Saxônia-Anhalt · Germany

Salzwedel and the Altmark

Hanseatic town in the Altmark, in northern Saxony-Anhalt, with Gothic brick churches, hundreds of half-timbered houses, the remains of the medieval castle and the Baumkuchen tradition.

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In the photo: Historic center of Salzwedel, in the Altmark, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Altmark is the northern part of Saxony-Anhalt, a flat region of fields, forests and small rivers between the Elbe and Lower Saxony. The area presents itself as land of Hanseatic towns and as the place of Prussian roots. It lies off Germany’s most popular routes and attracts fewer visitors than the larger cities.

Salzwedel, in the northwest of the Altmark, is the gateway. The town was part of the Hanseatic League from 1263 to 1518 and officially uses the title Hansestadt. The old town, surrounded by arms of the Jeetze River and stretches of wall, contains more than 570 half-timbered buildings, brick churches of northern German Gothic and two medieval gates.

The churches of St. Mary, St. Catherine and St. Lawrence show three stages of brick architecture, from late Romanesque to Gothic. The former Franciscan church has been turned into a concert hall, and the Renaissance house next to St. Mary’s church houses the regional history museum, with an altarpiece from the workshop of Lucas Cranach the Younger. At the northern edge of the center, the round castle tower rises in a public garden.

Salzwedel is also known for the Salzwedeler Baumkuchen, a cake baked in thin layers on a spit over the fire. In some bakeries in town it is possible to watch the preparation. To the north, the former border strip between the two Germanies has become a nature corridor, the Grünes Band.

This destination brings together 1 city: Salzwedel.

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Where Salzwedel and the Altmark is

Contornos: © BKG (2026), dl-de/by-2-0. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Salzwedel and the Altmark

The region has no airport of its own. The nearest airports with international flights are in Hanover, Hamburg and Berlin, and from there you continue by train. Salzwedel station is on the line between Uelzen and Stendal: via Uelzen come the trains from Hamburg and Hanover, and via Stendal those from Magdeburg and Berlin. Check connections before traveling.

Saxônia-Anhalt · Salzwedel and the Altmark

Salzwedel

Hanseatic town in the northwest of the Altmark, in Saxony-Anhalt. The old town, surrounded by arms of the Jeetze River, has more than 570 half-timbered houses and three medieval brick churches: St. Mary, St. Catherine and St. Lawrence. The former Franciscan church has been turned into a concert hall, the Danneil museum holds an altarpiece from Cranach’s workshop and the castle tower rises in a public garden. It is the town of Salzwedeler Baumkuchen.

The local experience

Things to do in Salzwedel and the Altmark

Salzwedel · Saxônia-Anhalt · Church

St. Marien Salzwedel

Salzwedel’s largest church, a brick Gothic basilica with five naves and a tower just over 80 metres high, slightly leaning. In the chancel is a carved altarpiece from 1510 measuring eight metres in height.

Salzwedel · Saxônia-Anhalt · Church

St. Catherine's Church (Katharinenkirche Salzwedel)

Brick Gothic church of Salzwedel’s old Neustadt, begun in 1280, with a bronze baptismal font from 1421, a carved altarpiece from 1474 and medieval chancel stained glass.

Salzwedel · Saxônia-Anhalt · Church

St. Lorenz Church (Lorenzkirche Salzwedel)

Brick basilica from the mid-13th century, in the transition from Romanesque to Gothic. It served as a salt depot for over a century and today is a Catholic church, a stop on the Straße der Romanik.

Salzwedel · Saxônia-Anhalt · Museum

Danneil Museum (Johann-Friedrich-Danneil-Museum)

Museum of Altmark history in a Renaissance manor house from 1578, next to the church of Santa Maria. It houses the Retable of the Vineyard from the workshop of Lucas Cranach the Younger and finds from the region’s prehistory.

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Salzwedel · Saxônia-Anhalt · Garden

Castle Garden (Burggarten Salzwedel)

Public garden on the northern edge of the center, on the site of the former Salzwedel castle. The round tower of about 24 metres from the late 12th century remains, as well as sections of the wall and the moat.

Salzwedel · Saxônia-Anhalt · Concert hall

Klosterkirche Salzwedel

Former church of the Franciscan convent, dating to around 1250, attached to Salzwedel’s town hall. Since 1986 it has been used as a concert and exhibition hall.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From May to September the days are long and milder, good for walking around the center and cycling through the region. In winter, from December to February, it is cold, the days are short and the weather is often damp. Rain is spread throughout the year. During Advent, from late November to Christmas, Baumkuchen becomes even more prominent in bakeries.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

One full day is enough for Salzwedel’s historic center: the three medieval churches, the Danneil museum, the former Franciscan church and the castle garden, with time to taste the Baumkuchen. With two days you can add a bike ride around the region or a trip to the Grünes Band north of town.

Which city to stay in

Salzwedel’s historic center, between Burgstraße and St. Mary’s church, makes everything walkable: the churches, the museum, the castle garden and the half-timbered streets. The streets near St. Catherine’s church, in the old New Town, are a few minutes from the center and are quieter. The station area, north of the center, is convenient for those arriving and departing by train and is about a ten-minute walk from the churches.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Salzwedel and the Altmark

Where is Salzwedel located?

In the northwest of the Altmark, the northern region of the state of Saxony-Anhalt, near the border with Lower Saxony. It lies between Hamburg, Hanover, Berlin and Magdeburg, but far from all of them: access is usually by train, via Uelzen or via Stendal.

How to get to Salzwedel by train?

The town has a station on the line between Uelzen and Stendal. Those coming from Hamburg or Hanover generally change at Uelzen; those coming from Berlin or Magdeburg at Stendal. Schedules and connections change throughout the year: check before traveling.

How many days to stay in Salzwedel?

One day covers the historic center, with the churches, the museum and the castle garden. Two days allow you to also explore the surroundings by bike, or the Grünes Band nature strip north of town.

Do I need a car to visit Salzwedel?

For the town, no: the center is walkable from the station. A car helps to explore the villages and landscapes of the Altmark, where public transport is more infrequent. The region is far from motorways and is traversed by federal roads.

What is Salzwedel’s Baumkuchen?

It is a cake baked in thin layers on a spit that turns in front of the fire, with rings that resemble those of a cut tree trunk. It is the town’s best-known specialty and has its own page in the Flavours of Germany.

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Salzwedel and the Altmark

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

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