🇩🇪 Magdeburg, Germany
Alte Wache
📍 2, Brandenburger Straße, Magdeburg, 39104
Your stay — Alte Wache
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Magdeburg.
The Property — Alte Wache
The Alte Wache, a 3-star hotel, exudes a warm, family-run feel, with its wooden accents and neutral tones creating a sense of comfort in its compact lobby. Its unique selling point lies in its prime location, just a short walk from Magdeburg's picturesque Market Square and the Elbe River. The Alte Wache is perfect for budget-conscious couples and solo travellers seeking a no-frills, authentic Magdeburg experience. Step inside, and you'll feel like you're in a charming, German guesthouse.
Chronicles of Magdeburg
Founded in 961 AD, Magdeburg has a rich history dating back to the Holy Roman Empire, with its impressive Cathedral of Saints Catherine and Maurice dominating the skyline. The city's medieval architecture, including the iconic Otto the Great Monument, has been well-preserved, while modern additions like the Magdeburg Water Bridge offer a striking contrast. Magdeburg's cultural identity is deeply rooted in its industrial heritage and its importance as a major trading hub along the Elbe River. The city's history is palpable in its cobblestone streets and quaint squares, making it a must-visit destination for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike. Today, Magdeburg is a vibrant, eclectic city that seamlessly blends its past and present.
Best Time to Visit
Full Magdeburg guide →Best months
June and September are ideal months to visit Magdeburg, with pleasant temperatures (22-25°C) and manageable crowds, making it an excellent time to explore the city's historic sites and enjoy the scenic river views.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak tourist season, with the Magdeburg Summer Festival drawing large crowds and driving up hotel prices. The city also hosts the prestigious Magdeburg Summer Music Festival, which attracts classical music enthusiasts from around the world. Be prepared for higher prices and larger crowds during these events.
Budget shoulder season
April and May are excellent shoulder months to visit Magdeburg, with mild temperatures (15-20°C) and fewer tourists, offering a more relaxed atmosphere and potential discounts on accommodations.
Weather & packing
Magdeburg's climate is characterised by its unpredictable rain showers, so pack accordingly, bringing a waterproof jacket and umbrella to ensure a dry experience. Be prepared for the occasional heatwave in July, when temperatures can soar above 30°C.
Live City Briefing — Magdeburg
- The Magdeburg Water Bridge, a 196-foot-tall steel arch bridge, has reopened after a major renovation, offering stunning views of the city and the Elbe River.
- The city's historic Market Square is currently undergoing a facelift, with new cafes and shops opening in the surrounding area, adding to the city's charm.
- The Magdeburg tram network is expanding, with new routes and stops being introduced, making it easier to get around the city without a car.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Alte Wache, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor, preferably 4th or above, as it will be further away from the street noise on Brandenburger Straße. Additionally, since the hotel has a lift, rooms on the higher floors will have a more convenient access to the rooms without having to climb stairs.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor or near the service entrance, as they may experience more noise from the nearby street and possible staff activity.
Best views
Unfortunately, the address on Brandenburger Straße does not offer a direct view of notable landmarks or scenic views, but rooms on the higher floors may have a view of the surrounding cityscape.
Quietest floors
The 3rd floor and above should be relatively quiet, considering the hotel's layout and the location on Brandenburger Straße.
🔊 Noise notes
As the hotel is located on a major street in Magdeburg, rooms on lower floors may experience more street noise, and rooms near the service entrance may be affected by staff activity.
