Discover Havelberg
Accommodation in Havelberg
Havelberg is an island town situated on a glacial ridge between the Havel and Elbe rivers. The medieval old town stretches below the cathedral, while broad river lowlands shape the landscape. Different priorities may influence your choice of stay: architectural history and churches, nature along the rivers, or a hiking and cycling route. Havelberg brings these themes together, though they do not all make for the same kind of outing.
Riverside landscape and nature
The Lower Havel Lowlands in Saxony-Anhalt are part of the UNESCO-recognized Elbe River Landscape Biosphere Reserve. The Havel dike foreland is a habitat for floodplain species and a resting area for geese, cranes, swans, waders and ducks. The Lower Havel Landscape Protection Area encompasses the river landscapes of the Elbe and Havel. Together, these areas reveal different aspects of river nature: protected landscapes, habitats in the foreland and the importance of river dynamics.
These river dynamics are also the focus of the House of Rivers. Its permanent exhibition explores natural treasures along the Elbe and Havel and the ecological value of natural rivers. The grounds feature a water playground, a renaturalized section of the Havel and the historic Petroleum Island, accessible via a footbridge. If you plan to visit the exhibition and outdoor area, check access conditions before your visit.
Cathedral, old town and history
St. Mary's Cathedral was consecrated as a Romanesque basilica in 1170. It is on the Romanesque Road and includes one of the few fully preserved medieval monastery complexes in northern Germany. The cathedral's historic interior features stained-glass windows, a rood screen, an Early Gothic choir stall, Passion reliefs, the Paradise Hall and a cloister. The Paradise Hall and cloister are suitable venues for concerts and other events.
On the old town island stands St. Lawrence's, Havelberg's oldest building. Its furnishings include a Baroque organ by Scholtze dating from 1754, a decorated sacristy cabinet and an altar. These two churches offer contrasting facets of architectural history: the Romanesque cathedral with its monastery complex and the older building on the old town island with its Baroque organ.
The Prignitz Museum at the cathedral offers exhibitions, media stations and museum apps, as well as guided tours, museum education programs, lectures and concerts. As program details may change, it is advisable to check them before your visit. The historic town tour also helps with orientation: it is marked with numbered signs, and each site has an information board with the site's number and a brief description.
On foot and by bike
The Auenpfad Lug ins Land circular trail is about 9.3 kilometers long and starts at the House of Rivers. It passes St. Mary's Cathedral and SpĂĽlinsel and offers views across the river lowlands. The approximate route length helps you gauge the scale of the hike; check local trail conditions before setting out.
For cycling travelers, Havelberg is a hub where the Elbe Cycle Route, Havel Cycle Route and Altmark Cycle Circuit meet. The “Cycling by Numbers” system helps you plan individual routes using numbered junctions and information boards. The Havel Cycle Route runs for more than 370 kilometers from Ankershagen to where the Havel flows into the Elbe at Gnevsdorf, near Havelberg. This allows you to choose between cycling individual numbered sections and taking in the longer river route; check local route conditions before your ride.
Plan your journey
If traveling by train, you will need to take a connecting bus to Havelberg: from the south and west, travel via Stendal on bus route 900; from the north and east, travel via Glöwen, also on route 900. Check the bus connection for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Stendal, Osterburg, Zehrental, Aland, Bismark/Kläden, Hassel, Klietz, Rochau.
Go to the main travel overview: Stendal.
