Insider tip Altmark: Three days in Stendal, Tangermünde and Tangerhütte

insider tip Altmark

The Altmark is a real insider tip. Stendal Tangermünde and Tangerhütte are on the program of our three-day travel blogger travel through the Altmark in Saxony-Anhalt. We are as Altmark Blogger invited by the Altmark tourism region. The first thing we notice are the thick, gnarled trees that stand everywhere in the meadows. With every tree that I see, I wonder how old it might be. The second thing is the unmistakable silence of the region. I had not expected such silence in Europe. I have only known this from the north Canada or Alaska. There is something calming about this silence. Something slowing down. It accompanies us on our entire journey through the Altmark.

 

 

Our route through the Altmark

 

 

Silence and park landscapes around Stendal Tangermünde and Tangerhütte

Maybe it's because we stay in hotels and estates outside of the cities during our trip? Our accommodations are in tiny villages. They are either surrounded by parks that the ancestors of the current owners created many centuries ago. Or they are on the outskirts of the village and give us a view of the green expanses of the Altmark.

 

 

In any case, we are very close to nature. So close that on the last morning of our stay in the Altmark, I was woken up by the sound of the wind in the treetops outside our bedroom window. Stendal, Tangermünde and Tangerhütte are never far from where we stay overnight. Nevertheless, we really enjoy this closeness to nature.

 

 

Our insider tip in the Altmark: three days in and around Stendal Tangermünde and Tangerhütte

These three cities are the largest towns in the southeastern Altmark. From Magdeburg it takes just under an hour by car. From Berlin it takes just under an hour longer. From Wolfsburg or Hanover it takes about an hour by car. By train it is even quicker. However, you don't notice this in the villages and towns of the region. Life here is quiet and tranquil. Only Tangermünde is a bit more going on during our visit. The reason is this year's lantern run. This will take place for the tenth time in 2025, on Friday, August 22nd, 2025.

 

 

We start our tour through the Altmark at the Gutshof Ottersburg. Its owner Eberhard Kobe bought after the turn of the majority of the estate of his ancestors back and builds it out to a hunting school. He also rents part of the buildings as holiday homes. The farm is located in a park with ancient trees.

Digital detox in the Altmark

We can forget our usual online ritual in this region. Access to the Internet is rare. Unless we are in one of the cities. Or our hosts have their own Wi-Fi connection. But this also contributes to a peaceful stay in the Altmark. Here, there is nothing to distract you from the beauties of nature or the cultural heritage that is currently being restored or has already been restored.

Our sights in the Altmark

 

Stendal in the Altmark

From Ottersburg we drive to the largest town in the region Stendal, The former Hanseatic city has preserved part of its medieval cityscape. Two city gates stand on driveways to the city. Impressive we also find the Marienkirche. She watches over the market square of the city as a fine example of brick Gothic together with the Roland statue.

 

 

Tangermünde

From food bars to cow tail beer

In Tangermünde In addition to the sights, we also get to know the culinary specialties in the Stehwien confectionery. They produce nutritional sticks like in the GDR days. But there is also fair trade chocolate in various flavors. The original Magdeburger Kugeln also come from here. "We kept the name 'Nährstange' because it sounds so weird," laughs Olaf Stehwien, the manager.

 

 

Culinary continues in the restaurant Exempel. There we try the cow tail beer. Supposedly, this has been around since the Middle Ages. At least that's how the landlady tells us in an example. Before you started brewing beer, you drove the cattle away from the banks of the Elbe. Only one cow was allowed to keep her tail in the water that day. But she can not tell us if that's how it was. Instead, I try the cow's tail beer for lunch. However, I prefer the beer in the glass. The beer goulash meets less my taste.

 

 

On the way to Bismarck's Land

After a tour through Tangermünde, the journey continues to the Gutshaus Welle. This, like many of the mansions in the region, belongs to the Bismarck family. There we are expected by the owners who are preparing a family celebration. A wedding is imminent. It is celebrated according to the standards in the Gutshof Welle.

Dr. Brita von Götz-Mohr, the current owner, tells us that the original line of the Bismarck fell into three parts, as Spa Prince Johann Georg von Brandenburg in 16. Century the master castle of the Bismarcks in Burgstall demanded back. Instead, Frederick I received from Bismarck goods that took over his descendants: Krevese, to which Briest and wave were added later, and Schönhausen. Otto von Bismarck, the first German Chancellor, came from the Schönhauser line.

 

 

From Welle we drive on to Dahrenstedt, where we live in an artistic ambience in the Kunsthof of Dr. med. Hejo Heussen and Monika von Puttkamer stay overnight. Several years ago the two bought a square farm in Dahrenstedt, which they converted into a scholarship house, a gallery and an art garden. They also rent holiday apartments and rooms in one of the former farm buildings. Here we spend our second night on the journey with a view of the green expanse of the Altmark. Again, we enjoy the silence of the countryside again.