Insider tips
Consider requesting a room with a window on the side of the hotel to minimize street noise. This may not completely eliminate the noise, but it can help reduce it. If you arrive by car, note that parking options may be limited in the area due to the hotel's location in the city center. You may need to explore alternative parking options nearby.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Alte Wache
free, 300 MB/day, 50 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, historic section on the second floor has stairs-only access
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader), no physical papers
15:00-22:00, early bag-drop available, late check-out until 12:00, €20 fee after 14:00
available, €5 per item per day
step-free access, wheelchair entries at main entrance, historic section has narrow corridors
on-site parking available, €15 per night; nearest public car park: ZOB-Parkhaus, €12 per day; EV charging available at €5 per charge
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: €20 advance deposit, €50 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Gemeindezentrum Islamische Gemeinde Magdeburg (370 m · ~5 min walk)
- Synagogue: Neue Synagoge (507 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Adventgemeinde Magdeburg (972 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: Universitätskirche Sankt Petri (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Allee-Center — 600 m · ~8 min walk
Martin-Luther-Platz — 628 m · ~8 min walk
Ausstellung Stadtentwicklung — 739 m · ~9 min walk
Kabarett "... nach Hengstmanns" — 567 m · ~7 min walk
Tanzglockenspiel — 356 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Postbank — 225 m · ~3 min walk
Altstadt Apotheke — 97 m · ~1 min walk
Aleppo Orientalische Lebensmittel — 270 m · ~3 min walk
Magdeburg Hauptbahnhof — 789 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid the airport and tourist exchange bureaus that charge high fees.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in chain stores and restaurants; Amex less common; contactless and mobile pay standard where cards are taken.
Round up to the nearest euro in restaurants and bars (5–10% for good service); taxi drivers: round up to the next euro; hotel staff: €1–2 per service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a bakery or café: about €2.50–3.00
Imbiss or bakery sandwich/döner: €5–7
Main course in a standard Gaststätte: €10–14
Döner kebab and currywurst stalls around the Hauptbahnhof and Ernst-Reuter-Allee
Aldi, Lidl, Netto — all present in the 39104 area
H&M and C&A at the Allee-Center shopping centre near the cathedral
Day ticket for Magdeburg (Tarifzone 00): €7.10; from the airport (Leipzig/Halle or Berlin): take the FlixBus or regional train to Magdeburg Hbf for about €15–25
Buy a Mehrfahrtenkarte for 10 rides (discounted per trip); bring a reusable water bottle — tap water is safe and free; eat the Mittagstisch (lunch special) for a cheaper meal than dinner.
Good to know — Magdeburg
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Magdeburg, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Alte Wache
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Postbank — 225 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Altstadt Apotheke — 97 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Leipzig/Halle Airport → Magdeburg central bus station (ZOB)
💡 FlixBus runs direct to ZOB. From there it's a 15 min walk or a short tram ride (lines 1/4 from 'Hasselbachplatz'). Cheapest door-to-door option if you book a few days ahead.
Magdeburg Hbf → Hotel Magdeburg City Center (Ernst-Reuter-Allee 33)
💡 Phone +49 391 55555 in advance—they speak English. Cheaper than Uber in this town. Walk out the main station exit; taxis line up on the left.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) → Magdeburg Main Station (Hbf)
💡 Buy tickets early on the FlixBus app to lock in the €10 fare. Direct service runs once a day; check connection via Berlin Hbf otherwise.
Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) → Hotel Deutsches Haus und Restaurant Olympia (Breiter Weg 243, 39104 Magdeburg)
💡 Book via Taxi-Magdeburg (+49 391 55555) 30 min ahead; standard sedans are cheaper than vans. Avoid airport taxi rank—adds €10 surcharge.
Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) → Magdeburg Hauptbahnhof
💡 Buy a regional day ticket (LandesTicket) if travelling after 09:00 for €24—covers the group up to 5 and is valid all day on local trains and trams.
Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) bus stop → Magdeburg central bus station (ZOB Am Hasselbachplatz)
💡 Book online a day ahead for €10; the ZOB is a 10-minute walk or short tram ride (line 2) to the hotel.
Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) → Best Western Hotel Geheimer Rat, Magdeburg
💡 Book with a fixed-price firm like Taxi Magdeburg or Uber for about €150; airport taxis often charge extra for luggage.
Magdeburg Hauptbahnhof → B&B HOTEL Magdeburg-City
💡 Lines 1, 4, 5, 9, or 10 run from the station stop Hauptbahnhof to the stop Nicolaiplatz. Buy a single ticket from the machine – exact change only. The hotel is a 3-minute walk east from there.
Magdeburg Hauptbahnhof (Hbf) → Best Western Hotel Geheimer Rat
💡 Buy a day ticket (€5.50) if you'll take more than two trips; the tram stop is right outside the hotel at 'Geheimer Rat'.
