The Old Elbe Tunnel

Hamburg

Copyright: Christian Spahrbier/Hamburg Tourismus GmbH

DESTINATIONS germany hamburg Do & See The Old Elbe Tunnel

The Old Elbe Tunnel

When the Old Elbe Tunnel, also called "St. Pauli Elbe Tunnel", was opened in 1911, it was a technical sensation. Today, it is a nostalgic and lovingly tended piece of Hamburg history. The distinctive, square, domed structure on the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken houses the machinery and the four lifts, which have transported people and vehicles at a depth of nearly 24 metres for over 100 years. After 426.5 metres beneath the Elbe and through the two tiled tunnels with a diameter of 6 metres, you return to daylight in Steinwerder and can enjoy a wonderful view over the harbour.

Do & See

Since the medieval days if the Hanseatic League, Hamburg has maintained its free spirit and its status as an international port city, with riches and a cosmopolitan vibe that comes attached to the constant ebb and flow of seafarers. You can still feel the edgy atmosphere in the bars and clubs on the Reeperbahn in St Pauli — an area that entertained sailors for hundreds of years. To explore the more relaxing and peaceful side of Hamburg, get lost in its canals or stroll along the Alster lake in the summer. Hamburg is not standing still, either. The new HafenCity district brings unmistakable modernity to the waterfront, and the instantly iconic Elbphilharmonie is stunning both inside and out. Here are some of the best things to do and see in Hamburg:

Hamburg’s Sightseeing Tours

Hamburg’s Sightseeing Tours

Explore the very best of Hamburg with the day ticket of the Red Double Decker buses on Line A. At one of the 29 stops Hop on and hop off wherever you want in order to have a closer look at the magnificent sights of this amazing maritime metropolis. Extra tours like the twilight …

Hagenbeck — the wild side of Hamburg

Hagenbeck — the wild side of Hamburg

Discover Hamburg's zoo Hagenbeck. In a park of 19 hectares you can find more than 1850 animals from all over the world including Germany’s only walrus family. Guests experience is an expedition around the equator at the Tropical World Adventure Aquarium, where you can find more than 14,300 animals of 300 …

Chocoversum by Hachez

Chocoversum by Hachez

Chocoversum is the sweetest museum in Hamburg — the chocolate capital of Germany. Discover the secret of the world's finest chocolates with all your senses. For 90-minutes we take you on a guided tour that leads from the cocoa tree to freshly wrapped chocolates. See historic machines live at work while having a taste …

The Maritime Heart of Hamburg

The Maritime Heart of Hamburg

Experiencing the sea: The Maritime Museum presents 3,000 years of history of seafaring displaying precious artefacts from all over the world. Welcome aboard! Wind, waves, explorers, and pirates. More than 40,000 miniature model ships, a treasure chamber with model ships made of gold, silver and amber, the Queen Mary 2 made of 1 Million …

Hamburg Fish Market

Hamburg Fish Market

Sunday morning — 5 am. Most people are usually still sleeping at this time. Not in Hamburg! At Hamburg’s fish market in Altona down by the Elbe, there are around 70 000 people either already working or still out and about at this early hour. Trade has gone on here since 1703. Here night …

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

The Elbphilharmonie is the new landmark of the metropolis on the waterfront. With the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg forges its path as a port city and a city of music, once again demonstrating that the city is shaping its future based on contrast. Located in the HafenCity Hamburg district the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg is emerging as a …

Elbphilharmonie Plaza

Elbphilharmonie Plaza

The Plaza is the central meeting place in the Elbphilharmonie and forms the link between the warehouse and the new structure. The viewing platform here is open to the public. Even getting to it is an experience: an 80-metre-long, slightly curved escalator transports visitors through the building. From the Plaza, 37 metres above the …

Hamburg City Hall

Hamburg City Hall

Unusually lavish for Hanseatic taste: built in 1886–1897, the splendid sandstone edifice in Neo-Renaissance style dominates the city centre. Hamburg town hall is the seat of the city’s Senate (state government) and Bürgerschaft (parliament). The building has more rooms than Buckingham Palace — 647 rooms in total. The town hall can only be viewed …

St. Michaelis Church

St. Michaelis Church

Hamburg's famous 'Michel' church is not only the most important baroque church in northern Germany; it could also be seen as one of the world's tallest lighthouses — yes, it served as an important landmark for boats travelling on the river Elbe. The 106m high viewing platform offers wonderful panoramic views of Hamburg and …

Lake Alster

The 160-hectare Alster lake sits right in the city centre, surrounded with cafes, parks and walking paths, plus an abundance of oak and chestnut trees for nature lovers. Perfect for renting a canoe, a pedal, rowing boats or a sailboat and staying active. There are sculptures both on land and in the lake. Most vast …

