Holidays in the Altmark
The Altmark is located in Saxony-Anhalt and borders the Wendland in the north and the Prignitz in the northeast. The region is one of the oldest cultural landscapes in Germany and is still an insider tip for travelers looking for peace, nature and history.
The Altmark has very fertile soils, which were responsible for the region’s wealth in the past. Some of the towns still boast impressive buildings in beautiful brick Gothic style that reflect this era. Towns such as Stendal, Salzwedel and Arendsee invite you to discover their charming old towns, historic buildings and cultural attractions. Salzwedel in particular is known for its half-timbered houses and the famous Baumkuchen craft.
A vacation in the Altmark is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The region impresses with its vast landscapes, which are characterized by meadows, forests, heathland and agricultural land. This idyllic setting invites you to enjoy nature to the full and find peace and quiet.
Exploring the region by bike is particularly popular, as the flat landscape of the North German Plain is ideal for this. Hikers and canoeists also get their money’s worth here, as the region offers well-developed paths and idyllic rivers such as the Elbe and the Aland.
In addition to nature and culture, the Altmark also has plenty of culinary delights to offer. Regional specialties such as Salzwedeler Baumkuchen or local agricultural products make your stay an experience for gourmets too.
Holidays in the Altmark – excursion tips
We take the regional train to a town where time seems to stand still, where medieval architecture and modern culture interweave seamlessly. Stendal, a jewel of the Altmark region, invites you to take a journey through its winding alleyways.
From Wittenberge in the Prignitz region, a fantastically beautiful cycle path leads along the Elbe, where you can follow in the footsteps of German-German history and also discover a unique natural landscape.
In the Altmark, about two kilometres from Aulosen, is the Stresow Memorial and Meeting Place, which commemorates the village of Stresow and its history. The borderland tour along the Elbe leads visitors here for a good reason.
Accommodation options in the region
Hotel Schwarzer Adler Stendal
Hotel Anna
Pension am Schrotturm Bed & Breakfast
Ringhotel Schloss Tangermünde
Travel information for the Altmark
Arrival
By plane
There are no international airports in the Altmark. The nearest departure points are in Berlin, Leipzig, Hannover and Hamburg and are at least 150 – 200 kilometres away.
By car
Those arriving by car will not find any motorways in the region. The planned connections to the region have not yet been completed. So there is nothing left to do but to approach the region via federal highways and country roads.
By train
The most important railway junction in the Altmark is Stendal. ICE trains from Hannover-Berlin and Magdeburg-Stendal stop here. IC connections and regional trains also stop regularly in Stendal.
By boat
The Elbe runs through the region and is navigable.
On the way ...
By bus
Many of the smaller towns are very rarely served by buses. Often only in the mornings to take the pupils to school and then again after school. Some places have therefore set up call buses. These run on request, but must also be booked in good time. In Osterburg there is a citizens’ bus, which is partly run by former bus drivers.
Buses run regularly in and between the larger towns.
By bike
The Elbe Cycle Route, the Havel Cycle Route and the Altmark Circular Route run through the region. In total, you will find about 1500 kilometres of well-signposted cycle paths in the Altmark.
On foot
Around 700 kilometres of signposted hiking trails criss-cross the Altmark region.