 

 

An Altmark insider tip for garden lovers: New Castle and Garden Dream Park in Tangerhütte

We begin the third day of our trip to the area around Stendal, Tangermünde and Tangerhütte with a visit to the New Palace and the Garden Dream Park in Tangerhütte. "Actually, this is not a palace," Andreas Brohm explains. "Bog iron ore was found here at the beginning of the 19th century. The entrepreneur built himself a manor house."

On a walk through the park we discover evidence of the wealth of this region. Today the town is working on revitalizing the park and the New Palace. There are also plans to restore the industrial ruins and the Old Palace. The park and palaces are definitely worth a visit.

 

 

Back in Bismarck's country in the manor Briest

In the Briest manor house, Maren von Bismarck shows us how far the restoration work on the manor house and the old brewery has progressed. A mammoth task that needs to be accomplished. However, the gardens already show the beauty of this country estate. The rooms in the manor house and in the brewery have been newly restored.

Large parties, lectures, concerts, theater and readings also take place there. The brewery will be open to the public again from November. A walk through the park is free. There is also the first Protestant estate chapel on the grounds, which is used for events and church services.

 

 

Insider tip in the Altmark: The post mill in Grieben

After a leisurely lunch break at the Landgasthof in Grieben, we finally visit the windmill of the village. It is a special kind of windmill. It is designed so that you could turn your wings into the wind. Meanwhile, however, their wings are moving with the help of electricity. Seemingly weightless and without wind power, they circle in circles for interested visitors. However, they no longer grind grain.

 

 

Altmark Excursion destinations for cycling tours on the Elbe Cycle Path

Again and again cyclists drive past the mill. We are here very close to the Elbe Cycle Route. This is one of the most popular bike paths in Germany. It leads over hundreds of kilometers to the mouth of the Elbe in the North Sea. In Grieben cyclists can also opt for a round on the Altmarkrundweg. However, the next destination of our trip is again on the Elbe Cycle Route.

 

 

The Art Gallery and Church of Schönwalde

In this small village you have embellished the village church. Painted with stencil patterns, the interior of the church shines in bold colors. The impression is reinforced by the windows of hope. These are made to designs by local artists. One of them is Horst Menzel, a painter. He also looks after the art gallery of Schönwalde today. This is right next to the church. You should not miss a visit. It is worth it!

 

 

A real insider tip in the Altmark: Birkholz Manor and the Altmark Festival

The last stop on our journey through the Altmark is the Birkholz manor house. This has already been restored to its former glory. Only a part of the interior still needs to be restored. The park with its ancient trees invites you to take a stroll. Mr. and Mrs. von Gehren warmly welcome us to their home. We are invited to the Altmark Festival.

They offer culture in special places all year round. These can be readings, but also plays, cabaret or concerts. Finally, we are very lucky to experience the Dresden Harmonists. This group of five singers and a pianist brings the music of the Comedian Harmonists from the 1930s back to life. A perfect end to our trip through the Stendal Tangermünde and Tangerhütte region, which took us to many interesting places.

The next date in the event series is May 24.05th – September 06.09.2025th, XNUMX.

Further information:

• e.g. Otto von Bismarck
• to the Hanseatic League

 

 

 

 

 

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Travel Arrangements:

Parking at the airport

Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.

How to reach us

Compare and book flights here*. (Advertisement) The nearest airport is Berlin. From there you take the train to the Altmark. Alternatively, you can travel by car or bike.

Car Rentals:

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Camper Rentals:

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Our Altmark insider tip are these accommodations:

Gutshof Ottersburg *  Click here for a map
Ottersburg Manor 1
Holiday sheepfold
39517 Ottersburg

Pension Kunsthof Dahrenstedt * Click here for a map
Dahrenstedter Dorfstr. 6
39576 Dahrenstedt

Bismarcksche Landgut Welle (there is a holiday apartment in which we did not live) Click here for a map
Weller Dorfstrasse 21 - 25
39576 Stendal OT wave

Manor house Birkholz Click here for a map
Holiday home
Birkholzer Schulstrasse 5
39517 Tangerhütte

 

 

 

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Source for the article Insider tip Altmark: Three days in Stendal Tangermünde and Tangerhütte: own research on site. Our opinion remains our own in any case.

We would definitely like to thank the hosts who welcomed us so hospitably and showed us their houses. We would also like to thank the Leader Action Group Uchte-Tanger-Elbe for their kind support of this trip to Stendal Tangermünde and Tangerhütte. However, our opinions remain our own.

Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and Travel World Online
Photos © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline