Hamburg Elbe beim Sonnenuntergang mit Elbphilharmonie im Hintergrund by patrick-rosenkranz

Discover Hamburg

Hamburg - The hub of Europe’s cruise industry

The beautiful maritime metropolis is home not only to Europe’s most important cruise shipyards and shipping companies, it’s also the world’s capital of classification societies. Germany’s largest port city can look back on a rich merchant tradition, inspires architects and designers, and ranks among the world’s top ten travel destinations according to the New York Times.

Called “the world’s most beautiful city” by its inhabitants, Hamburg brims with culture and nightlife. The city combines fantastic urban entertainment, be it theatres, musicals, museums, galleries or sporting events, with enormous recreational value in its parks and gardens, its beach clubs on the Elbe and walks around the picturesque Alster lake.

12 – 14 September 2025

Hamburg Cruise Days

The Hamburg Cruise Days 2025 are approaching and the anticipation is growing: 
from 12 to 14 September, the atmospheric event invites all cruise, travel and port fans to Hamburg to satisfy their longing for the sea.

Along the promenade from the Landungsbrücken to the Elbphilharmonie concert hall, visitors can look forward to a varied and high-quality programme on land and at sea:
in a unique maritime atmosphere, with exciting shipping company presentations, culinary highlights, cabaret and a children's adventure world - and with unique, atmospheric evening productions on the Elbe.

Leisure activities

Harbour & river tours

 

The port is one of the reasons why people from all over the world fall in love with this city. This is where the heart of Hamburg beats - and we'll tell you where to feel the pulse the most.

Starting from St. Pauli LandungsbrückenBarkassen (launches) bring you to the most exciting places - from the Speicherstadt UNESCO Site and the stunning Elbphilharmonie concert hall to the enormous docks and container terminals. Also, on specialised bus tours, you can easily reach parts of the port area that not everyone has access to. At the museum harbour in Neumühlen/Övelgönne, it gets even more exclusive.

You are also welcome aboard spectacular museum ships, such as the three-master Rickmer Rickmers or the Cap San Diego, the world's largest seaworthy museum cargo vessel. Why not spend the night aboard? The lightship hotel makes it possible. Once used as a navigational mark for the shipping off the British coast, today it offers space for eating, drinking, celebrating and sleeping.

Only a few steps away from the lightship, you can enjoy true Hamburg lifestyle in the Block Bräu. The restaurant offers daily fresh brewed beer and delicious regional specialities - with a magnificent panoramic view of the harbour. If you feel more like chill-out, drinks and music, just head to Strand Pauli Beach Club next door.

On Sunday, a Hamburg classic awaits you: early in the morning, party people and early risers meet at the Hamburg fish market. Around the traditional fish auction hall you will experience the vociferous show performances of the eccentric fish sellers – and then relax with a walk down the Elbe River to the Strandperle, one of the most popular meeting points on Hamburg’s beautiful city beach. At the latest, you too will lose your heart to Hamburg here.

Find out more about harbour & river tours

Hamburger Hafen

Attractions in Hamburg

Elbphilharmonie

 

Inaugurated in January 2017, the magnificent construction is considered to be the new landmark of the city. Sitting enthroned on a former storage building, the Elbphilharmonie marks the western tip of the HafenCity and attracts worldwide attention among music and architecture enthusiasts. Underneath its glass facade and wave-like rooftop it comprises two concert halls, a luxurious hotel and luxurious residential apartments.

The Elbphilharmonie Plaza, a public area that extends around the whole building, serves as a junction between the old warehouse and the glass structure. At 37 meters above sea level, visitors of the Plaza enjoy a breathtaking 360° view of the city and the harbour. If your schedule allows some time for sightseeing, the Elbphilharmonie should rank in first place.

Find out more about Elbphilharmonie