Freizeit

What does Magdeburg have to offer?

... That really depends on what you're in the mood for! One thing is certain: Magdeburg is better than its reputation ;)

First, some general information:

Landeshauptstadt Magdeburg
- Here you'll find lots of information about Magdeburg, local authorities, opening hours, the CSS programme (Cash for Stay and Study), and much more.

Magdeburger Verkehrsbetriebe
- On the MVB website, you can find up-to-date timetables for Magdeburg's trams and buses.

And now for our personal recommendations:

Sports

Hochschulsport – where you can try pretty much anything from climbing and dancing to martial arts for very little money
BlocSchmiede, if you'd like to give bouldering a try
Angerfelsen in Elbauenpark, if you're an experienced climber
- or the climbing park there if actual rock faces are a bit too much
go-karting at Rennring
Elbschwimmhalle, NEMO, Schwimmhalle in Olvenstedt...
when the weather is good: Neustädter See and especially Cable-Island
- Barleber See is also well worth a visit
sections of the Elberadweg

HUNGRY!!

BOTANICA: everything vegan, everything regional, everything delicious
Pizzahaus in Neue Neustadt: super cheap, super tasty
Mademoiselle Cupcake: not just tasty, but downright delicious
Bötelstube or Hoflieferant: when mum and dad are visiting and want a proper meal
Pastel.Blumen Café: flowers AND delicious food
Fritz und Helga in Buckau: historic and modern at the same time
Café Cowvana: a vegan cinnamon-roll café using regional ingredients

Culture

Moritzhof, a hub for concerts, indie cinema, alternative markets and photography exhibitions
Schauspielhaus, which mainly stages contemporary plays
Opernhaus, which mainly features classical works and modern reinterpretations
concerts at Johanniskirche
Magdeburger Dom is definitely worth a visit – especially in summer, because it's nice and cool when our city hits 42°C
Literaturhaus Magdeburg
Stadtbibliothek

Chilling out

Gruson-Gewächshäuser
Elbauenpark
along the Elbe, for example at Strandbar, Kulturbrücke...
hanging out by the pool with chips and beer at Datsche (they also have great flea markets)
our parks: Nordpark, Rote-Horn-Park, Geschwister-Scholl-Park, Glacis-Park
- great for barbecues, playing Frisbee, slacklining...

Going out

Insel der Jugend – from indie and pop to techno, with other events such as quiz nights in between; the programme is pretty varied
Unitheke, if you want to grab a drink right on campus
Festung Mark – parties, concerts and larger events
Factory: concerts and parties – especially rock, alternative, metal and gothic, although the programme is broader than that
Flowerpower, if you want a rock pub + dance floor; changing DJs play rock, hard rock and metal AND THERE'S KARAOKE
Hasselbachplatz and the surrounding streets, if you'd rather spontaneously wander from bar to bar (or Späti to Späti)
- Magdeburg insider tip: BRING CASH
Boys'n'Beats, especially for queers and friends

Clubs and societies at the university

Acafin, if you'd like to sing in an a cappella choir
Acagamics, if you're interested in games and game development
Debattierclub Magdeburg, if you enjoy discussing, debating and making arguments
OVGU eSports for gaming
FlaR for road cycling and group rides
Studentenreiter Magdeburg for horse enthusiasts
Students for Climate Justice, if you'd like to get involved in climate justice
Ingenieure ohne Grenzen for social and technical projects – explicitly open to non-engineers as well
Queer Campus as a queer university group / StuRa department <3
IKUS and RIA for international and intercultural exchange
UMD Racing, if you'd like to help build a Formula Student racing car
Physikshow Magdeburg, if you'd like to combine science and performance.

Still haven't found anything for you? OVGU has plenty of other student initiatives – from music and sports to social projects and university politics. Especially when you're just starting university, it's worth checking out the Markt der Möglichkeiten, where the different groups introduce themselves!