Summer in Saxony-Anhalt is full of life, lightness and a thirst for adventure! Now is the perfect time to discover the state in all its facets - from balmy evenings in the open air to refreshing moments by the water. Enjoy music festivals among ancient walls, open-air culture in historic parks and culinary festivals that celebrate regional diversity. Whether you stroll through the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz, feel the sun on your face as you cycle along the Elbe or Saale or simply relax by one of the many lakes - your summer is full of experiences, encounters and unforgettable impressions.
Summer
Swimming Lakes and Summer Excursions in Saxony-Anhalt
- Arendsee (Altmarkkreis Salzwedel)
Natural lake with good water quality, surrounded by forest. Offers: Swimming, surfing, stand-up paddling, diving (wreck), steamboat trip on the "Queen Arendsee". - Barleber See (near Magdeburg)
Perfect local recreation area - only about 20 minutes from Magdeburg. With lido, boat hire, camping, restaurants and easily accessible by public transport. - Concordiasee (Harz foreland / Seeland)
Artificially created after open-cast mining, with vacation homes, camping, playgrounds, beach & leisure facilities - ideal for families. - Geiseltalsee (Mücheln / Braunsbedra)
One of the largest artificial lakes in Germany. With bathing beaches, boating facilities, cycle/hiking trails, viewpoints and a program of events. - Bergwitzsee (near Wittenberg / Dübener Heide)
Created by the conversion of an open-cast mine. Known for its high water quality, various beaches (including nudist and dog beaches), camping, overnight accommodation on the lake and cycle paths. - Large Goitzsche Lake (formerly Goitzsche, near Bitterfeld / Pouch)
Part of the Central German Lake District. Three lidos, water sports (swimming, sailing, surfing, stand-up paddling), wakeboarding facilities, circular path, boat and catamaran trips, accommodation (houseboats, vacation homes). - Süßer See (near Seeburg, Mansfeld-Südharz district)
Picturesque location with vineyards and a castle on a peninsula. Offers: Sailing, surfing, cycling along the water, camping and overnight stays in sleeping barrels. The "Lake in Flames" fireworks festival also takes place regularly in July.
- Sputnik Spring Break (Pouch Island)
Date: May 22-25, 2026
Location: Pouch peninsula near Bitterfeld-Wolfen
Genre: Pop, Hiphop - This Is Ska Festival (Dessau-Roßlau)
Date: June 18 - 20, 2026
Location: Wasserburg Rosslau / Schlossgarten, Dessau-Roßlau
Special features: Ska & reggae, two stages, supporting program such as quizzes, comedy etc. - HIVE Festival (Gräfenhainichen, Ferropolis)
Date: June 19 - 21, 2026
Location: Ferropolis - "City of Iron" near Gräfenhainichen
Special features: Multi-day camping, atmospheric location between iron relics, good infrastructure & shuttle options - Rockharz Open Air (Ballenstedt)
Date: July 1 - 4, 2026 (on this festival weekend)
Location: Ballenstedt / Harz region
Genre: Rock, metal, related music genres - splash! Festival (Gräfenhainichen / Ferropolis)
Date: 2 - 4 July 2026
Location: Ferropolis, Gräfenhainichen
Genre: Hip-hop & urban music with accompanying program such as DJ sets, art etc. - Eastside Open Air (Halle)
Date: July 3 & 4, 2026
Location: Halle (Saale)
Genre: Focus on pop, wave, diverse music mix
- Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz
Let yourself drift through the UNESCO World Heritage Site: walks between neoclassical pavilions, canal trips in a gondola or picnics under old trees - here, summer idyll becomes an art form. - Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve
Explore the vast river landscape on the Elbe cycle path or by kayak. Storks, beavers and ancient floodplain forests turn your excursion into a nature adventure. - Harz Mountains in summer
Hiking on the Brocken, mountain biking on the trails near Thale or Quedlinburg, summer tobogganing in Schierke - the Harz Mountains show their green, active side in summer. - Discover cathedrals & castles
Magdeburg Cathedral, Bernburg Castle and Stolberg Castle offer cool interiors, magnificent architecture and gardens that blossom in summer. - Saale-Unstrut wine region
Enjoy summer evenings among the vines - with a wine hike, cellar tour or visit to a wine tavern. Especially beautiful around Freyburg and Naumburg. - Monasteries & gardens route
Spiritual places, herb gardens and quiet retreats await you between Halberstadt, Naumburg and Quedlinburg - ideal for a quiet summer's day with depth.
Camping and Caravanning in Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt is a real paradise for camping and motorhome fans - with a large selection of pitches and campsites surrounded by nature, culture and history. Whether right by the lake, in the shadow of the Harz mountains or close to lively cities such as Magdeburg, Halle or Dessau - here you will find the perfect place for your summer outdoors. Many campsites boast modern facilities, regional gastronomy and leisure activities such as bike hire, boat tours or hiking trails right on the doorstep. Sites on the Geiseltalsee, Arendsee or the Elbe in Magdeburg are particularly popular. Numerous campsites along the Saale-Unstrut region also invite you to enjoy a stopover between vineyards and historic villages. Whether you are traveling in a tent, motorhome or campervan - Saxony-Anhalt offers you freedom, nature and relaxation with a touch of adventure.
More information from the Saxony-Anhalt Camping Association at www.camping-verband.de