Speicherstadt (Historic Warehouse Complex)

Speicherstadt (Historic Warehouse Complex)

Over a century old, the Speicherstadt in the port is the world’s largest integrated complex of warehouses. Here, guests to Hamburg find an idyllic scenery of redbrick Gothic architecture from the Wilhelmine era with bizarre little gables and towers. Valuable goods are stored at controlled temperatures behind their massive walls: coffee, tea, cocoa, spices, …

The Old Elbe Tunnel

The Old Elbe Tunnel

When the Old Elbe Tunnel, also called "St. Pauli Elbe Tunnel", was opened in 1911, it was a technical sensation. Today, it is a nostalgic and lovingly tended piece of Hamburg history. The distinctive, square, domed structure on the St. Pauli Landungsbrücken houses the machinery and the four lifts, which have transported people and vehicles …

Miniatur Wunderland

Miniatur Wunderland

Miniatur Wunderland is the world's largest model railway museum and Germany's most popular tourist attraction. Its display sections show authentic environment from different countries: from Sweden and Norway to the pyramids of Egypt and Las Vegas in U.S. The exhibit switches from 'day' to 'night' every 15 minutes. You can also take a guided …

The Reeperbahn

The Reeperbahn is a living legend: in the old days it was a seedy red-light quarter for seafarers; during the 1960s it was a stepping stone for the Beatles. Since the 1990s the red-light district has been gradually transformed into a unique entertainment district with bars and clubs, art galleries, cabarets, theatres and top-class …

Musicals

A great way to spend an afternoon or evening is to experience a musical. Since Cats made its debut in Hamburg, the city has welcomed many celebrated musicals like Lion King, Disney's Tarzan Musical, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia and even Hamilton. You'll find plenty of the musical theatres right on the …

The Hamburg Dungeon

The Hamburg Dungeon

The Hamburg Dungeon is a place where the dark past comes alive, where talented actors tell you scary stories and twisted fables about Hamburg’s history. Along the tour you will find spooky surprises and two rides (a short boat ride and a free-fall …

Bucerius Kunst Forum

Bucerius Kunst Forum

Located in the heart of Hamburg next to the Town Hall, the Bucerius Kunst Forum exhibits art from ancient to modern times in four rotating exhibitions each year. A visit is an absolute must for art lovers. The concept of the Kunst Forum is based on reinventing the familiar to allow art lovers and …

Deichtorhallen

For contemporary art and photography head over to Deichtorhallen which is located in two former market halls. They were built between year 1911 and 1914. With a size of 5,600 square meters, this is the biggest art space in …

Museum of Hamburg History

Museum of Hamburg History

The Museum of Hamburg History hosts one of Germany’s largest urban history exhibitions. As a cultural history museum it displays the varied history of the city of Hamburg, from its beginnings in around 800 AD to now. It is the biggest museum within the Foundation of Historical Museums in Hamburg — complemented by the …

Hamburger Dom

Hamburger Dom is the biggest public festival in the north of Germany and takes place three times a year. Experience nostalgic carousels and high-tech rides, accompanied with a good variety of tasty food and drinks. The festival takes place annually in springtime between March and April, summertime between July and August and wintertime between November …

BallinStadt — Emigrant Museum Hamburg

BallinStadt — Emigrant Museum Hamburg

It’s a fascinating story — the tale of BallinStadt, the “Emigration City” — where millions of people found safe harbour before beginning their journey to the New World in pursuit of a better life. The museum documents the great European migration to America that took place from 1850 to 1934. Here you can …

Park Planten un Blomen

Park Planten un Blomen

Take a stroll around the famous park Planten un Blomen which is located in the heart of the city. Unwind and enjoy tropical plants, the largest Japanese garden in Europe and a rose garden. In the summer time, the park offers daily theatre performances for children. From May till September the colourfully lit fountain …

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Hamburger Kunsthalle

Opened in 1869 and once the embodiment of the Hamburg bourgeois art, the Kunsthalle is now acknowledged as one of Germany’s leading art galleries. The adjacent Gallery of Contemporary Art opened in 1996 at its prominent location and complements its main collection with ambitious examples of contemporary art. More than 700 works are permanently exposed …

Planetarium Hamburg

Planetarium Hamburg

Located in an old water tower is one of the most advanced planetarium in the world. Learn more about our planet, about the space and what a black hole is. A great experience for the whole family, a place where you can delight in sky shows, live concerts, music- and multimedia-shows with incredible laser …