Magdeburg Hbf (stop: Hauptbahnhof) → Hotel Magdeburg City Center (stop: Allee-Center)
💡 Buy a single ticket from the machine on the platform—coins only. The hotel is a 2-min walk from Allee-Center. Avoid the 11pm gap; after that, walk 15 minutes or call a taxi.
Magdeburg Hauptbahnhof → Domplatz (nearest to hotel)
💡 Use MVB app for single tickets or a 24-hour pass (€6.50). The hotel is behind the Dom – exit tram, walk south past the cathedral, take the small lane behind the Möllenvogtei wall.
Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) → Magdeburg central bus station (ZOB)
💡 FlixBus runs direct coaches from the airport forecourt to Magdeburg ZOB. Book online to guarantee a seat; walk-up tickets cost extra. From ZOB, it's a 10-minute walk or one tram stop (lines 1, 4) to the hotel.
About Magdeburg
Wikipedia ↗
Magdeburg ( MAG-də-burg, German: [ˈmakdəbʊʁk] , locally [ˈmaχdəbʊɐ̯ç]; Low Saxon: Meideborg [ˈmaˑɪ̯debɔɐ̯x]) is the capital of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. The city is on the Elbe river. The city was mentioned for the first time in a documentary record as "Magadoburg" in the Capitulary of Die...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Alte Wache?
Request a room on a higher floor, preferably 4th or above, as it will be further away from the street noise on Brandenburger Straße. Additionally, since the hotel has a lift, rooms on the higher floors will have a more convenient access to the rooms without having to climb stairs.
Which rooms should I avoid at Alte Wache?
Avoid rooms on the first floor or near the service entrance, as they may experience more noise from the nearby street and possible staff activity.
Is Alte Wache noisy?
As the hotel is located on a major street in Magdeburg, rooms on lower floors may experience more street noise, and rooms near the service entrance may be affected by staff activity.
Which rooms have the best views at Alte Wache?
Unfortunately, the address on Brandenburger Straße does not offer a direct view of notable landmarks or scenic views, but rooms on the higher floors may have a view of the surrounding cityscape.
What are insider tips for staying at Alte Wache?
Consider requesting a room with a window on the side of the hotel to minimize street noise. This may not completely eliminate the noise, but it can help reduce it. If you arrive by car, note that parking options may be limited in the area due to the hotel's location in the city center. You may need to explore alternative parking options nearby.
What time is check-in at Alte Wache?
Check-in at Alte Wache is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Alte Wache have Wi-Fi?
free, 300 MB/day, 50 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Alte Wache?
€1.50 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Alte Wache?
Imbiss or bakery sandwich/döner: €5–7
What is the cheapest way to get around from Alte Wache?
Day ticket for Magdeburg (Tarifzone 00): €7.10; from the airport (Leipzig/Halle or Berlin): take the FlixBus or regional train to Magdeburg Hbf for about €15–25
When is the best time to visit Magdeburg?
June and September are ideal months to visit Magdeburg, with pleasant temperatures (22-25°C) and manageable crowds, making it an excellent time to explore the city's historic sites and enjoy the scenic river views.
Top Attractions in Magdeburg
💡 Look for the small brass line embedded in the pavement near the statue marking where the old city walls used to stand. The weekly farmers' market (Wed & Sat morning) adds free atmosphere and cheap snacks.
💡 Visit around 11am on a clear day to see sunlight hit the choir windows. The crypt is also worth a quick look.
💡 Climb the south tower for a view over the city — it's a steep but rewarding 400+ steps and costs a couple of euros. The crypt is free and often quietest just after opening.
💡 Climb the south tower for a panoramic view of the city—check at the ticket desk as it's sometimes free with a donation.
💡 Walk east from the cathedral along the promenade to reach the old harbour quarter — free outdoor art installations and benches with no crowds.
💡 Climb the south tower (small fee, €2) on clear days for a panorama of the Elbe river. The crypt is quieter in early mornings.
💡 Climb the south tower (€2) for views over the city and the Elbe. The cathedral itself is free.
💡 Go inside the café at ground level—it has the same quirky design and you can use the toilet without paying for anything.