Architecture in Hamburg

Impressive architecture - yesterday and today

Exciting contrasts catch the eye of visitors to Hamburg: postmodern glass and steel façades, upper middle-class villas of past centuries, streets with beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, Baroque churches, historic residential districts, but also outstanding individual buildings define the architectural face of Hamburg.

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    CITY AREA PORTRAIT HafenCity & Speicherstadt

    The world’s largest warehouse complex and UNSESCO World Heritage. On the other side, towards the banks of the Elbe, the modern, ever-growing architecture of the new harbour district HafenCity. Also, you can enjoy the view of the harbour from nearly…

    HafenCity & Speicherstadt
  • © ThisIsJulia Photography

    Speicherstadt & Kontorhausviertel UNESCO World Heritage

    In 2015, the "Speicherstadt and Kontorhausviertel with Chilehaus" ensemble was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. This makes it one of the world's 1200 "masterpieces of human creativity of universal value".

    UNESCO World Heritage
  • © DoubleVision

    World renowned concert hall and city emblem Elbphilharmonie

    Hamburg has a new cultural landmark! The Elbphilharmonie Concert Hall represents an unprecedented synthesis of the arts - architecture, music and the unique location in the middle of the Hamburg harbour. More than 2.6 million guests have already…

    Elbphilharmonie
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    Impressive architecture. The pride of Hamburg. Hamburg Town Hall

    Unusually ostentatious for Hanseatic taste: The imposing Hamburg Town Hall.

    Hamburg Town Hall
  • © Maxim Schulz

    Unique sound architecture The sound architecture of the Elbphilharmonie

    The fact that these experiences can take place at the highest level of sound in the Elbphilharmonie is thanks to a 64-year-old Japanese man with a rare, almost unknown job title: "sound architect". We tell you how the unique sound architecture of the…

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    The sound architecture of the Elbphilharmonie

Architecture in Hamburg: Impressive on land and water

Enjoy the views!

The 278-metre-high Heinrich Hertz Tower honours the great physicist and was once used to distribute television pictures - unfortunately, the tower restaurant has not been in operation since 2001, but negotiations are underway with investors about modernising and using the tower. The highest building viewing platform is now the Michel, Hamburg's great landmark - the view is definitely worth the climb! For those who like it closer to the water, the platform on the Dockland building or in any case the Elbphilharmonie Plaza are recommended.

Two emblems that couldn't be more different

The title "down-to-earth", on the other hand, applies to other buildings: the town hall, built in the Renaissance style, is now over 110 years old and dominates the centre of town with its impressive architecture. The long wait for the completion of Hamburg's new landmark, the Elbphilharmonie, was worth it in the end, as the building now enriches the Hamburg skyline in its full splendour. Around it, Hamburg's new district, the modern HafenCity, is increasingly taking shape.

Maritime architecture and architectural highlights in the harbour

You can marvel at Hamburg's architecture not only on land, but also from the water: During a harbour tour you will not only get to know the Speicherstadt and the HafenCity - you will also experience the Hanseatic Trade Center from an unusual perspective. The concluding waterside view of the fish auction hall will give you an idea of the decades-old tradition and charm of this building

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS Architecture in Hamburg up close

  • Pflasterstraße mit historischen Fassaden, Straßencafé und Begrünung in der Deichstraße Hamburg
    © ThisIsJulia Photography

    In touch with history Historic streets in Hamburg

    Cremon, Deichstraße, Peterstraße, Bäckerbreitergang, Reimerstwiete: Stroll through Hamburg's historic alleys!

    Historic streets in Hamburg
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    © ThisIsJulia Photography

    City model of HafenCity HafenCity InfoCenter in the Kesselhaus

    In the former energy centre of the Speicherstadt, visitors can expect exciting insights into the development of Europe's largest inner-city urban…

    HafenCity InfoCenter in the Kesselhaus
  • Bahnhof Elbbrücken
    © Tobias JlHSd on Unsplash

    Cheeeeese! 10 photo spots for a fantastic photo

    Blog

    Especially on photos and pictures Hamburg shows itself regularly from its most beautiful side. We were on the road for you and show you the 10 best…

    10 photo spots for a fantastic photo
  • Uhrturm der Kirche St. Michaelis in Hamburg, teilweise von grünem Laub eingerahmt
    © ThisIsJulia Photography

    Contemporary witnesses with an eventful history Main Churches

    They are the witnesses of the past, places of faith and landmarks of our city. From nowhere else in Hamburg you have such a clear and wide view over…

    Main Churches
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    © ThisIsJulia Photography

    Dockland

    A few years ago, a particularly prominent office building was built at the Fischereihafen with DOCKLAND.

