The beautiful harbour district of Hamburg
No visit to Hamburg would be complete without a big exploration around the beautiful port of Hamburg. Here, you can not only learn more about the daily workings of one of the world’s largest ports, but also discover the beautiful warehouse district, gaze at an architectural masterwork and much more.
THE PORT
Welcome to Germany’s biggest seaport. Here, around 8,000 ships call per year, over 1,300 freight trains stop by per week and 7,300 logistics companies call their home. In 2020, 126.3 million tons of cargo crossed the quay walls of Hamburg’s port which included approximately 8.5 million standard containers. No wonder that Hamburg is Europe’s third largest container port and the world’s 18th largest. Why not take a barge tour that starts from the famous St. Pauli Piers or ‘Landungsbrücken’ in German to smell the special air of freedom of the port? It offers a unique perspective of Hamburg and tells you more about the exciting port that is called the ‘gateway to the world’. Or visit one of the many museums found in the area – the International Maritime Museum, the ‘BallinStadt’ emigration museum or the harbour museum are our top picks.
THE HAFENCITY
Not far from the port, visitors can find the busy HafenCity. Here, historic vessels are moored and stand in stark contrast with upscale residential buildings and hip cafes by the waterfront. It makes for the perfect waterside walk and has a lot to offer.
For once, there is the legendary fish market. Since 1703, it has been selling just about anything, including fish at bargain prices. However, it is probably best known as a popular hangout in the early hours of the morning when hundreds of party-goers end the night here with another beer and a fish bun to soak up the alcohol.
On the opposite side of the HafenCity, visitors can find the striking Elbphilharmonie concert hall. With its landmark façade and cutting-edge acoustics, it is a sight not to be missed and makes for a great photo opportunity. If you’re lucky, grab a ticket to a worldclass music event and listen to the gorgeous acoustics. Or simply head to the viewing platform on the concert hall’s roof – it gives you one of the best views across Hamburg.
Within the HafenCity quarter, you can also find the Speicherstadt (the warehouse city) – another striking quarter that simply is a must-do on a Hamburg trip. The Speicherstadt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest warehouse district in the world that was built between 1883 and 1927. The red houses are divided by long canals which makes the area perfect for a small exploration tour by boat. The area spans a whopping 260,000 square metres and the historical buildings form a gorgeous contrast to the more modern main HafenCity stretch that is dominated by glass and steel constructions.
Last but not least, if you’re a musical fan, Hamburg is actually Germany’s musical capital. All big productions usually come here at some point in their stage life – so take a look at the programme, take your pick and experience the HafenCity in a somewhat different light.