Where your dog can run free in Magdeburg, what applies in parks and along the Elbe, how the MVB carries dogs and where you can stop for a bite.
In Magdeburg, your dog stays on a leash on streets and in parks, and may run free only on the 24 dog meadows the city has designated. They include four areas in Stadtpark Rotehorn, the Glacis, the Herrenkrug and the Nordpark. The Elbauenpark, on the other hand, is closed to dogs. This comes from the City of Magdeburg itself.
his guide sorts out the rules so you don't find out what applies only when you stand in front of a sign. For an overview of places, see our directory of dog-friendly places in Magdeburg.
The city's public safety ordinance sets it out in section 6: on streets and in green spaces within built-up areas, dogs must be kept on a leash. This applies to all dogs, including small ones. There is no leash requirement on the areas designated in Annex 3 to the green-space bylaw. When someone approaches, keep your dog on the leash so that it is no more than one metre from you.
Dogs must not roam unsupervised outside fenced property. You must remove droppings immediately and carry a suitable aid, such as bags. Violations are administrative offences; the ordinance names 5,000 euros as the upper limit for fines. Source: Gefahrenabwehrverordnung of the City of Magdeburg, in force since 13 July 2022.
State law adds duties: under the Saxony-Anhalt dog act, every dog must be microchipped and covered by liability insurance (at least one million euros for personal injury and property damage). Further requirements apply to dangerous dogs.
The city currently lists 24 dog meadows. Dogs may run free there, but only under supervision. The areas are not meant for picnics, and you pick up after your dog there too. Important: this does not make a whole park off-leash. The freedom ends at the edge of the area.
A selection from the city's list:
| Area | For your planning |
|---|---|
| Stadtpark Rotehorn (four areas: Am Winterhafen, north of Hubbrücke, south of the sports field, south of Sternbrücke) | Four areas in the park; the way there is on the leash |
| Glacis | Close to the city centre |
| Herrenkrug | Designated area near the Herrenkrug |
| Nordpark (Hohepfortestraße) | For walks in the north of the inner city |
| Florapark (Holzweg), Sternsee (Olvenstedter Chaussee) | Further areas in the city |
| Askanischer Platz, Schroteanlage | Further areas in the city |
This is a selection, not a complete list. The city keeps updating its overview, and individual areas have been dropped in the past. Whether the area south of Sternbrücke will stay has been debated politically. Check the signs on site. For help finding a meadow near you, see how to find a dog park near you and the directory of dog parks in Magdeburg.
Not sure whether your dog wants to meet others? Look at how many dogs are there first. A sniffing walk on the leash is always a good alternative.
The park on the Elbe is a good place for walks. Outside the four designated dog meadows a leash is required, because the park is a green space within the built-up area. Make the meadow your destination and walk there on the leash. More nearby ideas are in parks and forests in Magdeburg.
There is a designated dog meadow at the Herrenkrug. Paths along the Elbe bank and on dikes often count as open countryside. There, a leash is required from 1 March to 15 July, and at other times you may not let your dog roam unsupervised. This is set out in the state forest act.
The Elbauenpark is a popular destination, but not open to dogs. According to the park's FAQ, only guide dogs and assistance dogs may enter; all other dogs must stay outside. The park says there are two dog kennels at the main ticket office entrance. Do not leave your dog in the car. Plan a different destination for your outing with your dog.
For forests, fields, meadows and the paths there, the state forest act (section 28) requires that dogs be leashed from 1 March to 15 July. The rest of the year, dogs may run in open countryside only under supervision. The period protects nesting birds and young animals. Exceptions apply only to hunting, herding, guide, police and other service dogs on duty. The state administration office points out that even a landowner cannot grant an exemption. Nature reserves can have additional rules.
Under section 8 of the public safety ordinance, swimming in naturally flowing waters is prohibited. The Elbe falls under this. Ship traffic, current and eddies at bridges and groynes make it risky as well, for dogs too. For lakes: a designated dog swimming spot is not documented in this guide. Check the signs and the operator's rules before your dog goes into the water. For blue-green algae and more, see our guide to swimming with your dog at lakes and the sea.
The rules are in the marego carriage conditions and fare rules, as of August 2026:
After the fare reform in August 2026, the newspaper Volksstimme reported a provisional goodwill arrangement for dogs. Ask MVB or marego what currently applies.
Dogs in restaurants are a matter of house rules. Ask before you visit whether this also applies indoors.
You can see all confirmed places on the Discover map in the Souldog app. For more on choosing a café, see our guide to dog-friendly cafés in Germany.
Start with the directory of dog-friendly places in Magdeburg and find a meadow nearby. In the Souldog app you can see places around you on the map. More ideas are in the overview of dog-friendly day trips in Germany. For trips to other cities, our guides to dog-friendly Leipzig and dog-friendly Hanover can help.
Souldog
