From historic buildings to modern theater, the German city of Hamburg has plenty to keep your interest piqued. Explore its many museums, opera houses, and cultural centers to immerse yourself in its rich history.
Maritime history is a big part of Hamburg's culture, and the International Maritime Museum is a must-visit for anyone who has an interest in seafaring. Here you'll find a treasure trove of art and exhibits that explore trade, port, politics, and more.
1. Elbphilharmonie
Located in the heart of Hafen City, the Elbphilharmonie is sehenswürdigkeiten hamburg a must-see for visitors to Hamburg. Built by renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron, the building is one of the world’s largest concert halls and features wave-like peaks on its glass roof.
The dazzling facade of the Elbphilharmonie is made up of 1,100 individually shaped glass panes that are designed to reflect the light, enhancing the interior with special shimmering effects. They are also engineered to prevent heat transfer from the sun.
It’s a truly unique building in the city, and if you’re lucky enough to get tickets to a show, it’s well worth your time. The acoustics are second to none, thanks to the venue’s White Skin, which uses 10,000 gypsum fiber panels.
2. Eekholt Park
Founded in 1970, Eekholt is a wildlife park that features around 100 species from Central Europe. Here, animals roam freely in woodland, river, meadow, and moorland habitats.
The park also offers various educational activities. Children can learn about animal habitats while adults gain a new perspective on nature and the ecological interdependence between plants, animals, and humans.
There's a petting zoo and a flight show featuring birds of prey. In autumn, visitors can watch red deer rutting.
3. Elbe Tunnel
A technological advance back when it was constructed, the Old Elbe Tunnel connects St Pauli on the north side of the River with Steinwerder in the Port of Hamburg. Two tubes run 24 meters beneath the surface, a total of 426.5 meters long and with a diameter of 6 meters.
Built-in 1911, it was needed because the growth of the Port of Hamburg shifted to the southern side of the river, requiring improved transport connections. It was modeled on the Clyde Tunnel in Glasgow, though plans for suspension railway, traject, and viaduct were rejected.
4. Altonaer Museum
One of the most popular attractions in Hamburg, the Altonaer Museum traces the history of the city and region of Schleswig-Holstein. Here, you can learn more about the fishing and seafaring industry as well as art and culture.
The collection consists of model ships, art, uniforms, and photographs in Hamburg's oldest preserved warehouse. It's a great place to go for anyone who loves to sail.
5. Museumshafen
Located next to the New Elbe Tunnel, Museumshafen (Museum Harbor) is home to 20 historic ships that have been carefully restored by private organizations. They include traditional German and Dutch flat-bottomed vessels as well as barges, fishing boats, and steam tugs.
This is one of the oldest German museums of its kind, and it features an extensive collection of historical watercraft. The Museumshafen is a great place to learn about Hamburg’s maritime history.
6. Rickmer Rickmers
Discover the past and channel your inner sailor at Rickmer Rickmers, a museum ship that revives the era of windjammers. The three-masted vessel is moored in the Landungsbrucken docks and offers visitors a chance to explore its halls and decks.
Originally built in 1896 by the Bremerhaven shipyard, Rickmer Rickmers sailed the world’s oceans and made several journeys to Hong Kong to load rice and bamboo. It sailed under the flags of Portugal, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Today, the Rickmer Rickmers is a floating museum that allows visitors to explore all decks including the engine room. Visitors can also book cabins for overnight stays.
7. Emigration Halls
From 1850 to 1934 Hamburg was one of the world's major emigration ports, and more than 5 million people passed through Ballin Stadt or Emigration Halls on their way to new fortunes abroad. During this time, more than 80% of the emigrants were Jews fleeing persecution and pogroms in their home countries.
Today, on the island Veddel - named after its builder Albert Ballin, a successful ship-owning magnate – visitors can explore the three faithfully reconstructed pavilions where these emigrants lived and worked. Using audio-visual presentations and historical documents, the museum tells its stories in an enlightening and personal way.