Saxony-Anhalt sits at the historical heart of Germany, stretching along the Elbe and Saale rivers between the Harz mountains in the west and the Fläming heathland in the east. Its capital, Magdeburg, anchors the north, while Halle (Saale), the state's largest city, dominates the south. The state holds five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the medieval half-timbered old town of Quedlinburg, the Luther Memorials in Wittenberg and Eisleben where the Protestant Reformation began, Naumburg Cathedral with its celebrated 13th-century sculpture, the Bauhaus buildings in Dessau, and the landscaped Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Brockenbahn Steam Railway Ride
A ride on the historic narrow-gauge steam railway from Wernigerode or Schierke up to the Brocken summit, a favourite with children for the working steam locomotive as much as the mountain views.
Price: Adults from €47 (~$50.75) round trip; children (4-14) roughly half price; under 4 free on a parent's lap
Bodetal Cable Cars and Hexentanzplatz Amusement Park
A short cable car ride from Thale up to either the Rosstrappe or Hexentanzplatz plateau, where a small amusement park, playgrounds, and an open-air theatre at Hexentanzplatz give children plenty to do beyond the scenery.
Price: Cable car around €9 (~$9.75) one-way per person; amusement park rides priced individually, roughly €2-4 (~$2.15-$4.30) each
Titan RT Suspension Bridge and Rappbodetalsperre Visitor Area
Walking across the Titan RT suspension bridge above the Rappbodetalsperre reservoir is a memorable outing for older children and teens comfortable with heights, while younger children can enjoy the dam visitor area and viewpoints without crossing the bridge itself.
Price: Bridge crossing from €14 (~$15.15) adults, discounted child tickets available; visitor area and viewpoints free
Halloren Schokoladenfabrik Museum and Shop
A chocolate factory museum and shop in Halle where children can see historical chocolate-making equipment and sample or buy pralines from Germany's oldest chocolate producer.
Price: Shop entry free; museum admission typically around €3-5 (~$3.25-$5.40) per person
Skiliftkarussell Schierke Sledding Slopes
Dedicated sledding slopes in Schierke, separate from the ski lifts, give families a snow day option in winter without needing skiing experience.
Price: Sledge hire from €8 (~$8.65) per day; slope access typically free or a small nominal fee
Ilsetal Valley Waterfall Walk
A gentle, well-shaded valley walk from Ilsenburg Abbey to the Ilsefälle waterfalls, short and scenic enough for families with young children, with plenty of spots to pause by the water.
Price: Free
Quedlinburg Old Town Exploration and Schlossberg Castle
Wandering Quedlinburg's UNESCO-listed half-timbered old town and climbing to the Schlossberg castle and collegiate church gives children a hands-on introduction to medieval history without a formal museum visit.
Price: Old town free to explore; Schlossberg castle museum admission around €6 (~$6.50) adults, discounted for children
Barleber See and Neustädter See Swimming
Magdeburg's two main lake beaches both have playgrounds, shallow entry points, and kiosks, making them straightforward, low-cost family swimming outings without needing to travel far from the city.
Price: Admission around €3-3.50 (~$3.25-$3.80) adults, €1.50-2 (~$1.60-$2.15) children
Rotkäppchen Erlebniswelt Interactive Exhibition
The Rotkäppchen sparkling wine cellars in Freyburg include over 50 interactive exhibition stations, many designed to engage children with the science and history of winemaking rather than being a straightforward wine tasting.
Price: Adults around €12-15 (~$13-$16.20); reduced child pricing available
Magdeburg Christmas Market and Cathedral Square
The illuminated stalls, carousel rides, and festive food at Magdeburg's Christmas market around the cathedral give families an easy, low-cost winter outing in the state capital.
Price: Free to browse; individual food items and carousel rides typically €2-5 (~$2.15-$5.40) each
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Most German restaurants, including those in Saxony-Anhalt's towns, offer a Kinderteller (children's plate) at a reduced price, though smaller village Gasthäuser may not always have one listed — asking is worthwhile
Harz village bakeries and Konditoreien (cake shops) are a reliable, affordable stop for a mid-hike snack that keeps children fuelled between attractions
Halle and Magdeburg both have a good spread of casual, family-friendly restaurants around their main squares, generally more flexible on timing than the historically fixed lunch and dinner service hours of smaller Harz villages
Freyburg and Naumburg's wine-focused restaurants are geared more toward adults; families staying in the Saale-Unstrut valley may find simpler options in Naumburg's main pedestrian street more reliable for younger children
Water is not always served free or automatically with a meal in Germany — tap water can usually be requested, though many restaurants default to selling bottled mineral water
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
The Harz's steeper trails and the Titan RT bridge are best reserved for families with children old enough to manage sustained walking or comfortable with heights; the Ilsetal and Bodetal valley-floor paths suit younger children better than summit routes
Regional trains across Saxony-Anhalt, including the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen steam network, generally allow child fares and space for buggies, though narrow-gauge carriages can be tighter than standard regional trains
Sun protection matters even on cloudy Harz summit days, since the Brocken plateau is more exposed and windier than valley towns
Public toilets are not always available directly on hiking trails outside main visitor centres (Torfhaus, Schierke, Nationalparkhaus Criewen-style facilities); planning around town stops is sensible for families with young children
Saxony-Anhalt's lake beaches vary in depth and supervision — Barleber See and Neustädter See in Magdeburg have designated shallow areas, while some of the larger former mining lakes such as Geiseltalsee are deep close to shore and better suited to confident young swimmers with adult supervision