    Dockland
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    Outstanding German civil engineering Alter Elbtunnel

    When the old Elbe Tunnel, also called St. Pauli Elbe Tunnel, opened in 1911, it was a technical sensation. Today, it is a nostalgic and lovingly…

    Alter Elbtunnel
  • Landungsbrücken
    © ThisIsJulia Photography

    Hamburg's water station. Landungsbrücken

    The floating dock - called the "Landungsbrücken" (landing stages) – is 700 metres long. Harbour tours and the HADAG steamers to Finkenwerder,…

    Landungsbrücken
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    © Christian Spahrbier

    Köhlbrandbrücke

    The Köhlbrandbrücke is the most important connection to the port of Hamburg and one of the city's landmarks.

    Köhlbrandbrücke
  • Planetarium Hamburg
    © Hamburg Tourismus GmbH

    Planetarium

    The Hamburg Planetarium is probably the most advanced planetarium on your home planet! Under the dome of the hall is assembled a "multimedia…

    Planetarium
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    © ThisIsJulia Photography

    Feenteichbrücke

    The Feenteich Bridge in Hamburg is an impressive brick arch with a span of eight metres. Built in 1884, the bridge marks the transition from the…

    Feenteichbrücke
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    © ThisIsJulia Photography

    Fish auction hall

    The FISH AUCTION HALL was built in 1894 and is the impressive centre of the traditional Fish Market.

    Fish auction hall
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    © ThisIsJulia Photography

    Hamburgs "Tele-Michel" Television Tower

    Outstanding! You can see him from every corner of the city: Hamburg's television tower, or as the inhabitants affectionately call it, the…

    Television Tower
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    © ThisIsJulia Photography

    Hamburg Chamber of Commerce

    The Hamburg Stock Exchange building, which by the way is the oldest of its type in Germany, is situated back to back with the Town Hall.

    Hamburg Chamber of Commerce
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    © ThisIsJulia Photography

    Schwanenwikbrücke

    The Schwanenwik Bridge with its candelabra and wrought-iron railing is located on Hamburg's Außenalster. A special place especially for lovers...

    Schwanenwikbrücke

BOOK NOW Travel and experience offers for Hamburg

  • Reisepaket: Hamburg für Entdecker
    © Escape Filmproduktion

    Hamburg for explorers On water, on land and on foot

    • overnight stay in a Hotel, with breakfast
    • Guided tours by bus, boat and on foot
    • Hamburg CARD (3 Days) – ticket worth 33.50€
    Hamburg for explorersTo offerfrom 191.10
  • Entdeckertour
    © Christian Spahrbier

    Explorer-Tour

    • One harbour-tour and one Alster-tour
    • Choose of ship
    • Day ticket for the red double decker
    • Combinable freely on up to 3 days
    Explorer-TourTo offerfrom 56.00 €*
  • Hamburg CARD reduced
    Stattreisen - Stadtrundgang - Vom Rathaus bis zur Elbphilharmonie
    © JFL Photography - Fotolia

    Guided Tour "From the Town Hall to the Elbphilharmonie"

    • Informative city tour
    • From merchant-pride and disasters
    • Development to the world harbour city
    • Discover the city centre
    Guided Tour "From the Town Hall to the Elbphilharmonie"To offerfrom 18.00 €*

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DISCOVER NOW Culture & Music in Hamburg

Ensemble der Harry-Potter-Theaterproduktion auf stimmungsvoll beleuchteter Bühne in Hamburg
© Manuel Harlan

Great productions Theater & Stage Arts

In addition to famous theaters, the stage landscape offers a state opera, raunchy cabaret, impressive dance performances, open-air shows and plays specifically designed for kids.

Theater & Stage Arts
Ausstellungsraum der Hamburger Kunsthalle mit Gemälden alter Meister in eleganter Rundpräsentation
© Hamburger Kunsthalle / Foto: Kay Riechers

Artistic highlights Art & Exhibitions

A visit to one of Hamburg’s museums involves rare old pieces on display in our magnificent buildings, but you’ll also find a number of smaller, owner-operated galleries, as well as contemporary art, pop up installations, street art and collections aimed specifically at the littlest visitors.

Art & Exhibitions
Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg mit gläserner Wellenarchitektur und Backsteinsockel am Wasser
© Mediaserver Hamburg / Jung von Matt

Hamburg's landmark on the Waterfront Elbphilharmonie

In building the Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg certainly put itself on the map! Our concert hall, with its impressive glass wave architecture and interior furnishings, is unparalleled anywhere else in the world.

Elbphilharmonie

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