Almost all of the seven million tourists who visit Hamburg every year also explore Hamburg harbor for its stunning views and exciting activities.
Port of Hamburg is a massive draw for both tourists and locals.
From numerous viewpoints at the harbor, visitors enjoy fascinating sights, explore the water in boat tours, or go on walking tours of the historic HafenCity and Speicherstadt.
This article covers everything you need to know before booking a Hamburg harbor tour.
Top Hamburg harbor tours Tickets
# Evening cruise tour through Hamburg harbor
# Hamburg harbor lights tour on a barge
# Maritime flair: two-hour tour of Hamburg Port
Table of contents
About Hamburg Port
Founded in 1189 by Frederick I at a strategic location near the mouth of the river Elbe, the Port of Hamburg has been Central Europe’s main route for centuries.
Thanks to the 13,000+ seagoing vessels that sail through the Elbe every year, Hamburg Port is the largest in Germany and second-largest in Europe.
Port of Hamburg is imposing in size and second only to Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe.
As a result, Hamburg has emerged as one of the prosperous cities of Europe.
Because of the flourishing Hamburg harbor, the city is also known as the ‘Gateway to the World.’
Interesting Fact: Did you know that Hamburg is also known as ‘The City of Bridges’? It has more bridges than both Venice and Amsterdam combined.
Best Hamburg harbor tours
Since the port is as old as the city of Hamburg, one of the best ways to experience its rich history and culture is by booking a tour of the harbor.
There are two ways visitors can explore the harbor – by walk or by a boat tour on the Elbe river.
These tours of areas around Hamburg’s port are available with English guides as well as German guides.
Hamburg boat tours
According to visitors who have explored Hamburg harbor by both land and water, the city shows its best side from the water.
A visit to the Hanseatic city can’t be complete without a boat trip around the Hamburg harbor.
Visitors get to choose from many types of Hamburg harbor boat tours.
Evening illumination cruise through Hamburg harbor
These boat tours operated by Rainer Abicht are also referred to as the Hamburg evening harbor cruise.
It is a romantic boat trip through the illuminated Speicherstadt, HafenCity, and the Hamburg port.
Besides the fascinating highlights of Hamburg, you also see illuminated ocean liners and container cranes, etc.
Here are some of the Hamburg landmarks you will see from the boat – Zollkanal, Wasserschloss, International Maritime Museum, HafenCity University, Marco Polo Tower, Elbe Philharmonic Hall, St. Pauli Piers , Überseebrücke, Rickmer Rickmers, Cap San Diego etc.
This one-hour illumination Cruise through Hamburg harbor starts at 7.30 pm.
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (15+ years): €24
Child ticket (4 to 14 years): €18
Kids three years and below get in for free.
Hamburg harbor lights tour on a barge
On this 90 minute tour, you cruise the illuminated Hamburg harbor onboard a traditional barge.
If you prefer a relaxed, romantic time, this boat tour is the best way to see the city’s lights and sights from the water.
You travel through the historic Speicherstadt (depending on the tide) and the modern HafenCity to see numerous city highlights, not to mention the illuminated container terminals.
All visitors onboard the boat get a relaxing drink.
This tour, operated by Maritime Circle Line, starts at 7.30 pm and 9.30 pm.
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (16+ years): €26
Child ticket (5 to 15 years): €13
Kids aged four years and below are not allowed on this tour.
Maritime flair: two-hour tour of Hamburg Port
If you are traveling with your kids, this 2-hour tour of the Hamburg Harbor is highly recommended.
During this multi-faceted, award-winning tour of the Port of Hamburg, visitors see the contrast of tradition and modernity.
Besides the city’s regular highlights, you also check out the little fishing town along the Elbe and the state-of-the-art container complexes, fish market, old cutters, and massive cruise and container ships.
Rainer Abicht operates this boat tour, which sets sail from the St. Pauli Piers.
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (14+ years): €36
Child ticket (4 to 13 years): €20
Kids aged five years and below get in for free.
If you are short on time, check out this one-hour Hamburg Harbor cruise.
Hop On Hop Off bus & water ticket
This excellent combo includes a one-day sightseeing bus ticket and one water tour.
You can either opt for the one-hour Alster Lake Cruise or the two-hour harbor cruise on Elbe river for the second leg of this tour.
