reliefs, the Paradise Hall and a cloister. The Paradise Hall and cloister are suitable for concerts and other events.

St. Lawrence’s is the oldest building on Havelberg’s Old Town Island. The church houses a Scholtze Baroque organ dating from 1754, an ornamented sacristy cabinet and an altar. The Prignitz Museum at the Cathedral offers exhibitions, media stations, museum apps, guided tours, museum education, talks and concerts. Check the current museum program before your visit.

The historic town tour also helps visitors find their bearings: it is marked with numbered signs, and an information board at each site briefly explains its number and theme. The cathedral, church, museum and town tour each offer a different perspective for those interested in architectural history and culture.

Getting Around on Foot and by Bike

The Lug ins Land floodplain trail is a circular hiking route about 9.3 kilometers long. It starts at the House of Rivers, passes St. Mary’s Cathedral and Spülinsel, and offers views across the river floodplain. Check local conditions before setting out. At the House of Rivers, the water playground adds a playful element to the nature theme, while the exhibition focuses on natural treasures and river dynamics.

Havelberg is a cycling hub where the Elbe Cycle Route, Havel Cycle Route and Altmark Circular Cycle Route meet. The “Cycling by Numbers” system lets you plan custom routes using numbered junctions and information boards. The Havel Cycle Route, which is more than 370 kilometers long, follows the Havel from Ankershagen to its mouth at Gnevsdorf near Havelberg, where it joins the Elbe. Local routes and the long-distance river cycle route offer different options for planning your tour.

Choose Your Travel and Accommodation Plans

Travelers can reach Havelberg by train and connecting bus: from the south and west, the route is via Stendal; from the north and east, it is via Glöwen. In both cases, take bus route 900. Check the timetable before traveling. Then compare the locations of potential accommodation options with the places and routes you actually plan to visit.

Discover more destinations: Altmärkische Wische, Storkau (Elbe), Zehrental, Birkholz, Klein Schwechten, Hohenberg-Krusemark, Kamern, Arneburg.

Go to the regional travel overview: Stendal.