A riverside park and the world's tallest wooden tower, largely visited by locals rather than tourists
Elbauenpark is a large landscaped park on the eastern bank of the Elbe in Magdeburg, laid out for the 1999 national garden show (Bundesgartenschau) and kept afterward as the city's main green space, with lawns, themed gardens, a butterfly house, an adventure playground, and a cable car crossing the Elbe to the old town. At its centre stands the Jahrtausendturm, or Millennium Tower, a 60-metre wooden spiral structure certified by Guinness World Records as the tallest timber building of its kind, built around a central steel core with a helical wooden lattice wrapped around it. Inside, a spiralling exhibition on the history of science and technology climbs through the tower's interior, covering subjects from ancient engineering to space flight, before visitors reach an enclosed viewing platform near the top with views over the park, the Elbe, and Magdeburg's skyline including the cathedral. A full visit combining the tower's exhibition and the viewing platform takes about 60 to 90 minutes; adding a walk through the wider park and gardens extends a visit to half a day. The park is busiest on summer weekends with local families, but the tower itself, being a paid attraction inside the free park, rarely has queues even then. Late afternoon light from the viewing platform gives the best views over the Elbe and the old town skyline.
Highlights
- The Jahrtausendturm, the world's tallest wooden tower structure
- A spiral science and technology exhibition climbing through the tower's interior
- An enclosed viewing platform with views over the Elbe and Magdeburg's skyline
- Landscaped Bundesgartenschau gardens and a butterfly house in the surrounding park
- A cable car linking the park to Magdeburg's old town across the Elbe
Tips for visiting
- Entry to Elbauenpark itself is ticketed at the park gates; the Jahrtausendturm requires a separate or combined admission
- Visit on a weekday to avoid the local family crowds that fill the park on summer weekends
- The cable car across the Elbe operates seasonally, so check it is running before planning a return route through the old town
- Wear comfortable shoes, as the tower's interior exhibition is reached by a continuous upward spiral walkway with no lift to the top
- Combine the tower visit with a walk through the themed gardens and butterfly house while inside the park
When to visit
Weekday mornings or late afternoons are quietest; late afternoon also gives the clearest light for views over the Elbe from the tower's viewing platform.
Accessibility
The park's paths are largely flat and wheelchair-friendly, but the Jahrtausendturm's interior is a continuous spiral ramp with no lift, which limits access to the upper viewing platform for wheelchair users.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
The Jahrtausendturm exhibition and viewing platform take about 60 to 90 minutes; a full visit including the park's gardens can fill half a day.
Is it worth it for kids?
Yes, the park's adventure playground and butterfly house alongside the tower's hands-on science exhibits make it a strong family destination.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is permitted throughout the park and inside the tower, including from the viewing platform at the top.
Is the tower accessible by lift?
No, the interior exhibition is reached only via the spiral walkway; there is no lift to the upper viewing platform.