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (15+ years): €39
Child ticket (6 to 14 years): €20
Student ticket (15+ years, with ID): €36
Kids aged five years and below get in for free.
If you don’t want to get on a boat to tour the harbor but would prefer to discover its different parts such as the Warehouse District, HafenCity, etc., by bus, check out this tour.
Cheapest Hamburg harbor tour by boat
This is the cheapest Hamburg harbor boat tour.
Since this tour starts from Pontonanlage in the Binnenhafen, opposite the Miniatur Wunderland, it is a perfect second activity of the day.
During this tour, visitors experience the World Heritage Site of Speicherstadt, the classical harbor promenade, the Elbe beach, and the shipyards.
Cost of the tour
Adult ticket (16+ years): €19
Child ticket (5 to 15 years): €9
Kids aged four years and below get in for free.
Walking tour of Hamburg harbor
Ideally, visitors must try and explore Hamburg harbor from both water and land.
However, if you are short on time or money, we recommend you opt for a walking tour of the harbor because you get to see more of the historic part of the city.
Speicherstadt & HafenCity tour
If you have already seen Elbphilharmonie, this is the perfect Hamburg harbor tour for you because it focusses on its two major parts – Speicherstadt and HafenCity.
You take a guided walk in-between canals, historic warehouses, and castles and discover Hamburg’s historic harbor.
Some of the prominent highlights you will see along the way are Elbe Philharmonic Hall, Wasserschloss, Chile House, etc.
Cost of the tour: €240
HafenCity three-hour food tour and Elbphilharmonie visit
This trip is a tour of Hamburg Harbor with a difference – the focus is less on the harbor and more on the area’s food.
This 3-hour guided walk starts in the heart of HafenCity, and then moves to Speicherstadt and finally to Elbphilharmonie.
During the journey, you stop at five great restaurants to savor tasty international appetizers.
Your last food stop will be at Störtebekers restaurant on the sixth floor of Elbphilharmonie, after which you can go up to the Plaza for stunning views of the Hamburg harbor.
Cost of the tour: €550
Bonus Tours: If you are in Hamburg with a special someone, check out this Romantic Harbor Cruise with Wine and Cheese. Or if you are holidaying with your kids, follow the link for the best family Hamburg harbor tour.
Things to see in Hamburg harbor
The numerous ships that have sailed through the Hamburg harbor over the centuries have shaped the city, and it is visible in many places – Reeperbahn, St Pauli, and the port itself.
We list out the best things to see and do in the harbor –
St. Pauli Piers
St. Pauli Landungsbrücken is a 700-meter-long pontoon that is connected by ten flexible bridges to the mainland.
They are also known as St. Pauli Landing Stages or St. Pauli Landing Bridges.
Harbor tours, ferries, and passenger ships leave from these piers.
Tourists can explore the restaurants, curio shops, and cafes while enjoying the view of the harbor.
The old Elbtunnel (Old Elbe Tunnel) starts from close to St Pauli Piers.
Elbe Tunnel
Elbe Tunnel is a century-old 400-meter-long (one-fourth of a mile) underwater bridge that connects St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken with Steinwerder peninsula in the port of Hamburg.
The Elbe Tunnel is open to pedestrians, cyclists, and tourists all through the day, and entry is free.
Historical lifts on either side of the tunnel carry vehicles 24 meters (79 feet) below the surface so that they can use the tunnel to reach the other side of the Elbe.
Hamburg Fish Market
The Hamburg harbor fish market is right next to St. Pauli Piers and, despite its name, also sells fruit, flowers, clothing, souvenirs, etc.
In the summer season, it opens every Sunday from 5 am and in the winter season from 7 am. All through the year, the fish market closes at 9:30 am.
Despite the early hours, it is a huge tourist attraction.
If you don’t mind an early 5 am start, you must try out this morning tour of Reeperbahn, Hamburg Port, and Fish Market.
Museum at Oevelgönne harbor
This dockside exhibition is on the Elbe beach and consists of 20 odd classic ships moored at the Neumühlen quay.
These ships mostly date from 1880 to 1960 and played a role in enhancing Hamburg’s value as an influential port city.
The ships on display at Museumshafen Oevelgönne were once wrecks rotting away at various locations but now have been restored thanks to years of painstaking labor.
Visitors can stroll along looking at the ships, and some of them even offer guided tours.
