Extraordinary places to watch ships
The most beautiful and famous cruise ships in the world regularly arrive and depart in Hamburg, which makes Hamburg a popular place for shipspotters - 12 months of the year. Locals and thousands of guests long to welcome new and beloved Ocean Liners. They especially get their money's worth at christenings, first calls, anniversaries and events in the harbour, which is why major events such as the annual Harbour Birthday and the Hamburg Cruise Days are a special highlight. No binoculars are needed to get close to the graceful dream ships: Hamburg offers enough good opportunities for this.
1.On the Elbphilharmonie Plaza
Hamburg's new concert hall has a publicly accessible viewing platform at a height of 37 metres, which can be reached via the longest escalator in Europe, "The Tube". In principle, admission to the Plaza is free, but for ship christenings, first calls or concert days it is advisable to purchase a ticket in advance for 2 euros. From the Plaza you have a fantastic view of the Elbe and its ships.
2.At the vinyard am Stintfang
Those who leave the subway at the Landungsbrücken should definitely climb the last steps to the Stintfang above the station. Nowhere else on the North German coast do large ships sail so far into the city. The Stintfang gives a view of the Norderelbe and the shipyard Blohm+Voss. The colours on the chimney indicate which cruise ship is currently in the dock.
3.On the Landungsbrücken
Eating crabs and shipspotting are easy to combine in Hamburg: At the Landungsbrücken, you have the widest choice (but the crowds are also the biggest at major events). If you're smart, you'll arrive in time for "Brücke 10", the last snack bar before Strand Pauli. The crab rolls are real protein shockers, richly topped, "without anything green, only with fresh onions". The beer costs 2,50 Euro.
4.Stage Theatre and more
On the other side of the Elbe, ship worshipers can find special vantage points, as the city panorama forms the background here. The best observation points: The Rüschpark on the Rüsch peninsula, the theatre in the harbour, from where you can admire an exceptional view. The Bubendey shore, with its long poplar avenue and very few people. And from the top of the Australiakai you have a view of the Cruise Center Altona.
5.On a barge
Ride on board one of the many launches and steamships that offer special tours during spectacular ship calls and harbour events so that you can take pictures of your favourite cruise ship. For shipspotters, the captain will put the launch in an ideal position. The most economical way is with the harbour ferries 61, 62 or 71 from the Landungsbrücken.
6.From the Altona balcony
On the Altonaer balcony at the Altonaer town hall, the locals play boule, while shipspotters can look over almost the entire harbour and the Köhlbrandbrücke. In winter, daredevil sled riders race down the slopes; in summer it's a popular picnic spot.
7.On the Elbe beach Övelgönne
Övelgönne is a popular meeting point for all those who want to relax in the sand and take one or two pictures with their smartphone. The cruise ships pass by directly. Meanwhile, your dog plays with the local dachshunds and pugs.
8.In a deckchair
Hamburgers swear by the Strandperle at the end of Övelgönne beach. On summer evenings this is the snack bar with the longest queue in town. Lying in a deck chair and dreaming on deck - in addition to the , you can also do this in the Beach Club Strand Pauli below St. Pauli in an area with sand piled up directly on the banks of the Elbe, or in , also near the neighbourhood, above the Elbe.
9.At the pier Op'n Bulln
Those who go to Blankenese have a fantastic view of incoming and outgoing cruise ships from the Op'n Bulln pier. Here, you can also catch the big dream ships that moor at the Cruise Terminal in Steinwerder and therefore "turn off" in front of the Landungsbrücken.
10.At Willkomm Höft
You don't want to miss a single boat? For example at the Hamburg Harbour Birthday? Then Willkomm Höft is the right place. The world's only ship welcoming facility just behind the city limits in Wedel in Schleswig-Holstein has been in existence since 1952. On the terrace of the Schulauer Fährhaus, fans have the cruise ship of their dreams right in front of their eyes.