Elbphilharmonie
The Elbphilharmonie or the Elphi is a massive concert hall in HafenCity.
More than four million tourists visit Elbphilharmonie every year to stand on its Plaza and see the Hamburg harbor’s stunning views.
Elbphilharmonie is also the home to the longest escalator in Europe.
It is the most popular attraction in Hamburg, and hence always crowded.
To avoid lengthy waiting times, you must book a guided tour of Elbphilharmonie.
Miniatur Wunderland
Miniatur Wunderland is a tiny world with trains, busses, airports, offices, and of course, miniature people from all cultures.
Miniatur Wunderland is popular with both kids and adults alike and attracts more than 1 million tourists annually.
This attraction has 15 kilometers of miniature railway track, 11000 railway wagons, 4,110 buildings, etc.
Cap San Diego, Überseebrücke
Cap San Diego is the largest seaworthy museum ship globally and is docked in the Hamburg harbor.
The cargo ship sailed the seas of South Atlantic from 1961 and 1988 and got the nickname ‘White Swan of the South Atlantic’ for itself.
Tourists can climb aboard and explore the ship – for example, they can find out how the seamen dined, how they slept, how the engine room worked, how the cargo as stored, etc.
You can go on a self-guided tour of the ship or book the captain’s quarters for the night.
Hamburg Dungeon
Hamburg Dungeon at Speicherstadt brings back to life the darkest events of the city’s history.
Special effects and professional actors enact historical events such as the great fire of 1842, the disastrous flooding of 1717, the execution of Störtebeker, etc.
Over 90 minutes, visitors get to see 11 different shows and enjoy plenty of action on two fun rides. Book Hamburg Dungeon tickets
Klaus Störtebeker’s statue
Klaus Störtebeker was a 14th-century pirate, beheaded in 1401 at the Grasbrook in today’s HafenCity.
However, his legend has been associated with Hamburg in many ways.
It is believed that the Crown of St. Chaterine’s Church is made up of Gold found in the mast of Störtebeker’s ship.
Even the pirate flag of the football club FC St. Pauli is a tribute to Störtebeker.
The restaurant in Elbphilharmonie, the newly inaugurated Hamburg landmark, is also named after the famous pirate.
Klaus Störtebeker’s monument is a two-ton bronze statue that shows him naked and tied up before his execution.
Its pedestal bears the words ‘God’s friend and the world’s enemy’.
Willkomm Höft
Hamburg may be the kindest port in the world.
After all, it is the only port where every ship is welcomed and bid farewell with the country’s national anthem.
Set up in 1952, Willkomm Höft (‘Welcome Point’ in English) has played more than 150 national anthems and greetings in the ships’ national languages.
More than 50 ships pass the Welcome Point daily.
Besides the travelers on the ships, the locals and the tourists also enjoy spending time at Willkomm Höft and listening to the greetings.
Some also try out the restaurant at the facility with the same name.
Elbe beach
The Elbe beach near Övelgönne is popular with tourists and locals.
You can visit the kilometer-long beach on the Elbe for leisurely walks and watch massive container ships in the harbor.
Many cafes and restaurants dot the beach, and all of them have outdoor seating.
Visitors can check out Museumshafen, which is next to the beautiful beach.
Rickmer Rickmers
Rickmer Rickmers is a cargo ship built in 1896, now docked in the Hamburg harbor as a floating museum.
Tourists board the ship to see the carefully-restored boat, which gives an insight into life at sea more than a century ago.
The ship is divided into three sections:
- The Museum area, highlighting the ship’s history
- The exhibition area, where exhibits such as nautical objects and photographs, etc. are displayed
- The restaurant which serves authentic Hamburg dishes
To explore the ship, visitors need the Rickmer Rickmers entry ticket.
Marco Polo Terraces
The Marco Polo terraces are a meeting point in the middle of HafenCity with comfortable seating and stunning views.
You get to see beautiful sights of the backdrop surrounding the Grasbrook harbor.
Tourists are known to visit Marco Polo Terraces to relax and, at the same time, enjoy the hustle and bustle in the harbor and HafenCity.
Magellan Terraces, another cool place to hang out, is just 300 meters (1000 feet) from Marco Polo terraces.
Sources
# Hafenrundfahrt-hamburg.com
# Hamburg-travel.com
# Tripadvisor.com
# Hamburg-citytours.de
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Popular attractions in Hamburg